According to dog-training experts, Shih Tzus are one of the most difficult breeds to train. While it may take a border collie two or three tries to learn a new trick or command, it can take the Shih Tzu 30 or more tries to learn the same thing. This doesn't mean that Shih Tzus aren't intelligent. In fact, these little lap dogs just have an independent spirit and prefer to interact with their humans on their own terms.
That said, if you have a Shih Tzu puppy that is biting beyond what is reasonable for a teething baby, you need to train her not to.
Instructions
1. Teach bite inhibition. Anytime your Shih Tzu puppy nibbles or nips at your fingers in play, do what her littermates would have done: Yip and turn away. This not only immediately stops the fun but also says in dog language, "I didn't like that." Don't return to the game or cuddle or pet your puppy immediately after. According to dog-training expert Victoria Stilwell, your puppy will eventually learn that biting you is not the way to keep the game going.
2. Avoid tug-of-war games. Dogs love tug-of-war games with old socks or rubber toys designed for that purpose, and for most dogs, it's fine to play with them. But if your Shih Tzu is developing a biting problem, it's best to avoid this or any game that encourages her to bite down hard on something while getting caught up in the excitement of play.
3. Never, ever hit your dog. Since your hand is about the same size as your Shih Tzu puppy (if not bigger), it makes sense to your dog to "get my owner before my owner gets me," especially if she's about to be smacked by something her own size. There are better ways to keep your dog from doing what you don't want. Stilwell's book "It's Me or the Dog" has some excellent suggestions.
4. Teach your kids. Shih Tzus are so little and so cute that if you have very young children, you need to make sure they understand that this is a living being, not a stuffed toy. Older children need to learn not to tease the dog. All kids need to learn not to scream or run around the dog---which may misinterpret their actions as play and join in by nipping and biting.
Most incidents of dogs biting children could be prevented if kids knew the above rules about interacting with dogs.
Tags: Shih Tzus, your Shih, According dog-training, children need, need learn, Shih puppy, that biting