Shi-tzu Loves People but Hates Other Dogs

toesockgcrazy

Hi . I've been working on training our Shi-tzu/Mini Poodle (3/4 and 1/4). Twice a day I take the little guy on walks because he's so high energy. He adores people. We're working on jumping, whining when someone isn't interested in playing with him, ect. If someone else is walking their dog he gets almost aggressive. He'll sniff, bark and jump around the other dog. At first I  thought it might be playing but even dogs his size get mean right back. 

We were warned that if we agreed to care for him that we would need to be a one dog household because his breed doesn't like other dogs. I didn't realize that would be every dog all of the time. My worry is that he'll pick a fight with a bigger dog and get himself hurt or killed before I have the chance to help him. Should I just work on "come", "stop" ect and make him possibly heel if other dogs are around or is there a way to do some very basic socialization? Thank you ahead of time. 

sgautschi

I would make sure that when you are walking him, he is right by your side. Don't let him walk ahead of you or behind you. When a dog comes walking by, step to the side and stop to let them pass. Make your dog sit and wait. If you don't make a big deal of there being another dog, then hopefully he will calm down too.

How old is your dog? I would continue to try and socialize him, but in controlled environments, and not in your home. Dogs are very territorial, especially small and high energy breeds, so find a mutual place, like a small park (not a full on dog park), to introduce him to a friend or family member's dog. 

 Take it slow, and be patient. Good luck!

RedheadBaker

toesockgcrazy:

We were warned that if we agreed to care for him that we would need to be a one dog household because his breed doesn't like other dogs. I didn't realize that would be every dog all of the time. My worry is that he'll pick a fight with a bigger dog and get himself hurt or killed before I have the chance to help him. Should I just work on "come", "stop" ect and make him possibly heel if other dogs are around or is there a way to do some very basic socialization? Thank you ahead of time. 

Who told you the bolded? That's a pretty sweeping over-generalization, especially given that he's a mixed-breed dog. Dogs are social creatures, and it's usually lack of socialization in puppyhood, or a traumatic event, that makes them "not like" other dogs.

I would work with a behaviorist to improve his behavior around other dogs. He may never be able to live with another dog, but hopefully you can get some help managing his manners in public.  

toesockgcrazy

Thank you . I will try that on our night walk tonight and see how that works out. As for socializing I know the perfect place and will try that this weekend. Never hurts to try. 

Taynee (It's Hebrew for tiny) is 8 months old.

toesockgcrazy

One of the ladies at the shelter told us this. I thought it was odd, too. That's why I assumed that it would be a territorial home situation and not an every dog on the known planet situation. 

Snippylynn

Yeah, that's totally weird they said it doesn't like other dogs. I have a shih-tzu and she adores almost all other dogs.  One thing I have noticed, however, is that she behaves completely different from when she is on vs off leash.  Perhaps you can find a dog that your dog is less aggressive with, and take them to a dog park or other enclosed area to let them off leash to play?

kellbell1919

I'm glad you guys rescued and glad you committed to a dog who is technically special needs (not good with other dogs).  I think she's wrong to imply he is a breed and that this is breed specific.  It is not at all.  Certain breeds may tendencies to interact with other dogs in certain ways but I can't imagine saying an entire breed is bad with other dogs?  I would probably get a trainer who is a behaviorist as well and do training classes.  A behaviorist can assess the situation better and help with socialization.  This is what we did with our dog.  In the meantime maybe teach a "leave it" command and use it when he gets amped about other dogs.  It's possible he is just leash aggressive, or just being overly barky but not actually aggressive, but you need someone who knows about dog behavior to evaluate better.

fulloflove

Carry really tasty treats every single time you leave the house. Whenever you see another dog, feed your dog a treat. This teaches the dog to associate other dogs with something really good happening. It changes the underlying emotion (fear, aggression) to something much more desirable (happiness) when you pass other dogs.

I would keep the dog out further from other dogs, but would not make him sit at this time. Your dog is obviously stressed out when near other dogs and forcing him into a more vulnerable position will not make him feel better. Sometimes you can suppress a behavior (barking and lunging at other dogs) but unless you fix the underlying emotion, your dog can become a time bomb. This means that while he will sit or not bark, he is still very afraid and can snap suddenly one day. That is why it is very important to change the underlying emotion.

Snippylynn

Actually, that's a good point Love has made.  There is a couple in my area who have two very small and very aggressive Chihuaha's. Whenever they see someone now, they give them this stuff called Kalle's Caviar (it's a Swedish thing that's basically a protein bomb-- gross as hell, but the dogs love it) so now when they see a dog, they just stop, and give the dogs some of the Kalle's to distract them and associate seeing another dog with a delicious treat. They are getting much better!