Are Shih Tzus Good With Kids: 9 Pros & 7 Cons

Are Shih Tzus Good With Kids
Are Shih Tzus Good With Kids

Are Shih Tzus good with kids is an interesting question with divided opinions, which we will be discussing throughout this post.

Some dog lovers say Shih Tzus are delicate and should not be left with kids, while others believe kids can be taught how to handle Shih Tzus.

In this post, we will outline and discuss some common pros and cons of keeping your kids with Shih Tzus.

I will also outline and discuss some precautions you should take if you want to get a Shih Tzu for your kids.

Are Shih Tzus Good With Kids

Shih Tzus are a non-aggressive dog breed that is often nice with children, being affectionate and friendly yet still willing to play.

They can, however, be easily and mistakenly injured by children who are harsh with them since they are little canines.

As a result, it is vital that all children learn how to properly behave around Shih Tzus.

Dogs and children compliment each other like peanut butter and jelly. Dogs adore children, and children adore dogs.

Let’s now look at reasons why your kids need Shih Tzu or the advantages of getting your Shih Tzu for your Kids:

1. Shih Tzus are extremely friendly with kids

Shih Tzus are fantastic dogs to have around kids, but their size necessitates teaching kids how to care for them.

Shih Tzus get along better with kids who are at least 3 years old and can manage and play with them.

With a more empathetic and loving family member, they may become more involved and love playing with kids who can handle them. 

Shih Tzus are small and easy to handle by kids when they are properly trained and taught.

2. Shih Tzus are very loyal to their kids

While Shih Tzus are sociable to strangers, they share a special bond with the children who look after them.

Shih Tzus would go to tremendous efforts to locate and track down their favorite kids around their house.

Shih Tzus have a reputation for following kids around the home when they play with them.

It’s also not unusual to see a Shih Tzu welcoming kids at the front door.

Shih Tzus nearly seem to be able to express their thanks to the kids with whom they play or who feed them!

3. Shih Tzus can keep kids busy all-day

Because Shih Tzus are so charming and stunning, children may forget they have other things to accomplish like their schoolwork when they are playing with one.

When Shih Tzus falls on a kid’s lap and wants to embrace kids, it just looks dreadful if your kids rise up and go about their routine.

Your kids may be late for an activity or take longer than required to finish duties if this is the case.

Unnecessarily, Shih Tzus will follow their favorite children around the house. They’ll produce unneeded noise if kids don’t pay attention to them.

4. Shih Tzu are extremely affectionate towards kids

They’re known for their kind, caring demeanor, which makes them excellent for families with children.

They are devoted to and create intimate ties with their owners. Shih Tzus are notorious for being too bonded to their owners.

Shih Tzu shows their affection by blinking softly, weaving their tails, purring, bunting, or rubbing their heads and faces against you.

A Shih Tzu is the right choice for you if you want a Shih Tzu that will shower you with affection and never tire of you.

The Shih Tzu, on the other hand, is not for you if you need a dog that can be left alone at home for more than 7 hours.

5. Shih Tzus aren’t bothered by being picked up by kids

Picking up is one of the challenges that little dogs face; however, Shih Tzu that has been properly trained and socialized does not have this problem.

This is a significant benefit of choosing a Shih Tzu for your children, as they will never have any issues playing with them.

However, make sure they’ve been properly socialized before allowing them to be around your kids.

Shih Tzus, on the other hand, must be socialized from the time they are puppies in order to be comfortable among children and other pets.

6. Shih Tzus adapt well to kids schedule

Shih Tzus are among the best dogs because they adjust quickly and maintain a consistent schedule.

They like to do things when the moment is right, and you don’t have to keep repeating things with a Shih Tzu.

A well-trained Shih Tzu will quickly go to his or her bed when it’s time to sleep but may try to wake you up as soon as possible.

They’ll always remind your kids what’s coming up next in their schedule by doing things that lead to it. They are quite intelligent.

7. Shih Tzus help kids overcome stress

Kids who are stressed can be at ease if they have a small breed of dog like Shih Tzus to keep them company.

Shih Tzu love to play with kids and jump all over kids, and this may be of help to kids that go through stress.

Shih Tzu may help your child cope with depression and frustration, however, you should train your Shih Tzu to bond with your kid.

8. Shih Tzu help kids get enough exercise

Your kids can get more exercise when he or she owns a Shih Tzu because Shih Tzu love to run around with kids.

