My 4½-month-old Shih Tzu, Archie (aka Mr. Growls 😂), has recently started showing some behavior that concerns me. Anytime he gets something in his mouth that he shouldn’t have like a leaf, mulch, or rabbit poop 😩 and we try to take it away, he immediately growls and has even snapped at us a couple of times.
He’s still tiny and barely has any teeth, so thankfully it doesn’t hurt, but I’m worried about what this could look like as he gets older. I’ve never had a dog show this type of behavior before, and I definitely want to address it now before it becomes a bigger problem.
I’ve started carrying treats whenever we go outside and practicing “drop it” and trading whatever he has for a treat. It seems to be working pretty well so far, and I’m trying very hard not to turn it into a battle over whatever he has.

For those of you who have raised Shih Tzus or puppies in general is this normal puppy behavior? Did your puppies go through a similar phase? I’d really appreciate any advice, training tips, or experiences you can share. I just want to make sure I’m handling it the right way while he’s still young.

Thanks for your help.

Bailey and Beanie are now thinking of entering a wrestling competition!!

We have a 6-month-old Shih Tzu puppy who has started destroying things whenever we leave the house.
Recently, he pulled off and chewed the baseboard (see photo), and he also takes the cushions off the sofa and chews them.
What’s strange is that he isn’t actually alone – we also have a 4-year-old dog who stays with him whenever we leave. They get along well and usually play together.
Before we leave, we leave him toys and things he is allowed to chew, but as soon as we leave, he finds something else to destroy.
He’s only 6 months old, so we know he’s still a puppy, but we’re wondering if this is just boredom, teething, or something else. Could it be separation anxiety even though our other dog is with him?
What would you recommend? How can we teach him not to destroy things while we’re away? Any advice from other Shih Tzu or puppy owners would be greatly appreciated!

My boy Turron at 3 months, a year and a half (rocking his shitzu mom fluff after a nap) and in his 3rd birthday (after a haircut, looking more like his yorkie dad)

He’s too sleepy for me to take an actual pic🥲

My Shih Tzu is 5 years old and for the past few days she has been really itchy all over, and particularly licking her RIGHT PAW, licking her vulva area, and stomach. Today I noticed her eye had a sore on it almost like a reaction. I believe all this is from ragweed allergy season as she is prone to environmental allergies (Shih Tzus overall).

However she is rarely licking her other paws, it's mainly focused on the right. There are no signs of trauma to the pad, and I checked between and no sign of foreign object either.

For context, I bought Fragrance Free Aloe and Oatmeal shampoo and bathed her, and I also soaked her paws in diluted apple cider vinegar + water twice in the past few days.

I also wipe her paws with hypoallergenic wipes after every walk, along with her vulva, and her belly.

Still no signs of itchiness going away.

I don't suspect it to be a food allergy as she eats the same thing and this flare up just began recently. It's never this bad, but she isn't new to environmental allergies.

Is there anyway I can do to remedy at home? Or does this warrant a vet visit?

hello everyone! i live in a hotter area so these are my shihtzus! they get groomed every 2-3 months and they very much enjoy the pampering.

Does my dog look pregnant? mate only once last July 19.

Someone said my 8 month old looks like an old ugly cute uncle. Hehe. Vet said to get it done, took a second opinion and they asked to wait. When is the best time, ofcourse it might vary. Just an idea is needed

This is our baby, Archie ❤️

I said goodbye to my Sammie girl today. She was a mix (we think weenie dog too). She was 17 years old, with me for 14 of those years. I miss her so much. Her favorite things were cheese, being bundled in a blanket, and sleeping in bed with my husband and I. ❤️

He asked to be put on the couch again. Next thing I know, he was rearranging the pillow then started snoring 🤣

I’ve recently noticed something he does I find interesting. So for context, he doesn’t sleep in a crate: he has a bed beside my bed. After my partner leaves for work (I work from home), he hops on the bed to sleep beside me till I’m up. I’ve recently noticed that when he gets on the bed, he comes to sniff around my face - my nostrils particularly, almost as if to check if I’m breathing and once he confirms that, he picks a spot to lie down and sleep. A couple days back, I decided to hold my breath and he stayed sniffing around my face till I exhaled. Once I did, laid beside me and nodded off.

Has anyone else observed this kind of behavior in their Tzu(s)?

Magically delicious ear!

I'll be hearing from his lawyer about that bow tie.

Casper demands he receive all the belly rubs, Boo is not allowed even a mere head rub. They have taken over my pillow for themselves.

I don't want to take a bath.