The basic dog training collar goes by many names, including choke collar, choke chain, training collar, correction collar and slip collar. These training collars are among the most popular and most commonly used tools with both amateur and professional shih tzu and dog trainers.

While a training collar is an effective tool, like any tool it must be used properly in order to be effective for you and safe for the shih tzu. Among the most important considerations when using a training collar are:

How the collar fits the shih tzu. It is essential that the training collar be properly fitted to the shih tzu. A properly fitted training collar is easier to use and safer for the shih tzu.

Putting the training collar on properly. There is a right way and a wrong way to fit a training collar, and putting it on wrong will make it both ineffective and potentially dangerous.

Using the collar properly. A training collar should be used as a sharp reminder to the shih tzu, not as punishment. It is important that constant pressure be avoided when using a training collar.

The weight of the chain and the size of the links on the training collar. It is important that the weight of the chain be appropriate to the size and weight of the shih tzu.

The placement of the collar on the shih tzu. It is important to properly place the collar on the shih tzu.

The importance of a properly fitted training collar

Determining if the training collar is the right size is relatively easy. The ideal size training collar should fit snugly, yet comfortably over the shih tzu’s head. It is important that the training collar not fit too tightly, but it should not be too loose either. A training collar that is too tight will be too hard to put on and off. On the other hand, a training collar that is too loose can accidentally fall off of the shih tzu’s head when it lowers its head.

It is also important to know that a training collar that is too long for the shih tzu requires a great deal of finesse to use properly. A collar that is too long can still be used, but it will require more skill on the part of the handler.

Properly sizing and measure the shih tzu for a training collar
It is best to measure the shih tzu’s neck with a tape measure, then add 2 to 3 inches to that measurement. So if your shih tzu has a neck 12″ in diameter, you would want to buy a training collar that is 14″ in length. Chain slip collars are generally sized in two inch increments.

Fitting the collar properly

When fitting a training collar, the part of the chain which is connected to the leash should be on the top of the shih tzu’s neck. With this type of arrangement, the collar releases the instant the leash is loosened. Training collars work by making the collar tight and loose in a fast manner. Tightening the collar is the first part of the correction, and making it loose is the second part of the correction.

If the part of the training collar that is attached to the leash is not on the top of the shih tzu’s neck, the collar can still be made tight, but it will not release back to a loose state easily. This constant pressure on the shih tzu’s neck initiates a counter response on the part of the animal, and the shih tzu will quickly learn to pull and strain against the leash.

Finally, it is important to purchase a training collar that is well made and strong. Buying a high quality training collar, slip collar or choke collar is vital to the safety of yourself and your shih tzu.

If the worst happens, and your shih tzu’s training collar does break, it is important not to panic. Most shih tzu will be unaware that they have broken the collar, at least for a few minutes. In most cases, if you act as if the leash is still connected, you can probably get control of your shih tzu back quickly.

When securing a loose shih tzu, the best strategy is to make a quick slip lead by running the snap on the leash through its handle and then slipping it over the shih tzu’s head. It may not be the best arrangement, but it will certainly do in a pinch.

Connie Limon is a professional shih tzu breeder in Indiana. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

The head collar has become an increasingly popular dog training tool in the past couple of years. Two of the most well known brands of head collar on the market are the Gentle Leader and the Halti, but there are many other brands that incorporate the basic head collar concept.

Many people find the Gentle Leader easier to fit than the Halti, and in addition the Gentle Leader is designed to fasten around the shih tzu’s neck. The advantage of this design is that even if the shih tzu is somehow able to wriggle out of the muzzle, it is still wearing a collar. This safety feature is very important, especially during training outside or in novel situations. On the other hand, the Halti offers better control of the shih tzu.

Training a shih tzu with a head collar has a number of advantages over training with a traditional or training collar. For one thing, head collars are often easier to use for beginning dog trainers than are training collars. Head collars are also quite effective at preventing shih tzus from pulling, or controlling and retraining dogs that tend to pull.

