Shih Tzu – Teaching Your Shih Tzu To Use A Collar And Lead

Walking on a collar and lead is an important skill that every
shih tzu must learn. Even the best trained shih tzu should never
be taken outside the home or yard without a sturdy collar and
leash. Even if your shih tzu is trained perfectly to go off
lead, accidents and distractions do happen, and a collar, with
proper identification attached, is the best way to be sure you
will get your beloved companion back.

Of course before you can teach your new shih tzu puppy to accept
a leash, he or she must first learn to accept wearing a collar.
The first step is to choose a collar that fits the shih tzu
properly. It is important to measure the shih tzu puppy’s neck,
and to choose a collar size accordingly. After the collar has
been put on the shih tzu puppy, simply let him or her get used
to it. It is not unusual for a shih tzu puppy to try to pull on
the collar, whine, roll or squirm when first introduced to a
collar. The best strategy is to simply ignore the shih tzu puppy
and let him or her get used to the collar. It is a mistake to
either punish the shih tzu for playing with the collar or to
encourage the behavior. Distracting the shih tzu puppy often
helps, and playing with a favorite toy, or eating some favorite
treats, can help the shih tzu puppy quickly forget that he or
she is wearing this strange piece of equipment.

After the shih tzu has learned to accept the collar, try adding
the leash. Hook the leash to the collar and simply sit and watch
the shih tzu puppy. Obviously, this should only be done either
in the house or in a confined outdoor area. The shih tzu puppy
should be allowed to drag the leash around on its own, but of
course the owner should keep a close eye on the shih tzu puppy
to ensure that the leash does not become snagged or hung up on
anything. At first, the leash should only be left on for a few
minutes at a time. It is a good idea to attach the leash at
mealtimes, playtime and other positive times in the life of the
shih tzu puppy. That way the shih tzu puppy will begin to
associate the leash with good things and look forward to it. If
the shih tzu puppy shows a high degree of fear of the leash, it
is a good idea to place it next to the food bowl for awhile to
let him get used to it slowly. Eventually, he will come to
understand that the leash is nothing to be afraid of.

After the shih tzu puppy is comfortable with walking around the
house wearing the leash, it is time for you to pick up the end
of the leash for a few minutes. You should not try to walk the
shih tzu puppy on the leash; simply hold the end of the leash
and follow the shih tzu puppy around as he or she walks around.
You should try to avoid situations where the leash becomes taut,
and any pulling or straining on the leash should be avoided. It
is fine for the shih tzu puppy to sit down. Try a few games with
the collar and lead. For instance, back up and encourage the
shih tzu puppy to walk toward you. Don’t drag the shih tzu puppy
forward, simply encourage him to come to you. If he does, praise
him profusely and reward him with a food treat or toy. You
should always strive to make all the time spent on the leash as
pleasant as possible.

It is important to give the shih tzu puppy plenty of practice in
getting used to walking on the leash in the home. It is best to
do plenty of work in the home, since it is a safe environment
with few distractions. After the shih tzu puppy is comfortable
walking indoors on a leash, it is time to start going outside,
beginning of course in a small, enclosed area like a fenced
yard. After the shih tzu puppy has mastered walking calmly
outdoors on a leash, it is time to visit some places where there
are more distractions. You may want to start with a place like a
neighbor’s yard. Walking your new shih tzu puppy around the
neighborhood is a good way to introduce your neighbors to the
new shih tzu puppy, while giving the shih tzu puppy valuable
experience in avoiding distractions and focusing on his leash
training.

Shih tzu puppies sometimes develop bad habits with their
leashes, such as biting or chewing on the leash. To discourage
this type of behavior, try applying a little bit of bitter
apple, Tabasco sauce or similar substance (just make sure the
substance you use is not toxic to dogs). This strategy usually
convinces shih tzu puppies that chewing the leash is a bad idea.