You will know the Shih Tzu dog by many names ? the Pekinese, The Lion Dog, The Chrysanthemum dog and so on.
This is why the training of this dog when done with positive reinforcement method, works like magic. At the same time you would find that this dog can be unimaginably stubborn if pushed into doing anything. If you ever want to get anything done from a Shih Tzu, never use anything else other than love and positive rewards.
The Shih Tzu was for a long time known as a royal dog in China where it stayed protected from the world for two centuries (17th to 19th Century). True to its name, this dog really moves like a king or emperor. While the Shih Tzu's are world famous for being friendly and adaptive to anyone in the home ? whether this is an animal or human being ? they are also known for their acute stubbornness when they are pushed into doing something that has not been coaxed out of them.
The Shih Tzu is a good-looking miniature dog that almost always carries itself with an aristocratic grace. They love to romp about outdoors, but they would be just as happy sleeping on your lap in front of the TV. The temperament of this dog is very sweet and friendly. They do not make too much noise and they accept new additions to the home and family with ease. If you want to ensure that your Shih Tzu grows up to be a good natured and sweet animal, ensure that you get a pure breed. The mixed breeds sometimes tend to be aggressive; especially towards those who inadvertently steal the limelight due to them. They especially resent small children, as their owners would tend to pay them more attention.
Have the nails checked and cut regularly as these dogs tend to grow long nails for lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. In case you are not comfortable with the cutting of nails at home, visit your vet periodically to get the job done. This should be done as often as necessary.
People who live with Shih Tzus find these dogs completely adorable. They have a lot of spunk for their size and they carry themselves with great dignity and aplomb. This is one reason why many people call them royal dogs.
Since the Shih Tzu is very friendly and receptive, many people prefer to train their dogs themselves and find it is not difficult at all. Just be sure use a lot of patience and many treats.
They are very playful when they are young and seem to have a mind of their own. You will need to train your Shih Tzu very early in life or you could have major problems in handling it later on when it becomes an adult. The key to making a Shih Tzu the perfect pet is to have them trained very early in their life. Once they are trained, you could possibly have the best pet on this earth.