The 9 Most Common Shih Tzu Behavior Problems

The Shih Tzu, an ancient breed of small dog, originally from China

It has been bred for centuries and is renowned for its loyalty and affectionate nature, making it a popular companion.

Shih Tzus ranked at #20 on the The Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2022 by the American Kennel Club.

It’s hard not to love the Shih Tzu — they’re super friendly, loyal, and the best lap dogs that anyone could ever ask for.

The Shih Tzu is far from perfect though

But they also have their own set of challenges that can affect their breed’s behavior — yes, we’re talking about your Shih Tzu possibly being a bad kid.

Shih Tzus are stubborn and willful, which makes them challenging to train. 

They can also be aggressive toward other dogs if they’re not appropriately socialized from an early age.

But you can overcome these challenges

Understanding these challenges will help you deal with them without resorting to harsh punishment or ineffective methods of training. 

Training & socialization are crucial

Training and socialization are key to preventing most breed-specific behaviors, but if your Shih Tzu continues to develop a behavior problem anyway, there are steps you can take to help him overcome it. 

So, what challenges might a potential Shih Tzu owner may face while training a new pup?

And how can they overcome them?

The 9 Most Common Shih Tzu Behavior Problems

1. Excessive Barking: Persistent and loud barking, usually due to boredom, anxiety, or a desire for attention from their owner.
2. Stubbornness: Resistance to training or following commands because of an independent and strong-willed temperament.
3. Separation Anxiety: Experiencing distress and anxiety when away from their owner, leading to destructive behaviors or excessive vocalization.
4. Food Guarding: Displaying aggressive behavior when protecting food, treats, or other valuable resources.
5. Challenges in Housebreaking: Struggling to learn and maintain proper potty habits, causing accidents inside the home.
6. Sensitivity to Grooming: Reacting negatively or with discomfort during grooming sessions, including brushing, bathing, or trimming.
7. Jealousy and Possessiveness: Becoming overly protective of their owner or personal belongings, leading to negative behaviors towards others.
8. Snapping or Nipping: Exhibiting quick biting or snapping actions, often as a response to fear, discomfort, or perceived threats.
9. Attention-Seeking: Continuously seeking attention and interaction from their owner, leading to disruptive or annoying behaviors.

1. Excessive Barking

Shih Tzus, for better or worse, are known for their barking, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, barking is a natural dog behavior that serves many purposes. However, excessive or inappropriate barking can be a sign of stress or anxiety in your Shih Tzu.

Why dogs bark

Barking has two main uses: communicating with other dogs (to warn them off) and communicating with humans (to get what they want). 

There’s usually a reason for it

So if your Shih Tzu is barking more than usual, it could be because they want something–like attention from you! 

Or maybe they feel threatened by another animal nearby? 

Either way, there are strategies you can use to reduce excessive barking in your dog.

Shih Tzus might bark to be “protective”

Shih Tzus are generally not aggressive, but they can be protective of their owners and property. This is especially true if the dog has been allowed to form strong bonds with people and become overly dependent on them for affection and attention.

Try to find the root cause

The first thing you should do is examine the situation that causes your dog to bark. Is there a specific trigger? 

If so, try to remove the source of stress (e.g., if they bark at people walking by your house, consider moving them inside when this happens).

2. Stubbornness

Shih Tzus are stubborn, and this can be a problem for owners when training and even years down the road when their Shih Tzus are adults. 

Stubbornness is a breed-specific behavior problem that can make it difficult to train your Shih Tzu.

If you’re struggling with stubbornness, don’t worry! There are ways to overcome it and live with your dog’s stubbornness in the meantime.

Learn quick, but don’t always obey

Shih Tzus learn new commands pretty quickly — but this doesn’t mean they’re going to listen or obey when you want them to do these commands outside training.

This earned them a spot into the loweset rank of Dog Intelligence according to Canine Intelligence researcher Dr. Stanley Coren

They know how to get their way

But they also know when they have the upper hand in an argument or negotiation with their owners. If you let them get away with something once or twice without consequence, chances are good that next time around, they’ll try again until they finally win out over you (or at least get what they want from you, like a scrap of food from your plate). 

You need to be firm

Be firm in your rules; if they don’t listen right away when told not to do something, then remove all temptation/opportunity until your Shih Tzu gets the point. 

3. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common problem for many dogs. Shih Tzus are particularly prone to this behavior, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including breed, age, and temperament. Some dogs will become destructive or bark excessively when left alone.

