Shih Tzus are part of the tiny dog breeds. Their big round dark eyes are the perfect specimen of adorableness! They have a soft spot for their owners and love to lounge around in their laps. Shih Tzus were originally bred in the land of Tibet, which got them assigned their nickname of the “Lion Dog.”
Shih Tzus create an aura of positivity and love wherever they go. Mischief, affection, and positivity follow wherever they are present. The little dog stands at around 8 – 11 inches in height. The Shih Tzu is longer than it is tall, giving it an overall unique personality.
A Shih Tzu will be your ideal partner if your idea of fun is lounging and informing on the TV. Although just like with any other dog, you have to train your Shih Tzu in some aspects of life. This job can be a little challenging.
As even though the Shih Tzu is a very friendly and active dog, they are extremely stubborn too. Training a Shih Tzu requires patience, time, and effort. However, the end results will definitely be worth it for you. You can create a strong and content connection between you and your pet.
In this article, we give you 10 easy steps on how to train a Shih Tzu!
Steps For Training Your Shih Tzu
The steps you can follow to train a Shih Tzu include the following:
- Step 1: Crate train your Shih Tzu
- Step 2: Decide whether you want your dog to go inside or outside
- Step 3: Make a walk schedule
- Step 4: Be patient
- Step 5: Teach your Shih Tzu to be alone
- Step 6: Expose your Shih Tzu to a variety of sounds and experiences
- Step 7: Teach your Shih Tzu to come when called
- Step 8: Leash train your Shih Tzu
- Step 9: Train your Shih Tzu to sit and lie down
- Step 10: Allow for flexibility
Crate training is a critical step in the process, as when your Shih Tzu is comfortable in their crate, going out in the future will be easy. You can overstep the hassle of forcing your Shih Tzu into a create for every vet visit. Also, you will be able to take road trips and other such events where your Shih Tzu might be required to be caged temporarily.
The obvious decision to have to make is where your dog will eliminate and train them accordingly. From there, your journey extends toward physical routine and exercise.
Another core initiative that you need to take in the training is teaching the Shih Tzu how to be alone. Your furry partner will also begin identifying with their name when you teach them to respond to it. Furthermore, leach training can be of assistance in the entire process as well.
At the end of the day, you have to be adaptable, as your laid-down plans could require alterations. Use positive reinforcement to train your dog. Be gentle but firm. Eventually, your dog will be able to follow your commands easily.
Secrets of How to Train a Shih Tzu
This social class of pet dogs has also been known to exhibit stubborn behavior occasionally. It makes the housebreaking part overwhelming. The key is to be a mixture of content, gentleness, and consistency.
Shih Tzus do not bark excessively, certainly any more than the average small dog breed. The main thing that will help you succeed in the training process is understanding the behavior patterns of your Shih Tzu.
Another aspect of the training that will help you speed up the process by leaps and bounds is starting as early as possible. With age some things become permanent and they are so deeply embedded they can become difficult to change. Therefore, when you become a pet owner, immediately delve into the training process.
As a pet owner, you should be inclined toward your dog’s temperament. Shih Tzus, in particular, is extremely sensitive toward any form of punishment and yelling. They actually misbehave when they are frightened of something. The ideal option instead is to use the reward-based method.
As Shih Tzus can be obstinate, it is vital to practice any new commands multiple times every day. You should be persistent in going through these commands throughout your dog’s lifetime.
A trick to help your Shih Tzu remember command is to place your dog on a leash. This way it will keep the dog’s attention focused on you.
There are tools such as training clickers that will help you in teaching certain commands to your doggy. Treats have proven effective in teaching your Shih Tzu how to “sit” or “stay.”
With the clicker, how it works is you have to click the clicker immediately as your pup conducts the correct behavior. Then you follow with giving them a treat.
The Right Age To Train Your Shih Tzu
Normally it is best to start training your Shih Tzu as soon as you bring the theme home. Puppies have the most capacity to learn and unlearn behavior patterns so you might have an easier chance of getting them to acknowledge commands faster.
Even if you get a bigger dog, the best time to hone their skills is immediately when they come into the new environment.
When training a puppy this ripe age for training is around 8 weeks. When they are this young of an age, they will quickly learn to identify the basic cues of puppy training.
