Shih Tzu Training: Popular Commands and Training Tricks

Shih Tzu

Popularity: №20
Origin: China
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Training Commands

After you bring home a little and playful Shih Tzu puppy you have to think about its training. This cute toy dog is very active but stubborn, so, in order not to have problems in the future you have to teach it how to behave, who to respect and what it can or cannot do.

Comparing with other dogs, Shih Tzu does not need lots of physical training. However, it does need some active games. Moreover, its training does not include just teaching commands – there are some essential things the dog needs to know.

To Poop Outside

The first thing in training should be a housebreaking process. You have to decide whether your dog should to learn to poop outside or it will be a “home routine”.

If you have a yard or you are able to go for a walk every day, you have to make a schedule where your joint walks will be included.

If you do not have an opportunity for going outside with your pet, buy a special box in a pets’ shop.

Crate

Another step is crate training. You should teach your dog to go inside the crate in order it would learn that being there is not a punishment, but a treat.

This training is important as you will be able to take your Shih Tzu to a vet at any time. Moreover, keeping a dog inside its little “house” will help you to do a household chore when you can’t keep an eye on it.

Shih Tzu Training Tricks

Shih Tzu does not need a special physical training and long walks: this little toy dog needs to be trained in order to “know its place”. So, what does it need to know:

• It is very important to expose your dog with different sounds. It will help to make your dog less nervous and stressed.

• • It is necessary to teach your dog to come to you when you say its name. It will make your relationship better and will help to prevent accidents.

• • Do not forget to teach it such important commands as “lie down” and “sit down”. These tricks will provide a serious foundation for a solid training.
  • Use positive reinforcement. Shih Tzu is very dynamic and playful so treats will help to concentrate its attention on what is good and what it can or cannot do.

Obedience

Training of Shi Tzu is a process where you both work as a team: you are the leader and the dog is your devout partner. It looks at you all the time it does something new, it waits for your smile when it comes to you and for your guidance when it is “lost”.

This pet wants to please you all the time; therefore, you should be grateful for its obedience and loyalty.

Commands

Sit

It’s the easiest command. So when you say command “sit” Shih Tzu must sit.

1. First you need to stand in front of the dog and say the command “sit”.
2. Then you should take the treat(small peace) and slowly move it over the dog’s head and then behind head, so his head automatically rises up, and the back part goes down.
3. You should reward the dog with a treat as soon as he sits down and repeat “sit” again.
4. You should repeat previous actions 5 times. If dog liked this game you can repeat even more times.
5. At the end try to say command and check if dog able to sit itself.
6. Congratulation! No? Just try again next day. Systematic repetition.

Conclusion

Shih Tzu is an extremely friendly, active and playful dog. That is why it is not that easy to teach it how to behave. It can take up to 7-8 months to teach it everything it needs to know.

However, your patience will be rewarded: you will have a loyal friend, loving and adoring you no matter what happens.