Impressing friends with shitzu tricks? Let’s talk about the coolest maneuvers and performances your pet can master.
The Adorable Shih Tzu: A Brief Overview
If you’re reading this, you probably already know how cute and lovable shih tzus are. These small dogs, also known as lion dogs, are a popular breed for good reason.
With their fluffy fur, squishy faces, and charming personalities, they make excellent pets for almost anyone. Shih tzus originated in China more than a thousand years ago and were originally bred to be lapdogs for Chinese royalty.
They were highly regarded for their loyalty and affectionate nature, making them the perfect companions for the wealthy elite. Today, shih tzus have become a beloved breed all over the world.
They are known for their playful personality and love to be around people. In fact, they crave attention from their owners and are happiest when they are cuddled up on someone’s lap or playing with toys.
The Importance of Training Your Shih Tzu
While shih tzus may be small in size, they have big personalities. It’s important to train your
shih tzu from a young age to ensure that they grow up to be well-behaved dogs. One of the best ways to train your shih tzu is by teaching them tricks.
Not only is it fun for both you and your dog, but it also helps with obedience training and mental stimulation. Training your dog can also strengthen the bond between you two.
When you spend time with your shih tzu teaching them tricks or commands, they will learn to trust you more and feel more connected to you. In addition to improving behavior and strengthening bonds between owner and pet, training is essential because it can improve the quality of life of both pet owners & pets alike!
Basic Tricks:
Sit, Stay, Come
The sit command is one of the most fundamental commands that a Shih Tzu can learn. It’s a simple trick but it takes a bit of practice and patience to perfect.
To teach your Shih Tzu the sit command, hold a treat just above their nose and move it slowly back over their head. This should encourage your Shih Tzu to follow the treat with their eyes, causing them to naturally drop into a sitting position.
As soon as they sit, reward them with the treat. Stay is another important command that can help keep your Shih Tzu safe in potentially dangerous situations.
To teach this trick, have your dog sit and then say “stay” while holding up an open hand in front of their face as if telling them to stop. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog while repeating the “stay” command. If they move before you give them permission, gently lead them back to the starting point and try again.
The come command is also crucial for safety purposes as it can help bring your dog back to you in emergency situations. To teach this trick, start by calling out your Shih Tzu’s name followed by “come.” When they come running towards you, reward them with treats or positive reinforcement.
Shake, High Five, Wave
Shake is an adorable trick that will have everyone swooning over your little furry friend. To start training for this trick, hold out your hand as if requesting a handshake while saying “shake.” Gently lift up one of their paws until they learn to offer it on their own when prompted.
High five is similar to shake but instead of lifting up a paw, teach them how to give you a high five with their paw by holding out one hand like requesting for shake then switching to a flat palm. Say “high five” as you do this until they learn to place their paw on your hand.
Wave is another friendly greeting that is easy to train. Start with your Shih Tzu in a sitting position and then hold out one of their paws while saying “wave.” Gradually move it back and forth while repeating the command until they learn to wave on their own.
Roll Over, Play Dead
Roll over and play dead are two of the most impressive tricks that your Shih Tzu can learn. To teach the roll-over trick, start by having them lie down on their side.
Hold a treat close to their nose and slowly move it towards their shoulder blade, encouraging them to roll over onto their back while following the treat with their eyes. When they complete the full roll, give them lots of praise and a treat.
To teach play dead, have your Shih Tzu lie down on command. Then hold up a treat near their head saying “bang” or any other word you prefer for this trick.
They will naturally roll onto one side as if playing dead for a few seconds before getting up again for the reward. Overall, these basic tricks are essential foundational skills that every Shih Tzu should know.
It’s important to keep training sessions fun and positive as well as short so that your dog doesn’t become bored or frustrated during training sessions. With patience and persistence, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your furry friend picks up these tricks!
Intermediate Tricks
Spin Around, Turn Left/Right
If your Shih Tzu has mastered the basic tricks and is ready to move on to intermediate tricks, you can start by teaching them how to spin around or turn left/right. Begin by standing in front of your pup with a treat in hand. Then, lure them to follow the treat while turning their head in the direction you want them to spin.
Once they are comfortable with this motion, add a verbal cue such as “spin” or “turn”, and repeat the process until they complete a full spin. Remember to reward them with the treat and praise.
Crawl, Bow
Another great trick for your Shih Tzu to learn is crawling or bowing on command. To teach your pup how to crawl, start by getting down on all fours and encouraging them to crawl towards you with a treat. As they move forward, slowly move away from them so that they have to crawl farther for the reward.
Repeat this process until they can perform it without needing a treat as motivation. To teach your dog how to bow, hold a treat near their nose while placing your other hand gently on their back end.
This will encourage them to lower their front legs into a bow position while extending their back legs behind them. Make sure you use positive reinforcement when teaching these tricks.
