Training: Shih Tzus are very intelligent and typically take to training very well. Some owners report difficulty with house-training, but if you use a crate and follow the training plan, it’s usually not a problem. When it comes to training your Shih Tzu, you should carefully supervise your pet when they are young. These curious animals will find trouble if left alone, but they are a smart and capable breed with lots of love to give if you teach them good manners.
Barking: As with most dogs, early socialization and training make for a well-rounded companion. They can be timid and fearful without the proper instruction and confidence-building early in life. Excessive barking is a sign that you need to spend more time training your pet. The Shih Tzu bark is piercing, loud, and high. The bark often comes in a wave of short, sharp bursts.
Ancient Chinese monks bred the Shih Tzu to resemble the lion, an important animal in Buddhist mythology. Their proud posture and curious demeanor doesn’t always match their size, so it’s up to you to foster good habits and proper discipline in your pet. They don’t know their size, so it’s important to keep them safe from big jumps from heights and larger aggressive dogs.
Temperament & Behavior: Since the Shih Tzu was a royal palace fixture in ancient China, these dogs are great companions that don’t make a fuss. All they want to do is be with their family. They aren’t interested in hunting or guard duty, so don’t expect your Shih Tzu to replace your home monitoring security system.
While they do love to spend time on the couch, Shih Tzus are alert and lively at times. They are very affectionate, and a Shih Tzu’s favorite place to sit is the lap of someone they love. Don’t be surprised when your Shih Tzu follows you around the house, close at heel. They love to be close to their family, so you might struggle to get some privacy from these curious and loving companions.
Behavior with kids: Shih Tzus are wonderful as family pets. They play well with others, including small children and other pets. As long as kids are supervised, they don’t pose many risks to the delicate Shih Tzu frame. Shih Tzus are very friendly and don’t pose a risk to small children or pets with proper training and supervision.
Protection: Shih Tzus are very friendly, even with strangers. The original Chinese breeders wanted a dog that would fit in with palace life without causing too much of a disturbance. They aren’t good sentinels or guard dogs because they make fast friends with everyone they meet.
