Barking – Controlling your Shih-Tzu
Barking is a Shih-Tzu’s way of communicating with the world, but when your puppy has a lot to say it can become problematic. Not only can your puppy’s barking excessively bother you, but it can be disruptive to your neighbors and company. Nobody wants to be the person with the annoying puppy, but stopping your puppy from barking at everything and everyone can be difficult. Training your puppy to bark less requires a great deal of patience and perseverance, but it is possible.
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Responding to a Shih-Tzu’s excessive barking much like responding to a child's temper tantrum will only reinforce the behavior. If your puppy is outside barking like a maniac and you go out and bring him in, your reinforcing in his mind that he should bark like that when he wants something. That being, said you cannot leave your puppy to bark and just ignore it.
When your puppy starts to bark, get their attention and use the command quiet in a calm low tone. When your puppy complies, praise him immediately. The repeated use of this practice will teach your puppy that you are happy when they respond to the quiet command by stopping their barking. It's really no different then sit, stay, roll over or teaching your puppy to go the bathroom outside. It takes time, but Shih-Tzu’s live to please and they can be taught to obey commands when given. You can even practice this command by having someone knock on your door and then going through the motions with your puppy. Repetition typically helps puppies to learn, so practice usually makes perfect.
Another way to break your Shih-Tzu of excessive barking is to make sure they are adequately stimulated. Take your Shih-Tzu for walks to help them burn off some of their pent up. Walking them also helps to alleviate boredom and it fulfills their need for exploration. Playing with your Shih-Tzu and spending an adequate amount of attention with them daily also helps reduce barking. If your Shih-Tzu already has your attention, they will not feel the need to bark as often. Regular interaction and play also helps to reduce boredom, which in turn reduces barking.
It should never be a goal to completely eliminate barking. People talk and puppies bark, that is how they communicate. The goal of bark training should only be to control excessive barking that is disturbing your household or neighbors.
