| The basis of training any shih tzu is winning its trust, | | | | putting the shih tzu dog or shih tzu puppy in a properly |
| confidence and respect. True training cannot begin until | | | | fitted training collar. Be sure to follow the instructions |
| the shih tzu has accepted you as its leader, respects | | | | for fitting and sizing the color to ensure that it works |
| you and entrusted you with his or her confidence. | | | | as intended. Begin to walk and allow your shih tzu to |
| The mistake many shih tzu puppy owners make is | | | | walk beside you. If the shih tzu begins to pull, gently pull |
| mistaking love and affection for respect and | | | | on the leash. This in turn will tighten the training collar |
| confidence. While it is certainly important to love your | | | | and correct the dog. If the gentle pressure is |
| new shih tzu puppy, it is also very important that the | | | | ineffective, it may be necessary to slowly increase the |
| shih tzu puppy respect you and see you as his leader. | | | | pressure. Always be careful to not over-correct the |
| Dogs are naturally pack animals, and every dog looks | | | | shih tzu. Using too much pressure could frighten the |
| to the lead dog for advice and direction. Making | | | | shih tzu and cause it to strain more. If the opposite |
| yourself the pack leader is vital to the success of | | | | problem occurs and the shih tzu lags behind, the owner |
| training any dog. | | | | should gently encourage it until it is walking beside the |
| Failure to gain the respect of the shih tzu can create a | | | | owner. |
| shih tzu who is disobedient, out of control and even | | | | Most shih tzu figure out the heeling concept fairly |
| dangerous. Problem shih tzu are dangerous, whether | | | | rapidly, and quickly figure out that they should walk |
| they are created through bad breeding, owner | | | | beside their owners, neither lagging behind nor pulling |
| ignorance or improper training. It is important to train the | | | | ahead. Once the shih tzu has mastered heeling at a |
| shih tzu right from the start, since retraining a problem | | | | moderate pace, the owner should slow his or her pace |
| shih tzu is much more difficult than training a shih tzu | | | | and allow the shih tzu to adjust along with it. The |
| puppy right the first time. | | | | owner should also speed up the pace and allow the |
| It is important for any new shih tzu owner, whether | | | | shih tzu to speed up as well. Finally, walking along and |
| working with a 12 week old shih tzu puppy or a twelve | | | | changing pace often will reinforce the lesson that the |
| year old shih tzu dog, to immediately get the respect | | | | shih tzu should always walk at the heel of the handler. |
| of the animal. That does not mean using rough or | | | | From heeling, the next step should be to halt on |
| dangerous handling methods, but it does mean letting | | | | command. This halt command works well as an |
| the dog know that you are in control of the situation. | | | | adjunct to heel. As you are walking, stop and watch |
| Shih Tzu need structure in their lives, and they will not | | | | you shih tzu. Many shih tzu immediately realize that |
| resent the owner taking control. As a matter of fact, | | | | they are expected to stop when their handler does. |
| the shih tzu will appreciate your taking the role of | | | | Others may need the reminder of the leash and the |
| trainer and coach as you begin your training session. | | | | training collar. |
| When working with the shih tzu, it is important to keep | | | | After the halt on command has been mastered, the |
| the training sessions short at first. This is particularly | | | | handler should encourage the shih tzu to sit on |
| important when working with a young shih tzu puppy, | | | | command as well. Once the shih tzu has stopped, the |
| since shih tzu puppies tend to have much shorter | | | | handler gently pushes on the shih tzu's hindquarters to |
| attention spans than older shih tzu dogs. Keeping the | | | | encourage the sit. Usually, after this walk, halt, sit |
| training sessions short, and fun, is essential for proper | | | | procedure has been done a few times, the shih tzu will |
| training. | | | | begin to sit on his own each time he stops. Of course, |
| Beginning training sessions should focus on the most | | | | it is important to provide great praise, and perhaps |
| basic commands. The heel command is one of the | | | | even a treat, every time the shih tzu does as he is |
| most basic, and one of the easiest to teach. Start by | | | | expected. |