The Boxer and the Shih tzu.....

explorer · #1 22nd September 2005, 09:49 AM

A friend of mine is staying w/ me the next couple of days and has a 10 week old Shih tzu. At first I was hesitant about putting them together, because the tzu is litterely less than half the size of Luka.

But after I finally let them "play" together, the tzu has a lot of spark in her and played just as rough as Luka did. However, after the tzu was done playing, Luka of course, wanted more and was a bear to deal with for about another hour until he finally passed out.

So today I let them out again, and of course, more play and rough houseing ( I gotta give it to that lil Shih tzu, lol). But it is like I am not even there with Luka. Calling his name, enticeing him w/ treats to come to me....all he was interested in was this lil furball. And he actually was scaring me a bit because it looked like he was biting her like one of his toys??

I guess what I am getting at here is....is this ok? How can I let them play together but still be in control of the situation. I've been calling around for puppy classes in my area (especially this morning, lol) but am having no luck at the moment. I know Luka knows no better and this is really the first time he's been around another puppy since he left his 7 other littermates.

Any advice on some control here? The Shih tzu will be here all night tonight and most of the day tomorrow as well.

MyGirlHeidi · #2 22nd September 2005, 10:11 AM

We've had our Shih Tzu since he was 9 weeks old and he has played with Heidi from the beginning. They play like MAD, crazy dogs all the time. Heidi has never once hurt Barkley and she is around 5. You gotta give it up for the ShihTzu's they are spunky little creatures!

I would just keep a close eye on them and if they start getting too out of hand for you liking, maybe you could put them in their crates..if you use them.

Murp.mm · #3 22nd September 2005, 10:14 AM

I know what you are going through, I babysat my son's former girlfriend's weinner dog, along with my own boxer and poodle. Ali never left the puppy alone for a minute. I was nearly ouy of my mind. But this little dog all 5 lbs of it was just up and ready for whatever Ali gave her. We survived but I'm not in a hurry to do that again.

explorer · #4 22nd September 2005, 11:45 AM

*whew* Thanks for the calming of the nerves. They've been in the crate/bathrooms for a while while I had to do some yard work. Now its off to fill up w/ gas before Rita hits and its back over $3 a gallon. Then............*LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!* lol.

Thanks again for reassureing me. I'm just so scared to hurt my friends dog, lol.

Stefan · #5 22nd September 2005, 02:59 PM

We've got a 10 week old boxer (male) and a 7 month old female (spayed) and they play like crazy dogs. I mean it sounds like Apollo (male) wants to kill Athena, and she does the same some times. It's usually pretty harmless and almost unstoppable sometimes. No one has been hurt yet, however, to maintan control of the playing leash one or both of them and you control the amount of roughness. Crating only seems to stop it momentarily untill they're out again. The leashing allows you to stop it when you feel uncomfortable with the situation. This will also help the dogs with training as the will associate the stoppage with your attention when you call even if they don't want it at first. Athena listens very well during play and will stop instantly when you tell her but is still easily provoked. Hope this was helpful.

Stefan · #6 23rd September 2005, 09:09 AM

I would imagine Chubby and Maggie will play in the near future. Athena was the same way when we took her at 12 weeks to my moms to play with Mason their Great Dane, Athena instantly came to our feet and wanted picked up. After a couple of visits though Athena was playing very rough and Mason just took it; he still does take a beating to this day when we bring Athena out. It may take a little time, maybe you should leash Maggie and allow Chubby to meet her and then you control play, make sure Chubby feels comfortable and the Maggie doesn't play to rough to scare Chubby. All will be well, i'm sure of it.

explorer · #7 23rd September 2005, 06:44 PM

Stefan,

Great advice. I was talking on the phone to the lady I am going to use for Puppy Classes and she said the exact same thing, to put Luka on a leash to be able to control him when he gets to agressive or I don't feel as comfortable with the level of "play".

Allie (the Shih tzu) went home today and Luka kept going into the bathroom where we had her crated and kept looking under the couches (her hiding place from Luka) to see where she was.

I'm pretty sure there will be more playdates for the two of them in the future and as they get older it will be easier to manage them. Thanks for the advice guys!