Shih Tzu Toys

Want a dog but aren't up for vigorous exercise? Get yourself a Shih Tzu. Shih Tzus require anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hours of daily exercise apart from playing with toys. This can be brisk walks, runs, agility, hikes, scent work, and flyball. It also helps to give your dog puzzles to work his/her brain to avoid boredom while you're busy or away.

While training a Shih Tzu is easy, time and consistency are key. If you start early, are patient, and stay consistent, Shih Tzus are a pleasure to train and enjoy challenging themselves. Contrarily, inconsistent training coupled with little effort and no patience results in a dog that's always fearful, nervous, and at times aggressive. 

Here are some of the best types of Shih Tzu toys for your pooch - 

Squeaker toys 

Squeaker toys mimic the sound of scared prey and are therefore instantaneously liked by dogs with a high prey drive, like Shih Tzus. Squeaker toys are also an excellent way to grab a dog’s attention which makes them great for training and obedience. 

Plush toys

Plush toys, like the name suggests, are to offer comfort and security. Whilst adult Shih Tzus enjoy plush toys, it is the puppies who care for them the most - you’d most often see puppies napping with a plush toy because it gives them the same sort of comfort that they received from their mother. As they grow into adults, it is often the same plush toys that are played with. 

Rope toys

Rope toys are for a great game of tug-of-war at the beach, park, or almost anywhere outside. They’re also great for fetching and chewing. Rope toys are often used to calm hyperactive behaviour by directing the dog’s focus and energy onto chewing and holding the toy instead of channelling energy onto destructive or negative behaviour such as destructive chewing, howling, pacing, barking etc.

Fetch toys

Ah, the good ol’ fetch! Dogs like Shih Tzus have a very high prey drive, and enjoy chasing things on end - which is why balls are an excellent addition to their stash of go-to toys!

Puzzle toys

Although Shih Tzus might prefer plush or chew toys, it doesn’t mean their brain doesn’t need exercise. Shih Tzus enjoy puzzles - it gives them something to positive focus on rather than stare listlessly out of the window or at the door waiting for you to come back. Besides, puzzles toys are excellent to stop destructive behaviour, aggression and separation anxiety. 

Chew toys

Like it or not, Shih Tzus will chew. The question is - what are you giving them to chew? Part of this non-stop chewing stems from the breed’s boundless energy that isn’t channelled to good use. As a result, you got yourself a dog that won’t stop until he/she has chewed the whole house. The solution? Chew toys. Chew toys re-direct negative behaviour onto positive chewing that helps with dental health, mental stimulation, and boredom-busting.