| liminating biting behaviors | | | | human family. Shih tzu puppies that get less |
| Bringing home a new shih tzu puppy is always an | | | | socialization can be more destructive, more |
| exciting time. Introducing the new shih tzu puppy to | | | | hyperactive and exhibit other problem behaviors. |
| the family should be fun for both yourself and your | | | | In addition, lack of socialization in shih tzu puppies |
| shih tzu puppy. One of the first challenges, however, | | | | often causes fearful and aggressive behaviors to |
| to the excitement of the new shih tzu puppy, is | | | | develop. Dogs often react aggressively to new |
| curbing inappropriate shih tzu puppy behaviors. | | | | situations, especially if they are not properly |
| Preventing biting and mouthing | | | | socialized. In order for a shih tzu dog to become a |
| Biting and mouthing is a common activity for many | | | | member of the community as well as the household, |
| young puppies and dogs. Puppies naturally bite and | | | | it should be socialized to other people, especially |
| mouth each other when playing with siblings, and | | | | children. Dogs make a distinction between their |
| they extend this behavior to their human companions. | | | | owners and other people, and between children and |
| While other puppies have thick skin, however, | | | | adults. It is important, therefore, to introduce the shih |
| humans do not, so it is important to teach your shih | | | | tzu puppy to both children and adults. |
| tzu puppy what is appropriate, and what is not, when | | | | The best time to socialize a shih tzu puppy to young |
| it comes to using those sharp teeth. | | | | children is when it is still very young, generally when it |
| The first part of training the shih tzu puppy is to | | | | is four months old or younger. One reason for this is |
| inhibit the biting reflex. Biting might be cute and | | | | that mothers of young children may be |
| harmless with a 5 pound shih tzu puppy, but it is | | | | understandably reluctant to allow their children to |
| neither cute nor harmless when that dog has grown | | | | approach large dogs or older puppies. This is especially |
| to adulthood. Therefore, shih tzu puppies should be | | | | true with large breed dogs, or with breeds of dogs |
| taught to control their bite before they reach the | | | | that have a reputation for aggressive behavior. |
| age of four months. Shih tzu puppies normally learn | | | | Using trust to prevent biting |
| to inhibit their bite from their mothers and their | | | | Teaching your shih tzu puppy to trust and respect |
| littermates, but since they are taken away from their | | | | you is a very effective way to prevent biting. Gaining |
| mothers so young, many never learn this important | | | | the trust and respect of your shih tzu dog is the |
| lesson. It is therefore up to the humans in the shih | | | | basis for all dog training, and for correcting problem |
| tzu puppy's life to teach this lesson. | | | | behaviors. |
| One great way to inhibit the biting reflex is to allow | | | | It is important to never hit or slap the puppy, either |
| the shih tzu puppy to play and socialize with other | | | | during training or any other time. Physical punishment |
| shih tzu puppies and socialized older shih tzu dogs. | | | | is the surest way to erode the trust and respect |
| Shih tzu puppies love to tumble, roll and play with | | | | that must form the basis of an effective training |
| each other, and when shih tzu puppies play they bite | | | | program. Reprimanding a dog will not stop him from |
| each other constantly. This is the best way for shih | | | | biting - it will simply scare and confuse him. |
| tzu puppies to learn to control themselves when they | | | | Training a shih tzu puppy not to bite is a vital part of |
| bite. If one shih tzu puppy becomes too rough when | | | | any puppy training program. Biting behaviors that are |
| playing, the rest of the group will punish him for that | | | | not corrected will only get worse, and what seemed |
| inappropriate behavior. Through this type of | | | | like harmless behavior in a shih tzu puppy can quickly |
| socialization, the shih tzu puppy will learn to control his | | | | escalate to dangerous, destructive behavior in an |
| biting reflex. | | | | adult dog. |
| Proper socialization has other benefits as well, | | | | Connie Limon is a professional shih tzu breeder in |
| including teaching the shih tzu dog to not be fearful | | | | Indiana. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A |
| of other dogs, and to work off their excess energy. | | | | professional newsletter with a focus upon health and |
| Shih tzu puppies that are allowed to play with other | | | | wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu |
| shih tzu puppies learn important socialization skills | | | | puppies are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: |
| generally learn to become better members of their | | | | This article is FREE to publish with resource box. |