Having trouble training your Shih Tzu puppy? These little dogs are smart, but they can be stubborn. With the right steps, you can teach them good behavior without stress. Ready to make your Shih Tzu a star student? Keep reading!
Key Takeaways
- Use high-value treats like chicken or cheese to reward good behavior during training. This builds positive habits quickly and avoids stress.
- Stick to short 10–15 minute sessions daily for commands like “sit” or “stay.” Puppies learn best with focus and repetition.
- Crate training starts as early as 8 weeks. It helps housebreaking by creating a safe, cozy space for your Shih Tzu.
- A consistent schedule for feeding, bathroom breaks, and playtime makes it easier to train and build trust with your puppy.
- Avoid punishment-based techniques; they harm trust and slow progress. Positive reinforcement works better for Shih Tzus’ sensitive nature.
Preparing to Train Your Shih Tzu
Training starts with planning. Get ready to build habits your Shih Tzu can trust.
Gather essential training supplies
Start with a comfortable crate for effective crate training. Choose one that feels cozy, not too big or small. Add a soft blanket or pad to make your Shih Tzu feel at ease. Use high-value treats like chicken or salmon-based options to reward good behavior during training.
Get a sturdy leash and harness designed for Shih Tzus to avoid strain on their small necks. A clicker can help reinforce commands faster. Stock up on potty pads if housebreaking indoors is your plan.
Keep chew toys handy—they curb boredom and save furniture!
Create a consistent training schedule
Stick to a daily routine for your Shih Tzu puppy. Feed them, play with them, and train at the same times each day. This helps their body and mind adjust quickly. Puppies thrive on predictability.
A set schedule also makes housebreaking easier.
Plan training sessions after meals or naps when your dog is calm but alert. Keep each session short—10 to 15 minutes is ideal for these little fur balls. The Zigzag app can guide daily exercises, adding variety without overloading their brains.
Now that the groundwork is laid, let’s tackle housebreaking tips next!
Housebreaking Your Shih Tzu
Potty training a Shih Tzu puppy takes patience, structure, and a bit of planning. Start early to build good habits that stick like glue!
Crate training basics
Start crate training as early as 8 weeks. Use the crate as a cozy den, not punishment. Place soft bedding inside and keep it in a quiet spot. Let your Shih Tzu sniff and explore it freely before closing the door for short periods.
Praise them with high-value treats when they stay calm.
Introduce feeding time inside the crate to make it a happy place. Keep sessions brief at first, slowly increasing time over days or weeks. Avoid letting them out if they whine; this teaches bad habits.
Next, work on establishing a bathroom routine to support housebreaking efforts!
Establishing a bathroom routine
Stick to a set schedule. Take your Shih Tzu puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, playtime, and right before bed. Puppies under six pounds often need more frequent trips outside due to their small bladders.
Use a consistent command like “go potty” while they’re in the bathroom spot.
Praise them immediately after they go in the right place. Use high-value treats or excited words as rewards. Patience is key during this learning process, but accidents may happen—clean up calmly without scolding to avoid stress for your pup.
A fixed routine builds good habits faster!
Handling accidents effectively
Accidents happen, especially with a Shih Tzu puppy. Stay calm and act quickly. Use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove odors from accidents on floors or carpets. This stops your dog from revisiting the same spot.
Never punish your pup for mistakes. It can cause fear or confusion and worsen training progress. Instead, reward good bathroom behavior with high-value treats like small pieces of chicken.
Consistency is key—stick to the routine, and your Shih Tzu will learn faster!
Teaching Basic Commands
Training commands builds trust and communication between you and your Shih Tzu. Start small, keep it fun, and watch as your furry companion learns step by step!
Sit
Show your Shih Tzu puppy a treat at nose level. Slowly lift it above their head. As they follow the treat with their eyes, their bottom will naturally touch the ground. Say “Sit” firmly while they do this and reward them immediately with high-value treats and praise.
Repeat this for 5 minutes daily during short training sessions. Be patient but consistent. Puppies learn best through repetition and positive reinforcement, so keep the tone light and encouraging!
Stay
After mastering “sit,” teaching your Shih Tzu to “stay” builds their focus. Start in a quiet space with no distractions. Ask them to sit, then hold up your hand like a stop sign while saying, “Stay.” Step back one or two paces and wait for three seconds.
If they stay put, reward them quickly with treats or praise.
