Crate Train Shitzus
Shih Tzus are wonderful family pets with a lot of energy, personality and intelligence. They are, however, prone to separation anxiety, which can prove to be stressful for the owner as well as the dog. The key to successfully crate training a Shih Tzu is a combination of education, preparation and consistency. These elements create a positive attitude from you and an overall positive experience for you and your dog.
Instructions
1. If you own a Shih Tzu, you have probably already done your homework on the breed. If so, you've also discovered that no two Shih Tzu are alike and they don't always conform to breed "standards." Because their temperaments and personalities vary so much, you may not be able to tell right away how your Shih Tzu will respond to being crated. For that reason, it is always better to err on the side of caution and approach the process slowly and methodically. The single most important thing you offer is consistency. Without it, your dog will certainly take much longer to grow accustomed to being crated and may, in fact, never truly come to see his crate as his very own safe, comfortable and temporary space.
2. Secondly, prepare with the proper equipment. Buy the proper size crate and comfortable bedding. A crate should give enough space for your dog to easily stand, turn around with room to spare and lay down comfortably. A crate that is too small can generate a lot of anxiety, whereas a crate that is much too big can be overwhelming and also create anxiety. The bedding doesn't have to be plush and expensive but it should be very comfortable and easy to clean. All dogs are territorial to some degree, so a crate that offers her a feeling of personal space should bring comfort to her, not distress. With that in mind, if the crate environment is comfortable your Shih Tzu will naturally be more likely to accept it as a positive space that belongs to her.
3. In the introduction of crating, it is important to define an absolute schedule for crating your Shih Tzu. As an example, after breakfast and outside time, plan to crate for 20 minutes. Without fanfare or over-excitement, let your dog out of the crate and immediately take him outside. This is especially important if you are introducing crate training and housebreaking together. Go about your normal routine and interact with your dog in the same way you normally would. Crate again for 20 minutes after lunch, dinner and at bedtime. After a week, you can increase the time by five to 10 minutes, if you have the need to do so. If you dog is crying while crated and you simply cannot ignore it, put on some soft music or use earplugs. You are not harming your little friend. You are teaching him a sense of security in his new space and self-discipline. This is no more or less than you would require from a child.
4. Always leave the door of the crate open when your dog isn't in it. You may find that she enters her crate on her own from time to time. Again, don't praise her or reward her. You want her interaction with her crate to be as natural as possible. Don't load up the crate with toys and snacks. You don't want your Shih Tzu to think the crate is a game of goodies. Slowly but surely, you're giving her a place that she can go to for relaxing and self-comfort. This is especially helpful to your dog when you have company with small children or a lot of excitement going on.
5. A trait you should watch for among Shih Tzu is separation anxiety. These little dogs are very quickly and deeply attached to their owner. Being separated can cause a great deal of stress for the dog, and the results can mean destructive behavior that is completely out of character as well as physical anxiety. When crate training your Shih Tzu, keep in mind that you do not want to instigate unnecessary anxiety. A gradual, consistent approach is required. Be prepared to slow down, be patient, and above all, make the time to be thoroughly consistent. If you feel that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, you should consult your veterinarian for professional advice and treatment.
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