How to Leash Train a Shih Tzu Puppy

Hello Amarilys, I would start by teaching pup how to respond to leash pressure. Check out the Pressure method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash Once pup understands leash pressure better, check out the Turns method to practice walking around without pup going in every direction or stopping so much. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel It also sounds like pup needs to be desensitized to the outside world. I would spend more time outside with pup when not taking pup potty, just playing games, sitting and reading a book, or rewarding pup for reacting to new things with calmness and a happy attitude, you can tell pup something like "Say Hi" when they go to sniff something they are unsure of - which can look like hiding, running away, freezing, or barking and pulling, and trying to "attack" it over-excitedly. You want new things to become boring and normal for pup. Carry pup's kibble or small soft treats, with you, to use to reward focus on you and calm, happy responses to new things. With pup in a secure harness or collar, they won't slip out of, spending extra time taking trips slow to leave time for socialization and encountering new things in a fun way, when pup stops and you need them to continue, give quick tug and releases with the leash over and over - not continuously pulling but making stopping a little uncomfortable with a quick little tug then release, then tug and release, ect...- continuous pulling will cause pup to pull in the opposite direction, and you don't want the tugs to be really harsh, just annoying. Act really excited and goofy when pup stops and you want them to continue, doing a little dance or running a couple feet away (while on a six foot leash, don't drop the leash), calling pup in a silly, excited voice. Know that when pup is stopping they are probably nervous or unsure for some reason, even just not sure what you want them to do, so you want to get your energy up and help them refocus on you, making the situation fun while also insisting pup keep walking with you. You should be enthusiastic enough that you feel silly - all good puppy trainers look pretty silly at times because that's what works best. Check out this videos to see how people interact with the puppies using their body language and energy, how the trainer adjusts what they are doing with them, shows them how to do it, and how the puppies respond to different things the class mates try and what works. Puppy Class videos: Week 1, pt 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnhJGU2NO5k Week 1, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-1-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 2, pt 1 https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-2-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 2, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-2-part-2-home-jasper-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 3, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-3-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 3, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-3-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 4, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-4-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 4, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-4-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 5, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-5-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 5, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-5-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 6, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-6-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 6, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-6-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1-0 Finally, check out the PDF e-book downloads found on this website, written by one of the founders of the association of professional dog trainers, and a pioneer in starting puppy kindergarten classes in the USA. Click on the pictures of the puppies to download the PDF books: https://www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Jan. 12, 2022

Hello Katie, For the potty training, I would take pup potty outside on a leash. Tell pup Go Potty and walk around slowly on the leash for 10-15 minute until pup goes. When pup goes potty, give a treat. Once pup has gotten to the point where he will go quickly when told Go Potty, then take pup outside off the leash if you have a fenced yard. Tell pup to Go Potty, staying with pup, and give the treat after. After pup gets good at that, do the same thing but this time stand about a foot away from pup after instructing pup to go potty, rewarding when he goes. As pup improves and is quick at going even with you further away, add distance between you and pup, standing one foot further away than before as pup improves, until you can stand all the way at the door entrance, tell pup from there to go potty, then reward pup after he goes out into the yard, goes potty, then returns to you for his treat, without you having to go with him. Expect this to take a few weeks to train with consistency, not a couple days. For the begging, I would start by crating pup during meals in the next room. First, work on teaching the Quiet command during the day using the Quiet method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, during the day practice the Surprise method from the article linked below with pup in the next room while you are eating. Whenever pup stays quiet in the crate for 5 minutes, sprinkle some treats into the crate without opening it, then leave the room again. As he improves, only give the treats every 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour, 2, hour, 3 hour. Practice crating him during the day for 1-3 hours each day that you can. If you are home during the day, have lots of 30 minute - 1 hour long sessions with breaks between to practice this, to help pup learn sooner. Whenever he cries in the crate, tell him "Quiet". If he gets quiet - Great! Sprinkle treats in after five minutes if he stays quiet. If he continues barking or stops and starts again, spray a quick puff of air from a pet convincer at his side through the crate while calmly saying "Ah Ah", then leave again. Only use unscented air canisters, DON'T use citronella! And avoid spraying in the face. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Repeat the rewards when quiet and the corrections whenever he cries. Once pup can stay quiet in the crate during the entire meal, I would also practice Place. Once pup is good at Place, you can put the Place bed where the crate was instead, sending pup to place whenever you eat, then reward pup for staying quietly on Place, correct for barking, and returning pup to Place if they try to get off it. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden When pup cries in the crate for food, I would correct. I would also

Aug. 2, 2021