Aggression?

[fairydustpink89 0]

I have a street-rescue who gets extremely aggressive during walks. We go for a 15 minute walk every couple of hours and then 1 long one at night before bedtime. The problem is if there are other dogs she gets really aggressive. She tries everything to get out of her harness; flipping, squirming, etc. ONE TIME she slipped out of her collar after squirming and ran to a dog (this is what caused me to get a harness, 1.5 years ago). She ended up just smelling it and offering to play. She is ONLY "aggressive" when she's leashed. If unleashed, she just plays with the dog and she's sweet.

Is this a common shih tzu trait?? I've had multiple trainers and behavior specialists come over and help me. For the most part, she's otherwise trained, but I'm worried someone will get the wrong idea and have the state put her down. I'm TERRIFIED to take her to the dog park because I don't/can't trust her. She has NEVER harmed another animal and gets along with other animals, even cats! When unleashed, she's super mellow. The biggest problem I've ever had with her is potty training (she waits until we're asleep, about 4am, and pees on a mat. We've covered it with a puppy pad and told her to go on that only which she has been).

With a baby on the way, I'm terrified to think that I'll have to push a stroller and walk her during the day knowing she might flip out.

Any tips on her "aggression"?? It's gotten to the point to where I'm considering stopping the walks and just walking her in our cul-de-sac.

[mom2Gizmo 24]

It's not a common shih tzu trait.....it's common with all dogs. Some dogs are aggression when on leash due to insecurity with other dogs and fearful behavior, as my 55 lb. Heinz 57 mix is. And some dogs are aggressive on leash due to feeling frustrated when wanting to make friends with and play with another dog, as my shih tzu is. It sounds like your shih tzu is a lot like mine in that. Patricia McConnell has a great book you can read, called "Feisty Fido" to help reactive dogs.

[Carolina Girl 2]

My shih tzu, Ozzy, would do this. On the leash he was completely NUTS! Off leash he would do a little better. He was also a rescue. He has been tied up to a pole at Petsmart. People walked past him for a full day before animal control was called. When I saw him at the shelter I fell in love with him. He was fine in the beginning. But then he started lunging and going crazy on leash. Then after a while, he would do this behind the baby gate. I wish that I had some advice for you. We tried everything. I put over $1000 of training into him. In the end, it just wasn't enough. He had bitten a few people. I just couldn't risk him hurting someone. Unfortunately, I had to have him put down. I'm, of course, not saying that your baby needs to be put down. Just wanted to share my experience. It was so frustrating.....Good luck!

[Luna 8,676]

On-leash aggression is an odd sort of thing, and not related to Shih Tzu in particular. Of my gang, only 2 do something like this: both rescues, and both because they want to play. However, I have known any number of dogs that are actually agressive on-lead and that's a whole different ball game. I would suggest hiring a trainer to see what they think and work on the behavior.

[Peanut's Mom 6]

I am no expert by any means, but Peanut was acting similarly nuts when on leash and encountering other dogs, and our trainer told us that sometimes it can look worse than it is because they can't fully play (wrestle, etc) when on the leash so it will look funny to us. We are working on teaching him that you don't get to play with every dog you encounter on a walk, and trying to avoid letting him fixate on dogs he is not allowed to play with (stare, pull, etc). Good luck!

[sashahill 0]

I have the same problem with Sasha, as good as gold off the lead-just wants to go over and have a sniff, but on lead she's terrible! the moment she see's another dog it is non stop pulling and barking! It's not so much aggression, more wanting to go and check them out.

She can be next to them having a sniff, then as we walk away and she gets out of reach-the barking starts again!

I had a dog trainer tell me to look for her fixing on the other dog-in Sasha's case, the head would stick up.....at this point stop walking....and the moment she looks away from the other dog treat her and lots of praise...well 2 months later it's not made that much difference to be honest.

Some people have mentioned the citronella spray anti-bark collar but I'm not too sure about this?

Good Luck!