Shih Tzu – Training Your Shih To Come When Called

Training a shih tzu to come when it is called is a vital, and
potentially life saving, part of any successful shih tzu
training program. All properly trained shih tzu must learn to
respond instantly to the owner’s voice, and the sooner this
lesson is learned the better.

The advantages of teaching a shih tzu to come when called are
obvious. For starters, coming when called will help you regain
control of the shih tzu in case of collar break, snapped leash
or other similar equipment failure. This is particularly
important when you are out with your shih tzu, especially in an
area with lots of traffic. It is vital that the shih tzu respond
to your voice and return to your side, even in the absence of
collar and leash, and even if there are lots of other things
competing for its attention.

Coming when called is also a vital skill for every working dog.
Whether the dog’s job is herding sheep, guarding livestock, or
sniffing out bombs and drugs at the airport, the working dog
must be under total control at all times, whether on leash or
off.

Even if your shih tzu’s only job is being a loyal companion, it
is still vital that he learn this important basic obedience
exercise. After the first obedience lessons, such as heeling,
stopping on command, sitting on command, etc. have been learned,
it is time to start incorporating the come when called lessons
into the daily training sessions.

One note about shih tzu training – it is all too easy for
training sessions to become dull and routine for both handler
and shih tzu. A bored shih tzu will not be receptive to
learning, just as a bored handler will not be a good teacher. It
is important, therefore, to always incorporate fun things and
play into every training session. Incorporating a few minutes of
play time before the lesson begins can do wonders for the
attitude of the shih tzu and human alike. Likewise, ending each
training session with a few minutes of free play time is a great
way to end on a positive note and to help the dog associate
obedience training with fun and not drudgery.

The command to stay and the command to come when called are
often combined in obedience training lessons, and they do go
naturally together. Start with the shih tzu on a loose leash,
ask the shih tzu to sit and then slowly back away. If the shih
tzu begins to get up and follow you, return to the shih tzu and
ask him to sit again. Continue this process until you can reach
the end of the leash without the shih tzu getting up.

After you can successfully reach the end of the leash on a
consistent basis, try dropping the leash altogether. Of course
you will want to do this in a controlled environment like a
fenced in yard. After the shih tzu has mastered the stay
command, it is time to add the come when called command.

Take up the leash again, and with the shih tzu on the end of the
leash, say “come” or “come here”. It is often helpful to use a
lure when teaching this behavior. The lure provides a visible
item for the shih tzu to focus on. Teaching the shih tzu to come
to the lure is a good first step in training the shih tzu to
come when called.

Repeat this procedure many times until the shih tzu will
consistently stay and then come when called. After the shih tzu
has mastered coming when called while attached to the leash,
slowly start introducing the concept when the leash is removed.
As before, these training sessions should only take place in a
controlled, safe environment, such as a fenced in front or back
yard.

A well trained, obedient shih tzu should respond to the call to
return to its owner no matter where it is and no matter what
distractions may occur. It is therefore necessary to test the
shih tzu with distractions of your own.

If you have a neighbor, preferably one with a shih tzu of his
own, try having him come over with the shih tzu. Have him, and
the shih tzu, stand just outside the fenced in area and repeat
the come when called exercise with your shih tzu off leash. If
he becomes distracted by the other dog, put the leash back on
and repeat the process. The goal is to have your shih tzu
consistently pay attention to your commands, no matter what
distractions may present themselves.