The first thing to consider in leash training a Shih Tzu is the personality of the breed. You must take into account that these dogs are independent thinkers and are used to being allowed to do what they love best – lying comfortably on a couch. This can be traced from the breeding history of Shih Tzu where these dogs used to live with the Imperial officers in China. They have a sense of specialty and thrive very well in an environment where they are treated like royalty. But at the end of the day, they are still dogs and would prefer to have a master that will give them commands. These two canine characters should be considered in training your Shih Tzu to walk on a leash.
Two common problems that arise during leash training are the resistance to have a collar on and the ‘dragging the owner’ attitude. First things first. Establish yourself as the alpha in the pack. If your dog doesn’t respect you and your rules, leash training may be difficult. This is seen when pups try to run around when their owners try to place collars on them. They tend to remove the collar or show intense dislike when placed in a harness. If your dog is comfortable in treating you this way, then there is a problem. Your Shih Tzu must willingly allow you to place a collar or anything on his body because this means that he trusts you. After doing this, walk around the house with the leash on your hand and see if your dog will follow you. Hesitation is common – since the dog is not yet familiar with this new device. You may need to leave some kibbles on the floor for your dog to stand up, walk and trust that nothing bad will happen to him. Doing so will give him a message that everything is fine and this is what is wanted from him. Always lead the way and never let your dog walk to any direction he wants. Keep in mind to assert your authority and give clear signals and commands to your dog. Add a little more practice and patience, then you’ll surely have a smooth sailing leash training session with your Shih Tzu.
