How Do You Train a Stubborn Shih Tzu Dog? 6 Ways to Success

How do you train a stubborn Shih Tzu Dog?

Some Shih Tzus could be a little stubborn. Nonetheless, although this could be partially attributed to their inborn qualities and partially because of unintentional teachings, keep in mind that there are several steps you could take to resolve a Shih Tzu’s stubbornness, resulting in your pet listening more attentively and taking your lead.

Why They’re Stubborn – Nature vs. Nurture

When it comes to the nature element, it’s crucial to recognize that dogs are clever creatures capable of feeling a broad range of emotions, like that of a two-year-old toddler. With toy dog breeds, like Shih Tzus, the entire range of likely emotions are already in place by more or less the 4^th month mark.

Hence to some extent, every Shih Tzu beyond that age would have feelings and opinions about nearly everything that occurs to or around them.

Unlike a lot of other breeds, Shih Tzus were particularly developed to be Tibetan’ Holy dogs,’ they weren’t guard dogs, working dogs, hunting dogs, or herding dogs.

Although history records are quite vague, it’s believed that for many centuries, Shih Tzus were revered and lived in luxury. Even before, the Shih Tzus’ sole purpose was to be an adorable, small indoor canine pet. 

Therefore, without the innate traits of obedience required for the farm or field, this could result in stubborn behavior.

Nonetheless, the nurture element still plays a significant role. How Shih Tzus are being raised and how their behavior is reacted upon would affect different levels of stubbornness. Every episode of their disobedience actually create the tone for the succeeding scenarios.

It is the pet owner’s—our– responsibility to set a clear hierarchy, establish house rules and teach our Shih Tzus that we must be obeyed and our commands must be followed.

The sooner you start, the better; still, even older, very stubborn Shih Tzus could be taught basic obedience if you’re really dedicated and committed to the training.

Additionally, bear in mind that training your pet to obey your rules and follow your commands should be done with caring intentions. Although you would need to assert your authority and set yourself as leader of the pack, you could and should be a loving and fair leader.

Aspects that Contribute to the Shih Tzu’s Stubborn Behavior

Not comprehending what is expected of them. Your Shih Tzu can’t do what it doesn’t understand. For instance, if you have never trained your Shih Tzu to heel, the odds are low that your pet would naturally follow your lead.

No motivation to obey and listen. While your Shih Tzu might randomly do as you tell them to, in a lot of instances, dogs need a reason to listen to their human. There are a couple of parts to this:

As a Response to Their Canine Instinct

When your dog sees you as his leader, there’s a strong canine instinct to listen and obey the ‘Alpha.’.

For a Treat or Reward

Until respect is earned for your Shih Tzu to instinctively listen and obey, positive behavior has to be rewarded and praised. Training treats are considerably the quickest and, most straightforward approach of letting your Shih Tzu know that his action was ‘good’. Keep in mind that if it is the right kind of treat, your dog would surely try to replicate that rewarded behavior.

You give in to their stubbornness. Regardless if it takes you five minutes or an hour, if you give in to your dog’s stubbornness, you are unintentionally teaching him that being stubborn and persistent could get him what he wants. A stubborn Shih Tzu will hold his ground if he knows that his human will eventually cave.

How to Get Your Shih Tzu to Obey You

Set Proper Hierarchy

For everything to fall properly into place, establishing a hierarchy should be initially done. Your dog should see you as the ‘alpha.’ He should obey and listen to you and see himself as a member of the pack. If your dog doesn’t see you as an Alpha, there could be very little obeying. 

For Shih Tzus with more serious obedience issues and particularly for dogs that show aggression, stricter hierarchy rules would need to be set in place, like always keeping a superior position and giving sufficient time-outs for disobedience and other negative behavior.

Slowly Ease into Things

If your aim is something new, such as successful dental care at home, do gradual and slow desensitization of shorter sessions, with rewards or treats given at the end. Gradually transition to longer sessions. 

Teach Basic Commands

These basic commands include sit, which is probably the most important and the easiest command to teach, along with stay, come, and down. Additionally, the crucial ‘heel’ command where your Shih Tzu immediately walks to your left and controls the pace and direction. 

Create a Buffer Zone

For some things, have a short pause between beckoning your dog to come and then telling him the reason for it. For instance, if you are playing with your dog in the garden and it is time to go inside, but he is stubbornly declining to follow your lead, give him some water and some praise and pets for coming to drink it.

Also, if you are calling your Shih Tzu over to be groomed and brushed, initially give a few pets and probably even play fetch for a short while before sitting your Shih Tzu down. 

Always Stand Your ground

If you know what’s best for your dog, do not let his stubbornness impede it. Any sign of caving in coming from you would be seen as a motivation to keep holding out.

Reward Your Shih Tzu Appropriately

As you’re taking your place as the ‘Alpha’ and teaching your Shih Tzu obedience, ensure to give proper motivation and positive reinforcement for listening. Although praise is definitely needed, it’s training treats and rewards that instantly send a clear signal to your Shih Tzu and prompts him to want to imitate the behavior that results in that reward.

Training treats must be moist, bite-sized (they may be given in succession, so don’t give treats that would make your dog feel full or spoil his appetite), tasty, and something only given to reward positive behavior.

Bottom Line

Setting your dog up to succeed through careful steps and high-level motivation is precisely how you train a stubborn Shih Tzu for success, regardless of how stubborn your little canine friend might seem.