Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Shih Tzus Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Shih Tzus Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Shih Tzus Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Shih Tzus Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Shih Tzus Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Shih Tzus Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Shih Tzus Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Shih Tzus Easy to Train?
- Do Shih Tzus Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Shih Tzus Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Shih Tzus have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Shih Tzus Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Shih Tzus Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Shih Tzus Playful? What is the Energy Level of Shih Tzus
- Conclusion on Shih Tzu Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Shih Tzu
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Shih Tzu out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Shih Tzu based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Shih Tzu breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Shih Tzu by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Shih Tzu.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Shih Tzu for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Shih Tzu.
The summary table below shows the score of the Shih Tzu for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Dog Directed Fear | 60.0 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 54.5 percent |
| Energy Level | 48.3 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 47.5 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 46.0 percent |
| Stubbornness | 45.4 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 40.8 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 36.4 percent |
| Excitability | 34.2 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 32.4 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 28.9 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 27.9 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 23.6 percent |
| Prey Drive | 10.7 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Shih Tzu`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Shih Tzu, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Shih Tzu.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Shih Tzus Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Shih Tzus are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks low for aggression towards strangers.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 91 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 23.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | Boston Terrier | 25.5 % |
| 89 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 25.4 % |
| 90 | Pug | 23.7 % |
| 91 | Shih Tzu | 23.6 % |
| 92 | Tibetan Terrier | 23.5 % |
| 93 | Pointer | 23.5 % |
| 94 | Norwegian Elkhound | 23.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Shih Tzus Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Shih Tzus are very much aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks very high for aggression towards its owner.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 24 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has an owner-directed-aggression score of 32.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much owner-aggressive just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Bearded Collie | 34.5 % |
| 22 | Pomeranian | 33.6 % |
| 23 | Jack Russell Terrier | 32.5 % |
| 24 | Shih Tzu | 32.4 % |
| 25 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 32.3 % |
| 26 | English Bulldog | 31.9 % |
| 27 | Yorkshire Terrier | 30.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Shih Tzus Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Shih Tzus are a little bit aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 95 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a dog-directed aggression score of 28.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit dog-aggressive just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Ibizan Hound | 29.4 % |
| 93 | Scottish Terrier | 29.3 % |
| 94 | Portuguese Water Dog | 29.2 % |
| 95 | Shih Tzu | 28.9 % |
| 96 | Great Pyrenees | 28.8 % |
| 97 | Havanese | 28.5 % |
| 98 | Bichon Frise | 28.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Shih Tzus Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Shih Tzus are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks average for fear of strangers.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a stranger-directed-fear score of 27.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Chinook | 29.5 % |
| 60 | Weimaraner | 28.8 % |
| 61 | Australian Kelpie | 28.3 % |
| 62 | Shih Tzu | 27.9 % |
| 63 | Standard Schnauzer | 27.6 % |
| 64 | Belgian Sheepdog | 27.6 % |
| 65 | Irish Water Spaniel | 27.6 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Shih Tzus Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Shih Tzus are very much fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks very high for fear of other dogs.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 16 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a dog-directed-fear score of 60.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much other-dog-fearful just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Italian Greyhound | 61.7 % |
| 14 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 60.7 % |
| 15 | Tibetan Terrier | 60.3 % |
| 16 | Shih Tzu | 60.0 % |
| 17 | French Bulldog | 59.6 % |
| 18 | Poodle (Miniature) | 59.5 % |
| 19 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 59.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Shih Tzus Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Shih Tzus are quite a bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks high for non-social fear.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 32 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a nonsocial-fear score of 46.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | 48.0 % |
| 30 | Border Collie | 47.9 % |
| 31 | Old English Sheepdog | 46.4 % |
| 32 | Shih Tzu | 46.0 % |
| 33 | Basenji | 46.0 % |
| 34 | Dachshund | 45.3 % |
| 35 | Bichon Frise | 44.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Shih Tzus Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus are somewhat competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks average on dog rivalry.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 67 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a dog-rivalry score of 36.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat competition-driven just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | Rottweiler | 38.2 % |
| 65 | Shetland Sheepdog | 38.0 % |
| 66 | Akita | 36.9 % |
| 67 | Shih Tzu | 36.4 % |
| 68 | Maltese | 35.4 % |
| 69 | Australian Shepherd | 34.5 % |
| 70 | Irish Setter | 34.4 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Shih Tzus Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Shih Tzus are a little bit easy to train.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks low for trainability.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 93 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the trainability of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a trainability score of 54.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit easy to train just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Maltese | 55.6 % |
| 91 | Irish Wolfhound | 55.3 % |
| 92 | Tibetan Terrier | 55.2 % |
| 93 | Shih Tzu | 54.6 % |
| 94 | Siberian Husky | 54.3 % |
| 95 | Cairn Terrier | 54.1 % |
| 96 | Bichon Frise | 54.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Shih Tzu is and how the intelligence of the Shih Tzu affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Shih Tzu is.
