How to Train a Shih Tzu to Roll Over

Your Shih Tzu may be small, but that doesn’t mean he’s not playful. He seems to have a tremendous amount of energy for a little dog. He’s always jumping up at you when you walk through the door. Not to mention, he still seems to have energy left when you return from your daily walk. He’s also intelligent. Your little Shih Tzu is not to be underestimated, he’s a switched-on little canine companion. That is why you want to find an effective way to channel his energy into something productive.

Training him to roll over is a good example of a straightforward trick you can teach him. Not only will it mentally stimulate him, but it also makes for fantastic bonding time. In addition, this simple trick can help lay the foundations for a range of other commands too.

Training your Shih Tzu to roll over is actually much easier than you probably realize. Because they are playful and often eager to please, training is relatively straightforward. The biggest hurdle is initially conveying to him what it is you want him to do. Once he understands that, you just need the right motivator to reinforce the training. 

If he’s a puppy, he should be at his most receptive. This means you could see results in a matter of days. However, if he’s older and not so interested in learning anymore, then you may need a while longer. Training could take up to 10 days. Get this right and you’ll have an entertaining trick to show family and friends. On top of that, this type of training emphasizes your position as pack leader. It’s also a great way for your little Shih Tzu to show you how much he wants to please you.

Before you get to work, you will need to gather a few things. Stock up on tasty treats or break his favorite food into small pieces. You will also need a toy and a clicker.

Set aside just a few minutes each day for training. However, training needs to take place in a spacious room, where there is less chance of anything getting broken. Also, try to train when there aren’t noisy kids charging around the house getting ready for school.

Once you have all that, just bring patience and a positive attitude, then work can begin!