| Obedience training is one of the most important and | | | | wild dog pack would show to the alpha dog in that |
| most effective things any owner can do for his or her | | | | pack. |
| shih tzu. A properly obedience trained shih tzu is a | | | | As with any type of dog training, it is important that |
| happy, productive and safe member of the family, | | | | obedience training sessions be fun and rewarding for |
| while a untrained shih tzu can be destructive and even | | | | both shih tzu and handler. A happy, healthy shih tzu will |
| dangerous. | | | | be best able to learn, and keeping the shih tzu happy |
| Dogs are designed by nature to follow leaders, and to | | | | during the training sessions will make life easier for both |
| look for that leadership. As pack animals, shih tzu | | | | yourself and your shih tzu. Obedience training has |
| naturally follow the directions of their pack leader. In the | | | | many benefits for the shih tzu as well as the handler. |
| absence of a strong leader, the shih tzu may assume | | | | For one thing, a well trained, obedient shih tzu can be |
| this role itself. Shih tzu that think of themselves as the | | | | permitted a larger amount of freedom than an |
| leader of their human pack can become | | | | untrained shih tzu. For instance, a shih tzu that has |
| uncooperative, destructive and even dangerous. | | | | been properly trained to come when called can safely |
| Proper obedience training opens up important lines of | | | | enjoy some off leash play time at the local park. |
| communication between handler and shih tzu. The | | | | There is always a debate over whether it is easier to |
| basis of any obedience training program is to gain the | | | | obedience train puppies or older dogs. The fact is that |
| cooperation and respect of the animal. This respect | | | | both shih tzu puppies and older shih tzu can be |
| cannot be exerted through rough handling methods or | | | | successfully trained to be willing, obedient companions. |
| mistreatment. It must instead be earned through | | | | It is generally easier to train shih tzu puppies and young |
| leadership and proper training techniques. | | | | shih tzu than it is to retrain shih tzu that have |
| Basic obedience training consists of teaching the shih | | | | developed behavior problems. Even problem shih tzu, |
| tzu what to do and what not to do. When it comes to | | | | however, can be successfully retrained using basic |
| desired behaviors, it is important for the shih tzu to | | | | obedience training and control concepts. |
| learn and respond to basic commands, such as heeling | | | | When obedience training shih tzu puppies, however, it is |
| when walking, stopping on command, sitting when | | | | important to remember that shih tzu puppies generally |
| directed, coming when called and staying where the | | | | have a shorter attention span than do full grown shih |
| handler directs. | | | | tzu. It is important, therefore to keep training sessions |
| The list of what not to do is also important when it | | | | short in the beginning. It is also important to incorporate |
| comes to obedience training. Some of the don'ts of | | | | lots of play with other shih tzu puppies, dogs and other |
| obedience training include - not jumping up on people, | | | | animals, as well as lots of different people. Proper |
| not forging ahead when walking and, not chewing the | | | | socialization is very important to creating a safe, |
| furniture or your property, and not getting out of control | | | | healthy and happy companion shih tzu. |
| when exposed to novel situations. | | | | There are many obedience training classes held in all |
| In essence, obedience training involves establishing the | | | | parts of the country, and new shih tzu puppy and shih |
| social hierarchy that is so important to shih tzu as pack | | | | tzu owners are encouraged to enroll in one of these |
| animals. When your shih tzu follows your obedience | | | | classes. Not only do shih tzu puppy kindergarten and |
| commands, such as - come, stay, sit, heel, etc., he or | | | | shih tzu obedience classes provide important structure |
| she is showing compliance and submissiveness. This is | | | | for the shih tzu, but it provides important chances for |
| the same type of behavior a submissive member of a | | | | properly socialization the shih tzu puppy as well. |