Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Shih Tzu Training Basic Guide


CONGRATULATIONS on getting your Shih Tzu!!  Getting a new dog is incredibly exciting.  A dog is a true companion who will always stick by your side.  Getting them to that point isn’t always easy, however.  You will not only need to feed and groom your Shih Tzu, you will also have to train your Shih Tzu to be disciplined.

Getting Started

If you take the time to discipline your Shih Tzu now you will have fewer problems down the line.  Before you get into the meat of the dog training you will definitely need to house train him/her.  You will not get very far in your pet and owner relationship if your Shih Tzu wets all over your home!

Housebreaking a pet is a great accomplishment that can be met by using the right training methods.  Don’t stop there like many other pet owners do.  You need to do additional obedience training since it will show your Shih Tzu that you are in charge as well as create a strong bond between the two of you.


Obedience Training

There are many different methods of obedience training.  The variations you choose will depend on what you expect the end result to be.  If you will be happy with having a housebroken, leash-trained, and obedient dog who responds to simple commands you can stop there.
If you want to have an incredibly well-rounded and obedient dog you will want to continue on with the training.  You might be amazed to find that the following behaviors can be modified using dog-training techniques:

  • Barking
  • Whining
  • Digging
  • Growling
  • Chewing
  • Aggression
While you might have thought that those are just things you have to deal with when you own a Shih Tzu, there is a way to eliminate them.  If you want to have a completely stress free life with your Shih Tzu then you will incorporate these into your dog training.  It will take a lot of hard work but the results are well worth the effort.

Training Shih Tzu Puppies

If you want to make the most of your dog training efforts you should start when they are in the puppy stage.  You can start training them right away and there is no reason to wait until they are six months old to do so.  It is simply a matter of using the right techniques for Shih Tzu's that age.

You owe it to your Shih Tzu and yourself to invest in the best dog training materials.  There are great websites, books, e-books and more all dedicated to training your Shih Tzu.  If you are very serious about dog training or don’t have the time to do it yourself you should hire a professional.  You can ask your Shih Tzu’s veterinarian for recommendations to find the perfect trainer for you and your Shih Tzu.

Professional Trainers

There are some things to keep in mind when searching for a professional trainer.  You do not need one that specializes in the breed of your dog.  All breeds are trainable creatures; of course some will be better than others.

There are trainers who offer group classes as well as private in-home lessons and board and train programs.  Pick the training program that is best for you.

Shih-Tzu Training on Your Own

If you decide to train on your own you need to find the very best materials to do so.  There is no sense in trying to train by the seat of your pants if you have no idea what you are doing. 

The Shih-Tzu is an alert, lively, little dog. Happy and hardy, packed with character. The gentle loyal Shih-Tzu makes friends easily and responds well to consistent patient training. They make a very alert watch dog. Courageous and clever. Playful and spunky, this affectionate little dog likes to be with people and are generally good with other pets. Some can be difficult to housebreak. The Shih Tzu needs all of the humans in the house to be pack leader, with the rules of the house made consistently clear. Owners who allow their dogs to take over may find them to be snappish if they are surprised or peeved. Because of this dogs small size and it's adorable face, they commonly develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is the boss of humans. This causes a varying degree of behavioral issues, such as, but not limited to separation anxiety, guarding, growling, snapping, and even biting. They may become untrustworthy with children and sometimes adults, as they try and tell the humans what THEY want THEM to do. They will be obstinate as they take their stand and defend their top position in the pack. They may bark obsessively as they try and TELL you what they want. These behaviors are NOT Shih Tzu traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way they are treated by people around them. Give this dog rules, and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do. Be their firm, stable, consistent pack leader. Take them for daily pack walks to burn mental and physical energy. Their temperament will improve for the better, and you will bring out the sweet, trustworthy dog in them.

Purchase or read high quality materials that come recommended to you.  It is possible to train your dog by yourself, but it will be much easier and better with the help of an experienced trainer.

The Right Attitude

  If you adopt the right attitude you will be well on your way to having a disciplined, responsive Shih Tzu.

You’ll find that you grow closer than you ever thought possible to your Shih Tzu.  Dog training is a great way to cement your relationship and enjoy each other’s company.  Teach your Shih Tzu that you are in charge, but love him/her unconditionally and you will get a lot of respect in return.

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