Hello - New to this site!

Hello everyone!

I am new to this site but like to ask you advice. My husband has a fear of dogs (something scared him when he was younger!) although he will stroke dogs when he has got used to them and them him. My daughter, who is 4 1/2, is starting to pick up on this fear whenever they pass a dog she shies away from it. I have always wanted a dog and am determined to make sure that she does not end up the same as her dad. When she is with me she is alot better and will stroke dogs belonging to family and friends as long as they don 't jump up as her.
My husband has agreed, that we can get a dog and I want to make sure I get the right one. My cousin has just got a puppy and I am waiting to hear about his experiences, but am hoping that you will agree that a
Shih tzu could be the ideal companion to hopefully alleviate their fears.

Hi, Oh please get your daughter over her fears, i am 59 and have been absolutly terrified of dogs all my life (i was attacked at age 5) and then we got Holly our JRT in Aug. 2007 , i was so nervous when we first got her but it worked out so well we decided to get Oscar in March 2008 and it is the best thing we have ever done, and yes i would love another and it would be a Shih Tzu they are so loving and gentle they seem to understand how we feel, Holly is also a gentle little thing as well.
Sandra

Thank you Sandra for your quick and encouraging response. I originally considered getting a labrador-but decided against that due to their fears, thinking that a smaller dog would be better. We met my cousins Shih tzu (he bought him as a 18 month old) and he seems gentle, although when he ran around the garden chasing my daughters ball she wasn't so sure! He has just got a Shih tzu puppy so we are waiting to hear how he copes with the 'new baby'

My son has a choc lab and she is lovely but not as gentle although she likes her cuddles, but like today (choc lab and springer are stopping with us for a week) i was giving them a treat and Stella snatched and it scared me for a second but then she isn't my dog so maybe the trust isn't there.
Sandra

Hi Love
I can only say yes yes yes a shih tzu is a perfect choice for both your daughter and your husband!! I have had a few experiences over the yyears where I have known a frightened person/child and they have been introduced to this breed and lost their fear - this breed is a perfect ambassador for the canine species!

An example - I had a little girl come for piano lessons and she was so terrified that although my six shih tzu could not get to her as they were at the end of a long hallway behind a baby gate, she would not enter my house unless I closed the door on them and then she would run into my front room then I could go open the kitchen door again (so my dogs didn't spend the whole lesson barking)! After several months of this I persuaded her to let me introduce her to my first shih tzu who was rather elderly by this time and I held her in my arms while the child stroked her. A few months further down the line she was on the florr with all my six terrors and the next thing I knew was her mother asked me to help her find a breeder and I contacted a friend and we went up to choose a puppy for her

Hi, and welcome to the site. I'm new to the world of shih tzu's as I inherited 11 year old Sophie only 3 months ago, but if she is typical of the breed you will have absolutely no problems. She is a loving, trusting, loyal, friendly, gentle but robust little girl who we all totally adore. One of my grand daughters is afraid of dogs & won't go anywhere near my other, bigger dog even though she too is very good natured. However she met Sophie for the first time a couple of weeks ago & a few hours later she was stroking her & even hepled me to bath her! Obviously my old girl is a little slower & I know a shih tzu pup would be somewhat livelier (!!!), but I can't help thinking it would fulfil all your requirements. See how your cousin gets on, I'm sure he will be very honest with you. Good luck & don't forget to let us know what you decide, Dawn

Ive not long got my First Shih Tzu they are fantastic with children of all ages my grandsons are 2 and 6 months she loves them bits,but she can be a bit over excited with them she will dive all over them and does nip at them but not to hurt them or anything,but grandson can lie on her and do anything with her and she will not growl at him or snap,like i said she will nip well its sort of nibbling she is doing really,only problem i have with her is house traing but good luck with what ever you decide

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have had dogs for too many years to mention, but recently my parents got a Shih Tzu puppy, and all I can say is, he is brilliant. They are a lovely breed of dog, friendly, playful, and too intelligent for their own good! They soon have everything sussed, and know just which buttons to press to get a reaction! They soon learn who to go to for what, for example, my Mum is partly disabled, so gentle things with her, my daughter means rough and tumble, my Dad means food, and I mean fun walks in the park or on the beach with my dog. I think it would make a brilliant job of helping your husband and daughter get over their fears of dogs.

Hope that helps

Thank you all for your help - I think my husband is starting to get excited at the prospect of getting a dog - tonight he has even been giving me his thoughts on doggie names (no chance!!) He was stroking my daughters toy dog at the time!!! Men!

I am so looking forward to hearing of your family's transformation in the very near future

Was thinking of early next year - but not sure if we can wait that long now!

Just don't rush for the first puppy you see. You will know when you see the right one I can assure you! We walked away from the first one we saw, something just didn't feel right, but the second litter we saw, that was the right one for us!

We all got to meet my cousins puppy on Sunday! After initial nervousness from my daughter and downright fear from my husband, they both got used to both the puppy (4 months old) and his other Shih tzu Pebbles. By the end of the visit, Kathryn was laying on the floor along side Pebbles tickling his tummy and daddy was sitting cuddling both dogs - I couldn't believe how quick they both overcome their fears. I just wish I had my camera handy. My husband asked my cousin lots of doggy questions, and seems happier now and is talking of getting not one but two dogs! This is still up for discussion, but we will get the breeders details ,as she comes recommended, and will hopefully follow this up in the new year - So watch this space!!

Oh this is an exciting development - and I just knew this wonderful breed would solve those nerves

Brilliant news, I have a neighbour who was petrified of dogs, but after getting a Shih Tzu is now completely fine with them. They certainly know exactly which strings to pull to win people over.

Having two will be great fun, it will be brilliant. Well done to both your husband and daughter in getting over their fears.

Hi my grand-daughter who was 8 years old and was so afraid of dogs.One time just after we got Mali and she was visiting, we looked out on our lawn and she was lying down playing with Mali all on her own with not a care in the world. That was one big achievement. Shih Tzu's in-still so much confidence in people they seem to know if someone has a fear of dogs.