I am in my mid fifties and am finding it very hard to take care of my little 5 month old Shih Tzu puppy?

Question

I had a Shih Tzu for 15 years and sadly had to have him put to sleep in January, a few months later I purchased a 6 week old Shih Tzu male but I am finding him really hard to handle. I even got a Trainer to call to the house but he was a little saint when she was here. I have crate trained him and he is house trained but he is biting all the time and when I try to get his harness on he nearly takes the hands off me. I know all the experts say he should be in puppy training classes but they are a good bit away from where I live and as there is only myself and my husband living in the house I feel that he is bored he has loads of toys and teething toys and I try to play with him and bring him for a little walk but as I have a knee replacement I will not be able to give him lots of exercise. That is why I got a Shih Tzu because the last one was happy with very little exercise. Any ideas, should I try to see if somebody would like to take him (which would break my heart) but if its best for him then that it what I will do.

Answer 1

can i be honest here you maybe got him  a little too soon after your other dog died as it has only been 8 months plus he is still too  young to be away from his mother that could be the problem let him run around the living room and throw the ball for him while you  recover he will be ok if he is house trained

Answer 2

I know it is hard to give your dog away, but like you said if it is the best for him. But you can also try to see if someone younger can play with your dog so he can have fun and release his energy and you can still have your dog. You can ask a neighbor if possible. I hope I helped. :)

Answer 3

You should try to break the habit of your dog biting. Here's a few tips.

1) Don't bring the harness to the dog, make him walk to it. This way you won't make putting the harness on a bad experience for the dog, and he won't have negative energy towards it. This will require a lot of patience, but it will work. All you have to do is sit there with the harness, and your dog will eventually come. If he doesn't, try using treats.

2) When he bites, lay him on his side, with your hand gently on his neck. Don't let go until he shows submission. (He stops fighting, and is relaxed) This will show your dog that you are the pack leader, and he can't bite you without punishment. But don't choke your dog, be firm but gentle.

3) When you take him for a walk, make sure you walk out the door first, and he never walks ahead of you, again, showing him that you are the pack leader.

Remember, when doing these, be calm. Don't so any of this when your angry. Just be relaxed, and your dog will be too.

Eventually, your dog will stop biting you. Good luck, and if it doesn't work, give your dog to someone who will take care of him.

Answer 4

Your dog was content with the level of exercise because he was older too - you should have contacted ShihTzu rescue to adopt a dog that was 4 or 5.  Much better fit for your lifestyle.

You only have 2 choices - get moving and train the dog - (BTW I'm in my late 50's and chubby and I still show my dogs and have many in the house) or place the dog with someone who will take the time.

Answer 5

You need some help with training him I would contact a trainer from the following link

http://www.apdt.co.uk/

He needs more exercise and he can get this by you throwing a ball for him to retrieve etc, try to socialise him as much as you can.

There is an organisation who helps elderly people who are not able to walk their dogs I am not sure if they could help with dog walking (you say you are mid 50s so you are not old but you may want to ask if they can help?) The following is their link

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.html

If you cannot keep your dog the Dogs Trust is an organisation who may be able to help, they can also give advice with regard to training and may be able to give you some advice on what you can do in your situation.

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/

I would be heartbroken too if for some reason I could not cope with any of my dogs, I really hope this works out for you, I feel that if you get the right help you may be able to keep your dog but things do have to change as he needs some training.  

Answer 6

I think it is best to rehome him. You would either have been better off with an elder dog or no dog at all. Give him over to a breed rescue, he'll find a home very quickly.

Answer 7

We are based in Aberdeen shire and don't normally take dogs...but we lost our own Shih Tzu - Tensing - last year, so would guarantee a loving home in an enriching environment www.thenewarc.org

Answer 8

I think finding the puppy a home with a more active family and possibly adopting a slightly older dog would be better for both of you. There are many shih-tzu and mixes at the shelter who have much love to give and have already gone through the puppy stage.

Answer 9

You need to change your behavior with him. He is not the alpha, you are!

It was a good idea having a trainer come to your house, but you've got to change your behavior.

If it's too much for you, find him a good home with someone who will take the upper hand. Or a shih tzu rescue group.

If you want a sweet, laid back dog, I recommend an adult basset hound.

