Category: Animal House
Hi all,
I have a 10-month-old shih tzu - love him to bits, but I have one problem... he's the moaniest, whiniest dog I've ever met in my life!
I really hate getting cross with him, because I know he's only a pup, but I sometimes can't help snapping at him and shouting at him because it just stresses me out so much!
Any idea how to calm him down? I don't want to scare him!
Thanks :)
When he seems distressed, distract him for a few minutes with a toy. Perhaps a Kong, or a hollow rawhide, with a bit of peanutbutter inside. Or something that squeaks or jingles.
I've heard the toys with peanut butter in them are quite effective, because it takes the dog quite a long time to get to it, but it wouldn't be like a dog to leave food lying around, and thus, they are distracted almost indefinitely until they get to the peanut butter.
bones with penut butter work.
Wow, thanks all!
I did buy one of those kongs, but it was maybe a bit different because it was one shaped like a bone, and you put little treats into either end of it, so he had to get them out.
Unfortunately he just got bored with it, rahter than being absorbed by getting the treats.
Do people think if I ignored him (unless he's whining in distress, in which case of course I'm not going to leave him whine!), maybe he'll get bored and stop?
He also barks all the time, which I think is just him saying 'hello! Look at me!', so I try to ignore it as much as I can.
Sorry I must sound awful, I love him really! :)