Kids need exercise to stay healthy and happy, Shih Tzus also need little exercise to stay happy, therefore, getting a Shih Tzu for your kids is win-win stuff.

9. Shih Tzus help to teach kids trust and patience

Shih Tzus can help boost the child’s self-esteem and also instill a sense of responsibility in kids.

Shih Tzus also help build your kid’s level of trust and patience by teaching them how to care.

Why you shouldn’t get a Shih Tzu for your kids

Here are some things you should consider before getting a Shih Tzu for your kids:

  1. Shih Tzus might be frightened or timid with strangers who come to see your children.
  2. Shih Tzus are known for their stubbornness, which can be tough for children to deal with during training.
  3. Shih Tzus can acquire play hostility and may inadvertently harm children when playing.
  4. Loud noises can startle Shih Tzus, and your children may like loud noises or yelling.
  5. Shih Tzus are quickly infatuated with the ball and can nip or attack your children if they don’t obtain it.
  6. Shih Tzus require daily brushing, and because younger children may not be able to keep up with this, extra grooming is required.
  7. Shih Tzus are prone to heat fatigue, and children may overplay with Shih Tzus, causing breathing problems in the future.

Teaching kids how to live with Shih Tzus

Here are some general rules or pointers to teach your children about Shih Tzus:

1. Teach your children how to properly care for a Shih Tzu

Your children will want to squeeze Shih Tzus because they are little and soft, but Shih Tzus are not toys.

Teach your children how to properly care for their dogs and to value them as living beings who need to be treated with respect.

Your children should be aware that Shih Tzus, like humans, have wants, feelings, and are afflicted by pain.

Your children should be able to play with dogs without being overbearing or confining.

2. Teach your kids when to let go your Shih Tzu

Teach your children to let your Shih Tzu alone when it is eating, sleeping, or needs some alone time.

Eating and sleeping are essential for your dog’s growth, and your puppy will require their own place, so teach your kids when to let go.

This could be a useful guideline to assist build in some natural pauses and relaxation for your puppy if your kids are usually crowded and preoccupied with being around your dog at all times.

3. Teach your kids how to pick up a Shih Tzu

Teach how to pick up a Shih Tzu puppy for your children until they feel comfortable doing so.

Stoop down and cradle the puppy from the side, one hand on the rump, the other lightly but firmly holding the tummy/chest area.

Make it a point to practice with your children at the same time.

Teach your children not to run, spin, leap, or swing the dog around while holding it.

4. Teach your kids not to share food with your Shih Tzu

Garlic and onions are two of the most toxic foods for dogs, and they may be found in a wide range of dishes.

While a small amount may cause an upset stomach in humans, Shih Tzus are unaffected.

Allowing a Shih Tzu to consume a bite of your child’s food might result in begging, which can be difficult to overcome even with intense training.

As a result, you should instruct your children not to feed the Shih Tzu any of their own food.

5. Invite your kids during grooming

Brush your Shih Tzu on a daily basis, as well as after playing with your youngsters, to avoid tangles.

Depending on their age and your lifestyle or daily routine, you should teach your children the essentials of brushing.

There’s no reason why your children can’t assist with grooming, particularly when it comes to cleaning and combing the coat.

As your child matures, you’ll have a helper who can take up these responsibilities.

6. Teach your kids not to scream your Shih Tzu

Given the fact that Shih Tzus are generally amiable, loud noises and screaming might be frightening to them.

As a result, you must teach your children to never scream or yell at their Shih Tzus.

Screaming or shouting at Shih Tzus might have the following consequences:

  1. Constant freezing
  2. Frequent barking
  3. Frequent urination
  4. Restlessness
  5. Nipping
  6. Biting

Precautions

  • When your child keeps punching, kicking, grabbing, and pulling on the dog because he or she doesn’t know how to handle it. Teach them.
  • Even though the youngster isn’t bothering the dog in any way, the dog always growls with bared fangs at him. Teach them.
  • When your dog refuses to enter your child’s room or area, teach them.
  • The dog continues to snap at your children for no apparent reason, be careful and teach them.
  • Your dog will always run away from your children for no apparent reason, you should understand that.
Categorized as Dogs

By Jackson Duke

I'm Jackson Duke the founder of allpetspot. I grew up with lots of pets with 15 years of experience living with pets. My love for pets made me start allpetspot, am here to share his experiences with pets.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *