Shih Tzu means ‘mini lion,’ and the name is due to the dog’s peculiar features that resemble a lion.
Despite the name, a Shih Tzu is nothing like a lion when it comes to personality traits.
Shih Tzus make the best pets. They are small, loving, and caring. Full of affection and energy, a Shih Tzu is a petite dog. They take up so little space that you can keep one, even if you have little space.
They reach a height of just 9 to 10.5 inches and weigh only 9 to 16 pounds.
Another great thing about Shih Tzu is that they are smart dogs. They learn quickly.
In this article we will tell you about 5 tricks that Shih Tzus can learn today!
5 Tricks That Shih Tzus Can Learn
Here are five tricks that your Shih Tzu can learn and that will make your life easier:
Teach Them To Sit And Stay
The most basic command taught is to make your dog stay or sit in one place. No matter whether you have a Shih Tzu or a dog belonging to any other breed, teaching them to sit is very important.
As a pet owner, you want a well-behaved and obedient dog.
Your dog must know when to stay in place, especially if you are taking them out. Shih Tzu is known for their energetic behavior. You need to be able to control this energy. At least to a level where your Shih Tzu can be in public without causing trouble.
Sitting down or staying in one place also keeps your dog calm. It enables them to control their urge to move and as your dog focuses on staying, it will feel less anxious.
The best way to teach your dog to sit or stay in place is by using positive reinforcement. It is better to start when your dog is young. However, even older dogs learn this command quickly because it is so simple.
Use food to help your dog comply. Take your dog’s food bowl or a treat they enjoy. Guide your dog to sit down by slowly bringing the food from their eye level to the ground.
Your dog will instinctively sit down. It is best to say the command ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ verbally. This way your dog will make the association and follow, the command after a few tries with the food without needing to show actual food.
Shake It Up with some dance moves!
Shih Tzu puppies are super adorable and loving. They are full of energy and are extremely playful. They love to move about.
Let your Shih Tzu use their excess energy and teach them to dance. Just put on some music and shake a leg. Maybe your dog will not begin to dance instantly.
They will first observe you. To encourage them to dance take their paws and gently move them.
Once you repeat this ritual two or three times, your dog will learn to dance. They will understand that they should dance whenever they hear music.
Dance is an excellent trick. It is a wonderful workout for Shih Tzus especially. Shih Tzus are small dogs, which is why taking them outside to play is not always a good idea.
It also helps with development. Knowing how to dance will give your Shih Tzu better control of their own body. Just be very encouraging and give your dog lots of compliments.
Give You A High-Five
This is another fun trick. High-fiving is a cool trick. It makes you and your dog look cool. Teach them to touch their cute little paw with the palm of their hand.
The reward system, again, is a great way of teaching this trick.
Hold a treat in one hand. Make sure it is a little out of reach for your Shih Tzu. Your dog will try to use one of its front paws to reach the treat.
Give them a high-five with your free hand when your dog does this.
Be sure to say ‘high-five’ when you do that. Soon your dog will know what is expected of them. They will automatically raise their paw and make contact with your hand upon hearing the command.
Fetch Things For You
Shih Tzus are very intelligent. They are quick learners. You can teach them useful tricks that will help you out as well.
Since they are small, ask them to get things in low places, like on the floor. You can ask them to fetch toys, clothes, or anything on the floor. Just remember to ask for something appropriate to the size of your Shih Tzu.
This is a very useful trick. Your Shih Tzu can help you with cleaning up the house while getting a workout at the same time.
Reward them with a pat, a treat, or even a high-five when they fetch the correct thing. It is important to keep your dog motivated.
Play Hide And Seek
Hide and seek is a fun game. It also requires intellect, which makes it suitable for teaching your dog.
Shih Tzus are small so you do not have to worry much about them knocking off and breaking things.
You can enjoy an indoor activity with your dog. It does not have to be serious. Just pretend to hide and call out to your Shih Tzu. Act surprised when they find you. Your dog will love your reaction.
Training Your Shih Tzu
Teaching tricks is not just about enjoyment. Some tricks can prove useful, even lifesaving. The more tricks you teach your dog, the more capable they become. They can navigate through life better. In addition to this, they learn to behave and gain discipline.
Make your and your dog’s life easier and fun by teaching them different tricks. Learning tricks is an integral part of growth and development.
Enabling your dog to learn basic skills and unique tricks will enrich their life.
