| Generally speaking Shih Tzu should not be aggressive | | | | Dog aggression is often meant primarily not to harm |
| at all. However, with any breed of dog aggressive | | | | so much as to alter the behavior of another creature, |
| behaviors can and do occur. Do you understand what | | | | human or animal. Dogs and Shih Tzu included |
| it means if a Shih Tzu bares its teeth at you? Is your | | | | communicate their aggressive intentions through |
| Shih Tzu warning you to back off or is your Shih Tzu | | | | changes in expression, posturing, and maneuvering, |
| simply smiling? If your Shih Tzu suddenly snaps at you | | | | some so subtle as to be easily missed or |
| — is this a failed bite or a warning that a bite | | | | misunderstood by a passerby or even the owner. A |
| might be coming next? The truth is these are typically | | | | dog's communication system is quite different from a |
| aggressive behaviors that can range from visual | | | | human's communication system. It is important that |
| warnings to postural or symbolic threats. Every dog | | | | every dog owner, whether it be a Shih Tzu or a Pit |
| owner needs to learn these subtle or not so subtle | | | | Bull, or a tiny teacup poodle, learn the dog's basic |
| warnings of aggression, whether it be with a Shih Tzu | | | | communication system expressing aggression. |
| or a Pit Bull. Any dog breed can exhibit aggression. | | | | |