There are many excellent training devices that can be used when training your Shih Tzu. The most basic piece of equipment that every Shih Tzu owner should own is a quality training collar. There are many different types of training collars, and these devices go by a variety of different names, including choke collar, choke chain, correction collar, slip collar and of course training collar. Training collars are favorite tools among both amateur and professional dog trainers.

When used properly, a training collar is a valuable, effective tool. However, like any tool it must be used properly in order to be effective. Despite its simple appearance and design, a training collar is a piece of precision equipment, and it must be treated with respect.

An improperly used training collar will do no good, and it can harm your training program by causing the Shih Tzu to become confused and frightened. There are several important things to consider when choosing and fitting a training collar.

The first consideration when choosing a training collar is how the collar fits the Shih Tzu. It is vital that the training collar be fitted properly to the Shih Tzu. Only a properly fitted training collar will be effective for the Shih Tzu.

The training collar must also be put on the Shih Tzu the right way. Unlike a normal buckle collar, there is a definite right way and wrong way to put on a training collar, and putting it on the wrong way can make the collar ineffective or even dangerous.

In addition to being fitted and sized properly, the training collar must be used properly as well. The training collar is designed to provide a reminder, not a punishment. It is very important to never use steady pressure with a training collar. A training collar works by providing a sharp pressure, followed by an immediate release of pressure.

The weight of the chain and the size of the links on the training collar are very important when choosing a training collar. The weight of the chain should be appropriate for the size and weight of the Shih Tzu. For instance, you would not use a heavy chain on a 10 pound Shih Tzu, just as you would not use a very light chain on a 100 pound dog.

When using a training collar, it is very important to place the collar on the Shih Tzu properly. The collar must be placed on the Shih Tzu properly in order to be effective.

It is relatively easy to determine the length of training collar your Shih Tzu needs. The appropriate size of the collar is the distance around the animal's neck, plus 2-3 inches. Since training collars are usually made in even sizes, it may be necessary to round up to find the right size. When measuring, be sure to not make the tape measure too tight. The training collar will need to fit snugly, but not too tight. It is important that the pressure on the training collar be instantly relieved when the leash is slackened.

If the training collar is too tight, the pressure will not be relieved when you loosen the leash. If the collar is too loose, on the other hand, it could accidentally slip off the Shih Tzu when he lowers his head.

When putting the training collar on the Shih Tzu, it is important that the end of the chain that attaches to the leash is on the top of the Shih Tzu's neck. This is important in order for the collar to function as intended. It is important that the training collar loosen properly when the leash is slackened, and that it tighten instantly to provide the sharp correction when needed.

If the connecting piece of the training collar is placed anywhere except on the top of the Shih Tzu's head, the training collar will not loosen properly when the leash is slackened. This constant pressure on the training collar will be counterproductive, since the Shih Tzu will not understand what is being asked of it or why the pressure is not being relieved when it does as it is asked.