Why is my friendly Shih Tzu suddenly aggressive towards strangers?

Question

Hello! I have a Shih zhu dog that is around 1 year and a half old. He normally loves being around people and I’ve exposed him to people since he was little so he would be like that- but out of no where he’s gotten very aggressive towards ANY stranger. He growls and snaps at them- this started happening a month ago out of no where. He has never done anything like this before. I know he gets nervous very easily- but has never shown it with strangers until now. Please help. Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | unneutered | 15 lbs

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

I hate to hear this is happening. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to give advice without being able to observe the behavior. Canine aggression is a complex behavior as it can stem from dominance, possessiveness, fear, anxiety, resource guarding or a combination. Most people are not familiar with reading canine body language and training. Because of this, I recommend to work with a professional trainer. Researching on your own will also be helpful. Familiarizing yourself with canine body language and dog training can help you to recognize what your pet is trying to say. You can find many books written on the topic and there is a trainer named Victoria Stilwell who I think is particularly helpful. Neutering him may help but will not likely solve the problem. In general, neutered males are less aggressive than intact males. Best of luck.

Why is my friendly Shih Tzu suddenly aggressive towards strangers?

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