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The Shih Tzu is a friendly, little house dog that loves people and is usually good with other pets. They love attention, and this can be used to help obedience train your loving Shih Tzu pup.
Because they are small and can be picked up and handled easily, some owners, unfortunately, neglect obedience training their Shih Tzu pups. Don't make the same mistake--not only is obedience training important for your dog's safety, as he may not always be in reach when you need to direct him, obedience training is good for keeping his mind active, focused on you, and developing your role as his pack leader. You don’t want to be that dog owner at the dog park or doggy playground repeatedly yelling commands at your Shih Tzu with no response! Even house dogs should have a good grasp on obedience command, as they are a stepping stone to other behaviors and tricks and can give you important control when you need it.
To train your Shih Tzu puppy obedience commands, you need to find the right motivation for him. What will he work for? Treats, a toy, attention? Spend some time figuring out what your Shih Tzu really loves the most and incorporate it as positive reinforcement into obedience training. Also, avoid overusing an obedience command without getting a response; never “spoil” the command by yelling it repeatedly and allowing your Shih Tzu to ignore it, as this develops a bad habit. You can incorporate hand signals or use another verbal command, if a verbal command has become “spoiled”, and start over, ensuring that commands are adhered to in the future. Consistency and patience will be key to teach your Shih Tzu the basic obedience commands, 'come', 'sit', 'down', 'stay', and 'heel'.
Remember to work at your Shih Tzu puppy’s pace and work in multiple short sessions rather than a few long ones. A puppy can easily become bored, frustrated or confused. Take breaks and end on a positive note. A good general rule is that once your Shih Tzu has repeated a command successfully 8-10 times in a row, he understands it and is ready to move on. If your dog is only performing the command correctly a few times in a row, do not push him, keep working at this level until your Shih Tzu has grasped the concept and is ready to move on. Try not to overwhelm your pup.
You will need treats, toys, patience, and consistency to motivate and guide your Shih Tzu to perform obedience commands. Remember that your attention-loving Shih Tzu may be happy to work for affection. Teach your Shih Tzu “good boy” or “good girl” and associate this with a reward so that your Shih Tzu recognizes when he or she has pleased you. You can use these verbal rewards during obedience training.
The Shape Basic Obedience Method
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Shape 'come'
Use a clicker and treats. Start with the command 'come'. Place your Shih Tzu on the floor, and walk away a few steps and wait. When your Shih Tzu comes over to you, click and treat, say “come”. Repeat frequently until your Shih Tzu responds to the command “come”. Gradually remove clicker and treat.
Shape 'sit'
Wait with a clicker in your hand and your dog standing in front of you. When your dog eventually sits down, say “sit”, click and treat. Practice frequently.
Shape 'down'
Once your Shih Tzu understands the 'sit' command, ask him to sit. While he is in the sitting position, wait for him to lie down, click and treat. Add the “down” command and practice.
Shape 'stay'
Teach the 'stay' command by saying “stay”. Wait a few seconds while your Shih Tzu is in place, then click and treat. If your dog moves, do not click and treat but position your dog again, and repeat the 'stay' command until your dog is successful at staying in place. Gradually increase the length of time required for your dog to stay in place before clicking and treating is provided.
Shape 'heel'
Hold a clicker and treats while you walk your Shih Tzu. When your pup trots along at your left leg, click and treat. Do not reinforce if he lags behind or pulls in front.
The Pair Hand Signals Method
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Pair hand signal for 'sit'
Hold a treat in your hand, palm up, with your Shih Tzu in front of you. Move your palm up to your chest, and as your dog tracks your movement his bottom will go down to the floor. Say “sit” and provide the treat when he is successful. Eventually you can stop using the treat and just say “sit” and use the hand signal.
Pair 'down' hand signal
Hold a treat between your fingers with your palm facing down and your Shih Tzu in front of you. Move your palm down to the floor and say “down”. Your Shih Tzu will follow your hand and lie down on the floor, provide the treat. Repeat, alternating verbal and hand signals until established.
Motion to 'come'
Place your Shih Tzu a few feet away from you. Hold your hands out parallel to the ground, straight out from your sides with a treat in one hand. Call your pup to 'come' and bring both your hands together at your chest. When your dog runs over, provide the treat. Practice increasing distance as the hand signal and verbal commands become well established.
Hand signal 'stay'
To teach your Shih Tzu the hand signal for stay, hold your palm out toward your dog while he is sitting and say “stay”. Provide a treat when your dog stays for a few seconds, gradually increase time, continue pairing hand signal and verbal command.
