Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

dog behavior

How to Teach a Shih Tzu Puppy the Sit Command

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Female chocolate Shih Tzu puppy laying on a blanket.
A Female chocolate Shih Tzu puppy resting peacefully

Training your Shih Tzu puppy is a crucial part of responsible dog ownership. One of the most basic commands that your Shih Tzu puppy will need to know is the sit command. This essential command teaches your puppy to sit down and stay in that position until released. In this blog post, I’d like to dive deeper into the steps required to teach the sit command.

Most puppies have no problem pleasing their owners and following simple commands especially if there’s a treat involved. The sit command can come in handy in a variety of situations. First of all, imagine you’re at the park and a rabbit is hopping around in the near distance. If your puppy knows the sit command you can potentially keep your puppy from running off after the rabbit.

Scenario number two, you’re hosting a Thanksgiving party at your home. Your new puppy loves to greet guests by jumping up on them. If your puppy knows the sit command you can protect Aunt Betty’s legs from getting scratched up. If you have control over your puppy he or she will be a lot safer in many situations. Below are the steps that are necessary to teach a puppy to sit.

Step 1: Set up the Training Environment

Before you begin to teach the sit command, it is important to make sure to properly set the stage for training. One important thing to consider is whether or not the area is free from distraction. Puppies don’t have a large attention span and may have trouble focusing on learning in an environment full of distractions. As your Shih Tzu puppy becomes a pro at learning various commands you can provide more challenging environments.

Step 2: Choosing the Best Approach

Deciding what training approach to use when teaching your Shih Tzu puppy to sit is important. I recommend Positive Reinforcement Training. I believe rewarding your Shih Tzu puppy for good behavior is a key to success.

Positive Reinforcement Training involves praising your puppy when he or she does something right and offering a tasty treat. The puppy learns to associate correct behavior with receiving a reward. In return, the puppy is more likely to follow the command. The use of punishment during training is never the solution and may be very harmful to your puppy.

Step 3: How to Teach the Sit Command

To teach the sit command to your Shih Tzu puppy follow the steps below:

Step 1: Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose.

Step 2: Move the treat up, towards the puppy’s head, causing his or her butt to lower to the ground. As the puppy’s butt hits the floor, say “sit” and reward the puppy with the treat.

Step 3: Repeat this process at least once a day if possible. Each training session should be around 10 to 15 minutes. You can slowly reduce the use of the treat as the puppy starts to understand the sit command.

Step 4: Once your puppy has a solid understanding of the sit command be sure to continue to practice regularly. If you don’t use the command for a long time, your puppy may forget the command. In this case, you might need to do a short refresher training session.

In conclusion, there are many benefits associated with teaching puppies basic commands such as sitting. Teaching commands helps strengthen the trust bond between the puppy and the owner. More importantly, teaching basic commands can be life-saving for your Shih Tzu puppy.  With Positive Reinforcement Training and a well-structured training approach, your Shih Tzu puppy can quickly become an expert at learning basic commands. 

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Why Shih Tzu Breeders Should Expose Puppies to Movement

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Are you considering purchasing a puppy from a reputable Shih Tzu breeder anytime soon? If the answer is yes, then this blog post is a must-read for you! I know it is easy to pick up your computer and start the search for available Shih Tzu puppies in your area. But, what if I were to tell you that not all Shih Tzu breeders raise their Shih Tzu puppies in the same fashion? Did you know that puppies that aren’t exposed to proper movement are more likely to be fearful of things that move when they get older?

Helping puppies feel comfortable around movement is an important part of proper puppy socialization. A lot of people looking for a Shih Tzu puppy for sale don’t realize that the most sensitive period in a puppy’s development happens during weeks 3 to 12. Most responsible Shih Tzu breeders have the puppies under their care during most of this time frame. As a result, it is imperative that the Shih Tzu breeder expose the puppies to proper movement protocols to instill confidence and resilience in the impressionable Shih Tzu puppies. In my responsible Shih Tzu Breeding Program all of the puppies are exposed to various forms of movement to help create bulletproof puppies. 

The list below goes over some of the forms of movement my puppies are exposed to before go-home day. 