How to manage separation anxiety

Separation anxiety can be managed with time-out techniques that help your dog learn to cope without you at home and prevent them from engaging in destructive behavior when they do feel anxious about being separated from you. 

If this is a problem you are experiencing with your Shih Tzu, check out this video on how to deal with separation anxiety.

4. Food Guarding

Food guarding is a common problem in Shih Tzus, and it’s important to understand the seriousness of this behavior. Food guarding can lead to aggression, which can be dangerous for you and your dog as well as other animals in the home. 

It’s also a learned behavior — if you allow your Shih Tzu to guard their food from you or other family members, they will continue doing so into adulthood.

Don’t let this problem get out of hand

The best way to address this issue is by preventing it from happening in the first place: keep all food out of reach when you aren’t feeding your pup; don’t surprise them with treats; don’t make eye contact while eating (this may trigger an instinctual response).

For a more detailed guide on how to deal with food guarding in general, the American Kennel Club has put together a wonderful guide that can be found here. 

5. Difficulty Housebreaking

Housebreaking a dog refers to the process of training a dog to eliminate waste (urinate and defecate) outside or in a designated indoor area, rather than inside the house.

This is typically one of the first and most important steps in training a new puppy or adopting an older dog.

It takes time & patience

Housebreaking can take time and patience, especially with a Shih Tzu.

If your Shih Tzu has trouble housebreaking, there are several things that you can do to help. 

Tips to housebreak your Shih Tzu

• Establish a routine: Create a consistent schedule for feeding and taking your dog outside to go potty. This will help your dog learn when it’s time to go and reduce the likelihood of accidents inside the house.
• Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog with treats, praise, and affection when they go potty in the appropriate location. This will help reinforce the behavior you want to see and encourage your dog to continue to go in the right spot.
• Supervise closely: When you’re inside, keep a close eye on your dog to prevent accidents. Consider using a crate or confining your dog to a small area where you can easily monitor them.
• Take your dog outside frequently: Puppies have small bladders and will need to go outside frequently to avoid accidents. Take your puppy out at least every hour or two during the day, and increase the time gradually as they get older.
• Be patient: Housebreaking can take time, and there may be accidents along the way. Be patient and consistent with your training, and don’t punish your dog for accidents. Instead, focus on rewarding them for going in the right spot. Remember: puppies can’t hold their bladder as long as an adult dog can.
• Clean up accidents thoroughly: If your dog has an accident inside the house, clean it up thoroughly to remove any odor. Dogs have a strong sense of smell and may be more likely to go in the same spot if they can still smell their waste.

Have you tried all this, but nothing seems to work?

Does it seem like your Shih Tzu will never be housebroken?!

Then it’s probably best to consult with a professional trainer — don’t give up hope!

With consistent proper training, your Shih Tzu is sure to eventually break their bad habits.

6. Sensitivity to Grooming

Shih Tzus are a sensitive breed, and they can be pretty irritable when it comes to grooming in general. They don’t like being forced into situations where they feel trapped or threatened as a whole, so it’s important that you approach everything with a gentle hand, including any kind of grooming. 

If your Shih Tzu starts acting up during grooming sessions with you or your professional groomer, try these tips:

Tips for having your Shih Tzu groomed

• Reassurance: Let your Shih Tzu know that you’re there for him/her by talking in soothing tones.
• Rewards: Give him/her extra treats throughout the process (if he/she is okay with treats).
• Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement whenever possible; give him lots of praise when they behave well!

If all else fails, try consulting with your veterinarian or a trained dog professional to see what insight they could offer.

7. Jealousy and Possessiveness

Shih Tzus are known to be possessive of their owners, food, and toys. 

As you can guess, this can quickly become a problem…

Especially when they behave aggressively toward other dogs that may approach you on a walk.

They may also guard their space and bark at anyone who comes near you or the house.

You know, just staring out the window barking up a menacing storm at whoever dares walk past their home

If your Shih Tzu exhibits these behaviors, you can try the following techniques:

• Make sure that you have enough time for play each day so that your pup doesn’t become bored
• Take your Shih Tzu on walks with another dog if possible so they can interact with them outside of your home environment.

If your Shih Tzu is becoming overly possessive of you when introducing a new puppy into your household, try to slowly acclimate your Shih Tzu to the new addition. 

