A problem like a Shih Tzu growling isn’t something you read about too often. But it happens, and if it’s happening to you right now, don’t panic. In today’s post, I’ll be going through exactly why your Shih Tzu might be growling and, more importantly, what you can do to stop it.
Shih Tzu’s have a reputation for being happy-go-lucky and friendly. They’re not a dog you usually associate with growling, snapping, or any other form of aggression.
But just because it’s not common, doesn’t mean it’s unheard of. Regardless of breed, all dogs are individuals. They’re all capable of reverting against type and throwing a curveball your way from time to time.
When it happens, it can be scary. Not scary in the way a growling Rottweiler is, but scary nonetheless. Regardless of how small and cute a dog is, bared teeth and a rumbling growl is never something you can (or should) take lightly.
If your dog means business with their growls, the situation could eventually escalate into bites and full-blown aggression if it isn’t taken seriously.
But why exactly do they do it?
Ultimately, it could be one of many reasons. It could be they feel threatened and are warning others to back off. It could be they’re in pain. It could even be they’re having an awesome time and are growling for the sheer pleasure of it.
Figuring out the cause of the growling is the first step. Once you do that, you can move forward in addressing it.
But before we go any further, I want to give you a quick heads up about a program that could make all the difference in the coming weeks. It’s called the Dog Calming Code, and it’s been specially put together by Dan Abdelnoor over at the Online Dog Trainer to help with problems exactly like this.
Designed to teach a dog how to stay calm and focused regardless of what’s going on around them, the code will turn your dog from a victim of their emotions to the master of them. Once that happens, you’ll quickly notice a dramatic improvement in growling, aggression, and any other undesirable behaviors.
If you want to start making positive progress from today, here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Shih Tzu’s Scary, Dangerous Growling Habit… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
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Why is My Shih Tzu Growling?
Shih Tzu’s aren’t the kind of dog we typically associate with aggression. Generally speaking, they’re happy, relaxed, and affectionate to a fault. But they’re still dogs, and like all dogs, they have buttons. If those buttons get pressed enough, they’ll react… and not always in ways we appreciate.
Does that mean you should be panicking that your cute little lion dog has turned into a tiger?
…Do a few little growls here and there indicate deep-seated aggression?
Not necessarily…
To us, growling just seems like an outright expression of aggression. Nothing more, nothing less. The problem is, things are rarely that simple.
Growling, in its essence, is just one of the many ways your dog communicates. Why they do it could be down to a whole bunch of things.
Surprisingly, not all of them have anything to do with aggression. If you want to address the problem at its root, you’ll first need to work out exactly what’s making your own little Shih Tzu growl.
If it sounds complicated, don’t worry too much. Although every dog is unique, most cases of growling come down to just a small handful of explanations. Work out which one applies in your own case, and you’ll be one step closer to tackling it.
The Warning Growl
The warning growl is your dog’s way of saying “back off”. It could be that they feel threatened, think their food or toys are under threat, or really don’t like strangers coming onto their patch.
You can usually tell a warning growl from other types as it’ll be accompanied by pricked ears, a tight-lipped muzzle, barred teeth, and a confident, alert posture.
Most dogs issue a few warning growls before getting serious about things. If the object of their attention doesn’t take them seriously, they’ll start leaning or advancing forward, prick their ears back, and let rip with a volley of loud, constant growls, often intermixed with a few snarls for good measure.
If their previous growls were a gentle request, these growls are urgent – continue to ignore them, and things could quickly escalate.
However, if they’re guarding their food or possessions, the growls can sometimes take on a more subdued tone. They might fix their gaze on the possession rather than make direct eye contact in the hope of diffusing the tension.
In these cases, the growls are intended purely as a warning rather than as an act of aggression.
Related Post: Why Is My Dog Being Aggressive All Of A Sudden?
The Scared Growl
If a dog pins their ears back and lowers both their head and body slightly to the ground, they might be growling out of fear.
In these cases, they don’t want to fight: they just want the thing that’s scaring them to go away. If acting super intimidating achieves that, so be it.
As to what could be scaring your dog – take your pick. It could be a stranger, another dog, a car backfiring, a thunderclap, a boy on a bike… the list goes on.
All dogs can develop fears, anxieties, and phobias, but it’s most common in dogs that haven’t been properly socialized.
If they aren’t gently introduced to a wide variety of people, animals, noises, and things from a young age, they can easily become nervous around them as they mature.
Dogs who’ve experienced some form of neglect or abuse in the past can also be prone to anxieties.
The Pain Growl
No one wants to be coaxed into walking or playing or cuddling if they feel ill, dogs included.
If they’re in pain, whether from an illness or an injury, they’re naturally going to be more testy than usual.
If you touch them in a particularly painful spot, they might growl or even nip.
This kind of growl has nothing to do with aggression – it’s simply your dog’s way of telling you it hurts and to please stop poking them.
The Pleasure Growl
If your Shih Tzu is between the age of 5 and 9 weeks old, you might notice they growl gently when they’re having their tummy rubbed or their ears scratched.
This isn’t an aggressive growl, it’s a pleasure purr. It’s a completely natural vocalization of sheer contentment, and there’s absolutely nothing you need to do to stop it.
The Play Growl
When we hear a growl, our spidey senses automatically start tingling. But not all growls have a deep, dark meaning.
If your dog is happy and feeling playful, there’s a good chance they’ll let rip with a few growls.
