Shih Tzu randomly attacking cats

[RumpyFee]

My fiance noticed that while she's always been territorial (mostly over food so we moved her food away from the cats) she's gotten more aggressive after a specific cat died suddenly 3 weeks ago. This was a cat she slept and played with from the very first day we found her (the dog). I'm wondering if this has something to do with anything?

[Karen]

My fiance noticed that while she's always been territorial (mostly over food so we moved her food away from the cats) she's gotten more aggressive after a specific cat died suddenly 3 weeks ago. This was a cat she slept and played with from the very first day we found her (the dog). I'm wondering if this has something to do with anything?

It certainly could. She is grieving in her own way. But you need to work with her right now to keep the possessiveness from getting worse, which it almost always does.

The best thing to do is some obedience training, and institute a "Nothing in Life is Free" policy with her. Keep her leashed to you, make her sit before she gets any treat, make her wait until you have eaten before she eats, etc., I you do a search for NILIF here on Pet Talk, you'll find a lot of discussion - it may seem extreme, but it sounds like it is what will enable her to stay with you, and enable you to have a peaceful coexistence long term!