You can do this by holding your Shih Tzu in your lap while they sniff the new addition or allowing them to play together in short, supervised bursts. 

8. Snapping or Nipping

Snapping, nipping, and biting are common behavior problems in Shih Tzus as a breed. 

These actions may be a sign of dominance or an attempt to get your attention.

Or they might just need more socialization.

If they’re just a puppy, you’re more likely to be able to break them of this habit by just socializing them more — bringing them around a whole bunch of different people & dogs in a whole bunch of different places. Get them used to everything that goes on in the hectic world while they’re young.

Factors contributing to snapping or nipping in Shih Tzus include lack of early training; lack of socialization (time spent with other dogs); poor nutrition; boredom; stress/anxiety caused by inadequate housing conditions such as being left alone too long without adequate exercise opportunities and a variety of other environmental issues. 

Causes of snapping or nipping include…

• Lack of early training
• Lack of socialization
• Poor nutrition
• Boredom
• Stress/anxiety

Tips for snapping & nipping

• Determine the cause: Identify what triggers your Shih Tzu to snap or nip. It could be fear, anxiety, aggression, or even playfulness. Once you identify the root cause, you can address the behavior more effectively.
• Socialize your Shih Tzu: Proper socialization is essential to reduce fear and anxiety in Shih Tzus. Expose your dog to new people, pets, and environments to help them become more comfortable and confident.
• Provide training: Teaching your Shih Tzu basic obedience commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come” can help them better understand boundaries and what is expected of them.
• Avoid negative reinforcement: Avoid punishing your Shih Tzu for snapping or nipping as this can make the behavior worse. Instead, use positive reinforcement such as treats and praise when your dog displays good behavior.
• Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation: Boredom and pent-up energy can lead to destructive behavior, including snapping and nipping. Provide your Shih Tzu with plenty of physical and mental exercise to keep them happy and content.
• Keep them close: When you’re on a walk and encounter other dogs, you should keep your Shih Tzu close by your side — especially if you don’t know the other dog. The other dog might have a nipping problem too! Feel it out and let your dog approach (or be approached) only if they feel comfortable.

You might need a professional trainer

If your Shih Tzu is still displaying biting and nipping issues after puppyhood, we suggest that you consult with a professional dog trainer. 

9. Attention-Seeking

Shih Tzus are people-oriented dogs, and they need a lot of attention. 

If you’re not giving your Shih Tzu enough love and affection, they may start exhibiting attention-seeking behavior.

Attention Seeking Behavior in Shih Tzus can look like…

• Whining
• Barking at you
• Following you room-to-room
• Begging for attention

Not all Shih Tzus are like this…

But why do some Shih Tzus engage in such excessive attention-seeking behaviors? 

Shih Tzus are very people oriented and focused on their owner and family

When they aren’t getting the attention they’re used to getting, they seek it out from those closest to them.

What you can about your Shih Tzu’s attention seeking

To nip this in the bud, the best thing you can do is to leave your pup alone for short bursts of time early on to get them used to being alone, thus reducing the need for attention seeking. 

Conclusion

Shih Tzus are a very lovable breed, but they do have some behavioral issues that can be difficult to deal with. If you’re considering adopting a Shih Tzu puppy, make sure you’re prepared for these problems before taking on this responsibility. 

It’s important to recognize that although these dogs may seem like angels most days, there will be times when they act out due to stress or boredom.

Recap of these 9 Shih Tzu Behavior Problems

1. Excessive Barking: Persistent and loud barking, usually due to boredom, anxiety, or a desire for attention from their owner.
2. Stubbornness: Resistance to training or following commands because of an independent and strong-willed temperament.
3. Separation Anxiety: Experiencing distress and anxiety when away from their owner, leading to destructive behaviors or excessive vocalization.
4. Food Guarding: Displaying aggressive behavior when protecting food, treats, or other valuable resources.
5. Challenges in Housebreaking: Struggling to learn and maintain proper potty habits, causing accidents inside the home.
6. Sensitivity to Grooming: Reacting negatively or with discomfort during grooming sessions, including brushing, bathing, or trimming.
7. Jealousy and Possessiveness: Becoming overly protective of their owner or personal belongings, leading to negative behaviors towards others.
8. Snapping or Nipping: Exhibiting quick biting or snapping actions, often as a response to fear, discomfort, or perceived threats.
9. Attention-Seeking: Continuously seeking attention and interaction from their owner, leading to disruptive or annoying behaviors.