Imagine having a pint-sized emperor trailing you at home! No, this is not a child’s fantasy or a movie plot. It’s certainly possible if you have a Shih Tzu at home. The Shih Tzu breed is often referred to as ‘chrysanthemum-faced dog’. Why ‘chrysanthemum’? Because of the way their fur grows outwards from their noses towards their face, much like the petals on a chrysanthemum bloom. Now, that’s a fun nugget about these adorable mates you probably may not have known.
Moving on to the crux of the matter, we come to the all-important question – are Shih Tzus easy to train? Many an enthusiastic dog-lover has grappled with this question and so, let’s plunge into the beautiful, sometimes maddening, and, more often than not, rewarding world of training a Shih Tzu pup.
“Why would you want to train something that seems to have stepped out from a plush doggy toy store?” you may ask. Aside from their delightful appearance, Shih Tzus are smart individuals with a personality that commands respect and admiration. What’s more, they are a social breed that loves to play and be around people. They have an innate desire to be part of your ‘pack’ and once they are familiar with the pack dynamics, they’ll obey the rules, which is why training them holds importance.
So, onto our big question- is a Shih Tzu easy to train? The answer lies somewhere in between of ‘easy’ and ‘challenging’. Making it an easy task is purely subjective and depends on the approach used. By nature, Shih Tzus are a little stubborn but armed with the right tricks and approaches, one can make Shih Tzus great companions, building a bond that’s both profound and meaningful.
Let’s start with understanding how their high intelligence quotient affects their training process. Shih Tzus are quick learners. They pick up tricks fast and tend to remember commands. You can circumvent their stubbornness by merging learning with play. Make training sessions fun and use positive reinforcement to reward good behavior. And remember, small dogs have small bellies. Overdoing treats could lead them to putting on extra weight, thus stray towards non-food rewards!
Shih Tzus have a strong sense of independence. One of the smart ways to train them is to use their natural instincts to your advantage. For instance, Shih Tzus are not predisposed to being guard dogs. They will welcome everyone into their territory with a wagging tail. So, if you’re planning on training your Shih Tzu to be a guard dog, you might find it quite challenging.
Digging a little into the history of this breed – Shih Tzus come from imperial lineage, bred to be companions to Chinese royalty. The selective breeding might have something to do with their wish to be treated like royalty! So, a good dose of patience and gentleness might be required when dealing with these miniature royalties.
Also, despite their petite appearance, Shih Tzus are not as delicate as they seem. They’re pretty game for adventure and exercise. The surprising part is despite these outdoor instincts, Shih Tzus are also prone to suffering from something called Small Dog Syndrome. This is where they think they are pack leaders and start showing aggressive behavior. Training from a young age helps negate this issue.
Toilet training, the seemingly monstrous task, surprisingly, is much easier to accomplish with Shih Tzus than a lot of other breeds. Start them off with pee pads and gradually introduce them to grass or any other outdoor area you prefer for their toilet. Remember, consistency is key.
So, all things considered, Shih Tzus fall into the ‘moderately easy to train’ bracket. However, every Shih Tzu is different, so ultimately it boils down to their individual quirks and personality traits. With patience, consistency, and a fair bit of strategy, there’s no doubt that you can train your very own pint-sized emperor!
The crucial point is that training is not about dominance or submission but about communication and respect, both from you and towards your Shih Tzu. Remember, behind their fierce independence, there is a loyal and loving pet wanting to be part of your family. So, when trained well, these clever little furballs could become your life’s best reward!
And that’s our Shih Tzus for you – not the easiest to train but neither the hardest. They’ll make the journey worth it, stumbling, playing, and learning alongside you, each day, each moment, becoming a little part of you and a huge part of your heart.
