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#1: Play behavior exceeding acceptable limits.
This is the #1 reason in regard to a Shih Tzu puppy nipping at their humans. While it may not seem very friendly to you, young puppies incorporate nipping into their play when tousling around with their littermates. Usually during this time, pups learn which levels of force are acceptable and which are not.
However, as a puppy grows stronger, their teeth become sharper, and when the object of the nip is your hand and not a pup with a coat to protect them, nips can indeed hurt. When you couple this with the strong oral sensations that a teething puppy is experiencing, you have the perfect recipe for the creation of a nipping machine.
#3: Health issue.
Sometimes the onset of certain conditions or illness have no outward clinical signs. It can be a few days, or even more time in some cases, before there are enough symptoms that owners notice something is wrong. When a dog is not feeling well or is in pain, they can feel vulnerable and this can cause them to enter a defensive mode. If anyone comes too close, the Shih Tzu may nip out of instinct. This may be accompanied with a growl.
Step #1: Establish Proper Hierarchy
Please note: The following advice is NOT applicable to dogs that are aggressively and violently biting.
Next, establish proper hierarchy to make it clear you are the leader.
How to do this:
Step #2: React Appropriately if your Shih Tzu Nips
These next steps will be much more effective once you have established yourself as leader as explained in step #1.
Prepping:
A huge part of this training is to have items that will refocus a puppy's attention. While treats can do this, it is temporary. Instead, you'll want to have something that not only grabs your Shih Tzu's attention but also keeps them focused on it. The best way to accomplish this is to have certain toys that are interesting (make noise or offer some type of interaction), meet a dog's urges to chew and are reserved only to distract after an attempted nip.
One recommended toy for this is the Multipet Lambchop Plush Squeak Mini Toy. This is a cotton toy with a squeaker (which entices pups to chew) and is a small 6-inches which is an ideal size.
Implementation:
There are 2 parts to this. The 1st is if you can pull your hand away before the nip occurs. The 2nd is if you could not pull away fast enough.
If you've avoided the nip:
If the nips occurs:
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Shih Tzu Dos and Don'ts - A great summary of the 3 most important 'dos' and the 3 most vital 'don'ts' for optimal healthy, happiness and well-being. It's always a good idea to reassess these elements as your Shih Tzu matures.