Shih Tzu: offer the brush, pause often and build cooperative grooming through consent.
29 chapters · English / 中文
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.
16
Quality, choice and recovery
Socialisation, done safely
Socialisation does not mean “see as much as possible.” It means creating pleasant or neutral associations at low intensity. One intense fright can undermine multiple good experiences.
Three golden rules
Distance is the volume controlBegin far enough away that the puppy can still eat.
Choice remains with the puppyThe puppy may approach or move away; never block the exit route.
Appetite, body language and recovery show intensity togetherFood acceptance, soft body language and prompt recovery together suggest the level may be manageable. Refusing food means lower the intensity immediately.
The socialisation wheel covers PEOPLE, DOGS, SOUNDS, SURFACES, GROOMING and VET VISITS.
The 60-item socialisation checklist
Complete each item at the puppy’s pace; blank fields are for the first date, reaction score and notes
Item
First date
Reaction score 1–5
Notes
People · 10 items
Sounds · 10 items
Surfaces & environments · 10 items
Objects & movement · 10 items
Animals · 10 items
These rows are management prompts, not invitations to test pursuit on live animals. Keep every specified barrier, lead and distance in place. If the breed profile requires professional cat or small-animal compatibility assessment, keep those animals securely separated and leave the row untested and unscored until the qualified professional directs the plan.
Handling & situations · 10 items
3seconds
PET 3 SECONDS = touch gently for three seconds; PAUSE = remove the hand; MORE PLEASE = the puppy chooses to return for more.
Training with FluffyWA
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