Head collars can also be quite effective at controlling shih tzus in difficult situations, such as controlling a shih tzu that wants to be with other dogs. Most owners know of some situations in which their shih tzus are difficult to control, and head collars can be quite effective at controlling these volatile situations.

Head collars can be excellent for controlling dogs that are very strong, or for working with a shih tzu in an area that contains a great many distractions. For instance, head collars are great for when your shih tzu is on an outing, or in an area where there will be other dogs and other distractions.

Even though a head collar can be a great tool, it should not be used as a replacement for effective shih tzu training. A head collar is most effective when it is used in combination with strong and sensible shih tzu training methods, such as reward training and other forms of positive reinforcement.

Disadvantages of head collars
Even though head collars have many advantages, they have some distinct disadvantages as well. For one thing, head collars tend to make many shih tzu dependent on the equipment, and they quickly learn the difference between their regular collar and the head collar, and adjust their behavior accordingly.

In addition, some shih tzus, particularly those not accustomed to wearing a head collar, dislike wearing it and paw at it, try to rub it off or pull excessively. If your shih tzu exhibits this behavior, the best strategy is to keep it moving until it learns to accept the collar. A good alternative is to have the shih tzu sit by pulling up on the shih tzu’s head.

Another disadvantage of the head collar is the reaction that many people have to it. Many people think that a head collar is a muzzle, and react to the dog as if it may bite. While this is not necessarily a defect of the head collar, many people do find it troublesome.

In conclusion, training with a head collar is much like training with a training collar or any other equipment. While the head collar can be an important and useful tool, it is important to use it appropriately, follow all package instructions, and to combine its use with solid training methods. The eventual goal of shih tzu training with a head collar should be to have the shih tzu behave as well with a regular collar as it does with the specialized head collar.

Connie Limon is a professional shih tzu breeder in Indiana. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

[This article is the first in a 3-part series about changing
dog behavior using positive dog training methods.]

Be a leader, a dog will follow.

Hum, what does that mean?! Simply put, if you lead the
pack, your dog will follow you to the ends of the earth.
Some basic and easy adjustments in your dog training routine
can result in huge changes in dog behavior. The simple truth
is…dog behavior is a result of human behavior. That is,
your dog reacts to you. If you take the time to teach your
dog appropriate behavior, and you are consistent in
reinforcing it, your dog will work so hard to please you.
One key to changing and reinforcing new dog behavior is
using positive dog training methods. This article introduces
some basics in beginning to get some respect from your dog.

Dogs are pack animals, and they want a leader to tell them
what to do and what dog behavior is appropriate. If you
don’t step up as leader, your dog, no matter how big or
small or cute and fluffy, will take over as leader (not just
of other dogs, but of you, your spouse, your kids, the cats,
and anything else that moves and breathes). This is not the
ideal situation, as you can see from the following example.

The Franks are a real family where the dog runs the house.
King didn’t want the role of leader, but no human stepped up
as leader so he felt he had to. His “pack” consisted of dad,
mom, and two kids. Being leader was a big job–keeping track
of the pack, teaching them the rules (which King made up),
and enforcing the rules was a 24-hour job. He successfully
taught the family to stay away from his food and toys
(growling and snapping when they got too close), not to
disturb him if he was napping in main traffic areas like the
middle of the kitchen floor, that certain pieces of
furniture were his and his alone, and that he decided who
got to come into the house. The young boy became a playmate
whom he could nip and jump on; the older child and the
parents were there to care for him. Any infractions of these
“rules” were quickly and severely disciplined by King with
growling, biting, snapping, baring teeth.

If King’s household is like what you experience in your
family, we’ve got some gentle and positive dog training tips
to help you take back your leadership role.

Put these simple steps into your dog’s daily life and watch
the dog behavior changes. Each of these steps shows your dog
that YOU are the leader. Let’s start simple, with 3 very
basic and easy (for you) new dog training ideas. Once you’ve
mastered these, in the next article, I’ll introduce several
more.