  • Balls
  • Moving toy cars
  • Toys that move
  • Wobble board
  • Wobble disc
  • Running humans
  • Running dogs
  • Umbrella
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Car ride
  • Stroller ride

It is a common issue for toy breed dogs to be fearful of certain things such as sound, sights, and movement. Fear is a necessary defense mechanism that has a place but sometimes goes into overdrive in our furry companions. Fears and phobias can develop when a puppy or dog has a negative experience. It often only takes one bad experience for a dog to develop a phobia.

Fear can also develop in dogs if they don’t spend time around things that move when they’re going through the critical socialization period. Fear is at an all-time low during this developmental stage. Shih Tzu breeders have the opportunity to imprint a positive association with movement during this critical phase of puppy development. 

Having a dog that is afraid of movement can be very stressful for the dog and the owner. Treating fear in an adult dog is much more time-consuming. After the critical developmental period ends it often takes a lot longer to counter-condition any fear-based behaviors. Some trainers can help but it often takes much longer to see results. Early desensitization is key in preventing fearful behaviors in the first place. Something as simple as running a vacuum cleaner near the puppy playpen a couple of times a week during the critical socialization period may have a positive lifelong influence on a puppy’s future behavioral health. 

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Kong Stuffer Ideas for your Shih Tzu Puppy

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A chocolate Shih Tzu puppy keeping busy with a snuffle mat and an interactive ramen noodle toy.
Shih Tzu Puppy Playtime

Are you looking for ways to keep your puppy busy?

Stuffing a Kong is a great interactive activity for your Shih Tzu puppy. I love stuffing Kongs for the Shih Tzu puppies that I raise in my responsible breeding program. A Kong is awesome at keeping your Shih Tzu puppy busy and forcing your puppy to eat slowly. Although a Kong is a great form of mental stimulation it is important to make sure that the ingredients you’re stuffing into the Kong are safe for dogs. Fruit should be washed, peeled, and chopped into pieces.

Furthermore, all ingredients used for Kong stuffing should be free of harmful seasonings, artificial flavors, or sweeteners. Plain is best when it comes to choosing what to put into the Kong. Also, Avoid fatty items. Watch out for overindulgence as well. Too much of a good thing may backfire. 

I hope your Shih Tzu puppy benefits from the Kong stuffer suggestions below:

  • Shredded boiled chicken without skin, bones, or seasonings
  • Low-fat plain yogurt with chopped-up peeled apple chunks
  • Scrambled egg without seasonings
  • Banana and peanut butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Canned plain pumpkin
  • Plain mashed potato
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Cottage cheese
  • Kong stuffers
  • Canned wet dog food
  • Frozen applesauce
  • Berries
  • String cheese
  • Canned tuna or sardines
  • Dehydrated dog food
  • Frozen chicken or beef broth for dogs
  • Baby food that isn’t toxic for dogs
  • Sweet potato
  • Squash
  • Cantelope
  • Seedless watermelon

For more Kong Stuffer ideas check out the link below:

https://www.kongcompany.com/cuisine/

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Decoding Common Dog Behaviors

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A gold female Shih Tzu puppy wearing a colorful dress with fruit on it and a giant yellow bow.
A Cute Shih Tzu Puppy all dressed up!

Common Dog Behaviors

Have you ever wondered what some of the behaviors dogs exhibit mean? Have you ever observed a dog shaking it off? For example, your dog runs around the yard and then comes inside and shakes it off before taking a nap. Dogs often shake it off after expending a high amount of energy. Dogs may shake it off after a bath as well. This shake may simply be your dog’s way of drying off. Or your dog may be super relieved to be set free and may shake to release some of the pent-up stress. 

Another phenomenon that dogs often commonly display is kicking their feet back. One reason that dogs kick their feet back is to communicate with other dogs. Dogs have sweat glands on the bottom of their feet which release pheromones that help them communicate with other canines. I’m sure we’ve all seen a dog mark their territory by kicking their feet back. In other words, the dog is saying “This is mine!” Many dogs also display this behavior after a potty break to mark their spot. 

Panting is another dog behavior that you’ll see frequently in your dog. Dogs cannot cool down by sweating like we do. Instead, they pant to regulate their body temperature. Panting can also be a sign that your dog is too hot. You must offer plenty of water and shade to avoid heat stroke. This is especially important if you live in a hot, dry climate like we have here in Arizona. Dogs can also pant if they are stressed or in pain so make sure to be in tune with your dog’s needs. 

On another not-so-pleasant note, let’s talk about butt scooting. Small breed dogs often scoot on their bums from time to time. This is often because of anal glands that need to be expressed. Your groomer will probably express them for you if your dog is groomed frequently. You can also ask your vet to express them if needed.