Repeat often but keep sessions short—three to five minutes each time. Gradually increase the distance and length of time before rewarding them again. Use high-value treats as motivation.
Consistency matters most here, so practice daily until the command sticks!
Come
Call your Shih Tzu’s name first. Then say “Come” in a happy, clear voice. Hold out a treat or toy to catch their attention. When they run to you, give immediate rewards like high-value treats and lots of praise.
Repeat this often during calm moments.
Practice indoors before moving outside, where there are distractions. Use a leash for outdoor training if needed. Consistent practice builds trust and strengthens recall over time.
Never punish them for not coming—it can confuse them and hurt progress with dog obedience learning techniques!
Lie down
After mastering “Come,” it’s time for “Lie Down.” Hold a treat close to your Shih Tzu’s nose, then slowly move it downward toward the floor. Their head should follow, and their body will naturally lower.
Once they are lying down, say “lie down” firmly but calmly and give them the treat.
Practice this in short five-minute sessions daily for better retention. Use high-value treats like small bits of cheese or chicken to keep their interest strong. Always praise with an excited tone when they do it right—your Shih Tzu thrives on positive reinforcement!
Using Positive Reinforcement
Dogs crave praise and tasty rewards, so make training fun with treats they love. Stay patient—consistent encouragement helps shape good habits in your Shih Tzu.
Rewarding good behavior with treats and praise
Treats and praise can work like magic with a Shih Tzu puppy. Use small, high-value treats your dog loves, such as soft meaty bites or bits of cheese. Give them right away after good behavior to connect the action with the reward.
A cheerful “Good boy!” or “Well done!” makes it even better. This mix helps reinforce positive habits quickly.
Avoid overfeeding during training by breaking treats into tiny pieces. For example, if teaching “sit,” reward every correct attempt at first, then gradually space out rewards as they learn.
Pairing this method with affection builds trust and improves obedience without stress or punishment-based techniques.
Avoiding punishment-based techniques
Rewards work wonders, but punishments do the opposite. Shih Tzus are sensitive and may become scared or stubborn if punished. Yelling or using harsh tones can harm trust between you and your dog.
Instead, use positive reinforcement like high-value treats to guide their behavior.
For example, if your puppy chews on shoes, redirect them with a toy instead of scolding. This teaches what’s right without fear or confusion. Consistent rewards lead to lasting good habits while preventing issues like separation anxiety or excessive barking later on.
Socializing Your Shih Tzu
Start slow and steady—introduce your Shih Tzu to one new place or friend at a time. Keep interactions positive; happy experiences now lead to confident behavior later.
Introducing your puppy to new environments
Take your Shih Tzu puppy to different places early. Walk in parks, visit busy streets, or explore quiet trails. This helps them adapt and stay calm around various sights and sounds like fireworks or vacuum noises.
Car rides are also key—short drives can ease travel anxiety later.
Enroll in puppy classes for positive social experiences with other dogs and people. Let strangers offer gentle pets while rewarding your pup’s calm behavior using high-value treats.
Small steps build confidence fast!
Next, it’s time to encourage interaction with other dogs and people…
Encouraging interaction with other dogs and people
Expose your Shih Tzu puppy to calm, older dogs. This helps them learn good dog behavior. Early exposure can prevent fear or aggression later on. Keep the first meeting short and positive.
Praise with treats when they interact nicely.
Let your puppy meet different people in safe settings. Short walks or visits to friendly neighbors work well. Puppy classes are great too! They boost confidence and teach social skills with both dogs and humans alike.
Next, focus on managing common behavioral issues like barking or chewing.
Managing Common Behavioral Issues
Dogs can act out when they feel bored or confused, just like kids. Simple steps and patience help fix bad habits quickly.
Reducing excessive barking
Training can curb excessive barking in your Shih Tzu. Use positive reinforcement, like high-value treats or praise, to reward quiet behavior. Don’t yell; it may make barking worse.
Exercise daily to tire your dog out and reduce energy-driven barking.
Create a calm space for your Shih Tzu during noisy times. A crate with comfy bedding can help soothe them if trained properly. Be consistent with commands like “quiet” and patient as they learn.
Preventing chewing habits comes next!
Preventing chewing and destructive habits
Toys keep your Shih Tzu puppy busy and protect your furniture. Chew toys, like rubber bones or ropes, stop destructive chewing. Choose safe options to avoid choking hazards.
