| Biting is one of those things that every Shih Tzu puppy | | | | Another reason for socializing the Shih Tzu puppy |
| seems to do, and every Shih Tzu puppy must be | | | | early is that mothers of young children may be |
| taught not to do. Like many behaviors, such as jumping | | | | understandably reluctant to allow their young children to |
| up on people, biting and nipping can seem cute when | | | | play with older or larger dogs. Since socializing the Shih |
| the Shih Tzu puppy is small, but much less so as he | | | | Tzu with other people is just as important as socializing |
| gets older, larger and stronger. | | | | it with other dogs, it is best to do it when the Shih Tzu |
| Left to their own devices, most Shih Tzu puppies learn | | | | puppy is still young enough to be non threatening to |
| to control their biting reflex from their mothers and | | | | everyone. |
| from their littermates. When the Shih Tzu puppy | | | | It is important for the Shih Tzu puppy to be exposed |
| becomes overenthusiastic, whether when nursing or | | | | to a wide variety of different stimuli during the |
| playing, the mother Shih Tzu, or the other Shih Tzu | | | | socialization process. The socialization process should |
| puppies, will quickly issue a correction. | | | | include exposing the Shih Tzu puppy to a wide variety |
| Unfortunately, this type of natural correction often | | | | of other animals, including other puppies, adult dogs, |
| does not occur, since many Shih Tzu puppies are | | | | cats and other domestic animals. In addition, the Shih |
| removed from their mothers when they are still quite | | | | Tzu puppy should be introduced to as wide a cross |
| young. It is therefore up to Shih Tzu puppy's owner to | | | | section of people as possible, including young children, |
| take over this important process. | | | | older people, men, women and people from a variety |
| Socializing the Shih Tzu puppy with other dogs and | | | | of ethnic backgrounds. |
| puppies is one of the best and most effective ways | | | | While socialization is very important to providing the |
| to teach the Shih Tzu puppy the appropriate, and non | | | | Shih Tzu puppy with life lessons and preventing him |
| appropriate way to bite, and to curb the biting | | | | from biting, it is not the only method of preventing |
| response. | | | | unwanted biting and mouthing. Giving the Shih Tzu |
| Many communities and pet stores sponsor puppy | | | | puppy appropriate things to play with and bite is |
| playtime and puppy kindergarten classes, and these | | | | another good way to control inappropriate biting. |
| classes can be great places for puppies to socialize | | | | Providing a variety of chew toys, ropes and other |
| with each other, and with other humans and animals as | | | | things the Shih Tzu puppy can chew is important to |
| well. As the puppies play with each other, they will | | | | preventing boredom, keeping his teeth polished and |
| natural bite and nip each other. When one puppy | | | | keeping him from chewing things he should not. |
| becomes too rough or bites too hard, the other | | | | As with any training, it is important to be consistent |
| puppies will quickly respond by correcting it. | | | | when teaching the Shih Tzu puppy not to bite. Every |
| The best time for this socialization of the Shih Tzu | | | | member of the family, as well as close friends who |
| puppy to occur is when it is still young. It is vital that | | | | may visit, should all be told that the Shih Tzu puppy is |
| every dog be properly socialized, since a poorly | | | | to be discouraged from biting. If one person allows the |
| socialized Shih Tzu, or worse, one that is not socialized | | | | Shih Tzu puppy to chew on them while everyone else |
| at all, can become dangerous and even neurotic. Most | | | | does not, the Shih Tzu puppy will quickly become |
| experts recommend that Shih Tzu puppies be | | | | confused, and that can make the training process |
| socialized before they have reached the age of 12 | | | | much more difficult than it has to be. |
| weeks, or three months. | | | | |