Shih Tzu – Reward Training For Your Shih Tzu

Reward training is often seen as the most modern method of
training a shih tzu, but reward training is probably much older
than other methods of dog training. It is possible that reward
training for shih tzu has been around as long as there have been
dogs of any breed to train. Early humans probably used some
informal kind of reward training when taming the wolf pups that
eventually evolved into modern dogs.

Many principles of modern reward training date back many
decades. However, what is called reward training today has only
enjoyed is remarkable popularity for the past 10 or 15 years.

Many reward training enthusiasts are less enthusiastic about
other methods of shih tzu training, such as the traditional
leash and collar method. However, the best approach to training
any individual shih tzu is often a combination of leash/collar
training and reward training.

In addition, a training method that works perfectly for one shih
tzu may be totally inappropriate for another, and vice versa.
Some shih tzu respond wonderfully to reward training and not at
all to leash and collar training, while others respond to
leash/collar training and are not at all motivated by reward
training. Most shih tzu fall somewhere in the middle of these
two extremes.

Clicker training is one of the most popular forms of reward
training these days. While clicker training is not the answer
for every shih tzu, it can be a remarkably effective method of
training many shih tzu. In clicker training, the shih tzu is
taught to associate a clicking sound with a reward, like a
treat. The trainer clicks the clicker when the shih tzu does
something good, followed immediately by a treat. Eventually, the
shih tzu learns to respond to the clicker alone.

Most reward training uses some sort of food reward, or a reward
that is associated with getting food. In most cases, complex
behaviors can only be taught using this kind of positive
reinforcement, and you will find that the people who train shih
tzu for movies and television use reward training almost
exclusively.

Reward training is used in all forms of dog training, including
police work and military applications. Most scent detection,
tracking and police dogs are trained using some form of reward
training. Reward training is also a very effective way to teach
many basic obedience commands.

Reward training often incorporates the use of a lure in order to
get the shih tzu into the position desired by the trainer. The
lure is used to get the shih tzu to perform the desired behavior
on his or her own and of his or her own free will.

It makes a great deal of sense to get the shih tzu to perform
the desired behavior without any physical intervention on the
part of the handler. Getting the shih tzu to perform a behavior
without being touched is important.

After the shih tzu has performed the desired behavior, it is
given a reward, also called a positive reinforcement. Treats are
often used as reinforcers, but praise, such as “good dog” or a
pat on the head, can also be effective rewards.

Making a shih tzu that has been reward trained a reliable shih
tzu is important, especially when the shih tzu has an important
job, like therapy shih tzu. For that reason it is important to
get the shih tzu accustomed to working around distractions, and
to properly socialize the animal to both people and other
animals.

Many shih tzu trainers make the mistake of only training the
shih tzu inside the house or back yard, and only when the
handler is there. In order to become a reliably trained
companion, the shih tzu must be taken outside the confines of
its safety zone and introduced to novel situations.

It is also important to teach the shih tzu to pay attention to
the handler at all times. Having the attention of the shih tzu
means having control of the shih tzu. Reward training is very
effective at getting the respect and the attention of the shih
tzu when used properly.