Tap hip for 'heel'
Tap your hip with your hand while asking your Shih Tzu to heel. Reinforce heeling with treats, praise and affection.
The Lure Basic Obedience Method
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Lure to 'come'
Hold a treat out and call your dog by commanding “come”. When your Shih Tzu runs over to you, provide the treat, praise and affection. Repeat often.
Lure to 'sit'
Stand in front of your Shih Tzu and hold a treat slightly above and behind his head. Your dog will usually sit in order to continue focusing on the treat. When he sits on his bottom, say “sit” and provide the treat. Practice frequently.
Lure 'down'
Ask your dog to sit, then hold a treat down on the ground in front of your Shih Tzu. When your dog lies down on the floor to reach the treat, say “down” and provide the treat.
Reward 'stay'
While lying down or sitting ask your dog to 'stay'. Hold a treat but do not provide it yet. Wait a few seconds, if your Shih Tzu remains in place then reward with the treat. If your dog moves, re-position and repeat until he is successful. Gradually increase the time your dog needs to stay in place to get his treat.
Lure to 'heel'
Hold a treat or a toy in a closed hand at your side and walk with your Shih Tzu on your left side. Lure your pup to stay at your left side by letting him smell the treat in your closed hand. Periodically provide the treat or play with the toy as your Shih Tzu walks beside you. Replace with another treat as needed, hold and continue.
Written by Laurie Haggart
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/13/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
What kind of dog breed is he? What dog treats to give him?
Jan. 5, 2022
Cody's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Tatianna, Without seeing pup up close I can't say for sure. Does he shed or does his hair keep growing? He might be a yorkipoo (Yorkshire terrier and poodle cross), Havanese or Havanese mix, or Cavapoo (Cavalian King Charles Spaniel and Poodle mix. The curls make me think possible poodle or Havanese. The longer hair and markings make me think possible Yorki in there. Pup could also be a combination of several small breeds. You can do a DNA test to find out for sure if you are curious and don't know pup's background. If pup doesn't shed that will narrow the possibilities down a lot. How large pup becomes will tell you more, and pup's temperament and certain breed traits can further help you make an educated guess. Google pictures of the breeds I mentioned to compare. As far as treats, pup's own kibble can be used for the majority of training at this age, by measuring part of pup's meal portions into a baggie and grabbing pieces from that throughout the day to reward pup with - which helps pup stay healthy and still motivated due to being a little hungry since that's their dinner they are earning. When you need really tasty treats, I personally like freeze dried liver or meat treats, since they are healthier, easier for pup to eat while moving like practicing Come, and most puppies absolutely love them! Sodium free real chicken is a good option too sparingly. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Jan. 5, 2022
Kira has always been aggressive and never listens to commands unless she gets treats for them. She has bitten another puppy that I have added to the family and already bitten her twice and injured her at the point where I had to take the puppy to the vet hospital for an injured eye. Kira likes to eat poop and when we try to remove her or the poop she gets aggressive and starts biting. When we try to pick up Kira or grab in any way she growls and bites us sometimes. She growls when I have her in my arms and is looking in the direction of my puppy.
Dec. 5, 2021
Kira's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Jennifer, It sounds like pup is resource guarding the poop, needs to be desensitized to touch, and I would work on building her overall respect and listening with you, and boundaries at home, so pup is following your rules around the other dog at home. I recommend hiring a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues like aggression, comes well recommended by their previous clients for their work with aggression. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Dec. 6, 2021
He almost bit my little sister and he is sometimes not obedient.
Oct. 30, 2021
Winter's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Joy, What were the circumstances of the almost bite? For example, was pup eating or chewing a toy and she came over so he was protective of the food or object? Was she trying to pet him and he lashed out? Was she running and he chased after her? Was she playing with him and he was getting too excited and biting her or trying to get a toy she had? If you could please provide more details about pup and the situation, I will better be able to tell why pup is biting and give some advice about addressing it. A number of things could be going on here and they will need to each be addressed differently. Pup might need to be desensitized to touch. Pup may have resource guarding that needs addressing. Pup might need to work on obedience and self-control if chasing. Pup might need to learn bite inhibition during play and excited interactions. Pup might be fearful and need to be counter conditioned, or something else. I suspect for the listening, pup probably needs additional training at this age. 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 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Nov. 1, 2021