Usually, play growls are short, low, and accompanied by relaxed body language. They might crouch down and raise their butt, bounce around a little, and even show off their pearly whites in a relaxed grin.
Like pleasure growls, play growls have nothing to do with aggression- they’re just a sign of excitement.
Related Post: My Dog Growls At Me – How To Quickly Deal With Growling Issues
How to Stop a Shih Tzu Growling
Once you’ve got a good idea of what’s making your Shih Tzu growl, you can start working on ways to address it.
Before we start getting into the nitty-gritty, I’d recommend taking a moment to check out the Dog Calming Code over at the Online Dog Trainer.
Regardless of whether your dog’s behavior is rooted in anxiety, possessiveness, or anything else, a calm, focused mindset is only going to improve matters.
The tips and tricks you’ll learn during the program aren’t rocket science, and you certainly don’t need to be an experienced dog trainer to master them. Once you introduce the techniques into your routine, you’ll soon notice a big improvement.
Once you’ve cracked the code, here are a few extra things to think about.
Rule Out a Health Problem
If your dog’s in pain and feeling vulnerable, it’s only natural for them to growl or even snap in response to being handled or even just approached.
If the growling is a new development, be sure to rule out an injury or illness with your vet before anything else.
Control Their Environment
We shouldn’t and can’t shape our behavior entirely around our dogs, but there are a few things you can do to control their environment, reduce their stress, and minimize undesirable behaviors.
These include:
1. Give Them a Private Eating Area
If a dog feels their food is under threat, it’s common for them to growl as a warning.
Let them eat without stress by creating an eating station in a quiet corner of the room that’s well away from noisy machines, seating areas, or walkways.
2. Teach Your Children Well
It can be tricky enough for an adult to establish themselves as leader of the pack: for a child, it’s even more challenging.
If your kids and dogs routinely roughhouse together, it’s likely your Shih Tzu sees them as betas – i.e. having the same social status in the pack as them.
While your Shih Tzu might not dream of growling at an alpha, they’ll not hesitate in issuing a few warning growls at a beta if the play gets too rough.
As these kinds of situations can quickly escalate into something more serious, it’s vital to teach your kids proper handling methods, including avoiding tugging a dog’s tail, pulling their ears, or engaging in anything else that could cause tension.
3. Give Them a Safe Space
Even the most well-mannered dog can be pushed to breaking point if the noise and commotion in a house get too much.
If they don’t have an escape route, they can easily become frustrated and overwhelmed, both of which can result in growling.
Create a quiet spot in the house for them to retreat to in times of stress.
Crates are great for the purpose, but you could simply position their bed in a peaceful corner if you prefer. Just be sure to add a few blankets and toys for comfort.
Socialize Them
If your dog gets anxious and scared around new faces, loud noises, or unexpected situations, it’s time to get social.
Socialization aims to teach dogs that the world isn’t the big bad place they think it is.
But by gently introducing them to a wide variety of sights, sounds, and experiences in a controlled way, you can help them get over their nerves and quit growing at everything they consider a threat.
Although it’s best done from as early an age as possible, it’s never too late to start. Just be sure to keep a big bag of treats on hand to smooth the way.
Establish A Hierarchy
Dogs are pack animals. They see hierarchy, assign rankings, and if they don’t feel you’re made of leadership material, they won’t think twice about disobeying your instructions or giving you the odd growl when they feel you’re stepping out of line.
If you want the growling to stop, it’s time to establish yourself as the leader of the pack.
That doesn’t mean turning into a shouting, scolding despot. It means keeping calm, staying collected, and following through on your commands.
One of the best ways to asset your status is through training. It’s easy to take a hit and miss approach to training small dogs, but the benefits will be just as great for a Shih Tzu as a Rottie.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider joining an obedience class – you’ll get the benefit of a trainer’s wisdom, plus an excellent opportunity to socialize your pooch at the same time.
Regardless of whether you go it alone or in company, remember the three golden rules of training a Shih Tzu –
- Patience (that stubborn streak isn’t going to go away overnight)
- Persistence (the more you practice and the more consistent you are, the bigger the rewards)
- Positive reinforcement (the more you reward obedience and good behavior, the sooner it’ll become a habit)
If you’re struggling to get your dog into the right frame of mind for training, you’ll find the Dog Calming Code an invaluable asset.
Calm Things Down
A dog who’s up one minute and down the next is unpredictable and prone to acting out. If you want to curb the growling, you’ll need to get them on a more even keel.
If that sounds like mission impossible, it’s not. The Dog Calming Code is an easy, effective way to a calmer, more focused dog.
It encourages them to listen, to view you as a leader, and to keep their emotions firmly in check.
Best of all, it’s doesn’t matter whether you’re a complete newbie to dog training or have been doing it all your life. This is a program for all dogs and all owners.
Wrapping Things Up
Just because a Shih Tzu is small doesn’t mean growing can be ignored or treated lightly.
If they’re growling, they’re growling for a reason, whether that’s because they’re in pain, feeling threatened, or simply don’t like being approached while they eat.
Whatever the reason, the sooner you can figure it out and put the right strategy in place to deal with it, the better.
Remember, growling is simply a warning, not an act of aggression in itself.
Take heed of that warning, and you can make sure it never escalates into something more serious.
It may take some work, but with the right combination of patience and persistence, you’ll get there.
