Shih Tzus are affectionate, confident little dogs who genuinely seem to believe they are royalty, which, as ancient Chinese palace companions, they once were. Most training problems with the breed come from two sources: the genuinely difficult house training, and owners who pamper the dog into demanding behaviors. Treat a Shih Tzu like a real dog and it is a delight; spoil it without structure and it becomes a tiny tyrant. Here are the seven mistakes that cause the most trouble, and what to do instead.
1. Giving up on house training
This is the breed's hardest skill and the number-one complaint, because small bladders plus pickiness make Shih Tzus slow to house-train, and many owners conclude it is impossible. It is not; it is a consistency problem. A strict schedule, frequent outings, heavy rewards for success, and four to six months of patience produces a house-trained Shih Tzu, with indoor pads as a reasonable backup.
2. Treating them as accessories
Shih Tzus invite pampering, but a dog that is carried everywhere and never given structure becomes demanding and sometimes reactive. Owners charmed by the looks forget the dog underneath. Treat your Shih Tzu like a real dog with real training, let it walk and explore on its own feet, and provide structure, because pampering without boundaries reliably creates a tiny tyrant.
3. Punishing house-training accidents
Scolding a Shih Tzu for an accident teaches it to hide elimination, often behind furniture, which makes house training dramatically harder. Owners who punish out of frustration make the problem worse. Never punish accidents; clean up calmly, and focus all your energy on heavily rewarding success outside, so the dog learns that going in the right place is what pays.
4. Using harsh methods
Despite the confident attitude, Shih Tzus are sensitive and shut down under pressure, and harsh corrections produce a fearful or stubborn dog. Owners who try to be firm misjudge a soft-natured breed. Reward-based training, with warmth and good treats, is the only effective approach, so keep your tone gentle and make cooperation worthwhile, and the dog responds willingly.
5. Over-exercising in heat
The Shih Tzu's flat-ish face means some breathing restriction and heat sensitivity, and owners who over-exercise it, especially in warm weather, risk overheating. The airway cannot cool the body efficiently. Keep activity moderate and in cool conditions, watch for heavy panting, and never push a Shih Tzu in heat or humidity, treating breathing safety as a genuine priority.
6. Allowing demand behaviors
The companion-royalty heritage means Shih Tzus will demand attention, food, and lap time if rewarded, and demand barking, pawing, and whining install fast. Owners who give in reinforce them. Do not respond to demands; reward calm, settled behavior instead, ask for a simple behavior before giving attention, and the same affectionate dog stays well-mannered rather than bossy.
7. Skipping socialization
Under-socialized Shih Tzus become wary, sometimes snappy, and may bark excessively at strangers and other dogs. Owners who shelter the puppy assume the small dog needs little exposure. Socialize heavily during the critical window of 8 to 16 weeks, introducing new people, dogs, and places positively, and you produce a confident, friendly adult rather than a defensive one.
What works with Shih Tzus
The breed is delightful when trained with patience and gentle consistency: commit to the house-training schedule, provide structure alongside affection, never punish accidents, socialize early, and use reward-based methods. The common thread is treating a pampered companion as a real dog, and do this and you have a charming, well-mannered companion.
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Related: How to Train a Shih Tzu · Recall Training · Barking Solutions