If it becomes a chronic issue try adding pumpkin powder or some other dog-friendly fiber to your dog’s diet. I list my favorite pumpkin powder supplement and all my other favorites under my Amazon list on my website at the bottom of the recommendations page. Butt scooting may also be a sign of parasites or worms so talk to your veterinarian if it becomes a chronic issue.

Howling is another behavior that dogs display on occasion. Dogs can howl for a variety of reasons. They may howl when they’re excited, anxious, trying to tell you something, in pain, or lonely. They also may howl when they hear certain high-pitched sounds like a squeaky toy. Overall, howling is our dog’s Innate way of communicating with the outside world. So next time your dog howls, take a moment to understand what they are trying to tell you.

I find it fascinating how much we can learn about our dogs just by observing their daily behaviors. They may not be able to communicate through words, but we can give them a voice if we take the time to pay attention to their nonverbal cues.

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The Benefits of Puppy Sound Desensitization

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A purebred chocolate-liver Shih Tzu puppy sitting on the couch.
A liver Shih Tzu puppy that has gone through sound desensitization

Sound Desensitization Benefits

Early Sound Desensitization is another technique that I like to use with my Shih Tzu puppies. Early Sound Desensitization protocols help expose puppies to various sounds such as a blow dryer, a vacuum, sirens, etc. The goal is to dull any negative responses the puppy may have to the sounds. Sound therapy is very beneficial in helping produce better coping skills in puppies. When sound desensitization protocols are put in place during a puppy’s early socialization period the benefits can be tremendous.

Some puppies are more sensitive than others when it comes to sound sensitivity. The good news is that sound sensitivity is an adjustable trait in puppies. If a puppy is born extremely sensitive to sounds desensitization protocols can hopefully tone down the puppy’s negative response through repeat sound exposure.

Knowing a puppy’s sound sensitivity threshold is very important when it comes to puppy placement. A puppy that startles easily even after sound desensitization protocols, may do better in a home where the owners will be well aware of the puppy’s unique needs. For instance, a sound-sensitive puppy may do better in a quiet household rather than in the home of a musician. Or vice versa, a puppy that has a high sound sensitivity threshold may do excellent in a home with young children that have a lot of noisy toys.

In the end, it all circles back to how the puppy’s rearing. A puppy that takes part in a responsible breeding program that puts in place appropriate sound desensitization protocols is ultimately setting each puppy and family up for success. Both the puppy and the new family will hopefully be a great match and live in harmony.

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What is Temperament Testing and Why is it Important?

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An available Shih Tzu puppy that has went through temperament Testing wearing a pink coat with a fuzzy hood.
A Temperament Tested Shih Tzu Puppy

Temperament Testing 101

Temperament testing is a form of assessment that many breeders use to evaluate a puppy’s behavior regarding certain personality traits. Puppies are introduced to a variety of stimuli in a controlled environment to see how they react. Typically, puppies go through evaluations somewhere between weeks 7-10, depending on the breed. Smaller breeds usually go through temperament testing closer to the 9 to 10-week mark.

Temperament traits include both stable traits and adjustable traits. The stable traits are typically hard to change. It is difficult for a breeder to change these traits in the puppies for the most part. The puppy evaluation simply identifies these stable traits so the breeder can match puppies with families that are willing to meet their unique needs through positive reinforcement and training.

On a side note, temperament is to a large extent an inheritable trait in dogs. It would be unethical for a breeder to intentionally breed an unstable dog in the first place. Adjustable traits are those traits that a breeder can change to some extent through proper socialization and a developmentally appropriate puppy curriculum. I temperament test all of the puppies in my responsible breeding program. I use the temperament test that Jeannette Forrey developed for breeders.

Stable Temperament Traits

Human assertiveness:

A dog’s assertiveness level is usually hereditary. A Shih Tzu may be human assertive, human non-assertive, or fall somewhere in the middle. Assertive dogs typically have bold personalities and often demand attention. Assertive dogs often appear bossy. An assertive dog has no problem stealing a french fry off your plate.

A non-assertive dog is often more submissive. Submissive dogs are typically less forward by nature. Non-assertive dogs are okay with not being the leader. Submissive dogs may even roll onto their backs as a form of submission. It is unlikely that a submissive dog is going to steal food off of your plate.