1. Show me your tummy!

Make it a positive experience for your dog to roll over for
that yummy tummy rub. This submissive posture indicates a
deferment to your leadership.

2. Praise, praise praise!

Praise for being a good dog. Any dog behavior you like and
want to keep, praise it and give a small treat occasionally.
This focus on what you want is much more successful than a
focus on what you don’t want. No free treats or praise for
the dominant dog. If your dog wants to be petted, have him
sit first! Everyone wins and the dog is learning manners at
the same time.

3. Get out of the way!

A leader gets respect. For Scout, that means no lying in
high traffic areas (hallways, middle of living room or
kitchen), no sitting on your feet, and no refusing to move
out of the way. Gently scoot your feet in the direction you
want to go while using excited tones and waving your hands
to get him up and moving.

For a dog, trying to live with everyone “just getting along”
does not work. Dogs live in packs with hierarchies, not
democracies. Remember, no human leadership means Fifi will
take over and set the rules. It’s time for you to step into
the leader position. If you do, you will notice positive
changes in your dog’s behavior right away. You and your dog
will begin working as a team.

Be the leader–your dog will love you for it and you’ll be
surprised how hard he’ll work to please you.

Get started using these 3 tips and check back in a few weeks
for the next set of easy dog training steps for outstanding
dog behavior!

O’Neal Hendrix is a premier professional dog trainer in Atlanta, GA. For many years, she has “worked miracles” with dogs and their owners. Check out her dog training blog for her advice about everything dog!

Unfortunately, eliminating problem behaviors is one thing that most dog owners eventually face. This article will focus on a few of the most commonly encountered behavior problems.

Problem #1 - Jumping up on people

One of the most frequently cited problems with dogs is that of jumping up on people. Unfortunately, this is one of those behaviors that is often inadvertently encouraged by well meaning owners. After all, it is cute and adorable when that little 3 pound shih tzu puppy jumps up on you, your family members and your friends. Many people reward this behavior on the part of a small shih tzu puppy with kisses and treats.

This is a huge mistake, however, since that cute little shih tzu puppy may soon become a full grown shih tzu dog. Suddenly that cute jumping behavior is no longer quite so cute.

In addition to being annoying, jumping up on people can be dangerous as well. A large, heavy dog, jumping enthusiastically, can easily knock over a child or an older or handicapped adult. In today’s litigious society, such an incident could easily make you, as the shih tzu dog’s owner, the subject of an unwanted lawsuit.

The time to teach a shih tzu dog that jumping up on people is unacceptable is when he is still young and easy to handle. Retraining a shih tzu dog that has been allowed to jump up on people can be difficult for the owner, and confusing for the shih tzu dog.

When the shih tzu puppy tries to jump on you or another member of your family, gently but firmly place the shih tzu puppy’s feet back on the floor. After the shih tzu puppy is standing firmly on the floor, be sure to reward and praise him.

It is important for every member of the family, as well as frequently visiting friends, to understand this rule and follow it religiously. If one member of the family reprimands the shih tzu dog for jumping and another praises him, the shih tzu dog will be understandably confused. As with other dog training issues, consistency is the key to teaching the dog that jumping is always inappropriate.

When praising and rewarding the shih tzu dog for staying down, it is important for the trainer to get down on the shih tzu’s level. Giving affection and praise at eye level with the shih tzu puppy is a great way to reinforce the lesson.

Problem #2 - Pulling and tugging at the leash

Pulling on the leash is another problem trait that many shih tzu puppies pick up. Unfortunately, this behavior is also one that is sometimes encouraged by well meaning owners. Playing games like tug of war with the leash, or even with a rope (that can look like the leash to the dog) can unwittingly encourage a problem behavior.

The use of a quality body harness can be a big help when training a puppy not to pull, or retraining a shih tzu dog that has picked up the habit of pulling on the leash. Try training the shih tzu puppy to accept the body harness the same way it accepts the regular buckle collar.