Puppies can begin the first phase of the training process. They can start the obedience classes as early as when they are 8 weeks of age. Although make sure all the puppies in that class have been vaccinated. Bigger dogs can be intimidating to little dogs.
It is why if you want to train your Shih Tzu through a professional class, it would be better to find one where the dogs are all of the same build and size. Age is not necessarily a factor in this scenario.
The journey might be long, but it will be rewarding for sure. Training does not have to be all military and objective in nature. You can actually have fun in the process and build a rapport with your Shih Tzu!
Commands For A Shih Tzu
One of the most significant acts of love you can perform for your Shih Tzu is teaching them basic commands and how to follow them. By arming the little dog with these abilities you are giving them an avenue for communicating better as well.
Consistency is critical here, and you must revise the same commands with your Shih Tzu repeatedly. Use similar words and also give your Shih Tzu the space and leverage to take their time when learning. They are bound to take more time compared to humans when learning new things.
The most tricks that you can teach your Shih Tzu are the fundamental ones. These generally include the basic audience commands. Some of these include the following:
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Come
- Drop it
- Basic leash training
Contrary to popular belief, training your Shih Tzu puppy to sit on command may take some time for the new puppy to learn. It is not a difficult command to learn, but it will require patience. However, it is a very useful command as it teaches your Shih Tzu to stop bad behavior at times.
The command to stay is significant for the animal’s safety as well. If your Shih Tzu is habitual of running outside or onto the street, you will be happy that they know the cue for “Stay.” At least this way, you can stop them if they do not see traffic coming in or stop them from fighting older dogs.
Dogs are constantly learning. Even till their very old age, they absorb what is going on around them. You have a challenging task ahead of you. However, it is a rewarding practice, and you can enjoy the time with your Shih Tzu.
Reasons To Train Your Shih Tzu
Teaching any living thing a set of instructions on how to act and behave is a daunting feat. It is an art form that requires your time and attention. Patience is daintily the key here, especially with the tiny dogs.
Take the forward process step by step. When things are aligned proportionally, you will witness minute improvements every step of the way.
Shih Tzus do have the tendency to want a substantial amount of attention. They also go through bouts of separation anxiety, particularly when they are not in the presence of their owners. Although you shouldn’t worry a lot, with the right training your Shih Tzu will become a calm and well-behaved house partner.
Training is a significant part of owning a dog. Although you can start it at any age you deem appropriate; it will be much more convenient to begin early. Training is important not only for you as a person but also for the little guy as well. Dogs also have certain intrinsic needs that you must fulfill, and training paves the way for them.
Training actually helps build confidence in the Shih Tzu. It will help them work on their personalities as well. Your dog will feel confident in themselves in being able to perform certain tasks.
Furthermore, training helps provide mental stimulation before Shih Tzu. It will assist in improving the cognitive abilities of the dog. Your Shih Tzu will be able to read the room better and act appropriately.
Training a dog is also crucial for building the connection between the owner and the dog. This exercise makes the bond even stronger. The human-animal bond is grounded on how the dog feels that it can rely on the owner for its needs and to teach it what is right and wrong.
Final Thoughts
A Shih Tzu has the ability to be perfect for you and your family. You just have to adopt a little patience when dealing with animals. Dogs have literal hearts of gold, they will flourish when treated with dignity and affection.
Over time Shih Tzu has proven to be loyal and kind pets with an aura of compassion surrounding them. To be a recipient of all this, we have to be willing to take responsibility for their well-being.
Remember they have feelings just as much as we do. We have to value their emotions and respect them just like we would for a person. Make the training process mutually beneficial for you and the dog.
Sometimes we take the initiative in life without fully realizing the level of accountability. It is one such decision that should be taken thoughtfully and with a lot of consideration. Shih Tzus are living beings as well. They deserve to grow in a safe environment that helps them flourish.
Create a plan for how you will train your Shih Tzu so you can both be perfect companions for one another. Teaching them how to live alongside you will make your life a hundred times easier. From housebreaking your Shih Tzu to training them about appropriate behavior, you must use the right training tactics to succeed in this endeavor.
As Chad Mackin put it, “Your dog is not being a problem, your dog is having a problem.” Stay calm with the little puppy if things take time. A Shih Tzu will definitely try to give it their all you just have to tag along and guide them.
