i have a 11 month old puppy who i think is a shih tzu mix. We just got him a couple weeks ago. I have had dogs since i was a kid and i have never seen anything like this dog. He hates baths. Just the act of me turning on the faucet starts him whining and clawing like a banshee. He does not like being brushed, trimmed, and you can forget nails. He sleeps all day long and doesnt play with us or other dogs. He doesnt like being held and will turn flips to get away from being held unless you wrap him tightly like a baby. He acts like he has never really had human interaction. Can anyone figure this out?

[Lara's mom]

How much do you know about his life before he came to you? Perhaps you're correct in thinking that he didn't have much human interaction. That would seem to explain a lot of his strange behaviours.

[CorkyMax]

I am also wondering about the background for same reason Lara mentioned. And also wondering how soon it was taken from the mother and it's littermates? It may not of learned how a dog is suppose to act. It should stay with the mother and siblings for at least 8 wks. and 12 would be even better. Where did you get the pup from? For 1 thing, it sounds like there is definitely a reason behind the being afraid of water--Did it nearly drown---The biggest thing in the back of my mind--Somebody was very cruel to this poor puppy!! I hope not but if you put all these strange behaviors together--It sounds like it! Hope you can earn it's trust and find the answers as to the best way to pursue this. I imagine you have had it to the vet and ruled out any physical problems it could have. Another 'biggie'---Do you know that shots (esp. rabies) can affect the dog's behavior----not just immediately--but many months 'down the road'!! Check in this forum and on the web on--rabies vaccination/adverse reactions. Put rabies vaccination in the search field (in this forum). It is located at top of page in the blue strip going across the page. I know I have given an address for adverse reactions in here. Check threads--not posts when you go to the search field. Please keep us posted and give as much info as you can on its background. We want to help as much as we can!

[CorkyMax]

I just went back to read your previous posts. In them you had said that this dog got along with 2 of your other dogs and they played together. You had said that it would let you hold it--but not your mother-in-law and that it would go to your bedroom to get away from the mother-in-law. Did this strange behavior that it has now--just change in the past 2 weeks or what!?? DID IT RECENTLY HAVE VACCINATIONS??

it "plays" with the other two dogs--but not like a normal dog does. It just follows them around. it dont act like a normal puppy. it doesnt have the playful attitude it should have. as far as holding goes--i can hold it if i restrain it in a blanket like im swaddling a newborn. other than that--no. it was given to me on freecycle so i dont know its background. it doesnt have any health problems other than flea allergy. i dont know its shot background so i will probably just have them done anyway just to be safe. especially parvo and distemper if nothing else. i need to be able to bathe and groom it cause it has alot of hair and it mats easily. i have it clipped right now but its still quite a bit of hair to deal with. i hope it wasnt abused before but im really starting to think that cause if i even come near it with a comb or brush or water it starts screaming and shaking.

[german sheep]

go to the vetdoc with him to check everything. Maybe he has pain or another disease.

LG
gs