Shih Tzu Mental Health – Personality Prevails
Twenty years ago or so Shih Tzu health was all about the physical side of things. Ten years ago we had begun careful study of dogs and how exactly they think and behave. Today we are well aware that dogs have personality way beyond what we once believed.
Up until a few years back scientists and dog trainers thought that the genetic blueprint for every dog breed, from Shih Tzu to Samoyed, was exactly the same. They believed that all were wolves in small fluffy packages and all were desperate to rule the roost or be ruled.
Some trainers still believe that and hang on grimly to this misconception, yet nothing could be further from the truth. For the sake of Shih Tzu health beyond the physical we must accept that dogs have individual personalities.
Some Shih Tzu want to push their luck this is true. Often this is the adolescent unneutered male who is intellectually blinded by testosterone. Most dogs simply want to find their place in the family and enjoy life in a relationship of mutual co-operation with their humans.
Shih Tzu Health – Personality and Breed Traits
Just like all aspects of your Shih Tzu well-being, personality and breed traits are intricately interwoven. Your Shih Tzu is a companion dog and loves your company, this is a given because it’s why he was bred, yet he will also have other personality aspects all of his own.
He may be confident and happy to maintain that confidence all on his own. Your Shih Tzu may be nervous of some things and need help to overcome such anxiety.
A Shih Tzu can be a dog that learns quickly or shies away from any kind of pressure, he can be a dog that is bold with strangers or only focused on his own human. The Shih Tzu can be interested in toys and playtime or show no interest at all.
All of these things are dictated by learning and also by personality. Just as one human may love to follow sport on the TV another might prefer to get out there and play. Just as one human excels in learning theory and gathering knowledge another may be more than happy immersing himself in fantasy.
Shih Tzu Mental Health – Respect the Personality
Whether your Shih Tzu is shy, bold, clever, sassy or happy to live a quiet life makes no odds. Your job as a loving Shih Tzu owner is to respect any and all of his traits and help him to get the very best from his life with you.
Just as you respect your children, other family and friends whilst encouraging them to both be themselves and giving them support to relax into who they are so should you with your Shih Tzu.
It’s vitally important not to (virtually) squeeze your beloved Shih Tzu into a box that states all dogs behave the same way, because this will be doing him a grave injustice. Love your dog for who he is, help him to overcome any worries he may have whilst also treasuring him for the individual that he is.
There will never be another dog like your Shih Tzu and his quirks so make the most of him. His Shih Tzu health and well-being depends on it.
