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Our 4lb. Shih Tzu Is Scared Of Everything!! Advice???

17K views 16 replies 10 participants last post by  Durbkat  
I deal with the problems that you have. Lilly is 6 pounds and just over a year. When she was 3-4 months old nothing scared her but then as I began taking her out and about she learned how scarey kids can be, especially since she lives in an adult only household. She has no problems approaching adults and really no problems with other noises like you mention. Her big issue is other dogs and BIG issues with kids. And yes I learned that running to her rescue and comforting her is the wrong thing to do but with such a little sweetie its so hard to hold back. Its VERY important to keep the kids away from her and turn their interaction to being on your terms so she can learn that kids are safe. I try so hard to get her exposure, but sometimes she turns into a barking cujo & when that happens we quietly walk away. When kids are around and they act like they want to approach I immediatly say....she is very scared of kids so if you want to pet her you stay still and I will come to you. Then i show them how to put their hand out to her, if she sniffs she gets a treat. Then they pet her once, if she does well she gets a treat. I usually only get 1-3 pets in before she shows she is upset or snaps and then I thank the child and we walk away. There are kids who just will not listen and run toward her and act, well, like unbehaved children. I move in front of Lilly and have had to say "if you do not stop she will bite you so please move away." She has never bitten anyone but for everyone involved its what I do to diffuse a bad situation for her and the kids and we just walk by and act like nothing happened so she does not need to experience any more "scarey" kids. Its tough and it seems like I will be working on this forever but its what I have to do.