How to Teach a Shih Tzu to Leave It
Teaching your Shih Tzu to "leave it" is essential impulse control training that protects against food-related accidents and hazardous objects. Shih Tzus are charming and playful, but their moderate trainability (3/5) and inherent stubbornness mean they'll test boundaries, especially around tempting items. This breed thrives on positive reinforcement and struggles with repetitive, harsh corrections—making "leave it" particularly challenging yet crucial. Since Shih Tzus are prone to separation anxiety and can fixate on objects or treats, developing strong impulse control reduces stress and keeps them safe. With consistent, reward-based practice and patience for their independent nature, you'll build a reliable "leave it" command that works in real-world situations around your home.
Step-by-step
- 1
Start with High-Value Rewards
Identify treats your Shih Tzu loves more than anything else—tiny, soft pieces work best for this toy breed's small mouth. Hold a treat closed in your hand and let them sniff and lick, rewarding them immediately when they pull away with an even better treat from your other hand. This establishes that ignoring temptation earns premium rewards.
- 2
Introduce the 'Leave It' Cue
Once your Shih Tzu consistently backs away from your closed hand, say 'leave it' the moment they disengage, then immediately give the bigger reward. Repeat this 10–15 times in short 5-minute sessions, as Shih Tzus have limited focus spans and can become bored with repetition. Keep sessions fun and upbeat to combat their tendency to tune out.
- 3
Progress to Open-Handed Treats
Advance to placing a lower-value treat in your open palm, covering it with your other hand if needed. Say 'leave it,' and reward heavily when they ignore the treat on your hand. This step is critical because their playful, food-motivated nature makes open temptation harder to resist.
- 4
Practice with Objects and Hazards
Place a toy or dropped treat on the floor a few feet away. Use 'leave it' as they approach, then immediately redirect them to you with a reward and praise. Gradually decrease the distance and duration until they reliably bypass objects. This mirrors real-life scenarios where you need quick response to hazards.
- 5
Build Distance and Duration
Practice 'leave it' at varying distances and with your Shih Tzu learning to hold the command while you walk past tempting items. Their separation anxiety means they'll want to follow you constantly—use this to your advantage by rewarding them for staying focused on you instead of the forbidden object. Extend duration gradually from seconds to minutes.
- 6
Test in Real-World Situations
Introduce 'leave it' during walks, in the kitchen, and around dropped food to generalize the behavior. Shih Tzus are stubborn and may revert to old habits in new environments, so patience and consistent rewards are essential. If they struggle, return to earlier steps rather than punishing them.
- 7
Troubleshoot Common Stumbles
If your Shih Tzu ignores the command, don't repeat it loudly (they tune out nagging). Instead, calmly redirect them, back up to an easier step, and increase reward value. Their charming nature sometimes masks willful disobedience—stay firm but kind, avoiding frustration that damages your bond.
Pro tips
- Keep training sessions to 5–10 minutes max: Shih Tzus have moderate trainability and bore easily, so short, frequent sessions prevent tuning-out and maintain their engagement better than long repetitive drills.
- Use ultra-small, soft treats (pea-sized pieces) to avoid overfeeding this toy breed and to reward faster, keeping momentum in training and rewarding their quick response rather than chewy treats that slow things down.
- Practice daily in your home before adding distractions: Shih Tzus struggle with impulse control around food and fixate on objects, so a solid foundation indoors makes generalization to walks and new environments far more successful.
Frequently asked questions
My Shih Tzu sometimes ignores 'leave it' and lunges for food. Is this normal?+
Yes, this is very common in Shih Tzus due to their moderate trainability and independent streak. If they're lunging, you're likely moving too fast. Return to easier steps with higher-value rewards, keep sessions shorter (Shih Tzus tire mentally quickly), and avoid practicing when they're very hungry, which overwhelms their impulse control.
How often should I practice this command?+
Practice 2–3 short sessions daily (5–10 minutes each) to work with their limited attention span. Consistency matters more than duration. A Shih Tzu will regress if training is sporadic, so daily reinforcement is crucial despite their stubborn nature.
What if my Shih Tzu gets anxious during training and shuts down?+
Shih Tzus are prone to separation anxiety and stress. If they seem withdrawn, stop the session immediately and take a break. Use only positive reinforcement—never scold them. Keep the environment calm, use their favorite reward, and make training feel like playtime, not a test.
Will my Shih Tzu ever be 100% reliable with 'leave it'?+
Realistically, Shih Tzus are stubborn and food-motivated, so 90% reliability in familiar environments is excellent. Always supervise around serious hazards or high-value items. Real-world temptations (fallen pizza, squirrels) may occasionally override training, so management and prevention remain your best tools.