| Bringing a new shih tzu puppy into the household is | | | | While this socialization is taking place, the pack |
| always an exciting and fun time. Everyone wants to | | | | hierarchy should quickly become apparent. There will |
| play with, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur. The last | | | | be some shih tzu puppies who are ultra submissive, |
| thing on the minds of most new shih tzu puppy | | | | rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the |
| owners is training the new addition, but it is important | | | | slightest provocation. Other shih tzu puppies in the |
| that shih tzu puppy training and socialization begin as | | | | class will be dominant, ordering the other shih tzu |
| early as possible. | | | | puppies around and telling them what to do. Watching |
| Socializing a new shih tzu puppy is a vital part of any | | | | the shih tzu puppies play, and determining what type of |
| training program, and it is important for socialization to | | | | personality traits your shih tzu puppy has, will be very |
| begin early. The window for socialization is very short, | | | | valuable in determining the best way to proceed with |
| and a shih tzu puppy that is not properly socialized to | | | | more advanced training. |
| people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she | | | | As the socialization process proceeds, of course, it will |
| is four months old often never develops the | | | | be necessary to introduce the shih tzu puppy to all |
| socialization he or she needs to become a good | | | | sorts of humans as well as all sorts of shih tzu |
| canine citizen. | | | | puppies. Fortunately, the puppy kindergarten class |
| Learning how to interact with other shih tzu is | | | | makes this process quite easy, since every puppy |
| something that normally would occur between | | | | gets to interact with every human. It is important that |
| littermates. However, since most shih tzu are removed | | | | the shih tzu puppy be exposed to men, and women, |
| from their mothers so soon, this littermate socialization | | | | old people and children, black people and white people. |
| often does not finish properly. | | | | Dogs do not see every human as the same. To a dog, |
| One vital lesson shih tzu puppies learn from their | | | | a man and a woman are completely different animals. |
| littermates and from the mother shih tzu is how to bite, | | | | It is also important to introduce the shih tzu puppy to a |
| and how not to bite. Shih tzu puppies naturally | | | | variety of other animals, especially in a multi pet |
| roughhouse with each other, and their thick skin | | | | household. Introducing the shih tzu puppy to friendly |
| protects them from most bites. However, when one | | | | cats is important, as are introductions to other animals |
| shih tzu puppy bites too hard, the other shih tzu | | | | the shih tzu puppy may encounter, such as rabbits, |
| puppies, or the mother shih tzu, will quickly reprimand | | | | guinea pigs and the like. If your household contains a |
| him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until | | | | more exotic creature, it is important to introduce the |
| he submits. | | | | shih tzu puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in |
| The best way to socialize your shih tzu puppy is to | | | | a way that is safe for both animals. |
| have it play with lots of other shih tzu puppies. It is also | | | | It is often best to start by introducing the shih tzu |
| fine for the shih tzu puppy to play with a few adult shih | | | | puppy to the smell of the other animal. This can be |
| tzu dogs, as long as they are friendly and well | | | | easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals |
| socialized. Many communities have puppy playschool | | | | bedding, like a towel or bed liner, near where the shih |
| and puppy kindergarten classes. These classes can be | | | | tzu puppy sleeps. Once the shih tzu puppy is |
| a great way to socialize any puppy, and for handler | | | | accustomed to the smell of the other creature, he or |
| and shih tzu puppy alike to learn some basic | | | | she is much more likely to accept the animal as just |
| obedience skills. | | | | another member o the family. |
| When socializing shih tzu puppies, it is best to let them | | | | Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a |
| play on their own and work out their own issues when | | | | FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter |
| it comes to appropriate roughness of play. The only | | | | with a focus upon health and wellness for you and |
| time the owners should step in is if one shih tzu puppy | | | | your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign |
| is hurting another, or if a serious fight breaks out. Other | | | | up at: |
| than that the owners should simply stand back and | | | | This article is FREE to publish with resource box. |
| watch their shih tzu puppies interact. | | | | |