| Pulling on the leash is one of the most common | | | | after the shih tzu has sat calmly to have the collar put |
| misbehaviors seen on all kinds of dogs. Shih tzu | | | | on, and continued to sit calmly as the leash is attached. |
| puppies and adult shih tzu alike can often be seen | | | | Once the leash is attached, it is important to make the |
| taking their owners for walks, instead of the other way | | | | shih tzu walk calmly toward the door. If the shih tzu |
| around. Pulling on the leash can be much more than an | | | | jumps or surges ahead, gently correct him with a tug |
| annoying habit. Leash pulling can lead to escape in the | | | | of the leash and return him to a sitting position. Make |
| case of a break in the collar or leash, and an out of | | | | the shih tzu stay, then move on again. Repeat this |
| control, off leash shih tzu can be both destructive and | | | | process until the shih tzu is walking calmly by your side. |
| dangerous to itself and to others. | | | | Repeat the above process when you reach the door. |
| Leash pulling can result from a variety of different | | | | The shih tzu should not be allowed to surge out of the |
| things. In some cases, the shih tzu may simply be so | | | | door, or to pull you through the open door. If the shih |
| excited to go for a walk that he or she is unable to | | | | tzu begins this behavior, return the shih tzu to the |
| control themselves. In other cases, the shih tzu sees | | | | house and make him sit quietly until he can be trusted |
| itself as the leader of the pack, and he or she simply | | | | to walk through the door properly. Starting the walk in |
| takes the "leadership position" at the front of the pack. | | | | control is vital to creating a well mannered shih tzu. |
| If excitement is the motivation for leash pulling, simply | | | | As you begin your walk, it is vital to keep the attention |
| giving the shih tzu a few minutes to calm down can | | | | of the shih tzu focused on you at all times. Remember, |
| often be a big help. Simply stand with the shih tzu on | | | | the shih tzu should look to you for guidance, not take |
| the leash for a couple minutes and let the initial | | | | the lead himself. When walking, it is important to stop |
| excitement of the upcoming walk pass. After the initial | | | | often. Every time you stop, your shih tzu should stop. |
| excitement ahs worn off, many shih tzu are willing to | | | | Getting into the habit of asking your shih tzu to sit |
| walk calmly on their leash. | | | | down every time you stop is a good way to keep |
| If the problem is one of control, however, some | | | | your shih tzu's attention focused on you. Make sure |
| retraining may be in order. All shih tzu training starts | | | | your shih tzu is looking at you, then move off again. If |
| with the owner establishing him or herself as the alpha | | | | the shih tzu begins to surge ahead, immediately stop |
| dog, or pack leader, and without this basic respect and | | | | and ask the shih tzu to sit. Repeat this process until the |
| understanding, no effective training can occur. For shih | | | | shih tzu is reliability staying at your side. Each time the |
| tzu exhibiting these type of control issues, a step back | | | | shih tzu does what you ask him to, be sure to reward |
| to basic obedience commands is in order. These shih | | | | him with a treat, a toy or just your praise. |
| tzu can often be helped through a formal obedience | | | | Remember that if your shih tzu pulls on the leash and |
| school structure. The dog trainer will of course be sure | | | | you continue to walk him anyway, you are |
| to train the handler as well as the shih tzu, and any | | | | inadvertently rewarding that unwanted behavior. Shih |
| good dog trainer will insist on working with the shih tzu | | | | Tzu learn whether you are teaching them or not, and |
| owner as well as the shih tzu. | | | | learning the wrong things now will make learning the |
| The basis of teaching the shih tzu to walk calmly on | | | | right things later that much harder. It is important to be |
| the lead is teaching it to calmly accept the collar and | | | | consistent in your expectations. Every time the shih tzu |
| lead. A shih tzu that is bouncing up and down while the | | | | begins to pull ahead, immediately stop and make the |
| collar is being put on will not walk properly. Begin by | | | | shih tzu sit. Continue to have the shih tzu sit quietly until |
| asking your shih tzu to sit down, and insisting that he sit | | | | his focus is solely on you. Then start out again, making |
| still while the collar is put on. If the shih tzu begins to get | | | | sure to immediately stop moving if the shih tzu surges |
| up, or gets up on his own after the collar is on, be sure | | | | ahead. |
| to sit him back down immediately. Only begin the walk | | | | |