FluffyWA

Positive training · From eight weeks

Shih Tzu Puppy Training Manual

From 8 Weeks

Shih Tzu: offer the brush, pause often and build cooperative grooming through consent.

29 chapters · English / 中文

Watercolour illustration of a Shih Tzu puppy sitting on a grooming mat while a human offers a brush for cooperative grooming
Shih Tzu: offer the brush, pause often and build cooperative grooming through consent.

Breed profile

Training group
Toy and companion dogs
Origin
The Shih Tzu originated in China as a court companion dog.
Weight
4–7 kg
Coat
Long double coat
Coat care
Condition brushing, combing and eye-area handling through small voluntary steps so coat care and cleaning do not become recurring forced conflict.
Drive keywords
Living closely with people · Sensitivity · Playful engagement
Handling practice
Separate long-double-coat care into presentation of the tool, body-area touch and one easy brush or comb stroke, followed by a marker, reward and release. · Condition eye-area handling without restraint: approach, brief touch or cleaning motion, marker, reward and release before the puppy turns away; consult a veterinarian about any health concern.

General reference range only; individual dogs vary considerably.

Predictability lowers arousal

The first week: daily rhythm

Move the times to fit your household; preserve the order and the ratio of awake time to sleep.

Example rhythm for an eight-week-old puppy
TimeWhat happens
06:30Wake and toilet
Before greeting or play, carry a small puppy directly to the chosen toilet spot.
06:35Breakfast
Use part of the meal for name response and calm four-paws-on-floor reinforcement.
06:45–07:00Calm awake time
Five to fifteen minutes of sniffing, chewing or gentle handling.
07:00–09:00Protected sleep
One to two hours of rest in the crate.
09:00Toilet
Go immediately after release from the crate.
09:05Micro-training
Train for two minutes, then allow five to fifteen minutes of supervised activity.
09:25–11:00Protected sleep
Keep visitors, children and household traffic away from the rest area.
11:00Toilet, water and meal
Offer the next meal if following a multi-meal puppy plan, then keep activity calm.
11:30–13:30Protected sleep
One to two hours of uninterrupted rest.
13:30–17:30Repeat the cycle
Toilet, a two-minute lesson or brief activity, then sleep; toilet after drinking, play and every crate release.
17:30Evening meal
Use part of the ration for name work, followed by toileting and quiet family time.
18:00–20:30Short awake periods
Alternate brief activity with naps; do not turn the evening into continuous play.
22:00–22:30Final toilet
Settle the crate beside the bed after the final toilet trip.
OvernightQuiet toilet if needed
Take the puppy out without play or conversation, then return directly to the bedroom crate.

Do not do these things in the first week

Introduce family members in this order

  1. Children Ask the child to sit on the floor. No chasing, picking up, hugging or crowding; an adult controls the distance.
  2. Resident dogs Meet outdoors on neutral ground, then begin with a calm parallel walk before entering the home.
  3. Cats Maintain secure separation and prevent every chase rehearsal. If the breed profile requires professional cat or small-animal compatibility assessment, do not progress to visual or direct exposure yourself; the qualified professional sets the plan. The cat must always have an exit route.

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