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Shih Tzu - Dogs Social Behavior
By Connie Limon, Fri Dec 9th
Dogs in general, under free-ranging conditions, will live inmixed-sex, mixed-age social groups. Social ranking is determinedby age, although sex may play a role. Females seem to beresponsible for leading more often than males. Social ranking ismaintained primarily by deference, not by agonistic interaction.Sexual maturity in domestic dogs (including the shih tzu) occursbetween 6 to 9 months of age (later for giant breeds), whilesocial maturity begins to develop at 18 to 36 months of age. At social maturity, a hierarchy depends upon age, sex, size andtemperament. In a free-ranging group, dogs that challenge theestablished social hierarchy may leave and form their own groupsif they do not succeed in altering the extant social order.Social maturity is also the time when problems such asaggressions and anxieties develop. Roaming, mounting, urinemarking, and intrasexual fighting are caused by the sexhormones, particularly testosterone. These problems can often beprevented or greatly reduced by neutering, especially in males,in households with several pets, males and females, or ahousehold with all males. Between 3 and 8 weeks of age, dogs tend to focus on other dogs(if available) for their social stimuli. Between 5 and 12 weeksof age they seem to start to focus more on people if people areavailable. Dogs are most receptive to learning about how to dealwith new or different environments until about 16 to 20 weeks ofage. This is not to say an older dog would never adjust to achange in environment. It is just to say the adjustment iseasier before this age. With time and patience any dog of anyage will adjust to change just as people do.
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is not critical to switch the focus of exposure either toother animals or to people at any one specific period. Given theadequate opportunity, will learn about the social andphysical environments when they are ready. Trying to introducethem to a specific situation is not critical to producing awell-socialized puppy or adult dog. Of great importance is toavoid extremely fearful stimuli. Dogs kept exclusively in cages and kenneled and not exposed topeople at all after 14 weeks of age may have severelyundeveloped social skills. If you are purchasing an older dogfrom a private breeder, this problem is not likely to surface.The type of older dog I am talking about here would be one thatwas raised exclusively in kennels with cage after cage andperhaps 3 or 4 or maybe more dogs sharing the same cage. Maybetheir only contact with people would be the short presence ofsomeone passing by with water or food. Usually dogs that areraised by individuals in private circumstances have adequate andquality contact with people. Regardless of the age of a puppy or dog, that life needs to beshown a daily caring atmosphere from their human caretakers tobe able to provide them with the ability to adjust readily andeasily in new homes or environments. Without human interactionand caring, the dog may experience social problems and behaviorproblems that otherwise would have not surfaced. About the author:Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professionalnewsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you andyour pets. Discounts on shih tzu are offered tosubscribers. Current available puppies. Sign up athttp://www.stainglassshihtzus.com
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