Since Shih Tzus are a very popular breed, there is a greater chance of irresponsible breeding. Do extensive research on the company/person you are buying your puppy from.
Make sure they can provide health clearances for the parents and make sure the parents demonstrate the quintessential Shih Tzu breed personality.
How to start training your dog
To get off on the right foot (and paw!) with your puppy, he’ll need to know what you expect of him. This will make you feel confident in his ability to achieve the goals that have been set for him in the future.
Dog training should be based on positive reinforcement and repeatability. Usually it only takes about 3 repetitions for your new pup to understand how he is rewarded. Positive reinforcement is the process of giving a dog (or a person!) a reward to encourage the behavior you want, like getting a paycheck for going to work. The idea is not to bribe the behavior but to train it using something that your dog values. Avoid using punishments such as leash corrections or yelling. Punishment can cause a dog to become confused and not sure what is being asked of him. It’s important to remember that we can’t expect dogs to know what they don’t know, any more than you would expect a 2-year-old to know how to tie their shoes. Patience will go a long way as your new puppy learns to behave.
What makes Shih Tzus a great choice for children and babies?
We know that Shih Tzus get along exceptionally well with children and babies due to their child-friendly temperament. The following are eight reasons why I think the Shih Tzu breed is a great choice for families with children and babies.
They are affectionate: Shih Tzus are a very affectionate breed; they have a calm personality and have more than enough warmth and love to share with all of their children. They are perfectly happy to socialize and play with children.
Happy to spend time indoors
While these pups can compete in dog sports like agility, most of them prefer to spend time indoors with you. They were bred to be companion dogs, so that’s what they do best. His idea of having a good time will probably creep into your lap as you binge on whatever’s on Netflix.
Since these pups were bred for companionship, they really do make the perfect lap pups. If you’re older or considering a companion pet for your parents, the Shih Tzu could be the perfect puppy.
Shih Tzu Personality
These charismatic and affectionate dogs are likely to delight in the love and attention of a family.
Dana Carter, whose 10-year-old Shih Tzu is named Harley, says, «He’s always been there for me and he rarely wants to leave my side.» She says that he is also very sensitive: «It’s almost like he can feel my feelings.» This intuition is part of what makes the breed so popular with its devotees.