Is A TT For You - Rocky Mountain Tibetan Terrier Club

TT or Not TT
IS A TIBETAN TERRIER A GOOD CHOICE FOR YOU?
By Sandy Benton, RMTTC Rescue Chair
If you are new to our website, WELCOME. If you have recently met your first Tibetan
Terrier or found them online and are now doing further research on the breed, this was
written with you in mind. TTs are wonderful family companions in many ways although
they have very unique traits that you should keep in mind before making the decision to
add a TT to your family. Medium sized, intelligent, non-shedding they have that
wonderful and appealing shaggy dog “Benji” look which requires regular grooming. If
your decision is that a TT is not the right fit for your family and lifestyle, I recommend
you search for a medium sized, poodle mix. You will get all of these desirable traits plus
the poodle temperament, which is more likely to give you a companion who desires to
please and obey.
You may have met the proud owner of one or more Tibetan Terriers and asked the
question “What kind of dog is that?” This was probably followed by a discussion on the
virtues of the breed. To an experienced TT owner they are a perfect fit but they are not
the perfect dog for everyone and generally NOT a good choice for a NOVICE dog owner.
If you have limited or no previous experience there are many books available on canine
behavior, training, being a pack leader, raising the perfect puppy etc.
What follows is intended to help prospective owners make an informed decision about
adding a TT to their family. Each breed has its own characteristics selectively bred by
humans to assist in daily life. Each individual dog will have a personality all their own
shaped by those breed characteristics, genetics, early socialization and lifetime learning
experiences. If you decide you have the “right stuff” please purchase your TT puppy,
or any puppy of any breed, from a reputable breeder or adopt your TT from a rescue
group who will be there to help you. Obtain references from them for a good trainer/
behaviorist in your area. Unless you have extensive experience with highly intelligent,
single minded, sensitive, intuitive, problem solving, independent thinkers you will need
it. You will also need a large measure of patience and
a quirky sense of humor. One TT owner puts it this
way, “Life with TTs is full of “OH NO” moments
followed by lots of laughter.”
TTs are long lived and slow maturing. Puppyhood
usually lasts at least two years and in some cases a
lifetime. They require a dedicated alpha owner who
will set boundaries while providing firm, fair and just leadership. They have a definite
sense of fair play, enjoy life, love new experiences and have an incredible memory.
They remember negative experiences and will not tolerate unjust or harsh reprimands. !
Highly trainable, learning new tasks and commands quickly, they also become bored
easily. Left alone, they will entertain themselves. They are not a breed that can be
ignored, they are not happy thrown in the backyard without human contact. Training
must be 100% positive, varied, interesting and entertaining. Negative reinforcement
will usually result in a TT shutting down or rolling their eyes and blowing you off. Once
lost, it will take time and effort to regain a TT’s respect and trust. When trained, they
may or may not comply with your wishes; this depends entirely on their agenda at the
moment. They know what you want them to do but if they have something better in
mind, you will have to wait. If you want a dog who wishes to please you and/or expect
blind obedience you will be better served with another breed known for those traits.
They will help you clear the table and do the dishes.
Sorting Laundry & Folding Clothes? No Problem!
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They make good secretaries and will read the mail and pay the bills but they
do require regular coffee breaks, it’s very thirsty work!
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Some TTs will watch TV. I have a senior rescue that
barks at animals and does not like people fighting. I
guess she believes everyone should get along.
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Living in the mountains of Tibet, TTs have
developed large, thickly padded, flexible and
dexterous feet which they can use to climb,
open door knobs, unlatch gates, grasp items,
unscrew bottle caps and remove lids. Thank
goodness they do not have opposable thumbs!
Many of them prefer to hang out in higher
places like the back of a chair or the couch. If
you don’t allow dogs on the furniture they are
not a good choice.
TTs are generally not reliable off leash but TTs do exist who are
able to go hiking and camping with their owners, will stick close
or come when called. These are either atypical TTs or have
been extensively trained and proofed. They also have great
respect for their alpha leaders and desire to remain with their
pack. Bonding doesn’t happen quickly, it can take months or
years and even then you may never be able to fully trust your
TT off leash.
TTs are escape artists, some will climb fences and trees like
mountain goats. They can easily open gates, crate latches and the zippers on fabric crates.
They can unscrew crate bolts and can squeeze through the smallest of openings. I
watched one wiggle through a car window that was open less than 4” and grabbed her as
she wiggled free. If given the opportunity they will also dig their way to freedom.
TTs play rough. Playing with each other they do lots of hair pulling, are very vocal and you
expect to find carnage from what sounds like a major dog fight. None of the puppies in my
Standard Poodle litters ever played this way. Luckily I had witnessed a litter of Basenji
puppies at play otherwise I would have freaked out and assumed that my first litter of TTs
was really a litter of Tasmanian Devils. I have had calls from concerned adopters and
puppy buyers about “vicious attacks” but with no injuries, these “attacks” were actually play
behavior unrecognized by the owner. A truly vicious attack by any dog can happen in the
blink of an eye and will result in serious injury. To be an effective TT owner, you need to be
able to read canine body language to determine intent.
I am not a certified trainer or behaviorist but in my opinion people are responsible for 98%
of the problems that occur between humans and canines. Failing as a pack leader,
choosing an inappropriate breed or individual, unreasonable expectations and lack of
dedication to training are some of the reasons that dogs are surrendered to shelters or
rescue groups. As our relationship continues to evolve, we do a great disservice when we
forget our buddies are first and foremost canines. Chihuahuas to Great Danes to Wolves,
they are all members of the same species and are wired very much the same in the space
between their ears. Dogs, by virtue of being dogs, do certain things such as barking,
digging, chewing and chasing prey. Problems arise when we try to eliminate these
behaviors rather than channel them appropriately, meaning - what we can tolerate and live
with. Dogs are sentient beings, not fashion accessories, toys or status symbols. They do
not come with installed instructions to make them “perfect”, that is your responsibility. It is
a job that is time consuming, may be difficult but is always rewarding.
To better understand life with a TT please read our "TT Tales" section.
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DOGS ARE NOT DISPOSABLE!
IF YOU HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR – HERE IS YOUR REWARD!
Given the proper guidance and leadership, Tibetan Terriers make delightful companions.
If you haven’t been scared off yet I want to share with you some of the delights of
living with a TT. But be aware, it can be hard to stop at one!
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Most TTs tolerate children well; some adore them and can make great babysitters!
They adapt to many lifestyles from apartments to farms.
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They can help with Reading Therapy in Schools, and serve as Certified
Service & Therapy Dogs
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And finally, they are some of the cutest puppies on the planet and can wear a
hairstyle to fit every lifestyle!
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