Motivation Level:

Motivation level is another stable trait that responsible breeders look for during temperament testing. When breeders talk about a puppy’s motivation level, they’re referring to a puppy’s willingness to do something for a human. A puppy’s workability level can be low, medium or high.

Shih Tzu puppies with a high motivation level are usually the ones that follow the tester around during puppy evaluations. Puppies with a high motivation level love working for humans. These little ones aim to please almost always.

Dogs with a medium motivation level are usually somewhere in the middle when it comes to workability. These middle-of-the-road puppies are perfectly happy to retrieve a Frisbee but also are content playing alone. Middle-of-the-road puppies do need reassurance on occasion.

Puppies with low motivation are often not interested in working through tasks. A puppy with low motivation may not bring the Frisbee back to you. Shih Tzu puppies with low motivation aren’t necessarily difficult puppies. The solution lies in finding out what makes them tick. Once you find out what they will work for things often run more smoothly.

Energy Level:

Energy level is another trait that is hard to change. Of course, a high-energy puppy will settle down with maturity, but not a whole lot. Stable traits are not easy to change for the most part. A Shih Tzu puppy with high energy often seems larger than life. High-energy puppies often have a hard time winding down. I often compare a high-energy puppy to an energizer bunny. These puppies keep going and going. These types of puppies do great in active families where they have an outlet for burning up energy.

Make sure not to confuse high energy with the puppy zoomies. Puppy Zoomies are short episodes of intense energy. Veterinarians call these surges Frenetic Random Activity Periods. These energy bursts often happen when a puppy or dog is excited. But, if your puppy is having zoomies too often it may be a sign that he needs more exercise.

Low-energy puppies, on the other hand, are perfectly content lounging around and taking a nap. These puppies are happy to go on a walk, but if you go too far they may need to take breaks. Low-energy puppies love a good stroller ride! Once again, most Shih Tzu puppies fall somewhere in the middle.

Prey Drive:

Prey drive refers to a dog’s desire to chase after things. For example, a dog with a high prey drive may pull at the leash or run off whenever he or she sees a bird. The pursuit of catching the bird runs strong in a dog with a high prey drive. Dogs with a high prey drive may also chase after a running child as well. Moving targets often brings out this inner trait in dogs with high prey drive.

A Shih Tzu with a low prey drive usually shows little desire to chase after movable objects. A low prey drive dog may simply look at the bird but is less likely to chase after it. Dogs with low prey drive usually make great pets for young children. As we all know, children love to run around. Most parents would prefer that their dog doesn’t chase after their child.

Human Focus:

Not all Shih Tzus need full human interaction. Some Shih Tzus would much prefer to play with a toy than follow their owner around everywhere. A dog with a high human focus usually loves nothing more than spending time with humans. We often call dogs with high human focus velcro dogs.

On the opposite side of the coin, we have dogs with low human focus. A dog with low human focus usually prefers toys or the other dogs in the house. You may be able to get a quick cuddle session here or there, but for the most part, these types of dogs prefer their personal space. Most dogs fall somewhere in the middle again when it comes to human focus.

Tenderheartedness:

When breeders test for tenderheartedness, they’re looking at the puppy’s ability to handle human emotions. Not all dogs can handle human emotions to the same degree. Some puppies don’t worry too much about human emotion. These puppies are the ones who may see a child crying and continue going about their business.

Some puppies almost fall apart when they witness extreme emotions. It is essential to know a puppy’s tenderheartedness score. A puppy that doesn’t have a high score may make a great pet for a young child or even excel as a therapy dog. A puppy that is extremely tenderhearted could fall apart in the wrong environment.

For example, I would never knowingly place a puppy that is extremely tenderhearted in a home where a family has a severe medical condition that causes a lot of intense human emotion. This is why I always ask my clients on the puppy application if they’re looking for a companion animal, emotional support animal, service dog, etc.

Adjustable Temperament Traits

Confidence Level:

Confidence is another trait that puppies may score low, medium, or high. When we talk about confidence, we are talking about the puppy’s comfort level around new people, places, or things. A Shih Tzu puppy with high confidence usually loves a good challenge and is eager to approach unfamiliar situations.

A puppy with low confidence may approach the same situation with a different outlook. To a puppy with low confidence, new people, places and things may create anxiety. Puppies with low confidence often need a lot of reassurance.