I'm sorry about your dog.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Is there a neighbour friend nearby? Maybe a teen or a kid over the age of 9? There are people who are dog walkers, who charge a small fee and walk dogs for people who are out of town, too busy, or even for people in your case who just can't. It might be a good bonding experience for the dog, he'd get more exposure to people, and it would be fun to give a smaller child the chance to walk the dog up and down the street or in the backyard.

My puppies never went to training classes, and we got through the biting phases. We trained them ourselves, and while they're not THE best, they're our babies. Try training at home. Get a spray bottle, set to a mist, and spray the pup whenever he bites or does something you don't like. If he starts biting your hands, place a toy in his mouth, or firmly tell him "NO" and leave him alone. Hopefully, he'll soon get the picture that when he bites you, he doesn't get your attention.

Other people might have better suggestions, but this was mine :) Good luck with him!

Answer 11

Sounds to me like you have really messed up. But seeing as how you lived comfortably with your other dog for 15 years its very possible that bad traits of the breed have been magnified by poor breeding (the givaway is that he was sold at 6 wks, too young),  worsened by you not enforcing pack structure and discipline. Did you spoil him a little, feeling sad about losing your other dog?

You say he was a saint when the trainer was there so its obviously you who does not fully understand pack structure and training. This is not a jab at you, its simply the truth as best I can see.

[Someone said this dog is playing - they do not know anything, this dog is clearly displaying dominance aggression, do not take their advice]

It would be quite simple for me to correct this dogs behaviour but It will take a lot of work for you to do, and if you are not up to learning all about pack structure and working with your dog I strongly suggest rehoming him to someone who is willing to show him his place in their pack and train him. It would be best for him and you.

Highly reccommended site: Leerburg.com

Anyway, good luck!!!

Answer 12

Huh?  I am almost sixty, am not in terribly good health or shape and I still am capable of owning, training and caring for Dobermans - five of them actually and you have an issue with a little Shihtzu?  First off, you got it at six weeks which says it was taken from its litter too young and no responsible, knowledgeable breeder would have done that so you got it from a puppy mill or back yard greeder so it may not have a terribly great temperament to begin with but you have already seen it is trainable and you simply are not well trained.   If you can't keep it, don't be trying to hawk it on the internet to be used as dog fight bait - contact a legitimate breed rescue and have them rehome it properly --- if you couldn't properly assess and select a good breeder the odds are you are incapable of properly assessing a good home for it to go to either.

Answer 13

I completely sympathise with you over this, maybe you rushed into having another dog after your last one. If your a dog lover the hardest thing is to have to live without one.

One way to release some of the energy would be to throw his food out in the garden so that he has to spend a long time searching for it, this would be mental and physical stimulation for him.

Train him with lots of treats that's the best way to please a puppy, if the trainers that have come to your house can't help they couldn't have been that good, try another trainer.

Answer 14

You must do what is right for you.  You only have one life and a dog can live for many years.  This would mean you are unhappy for at least 12 years.  That does not make sense.

I suggest you call the local shelter and get there help.  Put an add in the paper and on the local websites and offer your dog free to a good home.  It is better that the dog is loved and cared for properly and that you are not burdened by a dog you do not want for 12 years.

Answer 15

Please contact the hih Tzu rescue - they will rehome him for you.

If you send him off to a new home yourself, you have no way of really knowing where he is going, and you could also be held legally liable for any damage that occurred as a result of him being there, even if they tripped over him.  A good rescue will be incorporated to shield their volunteers against this liability.

I'm sorry this has happened - it's tough when your own body won't cooperate - in the future, you might want to look into adopting a racing Greyhound, which would be more on your level, and incredibly easy on a leash.

  But I think you will find that SHih Tzu rescue will help you, and find him somewhere he will get the handling he needs to be a better character.

Good luck-

Answer 16

the reason he is biting is because hes playing. it may seem mean but its just his was of it. your hands are like teeth to him, when you grab his collar, its like his siblings does when they want to rump around with him. you can try a spray bottle if his nipping starts to hurt its best to pop his hind. i had a pug puppy and he used to bite all the time when i was pregnant i couldnt chase him anymore and he would attack my feet so i got aa fly swatter popped him once he never bit me again.