I have a 2 year son, a 3 month old shih tzu, and 3 year English bulldog. I have been reading that shih tzu's are not good with toddlers however, my son picks him places him everywhere and when my son lays down the dog just licks him. My son absolutely loves him and calls him "my puppy". I am wondering if anyone else out there has a shih tzu and a toddler and if they get along? My personal feeling on pets is how you socialize them whether they get along with someone or not but at the same time I am wondering is the puppy going to get jealous the older he gets. Any help or stories would be wonderful.
thank you for the response. I do want to add that we are teaching our son not to pick up the dog and also we tell him "gentle" then he understands he has to pet very softly.
I have 3 shih tzus and we take them everywhere we can to be around people. They are wonderful with kids of all ages and run up to them and kiss them. As others have said, the problem is more with a todler actions towards them. Our breeder will not sell a puppy to anyone with small children just because of that reason. Little kids are usually not mean intentionally but poke their eyes, pull their hair, throw toys at them etc, not knowing it could hurt them. They often see a puppy as another toy.
The reason behind your reads of shih tzu not being good with toddlers is more because toddlers can and do hurt the shih tzu. As you have experienced the shih tzu is an exceptional dog and the only breed bred for the sole purpose of that of a companion which they excel at and need no special training.
Your son is more likely to hurt your shih tzu than your shih tzu would ever be to hurt your son.
Shih tzu don't express pain well, that is they don't yap or bark or snap. They are very, very passive. You are the protector of your shih tzu. Your son will sooner or later accidently hurt the dog and I only hope it's very minor. Dropping a shih tzu from even a foot can cause fractures.
Please don't allow a 2 y.o. to pick up a shih tzu. They are a rather delicate breed and it's easy to hurt them.
Should your son grab him around the neck too hard it can cause serious pressure damage to those big beautiful eyes.
This is why most breeders of shih tzu and I know many as all of my shih tzu have come from top breeders will not, under any circumstances place a shih tzu in a home with any young child.
Your shih tzu will not get jealous of your son as your son grows older. The shih tzu is a companion, bred to be a companion and a properly bred shih tzu is just that, a sweet, loving, kind and compassionate friend to all.
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Nothing is safe from a toddler.
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Shih Tzu's are great with dogs as long as you haven't taught them to be mean. There was a dog I knew that was incredibly over protective of the owner but when kids were around, it was okay.
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I have 3 shih tzus and we take them everywhere we can to be around people. They are wonderful with kids of all ages and run up to them and kiss them. As others have said, the problem is more with a todler actions towards them. Our breeder will not sell a puppy to anyone with small children just because of that reason. Little kids are usually not mean intentionally but poke their eyes, pull their hair, throw toys at them etc, not knowing it could hurt them. They often see a puppy as another toy.
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