Jump Through Hoop
The jump through hoop trick requires some patience and dedication from both owner and pet but is sure worth it once achieved! You will need an appropriate-sized hoop for your Shih Tzu’s size and strength level along with treats as motivation during training. Begin by holding the hoop low enough so that your dog can easily walk through it without jumping but high enough for it to be clear that they have entered an object of sorts.
Command your pup first through the hoop without jumping and then gradually increase the height of the hoop while adding a jump command such as “jump” or “over”. Once they have learned to jump through the hoop, you can gradually increase the difficulty by raising it even higher.
These intermediate tricks are essential in training your Shih Tzu to do more advanced tricks. With patience and encouragement, your pup will learn these tricks in no time!
Advanced Tricks
Fetch Specific Items – Teach Your Shih Tzu to Be Your Personal Assistant
If you want a furry companion that can help you out around the house, then teaching your Shih Tzu fetch specific items is a great way to start. The first step in teaching this trick is to choose an item that your dog can easily carry in its mouth, such as a ball, toy or even a sock. Once you have chosen an item, place it in front of your dog and say “fetch”.
Repeat this process several times until your Shih Tzu understands what is expected of him/her. As your dog becomes more comfortable with the idea of fetching items, gradually increase the distance between you and the object.
Initially, stand very close and throw the object just a few inches away from you. Gradually increase the distance each time until finally, your Shih tzu can retrieve something from another room.
Balance Treat on Nose/Paw – Improve Your Dog’s Concentration
Balancing treats on their nose or paw improves their concentration levels while also providing an excellent opportunity for mental stimulation. To start with this trick, hold out a treat in front of your dog’s face and tell them to sit still. Once they are still enough for long enough for about 10 seconds or so place the treat on their nose.
Encourage your shitzu not to move by saying “stay” while balancing it on his/her nose or paw. If he/she moves let them know that they need to stay still before trying again.
Once they manage 10 seconds return the treat back into his/her mouth as praise. This trick requires patience both from you and your furry companion but it’s worth it once mastered because as well as improving concentration levels this exercise strengthens neck muscles making it easier for them to do other tricks like jumping through hoops.
Dance on Hind Legs- Create a Fun Bonding Moment with Your Shih Tzu
The last trick on our list is one that can create a unique bond between you and your four-legged friend. Dancing on hind legs requires your pooch to stand on their hind legs and sway back and forth to dance with you.
To teach this trick, hold a treat above their head so they have to stand up on their hind legs to reach it. As soon as they do, praise them.
Once they’re standing upright, slowly move the treat from side to side so that your dog has to shift its weight back and forth. Encourage them by saying “dance” or “let’s boogie!” while doing it together for more fun.
Once she/he has mastered the trick without any support from holding treats, put in some music and have the time of your life! Remember always reward good behaviour with positive reinforcement – treat or verbal praise makes all the difference in training sessions!
Niche Tricks
Say Your Prayers
If you thought teaching your Shih Tzu to sit and stay was impressive, wait till you see them saying their prayers! This trick involves your dog sitting upright on their hind legs with their front paws raised as if in prayer.
You will need to start by teaching them how to sit up and then gradually incorporate the prayer position. Use treats as positive reinforcement and plenty of patience.
Hide and Seek with Toys/Treats
Hide and seek is not just a game for humans! Your Shih Tzu can join in on the fun, too.
Start by hiding a favourite toy or treat somewhere easy for your pup to find, like behind a cushion or under a blanket. Encourage them to search for it using verbal cues such as “find it” or “where’s your toy?” Once they have found the hidden item, reward them with praise and a treat.
To make this game more challenging, gradually increase the difficulty of hiding spots or even hide multiple items at once. This game is a great way to keep your dog active, mentally stimulated, and entertained.
Ring Bell to Go Outside
Teaching your Shih Tzu how to ring a bell when they need to go outside is both practical and adorable. This trick involves hanging a bell near the door that leads outside and training your dog to ring it when they need to use the bathroom. Start by holding treats near the bell so that when your dog touches it with their nose or paw, they get rewarded.
Gradually increase the distance between your dog and the bell until they are ringing it independently. Make sure you take them outside each time they ring the bell so that they understand its purpose.
This trick not only helps with house training but also gives your Shih Tzu a way of communicating with you. It is also a great trick to show off to friends and family!
Rarely Known Small Details
Importance of Positive Reinforcement Training Methods
Positive reinforcement training methods involve rewarding your Shih Tzu for good behavior rather than punishing them for bad behavior. This approach is not only more humane but also more effective in teaching your dog new tricks and modifying their behaviour.
Rewards can include treats, praise, or playtime. By using positive reinforcement, you are encouraging your dog to repeat the desired behavior and creating a strong bond based on trust.
