Shih Tzu Training

By Janice Jones 

Please don't make the mistake in thinking that Shih Tzu Training is unnecessary.  After all, Shih Tzu puppies follow you everywhere, they come when you call them, and they seem destined to behave. They enamor themselves to you, their owner and try hard to adapt to your household and standards.  

But puppies don't stay small for  long.  Soon they turn into adolescent Shih Tzu that even the most patient owner might find overpowering.  Surprising behaviors emerge such as when that sweet little shadow that followed you everywhere now makes a conscious decision to ignore your call to come. 

Adolescents, as we all know, have a mind of their own.  Teens, whether they are dogs or humans can be challenging, and if training is not in place, these teen Shih Tzu can become, well adult delinquents or worse! Remember Shih Tzu dogs have a real reputation for being stubborn.   Don't let this happen to your tiny puppy.

So where do you start?

Basics of Shih Tzu Training

It is never too soon to start training your Shih Tzu Puppy.  Start on day one with your routine and house-breaking methods that you want to use (crate training, outside pottying, pad training, litter box).  Housebreaking is your first step towards training your Shih Tzu puppy. Crate training a Shih Tzu is one method that many Tzu parents use to housebreak their dog.

While working on potting for your new Shih Tzu Puppy, the next important step is to make sure that you provide socialization skills--meeting new people, places, things, and other dogs. 

Socialization means acclimating your new puppy to all of those things that he is likely to encounter in his life and should be an important part of your Shih Tzu training.

At Miracle Shih Tzu, we start socialization very early on--usually by the second day of life.  We introduce puppies to new sounds, new people, new textures and surfaces and different ways that people handle puppies. 

We also try to introduce objects into the environment that a typical Shih Tzu dog might encounter such as umbrellas, people wearing hats, and boots.   But socialization at Miracle Shih Tzu is only a start.  Puppies will need to be introduced to all those special things that will become part of their life.

To make Shih Tzu training a little easier, a puppy proofed house can make all the difference.  With proper puppy proofing, you will find you clean up fewer messes.  Most importantly, your new puppy will be safer, and you will avoid expensive trips to the vet due to ingesting toxic substances or getting hurt in other ways.

Another important task of new Shih Tzu puppy owners is to assure that their puppy learns how to inhibit their biting tendencies.  Eight week old puppies that come home still have a tendency to bite hands and toes, and well anything they can. 

Puppies, like human babies, explore their world with their mouth.  Sometimes when they play they get a little too rambunctious and will gnaw down on a sensitive hand.  Puppies need to learn immediately that biting is Not Okay.

Core Competencies: Basic Commands

Puppies can learn even the most fundamental commands at a very early age.  Many of our seven  and eight week old puppies have heard the words, come, leave it, sit, etc. 

They observe older dogs responding to commands, and as research is finding, dogs are great imitators.   Surprisingly, even seven-week-olds can comprehend basic commands, so by the time a puppy goes to their forever home, they are old enough for primary training.  T

hese include basic commands and learning to walk on a leash. 

Walking on a leash is sometimes difficult for very young Shih Tzu puppies especially those that don't seem to fit a collar or harness.  Even the XS size is too big for some.  If you want to work on leash training from Day One, we recommend that you find an XXS harness for your puppy.  They will soon outgrow this size, but most can walk successfully on a leash with an appropriate harness.  Why not collar?  You ask?

Well, we like collars to hold tags such as identification tags and rabies tags.  When it comes to walking a small dogs, collars put their little necks at risk of damage, so a harness is the best alternative to introducing the leash in a safe manner.

Puppies as young as seven or eight weeks old can learn basic commands such as  stay, down,  watch me, and give. 

Many are ready for a basic puppy kindergarten class soon after they arrive at your home.  The trick is finding a suitable class and trainer for your little fur baby. Shih Tzu puppy training does not need to include classes if you are prepared to do it on your own and many do just that.

Kindergarten classes are available in most communities, but the requirements vary from place to place. 

Many training courses require that the puppies be fully immunized before they are admitted which can mean that puppies are not allowed to attend until they are at least 4 or 5 months old. 

Check with your local community and ask about the availability of puppy training. This is an excellent way to get your Shih Tzu training started off on the right foot. (or paw)

Many current models recommend early puppy stimulation and training.  Earlier models stress vaccinations.  For the most part, puppies who have had their first or second set of shots should be well protected to enter into Shih Tzu Training classes.

Most primary courses emphasize training basic skills such as sit, stay, come, leave it, drop it, and give.  Once your puppy has graduated from basic skills training, they are eligible to go beyond and learn more skills that may need if they are to compete in obedience or confirmation trails.  Some Shih Tzu puppies will continue on to acquire the necessary sills to pass the AKC Good Citizen Tests. 

From there, they may be eligible to compete or work as a Therapy Dog. 

Some Shih Tzu Dogs also excel in agility, and if this is something that interests you, additional classes may be necessary to prepare for these competitions.

Finding a Dog Trainer for Off-leash Control

When adopting a new pup in middle Tennessee, finding a qualified, professional dog trainer should be prioritized from the time your Shih Tzu pup is ready to potty train until the moment he’s ready to go off the leash.

When it’s time to sign on for classes, it can be daunting to know where to find the best trainer and how to start your search. Since the industry is unregulated, anyone can become a dog trainer with virtually no training.

Puppies with Behavioral Problems

Some puppies develop problems early on such as eating their own feces, barking, or refusing to stay home alone. (Separation Anxiety). 

These problems can more difficult to handle, but are common in the breed.  Other problems such as begging at the table is usually the result of our tendency to over-indulge our furry friends. 

Whatever the problem, there is usually a reasonable way to overcome the worrisome issue.

Another problem that you might encounter with puppies is their insatiable desire to chew on everything, from your possessions to your woodwork.  Chewing is a normal behavior but there are some things you can do to help direct your puppy to more appropriate chewing activities.

Puppy biting and nipping is also a normal developmental stage, but teaching the puppy that biting hurts will help cure him or her of this worrisome behavior.  

We’ve provided some information on various skills on this website based on our own experience of puppy training. For more information, we recommend you search out additional resources such as The Association of Dog Trainers.  

The Takeaway...

Here are a few of our suggestions for training your puppy from the day you bring him home.  More can be learned when you enroll him in a training or puppy kindergarten class

About Janice

Janice is the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu. Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, she served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu.

When not writing, reading, or researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, her husband, and her family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Small Dog Place and Smart-Knit-Crocheting.