Are Shih Tzus smart? Absolutely. Shih Tzus are quite intelligent, but their stubborn streak makes them hard to deal with at times. They are so cute and cuddly and know how to use that to their advantage to control and train us better than we know how to train them!
How do you measure a Shih Tzus Intelligence?
Yes, but for some people that depends on how you measure smartness.
Shih Tzus are known to be stubborn, and that is sometimes confused with the dogs inability to learn.
But in fact, Shih Tzus can be very smart. They have very good memory and solving problems.And they have the ability to know how you feel and be there for you when you need them. The Shih Tzus were bred to be lap dogs, and they have a definite connection with us and our emotions.
Does Shih Tzu have a good Memory?
Our young Shih Tzu Maisie has a phenomenal memory. As an example, she has her favorite stuffed toy called Foxy which she loves to bring to bed every night. Come bedtime she will ask us to open the gate to the yard, so she can retrieve Foxy and bring him to bed. She always remembers where she left Foxy. She’s smarter than me… I can’t remember where I left the car keys half the time.
All of our Shih Tzus are a quick study in learning some behavior tricks. They are all smart enough to learn and remember how to shake a paw, dance, speak or sit on command and get their reward.
Are Shih Tzu Smart or just Stubborn?
Shih Tzus are known to be stubborn at times, and that is sometimes confused with the dogs inability to learn.
Are Shih Tzus stubborn? Well sometimes. One of our Shih Tzus loves to sit in the yard, waiting for passers by so she can run along the fence and bark. Now I can’t be too upset with her because it’s in the nature of a Shih Tzu breed to bark.
I can call her numerous times but she just goes back outside again as soon as I turn my back, (we have a dog door leading to the deck so our dogs can go in and out at their leisure).
So, to try and reign in the barking, we bought a bark collar that also has vibration settings. I set the correction to the absolute lowest setting as I only want it to get her attention, and not cause her any discomfort or harm.
Well, after a couple of corrections she quickly learned what barking with the collar on does. Now as soon as that collar goes on, she is quiet as a mouse. She is absolutely intelligent enough to know what the collar does and to be quiet.
How Smart is a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu is an adorable, friendly love to lay in your lap and get all our attention kind of dog. Our Shih Tzus are smart enough to get their way whether that’s playing catch with their squeaky ball, letting them lay on the couch or on your lap, get that extra treat. Or they stare us down until we take them for that walk or entice us upstairs to bed so they can sleep with us.
Shih Tzus lso have an uncanny ability to tell time. My wife usually goes to bed earlier than i do. Our Shih Tzus all line up at 10:00 and remind us that it’s time for bed. And they are always within minutes of 10:00. Amazing they have such accurate internal clocks.
On weekends we usually stay up later to watch a show or movie. So if we don’t go to bed at the usual time, our Shih Tzus will settle down and relax with us. When the movie or show ends, they have an amazing ability to know heh show is ending.
Maybe they are secretly watching with us and see the credits, or know when the closing music starts. But as soon as the show winds down they are lined up again to remind us it’s finally bedtime. So cute that the Shih Tzus are so smart.
Can you make your Shih Tzu Smarter?
All Shih Tzus have the potential to get smarter by giving them stimulating things to do.
While your puppy is young, work on the usual behavior and potty training. You will be surprised how quickly they can learn these things.
Add a variety of toys and catch/chase games to stimulate their mind. And toys with treats they need to work to help keep them focused and rewarded for their efforts.
Everyone believes their Shih Tzu is more intelligent than any other. We also definitely believe that.