Shih Tzu – The Importance Of Reward During Obedience Training

Rewards just may be the single most important motivator in shih
tzu training. Obedience training through the use of rewards and
other positive reinforcements has long been recognized as the
most effective method of reaching most dogs and getting the best
possible results.

Making obedience training fun, and even making it a bit of a
game, can be very important to keeping both the shih tzu and the
handler motivated and willing to learn. Incorporating a period
of playtime at the beginning and end of every training session
will make sure that every session begins and ends on a good note.

The most basic of all obedience commands is heeling, or walking
with the handler on a loose lead. This is usually the first
obedience behavior that is taught, and it is an easy one to
teach through reward training. Begin by fitting the shih tzu
with a quality, properly fitted training lead and training
collar. If you are unsure of how to fit the training collar, be
sure to ask a dog trainer, or the manager at the store where the
equipment is purchased.

Start walking with the shih tzu, always being cognizant of the
shih tzu’s position relative to your own. If the shih tzu begins
to forge ahead, gently pull on the leash. This will engage the
training collar and give the shih tzu a gentle reminder to slow
down. It may be necessary to apply greater pressure at first
until the shih tzu learns to accept the correction.

If the dog begins to fall behind, slow down and gently urge the
shih tzu forward. The use of a lure, or a favorite toy, can be
very useful when teaching the shih tzu to walk at your side. By
keeping the lure at the desired position for the shih tzu, he or
she should quickly learn the desired location.

Always be sure to provide plenty of praise, treats, toys and
other rewards when the shih tzu does what is expected of him.
Shih Tzu learn best by positive reinforcement. Positive
reinforcement means that when the animal does what the handler
wants, it receives a reward, which can be anything from a pat on
the head to a treat to a favorite toy. At the beginning of
training, even the slightest attempts to please the owner should
be rewarded.

Training by using reprimands and punishment is not nearly as
effective as training by using rewards. Dogs can become
discouraged and confused by excessive amounts of punishment and
reprimands. Reprimands may be required from time to time, to
correct potentially dangerous behaviors like chasing or biting,
for instance, but reprimands should be short and directly
attributed to the problem behavior at hand. After the immediate
danger has passed, the training should continue with reward
based training and positive reinforcement.

For instance, if you come home and your shih tzu is chewing the
furniture or other inappropriate item, immediately give the shih
tzu a sharp “No” or “Off” and take the item away. Then
immediately give the shih tzu one of his toys or other items
that he is allowed to chew on, and praise the shih tzu
enthusiastically when he takes the toy and begins to chew it.
This will teach the shih tzu to associate chewing some items,
like his toys, with praise, and chewing inappropriate items with
reprimand.

It is very important for the shih tzu to make these
associations, since it is very hard to change negative
associations once they have formed. It is always much easier to
train proper obedience behaviors the first time than it is to go
back and retrain a problem shih tzu later on. That does not of
course mean that retraining is impossible, it simply means that
it is more difficult.

Teaching a shih tzu puppy, or an older shih tzu, to associate
the behaviors you value, such as coming when called, sitting on
command, walking at your side, chewing only on toys, etc. with
happy, fun times is the basis of all successful shih tzu
training.