Exercise helps burn off extra energy that leads to bad behavior. Take short walks or play fetch daily. A tired dog is less likely to chew on shoes or sofa legs! Stick with consistent training and watch for boredom cues, like pacing or whining, which can lead to destruction.
Tips for Effective Training
Patience is your secret weapon, so take things one step at a time. Stick with short training sessions—puppies have the focus of a goldfish!
Maintain consistency and patience
Stick to the same routine each day. Dogs like schedules, and a steady one helps training click faster. Use the same commands for each behavior—no switching words like “come” for “here.” This consistency avoids confusion.
Stay calm if your Shih Tzu puppy doesn’t get it right away. Training takes time, just like learning does for kids. Reward small wins with high-value treats or kind words to keep progress moving forward.
Don’t rush; patience builds trust and better results long-term!
Practice short, focused training sessions
Keep training sessions short, around 10-15 minutes. Puppies like a Shih Tzu can lose focus fast. Avoid frustration by keeping it simple and fun. Break lessons into small steps for better learning.
Teach one command at a time to prevent confusion.
Focused practice helps your dog retain commands longer. Use high-value treats during these sessions as rewards. A treat or praise makes them feel good about doing well! Consistency is key—train daily to build strong habits over time.
Set realistic expectations for your puppy
Training a Shih Tzu puppy takes time and patience. These dogs are known for their affectionate but stubborn nature. Your puppy won’t learn everything overnight. Housebreaking might take weeks, even months for some puppies.
It’s normal to face small setbacks while dog training, so stay calm.
Focus on one skill at a time. Don’t expect a young Shih Tzu to master leash training and complex tricks in the same week. Puppies have short attention spans, much like toddlers! Celebrate small wins—teaching “sit” or using litter boxes properly is already progress worth praising.
Advanced Training Ideas
Make training fun by adding new challenges as your pup grows. Games and advanced tricks keep their mind sharp and tail wagging!
Teaching tricks like “roll over” or “fetch”
Teaching “roll over” starts with laying your Shih Tzu down. Hold a treat near their nose, then slowly move it in a circular motion toward their shoulder. This movement encourages them to roll onto their side and eventually onto their back.
Once they complete the roll, praise them immediately and give the treat. Repeat this step daily with patience.
For teaching “fetch,” first pick a toy your Shih Tzu loves. Toss it just a few feet away and say, “Fetch!” Use an excited tone to catch their attention. When they grab it, show another treat or toy to lure them back to you.
Reward them once they return with the object in tow! Keep each session short for effective learning without tiring them out.
Incorporating agility training for mental stimulation
Agility training keeps your Shih Tzu active and sharp. Set up a simple course with items like small cones, tunnels, or cushions in your yard or living room. Guide your dog through the obstacles using high-value treats and positive reinforcement.
Practice regularly to improve their focus while providing mental exercise.
Even short sessions can reduce bad behaviors like chewing or barking caused by boredom. This activity strengthens trust between you and your puppy. Your Shih Tzu will enjoy learning these fun challenges, making training time exciting for both of you!
Conclusion
Training a Shih Tzu takes patience, love, and the right steps. Start small, stay consistent, and celebrate even tiny wins. Your puppy will grow into a happy companion with gentle guidance.
Keep sessions fun and short—they’ll thank you with wagging tails! Stick to positivity, and watch your bond flourish.
FAQs
1. How do I start training my Shih Tzu puppy?
Start with basic commands like “sit” and “stay.” Use positive reinforcement, such as high-value treats, to reward good behavior. Keep sessions short since Shih Tzus have a short attention span.
2. What is the best way to housebreak a Shih Tzu?
Crate training works well for housebreaking. A crate helps your puppy learn boundaries and prevents accidents when you’re not watching them closely.
3. How can I leash train my Shih Tzu without frustration?
Introduce the leash slowly so they get used to it. Practice walking indoors first, then move outside in small steps while using calm praise or treats.
4. Should I hire a dog trainer for obedience training?
If you’re struggling with dog behavior or need extra guidance, hiring a professional dog trainer can be helpful. They understand the psychology of learning and can teach both you and your pet effectively.
5. Why is grooming important during training?
Shih Tzus require regular grooming because of their long coats, which tangle easily. Early trips to groomers help them stay comfortable and build trust in handling situations like brushing or nail trims later on!