Shih Tzu Not Listening: A Practical, Step-by-Step Fix for Attention and Obedience

Introduction: Quick roadmap to fix a shih tzu who is not listening

If your Shih Tzu walks away when you call, that frustration is normal and fixable. Many owners type "shih tzu not listening" into search because their dog ignores cues, gets distracted, or treats training like optional advice. The good news, you do not need hours of work or professional equipment.

I will show simple, practical steps you can use today to build attention and obedience. Think short, frequent sessions, super rewarding treats, and one consistent cue for name and recall. Start with a 5 minute attention game indoors, progress to impulse control exercises like "wait" at doorways, then practice recall with high value rewards outside. Measure success, increase challenge gradually, and repeat daily. Follow this roadmap and you will see real results in weeks, not months.

Why your shih tzu may not be listening

If your shih tzu is not listening, the problem is usually one of four things, not attitude. First, attention span. Shih tzus get bored fast, so short 3 to 5 minute training bursts work better than marathon sessions. Test it: call their name in a quiet room, wait two seconds, reward when they look. If they fail, shorten the session and up the reward.

Second, motivation. Low value treats equal low compliance. Use tiny soft treats, a favorite toy, or a quick game of tug as reinforcement. Timing matters, reward within one second of the behavior.

Third, inconsistent rules. If Mom says sit and Dad says down for the same action, the dog will be confused. Pick one cue per behavior, teach the whole household, and stick to it.

Fourth, misunderstood commands or hearing issues. Record yourself giving a cue, then replay it. If your pup flinches but does not obey, consider a vet hearing check. Also check your body language; dogs read motion as much as words.

Rule out health, age, and hearing issues

If your shih tzu not listening feels sudden or out of character, start with quick at home checks. For hearing, stand out of sight, snap your fingers, then use a soft toy and a louder call to compare reactions. If your dog reacts only to visual cues, hearing loss is likely. Look for ear redness, wax build up, head shaking or foul odor.

Pain can mimic stubbornness. Watch for limping, reluctance to climb, sudden biting when touched, changes in grooming, or sleepier than usual. Vision issues show as bumping into furniture, hesitancy on stairs, or cloudy eyes.

See a vet for sudden changes, persistent non responsiveness, obvious pain, or if your shih tzu is senior. The clinic can do proper ear exams, a BAER hearing test, and rule out age related cognitive decline.

Adopt the right training mindset

First, accept that fixing a shih tzu not listening is a process, not a single event. Consistency beats intensity every time. Do five short reward based training sessions a day, 3 to 5 minutes each, rather than one long session. Use the same cue word, the same hand signal, and the same reward so your dog learns reliably.

Timing is critical. Mark the exact moment your dog performs the behavior with a clicker or a short marker word like Yes, then deliver the treat within one second. If the reward is delayed, the connection is lost. Start with high value treats for attention and obedience, then slowly fade to lower value rewards and praise for everyday cues.

Stay patient, celebrate tiny wins, and avoid common mistakes such as yelling, changing rules between family members, or expecting overnight fixes. Reset rules immediately when you slip, and keep rewards fast and consistent.

Teach essential obedience cues every shih tzu must know

Sit, come, leave it, taught correctly, fixes most reasons a shih tzu not listening. Keep sessions short, 3 to 5 minutes, and train where distractions are minimal.

Sit: Step 1: hold a high value treat at nose level. Step 2: lift the treat up and back, say "sit" as their hips lower. Step 3: mark or say "yes" the instant they sit, reward within half a second. If they stand, lower the lure and try again from closer distance. Fade the lure after 10 to 15 reps.

Come: Step 1: attach a long line. Step 2: crouch, call their name then say "come" in an excited voice. Step 3: reward when all four paws reach you, not when they turn their head. If they bolt, go the other way to entice them toward you, then reward big, think chicken or cheese.

Leave it: Step 1: hold treat in a closed fist, present it, say "leave it" once. Step 2: wait for calm disengagement, mark and reward with a different treat. If they lunge, increase distance and lower treat value. Consistency, immediate rewards, and no repeated empty cues are the real fixes.

Train recall and focus using short games

If your shih tzu not listening, make recall training feel like play, not punishment. Start with a short indoor game. Sit one meter away, show a high value treat or favorite toy, call a happy, consistent cue, then reward instantly when they come. Do five to eight fast reps, then stop while it is still fun.

Next, add gradual distance progression. Move to three meters, then to ten meters, adding one new step per session. Always reward the first successful return, even if imperfect. Add movement to increase value, for example, run away a few steps and call, or clap when they arrive.

Introduce mild distractions after reliable recalls, such as another person or a toy placed on the floor. Keep sessions two to three minutes long, two to three times daily. Short, playful drills build sustained attention and reliable recall faster than long lectures.

Solve common problem behaviors: barking, jumping, leash pulling

If you search "shih tzu not listening", the three complaints you will see first are barking, jumping, and leash pulling. Fix each with tiny, repeatable drills.

Barking: teach a quiet cue. Wait for 2 seconds of silence, mark with a click or "Yes", then treat. Do 10 reps before meals and practice doorbell drills, ring the bell, reward quiet for 2, 5, then 10 seconds.

Jumping: train a greeting sit. When visitors arrive, step back, ask for sit, reward the moment all paws are on the floor. If your Shih Tzu leaps, turn away and ignore until calm, then praise. Run 5 greeting rehearsals per day.

Leash pulling: stop and go walking works. Stop the moment the leash tightens, wait for slack, then walk. Change direction when tension starts, so your dog learns attention equals forward motion. Do three 10 minute sessions daily, using high value treats for reinforcement.

Small, consistent reps win. Track progress with a simple checklist.

Daily routine, mental exercise, and reinforcement

If your shih tzu not listening, use a daily loop of tiny training bursts, mental enrichment, and consistent cues. Morning, do two 5 minute recall and sit sessions before breakfast, reward with kibble from bowl. Midday, give a 10 minute enrichment period: puzzle feeder, scent game in the hallway, or a short focused walk with three recalls. Evening, spend 8 to 10 minutes on obedience work, three practiced cues only, end on an easy success. Throughout the day, use the same cue words and timing, reward intermittently so reinforcement keeps value, and always end sessions on a win. This routine prevents backsliding and keeps attention and obedience improving. Be patient.

When to seek professional help

Seek a trainer or certified behaviorist if your shih tzu not listening escalates to aggression, resource guarding, extreme separation anxiety, or if basic commands fail after consistent practice.

Choose positive reinforcement methods, verify IAABC or CCPDT credentials, ask for a written plan and demo session, and expect homework with measurable progress in four to eight weeks.

Conclusion and quick action plan

Key steps: clear cue, short daily session, rewards, consistency, add distractions. 1 teach cue. 2 five minute training. 3 reward consistently. 4 ignore attention seeking. 5 set routine. 6 add mild distractions. 7 review progress. Start one small change today to fix shih tzu not listening.