Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
740456 tn?1260449809

should we go to school anyway?

Hey everyone!!

This post is about my Harlie, also known as my 2 pound terror... who is, naturally, no longer 2 pounds =)

She's 17 weeks now, shih-tzu pup.

I'm contemplating bringing her to puppy classes or obedience classes, but i'm not sure there is any benifit.

She knows all her commands; sit, stay, down, heal. Although she's not at 100% i don't think she's expected to be at this age?

As far as socializing, she comes to work with me everyday and sees a vast assortment of dogs and people.

We also go to the dog park about 2-3 times a week. If classes would benefit her then i will happily take her, but seeing as I don't have enough time to do 2 seperate classes a week i would prefere to do agility with the shepherd.

What do you think? Is she going to get anything out of classes that she's not already getting?

Thanks!!!!
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
441382 tn?1452810569
Shih Tzus CAN be quite headstrong, but then, their name means "lion", so I guess that says a lot.  They can be a handful to train, but most of the Shih Tzus that I have known have been very obedient, so they've got to be pretty good to work with.  I've always wanted one, just because I love hairy dogs, and I love to brush them!  Maybe someday!

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
765775 tn?1366024691
Try clipping the nails of a hard headed bulldog. There is no trainer in the world that will make it any more pleasant for either of the indivduals involved. LOL
Helpful - 0
740456 tn?1260449809
thanks!
I think I'll do agility for now and when it ends in 6 weeks I'll see if obedience will be necessary. She is pretty good... but I would like her to listen 100% of the time, without any hesitation =)

The breed definitly tends to be sweet, affectionate and eager to please, however, Harlie has quite a strong little personality. She is not often affectionate, she used to bite and fight like heck whenever i would manipulate her (cut her nails, wash her...) And although that;s been worked out of her now, she still has a much stronger character then I expected.

Hehehe, hopefully dogs don't take after their owners too much ;o)
thanks again!
Helpful - 0
765775 tn?1366024691
I agree with Ghilly if Harlie is not very compliant with you now around other dogs. If she is then the classes may end up being no more than expensive playtime. I have never owned a Shih-tzu but know many people that have them. All but one, which was an abused rescue are very compliant with their owners. It seems to me that they are just that way.

Usually you can wait up to six months before you rule out obedience classes so you have time to think about it.

The fact that she is with you at work everyday gives you a bit of an advantage also. I wish I could take my dogs with me everywhere. They love to go out and about which is a bit strange for bullies but then again their daddy is a bit strange also. LOL

Good Luck, whatever you decide should work out fine.
Helpful - 0
441382 tn?1452810569
I would still take her, because the one thing she will get out of the classes that she may not get at the park or in other social situations is learning to obey commands and having to execute them with other puppies around her.  It's one thing to socialize her to play well with other dogs, it's another to have her learn to ignore them and pay attention to only you when you need her to, and obedience classes will help immensely with that.

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community

Top Dogs Answerers
675347 tn?1365460645
United Kingdom
974371 tn?1424653129
Central Valley, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.