Nerve Strength:

Nerve strength refers to a puppy’s ability to cope with stressful situations. Shih Tzu puppies with high nerve strength are in a sense, bulletproof. Everything stressful seems to roll right off of the puppy with excellent nerve strength. Puppies with high nerve strength tend to take everything in stride.

A puppy with low nerve strength is often exactly the opposite. Low nerve strength puppies often become anxious when faced with situations they find stressful. They may need a great deal of encouragement to face new challenges. Furthermore, low-nerve-strength puppies often need time to recharge when they’ve been exposed to situations they find stressful.

If I have a puppy that is displaying low nerve strength before the go-home day, I always make sure to let clients know. Once again, just like tenderheartedness, I would never knowingly send a puppy with low nerve strength home with a family that has any type of medical condition that causes intense human emotion.

This is why it is so important that families let me know if they need an emotional support animal or a service dog. ESA and service dog puppies have specific temperament traits that make them ideal candidates for this type of work. Not every puppy has what it takes to handle this type of role. By placing the puppy with the right temperament in the right home, I am honoring not only the family but the puppy’s needs as well. If an applicant withholds this type of information, I cannot do my job correctly. As a result, the family and the dog may not be compatible.

Touch Tolerance:

Touch tolerance refers to a puppy’s comfort level when it comes to handling. A puppy with low touch tolerance doesn’t typically love the sense of touch. This type of puppy may not love grooming or be held for a long time.

A puppy with a high touch tolerance usually loves handling. This type of puppy often thrives off of touch. A puppy with a high touch tolerance is a great choice for a family with young children. Many puppies fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to touch tolerance levels.

Sound Sensitivity:

Many small breed dogs like Shih Tzus have sound sensitivity issues. It is good to know where puppies stand regarding their level of comfort with various noises. A Shih Tzu puppy with low sound sensitivity is unaffected by loud noises. Puppies with a high sound sensitivity score often display stress and fear around sudden loud sounds.

Sight Sensitivity:

Toy-breed dogs are also prone to sight sensitivity issues as well. Unpredictable movement may push a puppy with high sight sensitivity over the edge. Puppies with low sight sensitivity on the other hand love a good challenge. These puppies often crave and enjoy interacting with unpredictable movement.

Dog Friendliness:

I also test all of my puppies’ dog-friendliness levels. Dogs can be submissive, neutral, or assertive in this category. Submissive dogs typically take the back seat and let the other dog drive so to speak. If you already have an assertive dog at home a submissive dog is a great option and less likely to cause conflict. Neutral dogs are typically indifferent around other dogs. They may notice other dogs but typically leave them be for the most part. An assertive dog on the opposite side of the spectrum, is more likely to take on the alpha role. Assertive dogs have no problem getting into another dog’s personal space.

Not every puppy is born with the same temperament. Just like humans, puppies possess individual traits that make them unique. As a breeder, I like to know how my puppies score on both stable and adjustable traits. The stable traits are mostly set, but knowing where each puppy scores helps me place them in homes where they will succeed. For instance, if I have a puppy that scores high on energy level, I probably wouldn’t place that puppy in a home with a senior who suffers from mobility issues.

A breeder has more of the upper hand when it comes to adjustable traits. Adjustable traits can be tweaked to some extent. For example, a puppy that is highly sound sensitive and afraid of noises can come a long way if the breeder uses a developmentally appropriate sound desensitization program. To take it a step further, if the puppy who scores high on sound sensitivity is still sound sensitive after puppy evaluations the breeder can use this information to place this puppy in a home where his or her needs will be met.

The temperament testing results aren’t a tell-all. The results are simply a snapshot in time that helps the breeder get a more in-depth look at the puppy’s emerging personality. There is so much more that goes into the overall equation when it comes to a puppy’s adult temperament. Genetics, adequate socialization, life experiences, a nurturing home environment, and proper training play an important role in the puppy’s emerging personality.

In the end, puppy temperament testing is just another tool in a breeder’s toolbox that helps set both the puppies and the future owners up for success. I love giving my puppy families a general idea of what specific traits each puppy is displaying before they choose which puppy is best suited for their family dynamics.

I also love that temperament testing gives each puppy a voice. The puppies cannot speak for themselves, but they can give us a glimpse of who they are if we watch closely. Every puppy deserves to be heard. I have made a promise to my puppies that I will be their voice. I will do everything in my power to match the puppies with families that will give them the very best life has to offer!

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