Shih TzuA short trip outside, then praise.
House training →Shih Tzu training
Gentle lessons for a lap dog with opinions.
Gentle, reward-based Shih Tzu training for a sweet little lion dog who would rather be on your lap.
Tibet and ChinaOrigin9 to 10.5 inHeight9 to 16 lbWeightToyAKC group
Coat colorsGold and whiteBlack and whiteBrindle and whiteLiver and whiteRed and whiteSolid gold
The lap dog editionSilky coat, sweet nature
Room by room
Six rooms, one small lap dog
Most Shih Tzu problems happen in one place. Tap a room on the plan to see what happens there, and how to fix it.
Room 1 of 6
The entry
Toilet trips and goodbyes.
Training guide
Shih Tzu training guide
A friendly lapdog with a stubborn streak, trained gently and in very short bursts.
Patient and gentle
A Shih Tzu is friendly and a little stubborn, and harsh handling backfires. Calm voices, patience and rewards get the work done in very short bursts.
House training takes time
A small bladder and an independent streak make house training slow. A firm routine with many trips outside and a reward at the spot beats any shortcut.
Grooming is training
Daily brushing is part of life with this coat, so it is taught like any cue, with treats and short sessions, from the first week home.
Daily rhythm
A day with a Shih Tzu
Small routines at the same time each day do most of the training.
Five calm minutes of brushing.
Grooming and brushing →Clean eyes and a tidy mustache.
Face and eye care →Short and cool, never in the heat.
Struggling in the heat →Calm cuddles, not demands.
Barking for attention →Bed in the same spot each night.
Time alone →Swipe or scroll for the rest of the day →
By age
Advice for every age
Most training works the same at any age. If you want extra help, here is what often comes up at each stage.
About us
Training sized for a small dog
We write for Shih Tzu owners who love their silky lap dog. Every guide is gentle, reward based and kind to a flat-faced breed.
More about us