Fun Tricks To Teach Your Shih Tzu!

A Shih Tzu is extremely adorable, moody, cuddle-bud pup! Every Shih Tzu owner will experience the thrilling, surprising and out of the box things that Shih Tzu does. Yes, they are always busy doing something or the other. But while they are getting trained and start communicating with you, it is a very likely situation that you can teach your loving pup some really cool and fun tricks.

This is the perfect way to flaunt the loving relationship between you both!

3 fun tricks to teach Shih Tzu easily!

Are you ready to prep for the A-Game?

1. Kiss of love

Fun Tricks To Teach Your Shih Tzu! - Kiss of love

Who doesn’t like to get kissed? Everyone does, especially when it is coming from your loving fur ball canine whom you love to cuddle. They will do it quite willingly as licking your face might be one of the fun activities for them. But touching your cheek with their nose is what you need to teach.

Here are the steps –

Keep a treat close to your cheek and command ‘kiss.’
As soon as they are close enough, remove it.
They will bump their face on your cheek.
After that, you treat them to form your hand.
Again repeat the same.

After a while, they will realize what they have to do to get the treat. This will be one of the really cool and fun tricks to teach Shih Tzu.

2. Hi-Five!

Fun Tricks To Teach Your Shih Tzu! - Hi-Five!

Everyone loves to give hi-five, and here, you can do it with your loving Shih Tzu too. It is quite simple, but make sure they are not in a bad mood. Also, be ready with the treat for the extra encouragement. Now, let’s start –

First, get the word that you will use to appreciate your Shih Tzu pup (yes, great, claps). This is just a way to make them feel happy.
Next, hold small treats in your hand and wait.
Once they cannot get it with their mouth, it is very likely for them to use their paw.
The moment they touch your hand with their paw, appreciate and give the treat.
Repeat this for 4-5 times.
Next, give your hand and say hi-five.
They will simply touch your hand, and you treat them after that.

Within a few days, even without the treat, they will understand the command hi-five, and you can just do it with your Shih Tzu!

3. Speak on command

Fun Tricks To Teach Your Shih Tzu! - Speak on command

Barking for no reason and doing the same on command is different. This is one of the cutest, fun tricks to teach Shih Tzu. But make sure; they also bark when things are not clear to them. It is your responsibility to help them understand what you are trying to say. Now, begin the bark!

Give them a small treat first just to let your Shih Tzu know what reward is waiting.
Now, patiently wait and see how they get excited to get the treat.
The moment they bark once for it, you treat your Shih Tzu.
Repeat this same for few more times till they understand that it is necessary for them to bark once for getting the treat.

These are some fun tricks to teach Shih Tzu. There are much more which you can do once you start developing a strong bond of mutual understanding with each other.

Apart from these, certain things remain for you to remember while teaching these new tricks to Shih Tzu –

Never be harsh, rude or too pushy.
Always be interactive throughout the teaching process.
Be prepared with tasty treats!

Now, you are absolutely ready to teach some cool and fun tricks to your Shih Tzu! Enjoy!

FAQ’s

How big are Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu is a snugly built little animal with a solid, sound structure. It stands from about 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders and should weigh from 9 to 16 pounds. Its body length is slightly greater than its height, and it should be physically proportional all over, not too short or too small, but a true miniature breed dog. In movement, it moves with effortless, smooth strides, showing good drive and reach, with the head and tail held high, giving away its ancient royal bloodline.

Where does the Shih Tzu come from, and why was the breed developed?
The Shih Tzu lineage is hotly debated; however, one theory is that the Shih Tzu descended from a cross between the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso breeds. This cross breed that would eventually become Shih Tzus, were favourites of the Chinese royals and so prized that, for years, the Chinese refused to sell, trade, or give any away.

The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe in 1930 and were classified by the Kennel Club as “Apsos”. The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club, and the dogs were categorised again as Shih Tzu. The breed is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world.

How is Shih Tzu pronounced, and what does it mean?
The most common and incorrect pronunciation of Shih Tzu is: Sh*t Zoo however, that isn’t actually how the little lion breed is supposed to be announced. According to the American Shih Tzu Club, the official and publicly confirmed pronunciation of Shih Tzu is: “Sheed-zoo."

The name comes from the Chinese language word for "lion" because this kind of dog was bred to resemble "the lion, as in traditional oriental art". Interestingly they are also known by another name tied to their European introduction. The Shih Tzu is sometimes called the Chrysanthemum Dog, a nickname that describes the way the hair on their face grows out in all directions. They look like a flower with a nose for the centre.

For more than one Shih Tzu, do you say Shih Tzus?
The age-old question, it is Shih Tzu or Shih Tzus? When writing or saying the plural of Shih Tzu, it is a common mistake for a person to write or say Shih Tzus, as one would think this is the normal way to put the dog in their plural form, and in fact, it is so common that I wouldn’t be surprised if we have even made such a slip up in this very article. However, the correct way to say Shih Tzus is Shih Tzu, due it being an irregular noun, allowing the plural of Shih Tzu can be Shih Tzu, just like ‘fish and fish’. With two or more Shih Tzu, there does not need to be an ‘s’.

What colours do Shih Tzus come in?
The Shih Tzu is a breed that can be found in an array of colours and with a variety of markings. It's common for owners to not know for sure what colour their Shih Tzu is. Sometimes a puppy may be referred to as an unofficial colour that is not recognized by the AKC, or another kennel club, through which the pup is registered. And in other cases, there can be some confusion when the colour listed on the papers does not seem to match what is seen. In addition to this, it's common for Shih Tzu dogs to change colour as they grow and mature, meaning that your little snowball of joy may turn sooty in their old age.

How much attention does a Shih Tzu need?
Despite their small stature, Shih Tzu are relatively active dogs. Puppies can be extremely hyper and adults are most content when given opportunities to release stored-up energy and be out and about. Without regular moderate exercise, a Shih Tzu can start to feel pent up and frustrated. This can manifest as behaviours such as excessive barking or destructive chewing.

Aim to take your little guy or gal for a minimum of two 20 to 30-minute walks per day, along with sessions of play like fetch to meet exercise requirements for this breed. If so, this will allow your Shih Tzu to enjoy being inside at home, able to relax beside you (or at your feet) and with a calmer disposition.

Do Shih Tzu get along with other pets?
In general, the Shih Tzu gets along quite well with other dogs, large and small. Shih Tzu rarely suffer from the ‘short leg syndrome’ common in small dogs, and more often than not, are simply little bundle of love.

However, every dog has their own personality, and it will depend on how well your dog as well as the other dogs have been socialized. Overall the Shih Tzu breed is calm and very playful and enjoys a variety of canine friends. But keep in mind each dog has their unique personality and circumstances. To say they will all behave exactly the same isn’t very realistic.

How do I provide the best care for a Shih Tzu?
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch their diet, make sure they get plenty of exercise, regularly brush their teeth and coat, and call a veterinary clinic or pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual.

It is also a good idea to create a routine for your Shih Tzu to lessen their anxiety and ensure they live a happy and calm life. Build their routine care into your schedule to help your Shih Tzu live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during their lifetime. Most importantly a proper diet and exercise routine is key to the long-term health of your pet.