We have an adorable 9 month old shih tzu who has started to change his
behaviour, he has bitten or rather nipped 2 of my younger children over
the last couple of days, I can't believe he has done it. I have taken
him to the vet who has recommended a behaviour therapist which will
cost =A3176.00 which no way can we afford. The vet has also said
spaying him at the moment would be a disaster for him. He barks at me
now which he has never done before. I have bought loads of books but
it is really hard to decide which bad behaviour caqtegory he falls into
he seems to fall in to them all. Can anybody help???

On 14 Sep 2005 15:30:09 -0700 whittled these words:
We have an adorable 9 month old shih tzu who has started to change his
behaviour, he has bitten or rather nipped 2 of my younger children over
the last couple of days, I can't believe he has done it. I have taken
him to the vet who has recommended a behaviour therapist which will
cost £176.00 which no way can we afford. The vet has also said
spaying him at the moment would be a disaster for him. He barks at me
now which he has never done before. I have bought loads of books but
it is really hard to decide which bad behaviour caqtegory he falls into
he seems to fall in to them all. Can anybody help???

If you dog were ill and that were the cost was your best chance of saving
him could you find the money? Because a dog that bites has no future.
Have you been to classes that teach you how to train your dog? If not,
then consult with some GOOD trainers. Handle the sitution wrong and you
will make your dog worse. It seems tragic to me to reject professional
help that may well save the life of your dog. You should be able to get a
consultation with a trainer or behaviorist who having met you and the dog
and the family can give a realistic assessment of your chances of fixing
the problem without endangering the children. I have some UK resources
listed on http://www.dog-play.com/behavior.html

--
Diane Blackman

There is no moral victory in proclaiming to abhor violence
while preaching with violent words.

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