Shih Tzu Training Tips

The Shih Tzu is called the "lion dog." Though roaring lions may not come to mind when you look at a 16-lb. Shih Tzu, this dog was once held in high esteem in China and was even considered a holy dog in Tibet. This patient, playful and family-friendly dog may still inspire you to give it the royal treatment at home. Like other breeds, however, Shih Tzu dogs require thorough training to keep from developing behavior problems and to maintain their gentle and outgoing attitude.

  1. Crate and House-Training

    • Shih Tzus are meant to be indoor dogs. This means you will have to house-train your Shih Tzu. It won't want to soil its bed, so keep it in a crate to reduce messes when you leave the house. The crate should always be a positive experience. Never use it for punishment. Let your dog get used to the crate by placing treats inside for it to find, and praise it when it goes inside. House-train your Shih Tzu with treats as well. Praise it, and reward it for going to the potty outside. Interrupt it, and take it outside if it has an accident in the house. Reward it for finishing its business in the yard. Never punish your Shih Tzu for having an accident. This small dog can become timid or fearful with punishment, and may start to fear you or the act of going to the potty.

    Rules and Boundaries

    • Though friendly, the Shih Tzu is outgoing and courageous, but it can be stubborn. It will think it is king of the castle if it is not given rules to follow. You should choose rules that fit the needs of you, your family and your dog. If you trip over it in the kitchen, for example, it may be a good idea to ban your Shih Tzu from the kitchen. Once you have chosen rules, enforce them consistently. Never allow them to be broken, or your Shih Tzu will not take them seriously and will break them again. Start by rewarding your dog with treats and praise for obeying the rules, even if you have to pick it up and remove it from a room or from the furniture first.

    Positive Reinforcement

    • Shih Tzu dogs don't respond well to negative reinforcement training methods. Punishment can make them fearful or aggressive. Due to their size, they can also be injured easily if a correction is too harsh. You can avoid these problems by sticking to positive reinforcement training techniques. Always reward your dog for doing the right thing, rather than punish it for misbehaving. You can teach your dog to follow commands by rewarding it with treats and praise. Shih Tzus are intelligent and eager to please, so knowing you are happy will encourage your dog to keep trying. When you must correct your dog, interrupt the behavior and reward it as soon as it turns its attention back to you.

    Exercise

    • They may be small, but Shi Tzus have energy to spare. Their short legs have to work extra hard to make it from room to room, so it is possible for your Shih Tzu to get exercise in the house. Add in a walk or two around the block each day to give your Shih Tzu time to exercise its mind and experience the outside world. Shih Tzus are very playful, so a game or two inside the house or out in the yard can also provide your Shih Tzu with the exercise it needs. Games also help you and your dog bond. Remember that a well-exercised Shih Tzu is a well-behaved Shih Tzu. It would rather take a nap than come up with other ways to entertain itself, most of which you will certainly dislike.