Im really scared.

**shihtzulover** · 03-13-2005, 12:30 AM

I have a year old shih tzu named Bandit. Bandit is like a guard dog. In October we got another female shih name Princess. She is now 9 months old. They are both best friends. Both of the dogs love me but hate my little sister. Just recently when my sister tries to pick her up/pet her she growls at her the bites her. I think Bandit just needs to get used to her. But this all started ever since we got Princess. Im really scared because my parents are threating to get rid of one of them. I cant live without them seriously. When she bites her bandit runs and gets me then jumps and starts kissing my sister. She has never bitten me. What should I do?

**PJ's Mom** · 03-13-2005, 12:37 AM

Hi,

How old is your sister? Has she ever done anything to your dogs to make them act that way to her?

**shihtzulover** · 03-13-2005, 12:39 AM

She is 6. Well she annoys the dogs a lot and bothers them. Shes really loud too.

**PJ's Mom** · 03-13-2005, 12:42 AM

Does she always try to pick them up? Can she just sit on the floor and pet them quietly? Maybe you could ask your parents to tell her to be a little more quiet around the dogs. It sounds like she scares them byt being too loud and by picking them up too much.

**shihtzulover** · 03-13-2005, 12:44 AM

We've tried that. Most of the time it doesnt work.

**Summer Magic** · 03-13-2005, 04:12 PM

Sounds to me like you have a behavior problem with your sister, not your dogs. Maybe you can talk to your parents and help them teach your sister proper behavior around the dogs.

**bckrazy** · 03-14-2005, 12:39 AM

You definitely need to remind your parents that, if the dogs are expected to treat your little sister with kindness, she should first gain their trust and be kind to them. Dogs, especially toy breeds who feel VERY threatened by an unpredictable child, cannot be expected to tolerate rough handling, and your sister should always be supervised with the dogs. It's wrong for your parents to threaten to get rid of the dogs - they're the adults, and it's their responsibility to socialize and train both dogs to behave around you sister (and vice versa). Here are some links that you and your family need to read over...

http://sspca.org/Dogs_ChildrenAndDogs2.html

http://www.dogscouts.com/childrendogs.shtml

http://www.dogscouts.com/biteprevention.shtml

http://www.dogsandkids.ca/

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-prob.htm#kid

**Pit Chick** · 03-14-2005, 08:09 AM

I agree with bckrazy.

**massagelady** · 03-17-2005, 03:53 AM

i have a 165 lb male rottweiller,so i deal w/agression daily. not from him ,but .....ill try to explain. if a person,anticipates that theres a prob. their pet, esp. dogs zone in on that uncomfortablevibe that you omit about a prob. arrising, so being the protective creatures they are,they do just what you describes as your problem.
try not to make a issue when your sis and the dogs are around each other. be w/in a safe grab of her, just in case,but try doing something to distract the dogs from your sis.....that strategy works for me.
good luck