A dog that bites everything and everyone that gets close to her can be a real headache and an embarrassment. Although unlikely in the case of a Shih Tzu, a lawsuit is also not out of the question.
Now, a biting Shih Tzu is less of a problem than let's say a Pit bull or a Rottweiler, but it is still unacceptable behavior that needs to be addressed. Fortunately it is, in most cases, a problem that is not too hard to rectify.
Start early
Training an older dog to stop biting is much harder than to train a puppy not to bite. For this reason it is very important to start at a very early age before biting becomes a habit.
Let's say your puppy bites your hand. Your task is to let the puppy know that it is unacceptable to bite humans. The best way to do this is to quickly pull back your hand and to say "No Sheba" in a firm tone of voice. Instead of shouting "No" you can also fill a tin with stones and shake it every time the puppy starts biting. Dogs absolutely hate the noise. If done enough times, your puppy will realize that biting is unacceptable and that you will not tolerate her behavior.
Dogs bite because they defend their possessions
Your dog may growl, become aggressive and even bite you or other dogs when she is disturbed while eating. This is perfectly normal and a natural instinct that you should not try and change. Instead, feed her away from other dogs (perhaps in a closed room) and leave her alone while she eats. She will quickly learn that there is no reason to feel threatened.
Your dog may also bite because she is defending her toys and other possessions. You may notice that she tends to guard a certain item, let's say a raw hide. Your best bet is to take the item away from her and not to give it or similar items to her in future.
Another strategy is to give her so many toys or possessions that she realizes they are in abundance and that there is no reason to protect them.
Are you the problem?
Have you ever praised your dog when she tried to defend you by biting or snapping at people? Or maybe you even rewarded her behavior with treats. If so, you have told your Shih Tzu that is perfectly acceptable for her to bite people. If you suddenly tell her to stop, you will only confuse her, especially if you have been encouraging her for years. Getting the help of a behavior specialist may be your only option in this case.
You can train a dog not to bite, but it is even better to buy a dog that does not bite. One way of doing this is by observing the puppies when you first choose your puppy. Look at the puppies while they play and avoid the one that shows aggressive behavior towards the others by biting and snapping at them.
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