BaileyGirlsMom

I need to add that Bailey is a very sweet and loving dog. She loves to play and lay beside us or snuggle on the chair w/us, etc. This is a rare occurance (sp?). We love her and we do discipline her (what little she needs) it is this one thing that has us baffled.

We have a female Shih Tzu and she is 4 yrs. old. We have had her for a year. We got her from a friend and she was very well taken care off. No abuse, etc. She could no longer keep her. Today, Bailey bit my 9 yr. old son. She was in the backseat and was eating a tissue. My son reached over to take it from her and she barked (aggressively) and bit him. He started crying. He was more scared I think than hurt. Although, she did put a couple of marks on him. She has done this in the past and mostly to him. Usually it's if you try to take her food or her treat from her. How do we stop this and why does she do it? We have been told it is b/c my son is sometimes timid around her and she senses that. She will not let him take her out of the car either, only one of us adults. We also have 2 teens and they are fine w/her. Only once did she try to bite the 16yr. old. My husband will be furious when he finds out and will probably threaten to get rid of her. He will not tolerate her nipping and biting especially after today. Please help me and give me advice. I have been told to swat her on the nose when she does it. I don't know if that is going to work either. Thanks.