When walking with your shih tzu dog, try using a lure or toy to encourage the shih tzu dog to remain at your side. A training collar, when properly used, can also be a good training tool for a problem dog. When using a training collar or choke chain, however, it is very important to fit it correctly, and to use a size that is neither too big nor too small for your shih tzu dog.

When walking with your shih tzu puppy, it is important to keep the leash loose at all times. If the shih tzu puppy begins to pull ahead, the handler should quickly change directions so that the shih tzu puppy fast finds itself falling behind. It is important to reverse directions before the shih tzu puppy has reached the end of the leash. The leash should stay loose except for the split second it takes the handler to reverse direction. It is important to use a quick tug, followed by an immediate slackening of the leash.

When training a shih tzu puppy, it is important to never let the shih tzu puppy pull you around. Training the shih tzu puppy to walk properly while he or she is still small enough to handle.

It is important not to yank or pull on the shih tzu puppy’s neck when correcting him. A gentle, steady pressure will work much better than a hard yank. The best strategy is to use the least amount of pressure possible to achieve the desired result.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Obedience training is one of the most important and most effective things any owner can do for his or her shih tzu. A properly obedience trained shih tzu is a happy, productive and safe member of the family, while a untrained shih tzu can be destructive and even dangerous.

Dogs are designed by nature to follow leaders, and to look for that leadership. As pack animals, shih tzu naturally follow the directions of their pack leader. In the absence of a strong leader, the shih tzu may assume this role itself. Shih tzu that think of themselves as the leader of their human pack can become uncooperative, destructive and even dangerous.

Proper obedience training opens up important lines of communication between handler and shih tzu. The basis of any obedience training program is to gain the cooperation and respect of the animal. This respect cannot be exerted through rough handling methods or mistreatment. It must instead be earned through leadership and proper training techniques.

Basic obedience training consists of teaching the shih tzu what to do and what not to do. When it comes to desired behaviors, it is important for the shih tzu to learn and respond to basic commands, such as heeling when walking, stopping on command, sitting when directed, coming when called and staying where the handler directs.

The list of what not to do is also important when it comes to obedience training. Some of the don’ts of obedience training include - not jumping up on people, not forging ahead when walking and, not chewing the furniture or your property, and not getting out of control when exposed to novel situations.

In essence, obedience training involves establishing the social hierarchy that is so important to shih tzu as pack animals. When your shih tzu follows your obedience commands, such as - come, stay, sit, heel, etc., he or she is showing compliance and submissiveness. This is the same type of behavior a submissive member of a wild dog pack would show to the alpha dog in that pack.

As with any type of dog training, it is important that obedience training sessions be fun and rewarding for both shih tzu and handler. A happy, healthy shih tzu will be best able to learn, and keeping the shih tzu happy during the training sessions will make life easier for both yourself and your shih tzu. Obedience training has many benefits for the shih tzu as well as the handler. For one thing, a well trained, obedient shih tzu can be permitted a larger amount of freedom than an untrained shih tzu. For instance, a shih tzu that has been properly trained to come when called can safely enjoy some off leash play time at the local park.

There is always a debate over whether it is easier to obedience train puppies or older dogs. The fact is that both shih tzu puppies and older shih tzu can be successfully trained to be willing, obedient companions. It is generally easier to train shih tzu puppies and young shih tzu than it is to retrain shih tzu that have developed behavior problems. Even problem shih tzu, however, can be successfully retrained using basic obedience training and control concepts.

When obedience training shih tzu puppies, however, it is important to remember that shih tzu puppies generally have a shorter attention span than do full grown shih tzu. It is important, therefore to keep training sessions short in the beginning. It is also important to incorporate lots of play with other shih tzu puppies, dogs and other animals, as well as lots of different people. Proper socialization is very important to creating a safe, healthy and happy companion shih tzu.

There are many obedience training classes held in all parts of the country, and new shih tzu puppy and shih tzu owners are encouraged to enroll in one of these classes. Not only do shih tzu puppy kindergarten and shih tzu obedience classes provide important structure for the shih tzu, but it provides important chances for properly socialization the shih tzu puppy as well.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com