Shih Tzu – Training Your Shih Tzu To Not Pull On The Leash

Pulling on the leash is one of the most common misbehaviors seen
on all kinds of dogs. Shih tzu puppies and adult shih tzu alike
can often be seen taking their owners for walks, instead of the
other way around. Pulling on the leash can be much more than an
annoying habit. Leash pulling can lead to escape in the case of
a break in the collar or leash, and an out of control, off leash
shih tzu can be both destructive and dangerous to itself and to
others.

Leash pulling can result from a variety of different things. In
some cases, the shih tzu may simply be so excited to go for a
walk that he or she is unable to control themselves. In other
cases, the shih tzu sees itself as the leader of the pack, and
he or she simply takes the “leadership position” at the front of
the pack.

If excitement is the motivation for leash pulling, simply giving
the shih tzu a few minutes to calm down can often be a big help.
Simply stand with the shih tzu on the leash for a couple minutes
and let the initial excitement of the upcoming walk pass. After
the initial excitement ahs worn off, many shih tzu are willing
to walk calmly on their leash.

If the problem is one of control, however, some retraining may
be in order. All shih tzu training starts with the owner
establishing him or herself as the alpha dog, or pack leader,
and without this basic respect and understanding, no effective
training can occur. For shih tzu exhibiting these type of
control issues, a step back to basic obedience commands is in
order. These shih tzu can often be helped through a formal
obedience school structure. The dog trainer will of course be
sure to train the handler as well as the shih tzu, and any good
dog trainer will insist on working with the shih tzu owner as
well as the shih tzu.

The basis of teaching the shih tzu to walk calmly on the lead is
teaching it to calmly accept the collar and lead. A shih tzu
that is bouncing up and down while the collar is being put on
will not walk properly. Begin by asking your shih tzu to sit
down, and insisting that he sit still while the collar is put
on. If the shih tzu begins to get up, or gets up on his own
after the collar is on, be sure to sit him back down
immediately. Only begin the walk after the shih tzu has sat
calmly to have the collar put on, and continued to sit calmly as
the leash is attached.

Once the leash is attached, it is important to make the shih tzu
walk calmly toward the door. If the shih tzu jumps or surges
ahead, gently correct him with a tug of the leash and return him
to a sitting position. Make the shih tzu stay, then move on
again. Repeat this process until the shih tzu is walking calmly
by your side.

Repeat the above process when you reach the door. The shih tzu
should not be allowed to surge out of the door, or to pull you
through the open door. If the shih tzu begins this behavior,
return the shih tzu to the house and make him sit quietly until
he can be trusted to walk through the door properly. Starting
the walk in control is vital to creating a well mannered shih
tzu.

As you begin your walk, it is vital to keep the attention of the
shih tzu focused on you at all times. Remember, the shih tzu
should look to you for guidance, not take the lead himself. When
walking, it is important to stop often. Every time you stop,
your shih tzu should stop. Getting into the habit of asking your
shih tzu to sit down every time you stop is a good way to keep
your shih tzu’s attention focused on you. Make sure your shih
tzu is looking at you, then move off again. If the shih tzu
begins to surge ahead, immediately stop and ask the shih tzu to
sit. Repeat this process until the shih tzu is reliability
staying at your side. Each time the shih tzu does what you ask
him to, be sure to reward him with a treat, a toy or just your
praise.

Remember that if your shih tzu pulls on the leash and you
continue to walk him anyway, you are inadvertently rewarding
that unwanted behavior. Shih Tzu learn whether you are teaching
them or not, and learning the wrong things now will make
learning the right things later that much harder. It is
important to be consistent in your expectations. Every time the
shih tzu begins to pull ahead, immediately stop and make the
shih tzu sit. Continue to have the shih tzu sit quietly until
his focus is solely on you. Then start out again, making sure to
immediately stop moving if the shih tzu surges ahead.