Archive for the Category » Shih Tzu «

Sunday, December 21st, 2008 | Author: admin

The Shih Tzu is probably one of the most stubborn and arrogant breeds of dog you will ever come across and they very much prefer their way of doing things even over your way whether you like it or not. So do not be surprised when tasks like housebreaking seem to take forever because remember that you are on the dog’s schedule and not yours. This is probably why some people resort to Shih Tzu litter box training as opposed to waiting for their dog to be housebroken.

Patience is a virtue when training a Shih Tzu and you will need a lot of patience to housebreak your Shih Tzu. Even the best-behaved Shih Tzu dogs can take up to six months to be properly housebroken. So if you have only been at it for a few months then you need to keep trying. Litter box training should be a last resort, a very last resort.
Your Shih Tzu is a very stubborn dog and it does not always associate everything the way you would want it to. To your dog, Shih Tzu litter box training may be an invitation to go to the bathroom anywhere in the house as opposed to just the litter box. This is why you should not give up on the standard housebreaking methods for your Shih Tzu, as litter box training might make the situation much worse.

A Shih Tzu can grow to pretty big sizes even for a toy breed and that can be a big problem if you are considering Shih Tzu litter box training. A larger dog is not going to adapt well to a litter box and could wind up making a huge mess rather than the controlled chaos you are hoping for. Ask your breeder or your vet if they think your Shih Tzu may be too big for litter box training.
You think you have tried everything else and Shih Tzu litter box training is your last resort. Get a large litter box and put it in the area the Shih Tzu has been soiling the most. Take your dog to that litter box several times a day and praise and reward the dog for using the litter box. Never punish a Shih Tzu, as that will negate all the training you have done and cause you to have to start over.

Litter box training is not housebreaking and it may actually cause more problems than it could ever solve. Be sure to have the same dedication to litter box training that you had to housebreaking because litter box training could take as long, or longer, than housebreaking and may not give the results you wanted. Never give up on housebreaking until you have tried everything there first or you may regret it later on in your dog’s life.

In this article you will find useful and important information for Shih Tzu training. You can use this article along with dog training books for information on Shih Tzu training.

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Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 | Author: admin

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.

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Friday, November 14th, 2008 | Author: admin

Dealing with Shih Tzu problem behaviors can not only be an embarrassing part of your day but also leave a lot of stress on your dog and those affected by your dog’s wrong actions. It is important to know that it is important to bring attention to the wrong behavior right away because if it is left un-addressed, then it is considered by the dog to be an okay action. There is even the chance that your dog will bring about new bad behaviors because of your lack of attention to the problem.

It is a matter of safety not only for your dog but also for the safety of you and those who come into contact with your dog. While the Shih Tzu looks are innocent and harmless, a lot of damage can be done to someone who gets too close or a child who just wants to give your dog some love. Even if you have avoided addressing the obedience issue with your dog, it is never too late to start taking steps in the right direction.
When thinking about Shih Tzu problem behaviors, jumping up is often a problem that many owners complain about. This is even an issue that non-owners who have been around Shih Tzu will mention. If this problem behavior is not addressed in a quick manner, it can lead to many more issues. Something that seems so innocent, like jumping up, can become so much more and before you know it, your little pup will be in trouble and will not understand why.

While a tiny Shih Tzu will not hurt you or I if they jump up onto us, they do hold enough strength in their little bodies to knock over a small child or even a baby. If you allow your Shih Tzu to jump onto you, then they will not understand why jumping on a baby is any different. And while you think that your Shih Tzu is not around children at all so it doesn’t matter, what if someday they are? You could be faced with heavy fines to pay and hurt feelings to mend if your dog hurt someone because of them being allowed to jump up.
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.

Shih Tzu problem behaviors are something that must be addressed through proper Shih Tzu training, which can either be done at home alone or with the help of a professional. 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.

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