How to Stop a Shih Tzu Barking
All dogs will have issues with barking. They tend to bark to communicate how they are feeling and what they want. Some dogs bark more then others, however. The Shih Tzu can be over bearing with their barking. When a Shih Tzu is brought into a new home, they will bark and yelp constantly. They do this because they are frightened of their new surroundings and are wanting the attention of their parent or another animal. This barking can be remedied, but it takes work and needs to be done right away. Fixing this issue can also be difficult, not only for the puppy, but for the owner as well. The owner will want to scoop up the pet and calm it down, but this sets a bad president for future learning.
Click Here To Solve Your Dogs Behavior Problems Now!
One of the biggest issues that puppies have is a barking habit due to fear of being alone. Most puppies cannot stand to even be in a different room then their people. They are used to having their litter mates, as well as their mother, there with them at all times. Soothing the puppy when they begin this behavior can give the dog the impression that it is okay to bark constantly and loudly to get the attention that they want. The best way to handle to constant barking is to ignore it, if you can, without yelling at the puppy. They are only doing what is in their nature to do and reprimanding them can be detrimental to them.
Yelling at a puppy of any kind can cause your pet to become frightened of you and will not come to you. It is better to use an even tone and not reprimand the pet at all for barking. While you are trying to train your puppy independence around the house, you can use a teaching lead. This will allow the dog to maintain a close distance to you and still be free to move around on its own. If you have to leave the house, try not to leave them alone for too long a period of time to start out. Do it gradually, leaving for longer periods of time each trip. This will slowly get them used to the idea of you being away. When you do leave, do not pet and talk sweetly to your dog as a form of comforting them. This will only add to the confusion for the pet. They will begin to associate the action of petting and talking sweetly to them as meaning that you are going to leave them. Also, do not do it when you come back. It can be equally as confusing.
The best technique for curbing the barking Shih Tzu is the squirt bottle method. When the dog begins to bark when you leave its side, squirt it with a quick shot of water and it will startle it and divert its attention from barking. It also works for barking at inopportune moments. If you want your Shih Tzu to still warn of an approaching person at the door, you can use a method similar with the “quiet” command and treats. However, a barking Shih Tzu is a difficult thing to contend with. They are very stubborn and it takes a lot of work. However, in the end, your neighbors will thank you.
