54
Answers Home
» Behavior & Training
» Socialization
How to socialize my shih tzu with other dogs?
My family adopted a shih tzu 9 years back. When she came in she was very shy and afraid of everything around her, but now after much pampering she lives like a queen in the house. The problem is, she doesn't get along with any other animals, especially other dogs. We tried to bring in other dogs before, but she would turn aggressive and jealous to the extend that she stays famine to get the other dog away. She doesn't like us to near any other dogs but her. Sometimes when she smells another dog's scent on us, she ignores us and doesn't want to play. How can I train her to accept other dogs in the house? I really would like to adopt another dog into the family.
Asked by
Member 1054163
on Sep 9th 2011
Tagged
in Socialization
Status
- Cast your vote for which answer you think is best!
Answers
Well, at her age, it's not going to be a quick fix, and some dogs are just not ever going to be buddies with other dogs.
Could you borrow a pretty chill, tolerant dog from someone to practice with? Then, get some of your dog's favorite treats, cut up very small, and feed them to her when she sees the other dog. start far away, and move closer over several sessions. When the dog goes away, so does the food. You want her to associate another dog's presence with good things, to where she is happy to see the other dog.
A different way to go about it is just wait her out- bring another dog in the house, keep her behind a baby gate where she can see it but not get to it, and just wait out the hissy fit. Reward her once she is calmly watching the other dog or totally ignoring her. She might just be stubborn and used to getting her way all the time.
Can't tell which way would work better (or at all) without knowing you and her.
Bruno
answered on 9/9/11.
Helpful? 
/
0