Do Shih Tzus Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Shih Tzus are not into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks very low for small-pet-chasing.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 122 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a chasing score of 10.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are not into chasing after smaller pets just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Mastiff (English) | 18.2 % |
| 120 | Great Pyrenees | 14.3 % |
| 121 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 11.3 % |
| 122 | Shih Tzu | 10.7 % |
| 123 | Bulldog | 7.5 % |
| 124 | Pug | 0.0 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Shih Tzus Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Shih Tzus are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks average for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 57 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 54.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Border Collie | 55.0 % |
| 55 | German Shepherd | 54.9 % |
| 56 | Basenji | 54.7 % |
| 57 | Shih Tzu | 54.5 % |
| 58 | Lhasa Apso | 54.4 % |
| 59 | Irish Setter | 53.0 % |
| 60 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 52.7 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Shih Tzus have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Shih Tzus are quite a bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 43 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a separation anxiety score of 47.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Samoyed | 48.0 % |
| 41 | Pug | 47.8 % |
| 42 | French Bulldog | 47.7 % |
| 43 | Shih Tzu | 47.5 % |
| 44 | English Bulldog | 47.1 % |
| 45 | Pomeranian | 47.0 % |
| 46 | Italian Greyhound | 45.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Shih Tzus Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Shih Tzus are quite a bit touch-sensitive.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks high for touch sensitivity.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 28 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has a touch-sensitivity score of 40.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit touch-sensitive just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Dachshund | 42.9 % |
| 26 | Alaskan Malamute | 42.2 % |
| 27 | Pit Bull | 41.1 % |
| 28 | Shih Tzu | 40.8 % |
| 29 | Australian Cattle Dog | 40.0 % |
| 30 | Chinese Crested | 39.7 % |
| 31 | Alaskan Husky | 39.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Shih Tzus Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Shih Tzus are a little bit hyper (excitable).
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks low for excitability.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 95 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has an excitability score of 34.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit excitable just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Whippet | 36.2 % |
| 93 | Greyhound | 35.1 % |
| 94 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 35.0 % |
| 95 | Shih Tzu | 34.2 % |
| 96 | Great Dane | 33.0 % |
| 97 | Chinook | 32.7 % |
| 98 | Rottweiler | 32.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Shih Tzus Playful? What is the Energy Level of Shih Tzus
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Shih Tzus are a little bit energetic.
This is because the Shih Tzu ranks low for energy level.
The Shih Tzu ranks number 83 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 69 Shih Tzu owners reported on the temperament of their Shih Tzu in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Shih Tzu has an energy-level score of 48.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit energetic just like the Shih Tzu are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Samoyed | 51.0 % |
| 81 | Chihuahua | 50.3 % |
| 82 | Chinese Shar-Pei | 48.3 % |
| 83 | Shih Tzu | 48.3 % |
| 84 | Chinese Crested | 48.1 % |
| 85 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 47.6 % |
| 86 | Bouvier des Flandres | 47.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Shih Tzu Temperament
The temperament of your Shih Tzu comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Shih Tzu is exposed to.
You cannot change your Shih Tzu`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Shih Tzu to.
Exposing your Shih Tzu to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Shih Tzu to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Shih Tzu`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Shih Tzu.
If you think the Shih Tzu is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Shih Tzus cost and Shih Tzu puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Shih Tzu breeders in the United States and the prices of their Shih Tzu puppies.