You love your new little Shih Tzu but you can probably expect some problems, if you haven’t already begun to experience them. Shih Tzu problems usually stem from the dog’s hereditary disposition and personality as much as anything else. Environment usually does not have much of an effect on a Shih Tzu unless that environment is very negative. So the better you understand your dog the better equipped you will be to deal with any potential problems that may spring up during training.
Shih Tzu dogs are high-strung little animals that do not respond well to noises and commotion of any kind. The natural response for a Shih Tzu that feels excessive stress or any other tension from their environment is a biting response. They will bite anything in their path and it doesn’t matter who or what it is. This is one of the main reasons why Shih Tzu dogs are said to not be great dogs for kids. Of course not every dog is the same but for the most part the Shih Tzu is not a great dog for kids unless you take the time to train it very well- and it does take time.
The Shih Tzu is a very proud and regal dog that descends from the dogs that used to find favor with Chinese royalty. They can be very arrogant and stubborn and this is probably the only Shih Tzu problem that can lead to more problems than anything else. They will do what they want to do and they take a long time to learn that you are in charge and not them. As was said it takes patience to train a Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzu dogs can be playful when they want to be but they do not require a lot of exercise so any activity they do get is on their terms. They are not very likely to fetch a stick for you and they certainly won’t be playing catch with a Frisbee thrown by you any time soon. If you are looking for a rough and tumble play dog then the Shih Tzu is probably not for you.
This stubbornness and high-strung personality are detrimental to important tasks like housebreaking. A Shih Tzu normally can take months to housebreak and if anything happens to upset them during the process, or they just decide that they don’t want to learn anymore, then you are usually back to square one. Your only weapon is positive reinforcement and a lot of praise because if they don’t understand what you want then they will do whatever they want.
Shih Tzu problems can come from any direction and it usually has to do with their independent personalities. They carry themselves very well and are very self-assured animals, which means they usually do not care what you have to say. It takes a lot of time and patience to overcome these issues and it can cause a great deal of frustration as well, but no one ever said it was going to be easy.
Many of the challenges of Shih Tzu training are in this article. This article will augment the information you can find in many dog training books.
The importance of correcting Shih Tzu problem behaviors quickly is because if you wait to fix it, the harder it will be and the longer it will take to fix the problem. Although it is never impossible to retrain a dog, it is much easier on both you and the dog if it is done quickly and properly. Taking action quick will help make sure the issue is controlled right away and will remind your dog that they are to submit to you and follow your lead and instruction.
Not only is there an embarrassment factor to your Shih Tzu being out of control and displaying bad behavior, there are safety concerns to think about as well. Even though your Shih Tzu appears to be small enough that they couldn’t even hurt a fly, with enough energy and effort they can do a lot of damage to both furniture and people. This is not only bad for friendships but for your pocketbook as well as attacks from dogs often times end up in court.
One of the most talked about problems with Shih Tzu problem behaviors is that of the dog jumping up onto people. And with this dog’s little size, many people just laugh it off and consider it no problem at all. But you must remember that this is bad behavior and if it is left alone then even worse behavior can and will follow. There are many issues that can arise from your dog being left to jump on people.
Consider that your Shih Tzu, even though so small, jumps onto a small and unsteady toddler who is then knocked back onto the floor and then hits his head. Once down the Shih Tzu continues to jump on the toddler thinking it’s a game, the toddlers face gets scratched up, and the dog is yelled at. Your dog will be left confused because his jumping up never bothered you before and your dog does not have the mental capability to understand why something is okay one minute and not the next.
Have you ever seen a dog walk their owner? It happens all the time as more and more owners report that their tiny dog is dragging them all over town or the park. This often becomes a Shih Tzu problem behavior with inexperienced owners. The dog that pulls or tugs at their leash is simply trying to walk you and you show you where to go. Remember, that dogs are pack animals and in their minds, there is one pack leader. If you are not taking that role, they will assume it and take control of you and your home.
The reason why Shih Tzu problem behaviors like leash pulling must be stopped is for their safety and for control over your dog. You are the pack leader and that is what has to be seen through the eyes of your dog. Generally, dogs that break free when pulling on a lease are lost for good or hit by a passing car. For their protection and to prevent more behavior problems from arising, it is vital to put an end to this behavior right away.
In order to avoid or correct many Shih Tzu problem behaviors, it is vital that you get your dog proper Shih Tzu training from the start. By being proactive and reading through some different dog training books, you can make sure to correct, if not avoid, common Shih Tzu problem behaviors.