I took care of two for a friend this weekend and they acted like they didn't even know their names.
2007-11-12 08:03:48 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had one and she was very stubborn.. Couldn't train her at all.. But I still loved her..
2007-11-12 08:12:24 · answer #1 · answered by boohoo1964 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, it's "Shih tzu"
Yes, they are just loveable little emergency backup dogs. They give new meaning to the phrase "ignorance is bliss".
I've trained a lot of dogs, and bred dogs, and raised dogs. We currently have a Shih Tzu (among others). He's incredibly lovable but not trainable for beans. You could get them to do some basic stuff but if you want a highly-trained dog, this is not the breed to be working with.
That said, I'd still buy more Shih Tzus. They are fun. A little brainless, but fun and loveable.
2007-11-12 16:13:34 · answer #2 · answered by T J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Typically Shitz Zu are difficult, but definitely not the hardest. There are many other breeds, such as beagles and many of the scenthounds that are more difficult, as they are bred to focus and not let up on a scent or other animal, and getting them to refocus is very difficult.
Any dog can be trained, some just take longer than others. As for the 2 you were watching, my guess is that they just have not been trained, not because they can't be, just the owner didn't have the time to do anything with them.
2007-11-12 16:09:02 · answer #3 · answered by rjn529 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a Shih-tzu but, he's mixed with Poodle. Before I got him I did research on the traits of dogs so I'd end up with one compatible with me. He was not difficult to train at all. I taught him to ring a bell to go potty; and he's very obedient.
They are a little high strung though. I read somewhere that they were historically like jesters for Chinese royalty back in the day; so that could be why they're so playful and jumpy.
My Shih-Poo is adorable; wouldn't trade him for the world.
2007-11-12 16:19:44 · answer #4 · answered by LA 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That may be the way they were raised - my sister got a rescue that didn't know his name, ANY words (like dinner or walk) or in fact that pleasing a human could be in any way rewarding... It was a trial but he became a competent agility dog.
By the way the "intelligence of dogs" list of difficult to train dog puts the Basenji and the Afghan hound last IE: hardest to train
2007-11-12 17:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know they are difficult to train but they arent terriers. I was reminded today that the dog I take through agility is a Bull Terrier not a Bull Retriever, she made me look like an idiot all because I wouldnt let her on the dog walk XD Dogs with smarts are probably the hardest.
2007-11-12 16:14:35 · answer #6 · answered by Ariana, <3 Deaf Dogs 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a 6 yr old Shitsu.He is definetely not going to Harvard on a scholarship.His I.Q.is lower than the temperature in the winter in Buffalo,NY. I must agree they are not the smartest dogs,but they are loveable and good around people.My dog has the greatest personality I could turn him inside out and not a peep out of him.Our family loves him and thats that!!!
2007-11-12 16:18:04 · answer #7 · answered by angelguide 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 5mth old Shih Tzu and she has been a doddle to train, yes, maybe just the basic stuff to date, but I can say with heart on hand she was easier to train than a border collie I had years ago, he was just a lovable oaf all his life, but my little Shih knows more in 5mth than the Border Collie ever did in all his dotty life, bless him, just goes to show, there are always exeptions to the rule in all breeds
2007-11-12 17:35:13 · answer #8 · answered by ♥ HOPE ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say they are the hardest to train, but they can be difficult. There are many other breeds that are more difficult. As said before, scent hounds can be very hard to train because of their natural instinct to smell and you have to refocus them when they find a scent and that's not very easy, at least that's how it was when I trained my dachshund.
2007-11-12 16:15:21 · answer #9 · answered by Dachshund gal? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I have a Shih Tzu and I really love her a lot. That's a really good thing, because she hits her puppy pads about 90% of the time. My daughter has one, too, and she does worse than mine. Our joke is that it's a good thing they're sweet and give lots of kisses, otherwise no one would ever keep one with them using the potty all over your house.
2007-11-12 16:12:51 · answer #10 · answered by tatumsmom 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends what techniques the person uses to train the dog. All dogs are fairly easy to train depending on the age.
2007-11-12 16:08:21 · answer #11 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