Consistency in Training Schedule and Environment
Consistency is key when it comes to training your Shih Tzu. Establishing a regular training schedule will help your dog learn faster and remember what they have been taught. It is important to create a distraction-free environment during training sessions so that your dog can focus on the task at hand.
Avoid loud noises or other pets that may distract them. By being consistent in both schedule and environment, you are setting up your Shih Tzu for success in learning new tricks and behaviours.
Rarely Known Small Details
Training a Shih Tzu can be a rewarding experience for both the owner and the dog. However, there are some small details that are often overlooked but can have a great impact on the success of training.
One of these details is the importance of positive reinforcement training methods. Punishing your dog for not performing a trick correctly is not only counterproductive but can also damage the bond between you and your pet.
Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your Shih Tzu with treats, praise or playtime when they perform a desired behavior. This method is proven to be more effective in shaping your dog’s behavior than punishment-based methods.
Consistency is key when it comes to positive reinforcement training – reward your Shih Tzu every time they perform a trick correctly until it becomes second nature to them. Another important detail to consider when training your Shih Tzu is consistency in the training schedule and environment.
Dogs thrive on routine, so establishing a consistent schedule for training sessions will help them understand what’s expected of them and make it easier for them to learn new tricks. In addition, keeping distractions to a minimum during training sessions will help your dog focus on the task at hand.
It’s important to note that dogs learn at their own pace – some may pick up tricks quickly while others may take longer. Be patient with your Shih Tzu and always end each session on a positive note, even if they didn’t quite master the trick yet.
Importance of Positive Reinforcement Training Methods
Positive reinforcement training methods involve rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise or playtime rather than punishing incorrect behaviors. This method has been scientifically proven to be more effective in shaping your dog’s behavior than punishment-based methods. When using positive reinforcement, it’s important to reward good behavior immediately after it happens so that the dog associates the treat or praise with their action.
This will encourage them to repeat the behavior again in the future. Using positive reinforcement can also help build a strong bond between you and your Shih Tzu.
By rewarding them with treats, praise or playtime, you are showing them that they can trust and rely on you. This will make training sessions more enjoyable for both you and your pet.
In addition to making training more effective, positive reinforcement methods are also less likely to cause stress or
anxiety in your dog. Punishment-based methods can lead to fear or aggression, which can be detrimental to their overall well-being.
Consistency in Training Schedule and Environment
Consistency is key when it comes to training your Shih Tzu. Establishing a consistent schedule for training sessions will help your dog understand what’s expected of them and make it easier for them to learn new tricks.
It’s also important to create a distraction-free environment during training sessions – this means turning off the TV, closing doors, and removing any toys or other distractions from the area. When starting a new trick or command, it’s important to break it down into smaller steps so that your dog can understand what you’re asking of them.
For example, if you want your Shih Tzu to jump through a hoop, start by placing the hoop on the ground and rewarding them for approaching it. Once they’re comfortable with this step, gradually raise the hoop until they’re jumping through it like a pro.
It’s important not to rush the process when teaching new tricks – dogs learn at their own pace and may need more time than others to master certain commands. Be patient with your Shih Tzu and always end each session on a positive note even if they didn’t quite get it right yet.
By following these tips and tricks for training your Shih Tzu using positive reinforcement methods in a consistent environment you should start seeing results quickly while enjoying spending time with them. Training your Shih Tzu using positive reinforcement methods is an effective way to build a strong bond between you and your pet while helping them learn new tricks and behaviors in a fun, rewarding way.
Conclusion
Training your Shih Tzu to perform impressive tricks can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. In this article, we covered basic, intermediate, advanced, and niche tricks that you can teach your Shih Tzu.
Basic tricks such as sit, stay, come, shake, high five or wave are important foundational commands for any dog. Intermediate tricks such as spin around or crawl help build on these basics while also increasing your dog’s agility and balance.
Advanced tricks such as balancing a treat on their nose/paws or dancing on hind legs not only showcase your Shih Tzu’s talents but also provide mental stimulation. Niche tricks such as “Say Your Prayers” or “Hide-and-Seek with Toys/Treats” provide a fun activity to bond with your furry friend while deepening the trust between owner and pet.
These creative activities challenge the dog’s intelligence while keeping them active both physically and mentally. Training is not just about entertaining the owner but it also provides numerous benefits to the dog.
Training exercises enhance cognitive function by improving memory retention skills in dogs which helps them remember important cues like recall when outside in an open area. It also improves their communication skills so they can understand human commands better.
In addition to health benefits for dogs and owners alike, training provides mental stimulation which ultimately leads to better overall behavior in your furry friend. By dedicating a few minutes of each day toward training sessions with your Shih Tzu will improve their life greatly while strengthening the bond between you two.
So go ahead and get started! Teach these awesome new tricks to your Shih Tzu today!
