Suggested items to prepare for your Shih Tzu puppy:

·        Vari kennel. We think of them as car seats for our babies. All of our dogs ride in a kennel in the car.

 http://www.petco.com/product/6227/Petmate-Traditional-Vari-Kennel-Portable-Kennels.aspx

·        Dog Dish. Shih Tzu have short faces and need a shallow dish. Like the kind provided at this link. http://www.shopwiki.com/search/shallow+dog+bowl

·        Water Bottle & Stand. Our Shih Tzu learn to drink from water bottles. Because of their shallow faces, these is much easier for them. It also saves water messes from puppies. This link is to a water bottle and stand we use. http://caravalpetproducts.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8

·        Potty Pad or papers. Our pups have begun potty training to potty pads. We buy our potty pads here. It also supports people with disabilities. http://www.odcmerchandise.com/

We provide:

·        Dog bed

·        Small bag of dry dog food – Fromms Salmon A la Veg.  We order ours on line at this link. http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/product_detail.asp?pf_id=20110212&dept_id=1&brand_id=87&Page=&mscssid=WS811B6VNAHR9PWSXLG77K5SBXGEF1C7

·        Shot records

·        Pedigree

·        AKC registration papers

·        Our vet's name and number

·        Take home instructions

·        A dose of Revolution for a puppy (recommend monthly heartworm – see your Vet for details)

·        Pet pack

Feeding instructions:

Fresh water should be available at all times.

We free feed our puppies from weaning till around 3 months of age. At that point, we start feeding ½ cup 3 times a day.  Some breeders free feed (food available at all times) for the life of their dogs. This works as long as there are no weight problems with the adult dog.

Treats. We do not give treats to our dogs till they are at least 6 months of age. When we do give treats, we use Old Mother Hubbard, a dog bakery treats (no corn or sugar) or make our own.

Sometimes a Shih Tzu becomes constipated. We feed a few cooked green beans once a day till the bowels are moving correctly. We give our Shih Tzu green beans a couple times a month just as a matter of course. They love them!

Potty Training:

Limit a young puppy (under 6 months) to an area that does not have carpet. A 3x3 crate or a large crate with a raised floor makes an excellent “den” for your puppy and a safe haven for when you have to be out for a few hours.  Only have the puppy out after it has pottied and under supervision. Young puppies will chew on anything. Soft toys, cow hoves, Nyla bones all make excellent toys for a Shih Tzu of any age. We never use raw hide. It can be chewed soft and swallowed causing choking or blocking an intestine.  Note: We do not allow our puppies outside on the ground till they have had their rabies shots.

Grooming:

Equipment:

Brush: I like the Plush puppy brush. You can find one at this link. http://www.plushpuppy.net/pcnbrush.html

Comb: A simple rat tail comb for combing around the eyes and butt.

Long Tooth comb:  For long coat I use the Vellus Heavy coat comb. http://store.vellus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=11

Nail clippers: I use the nail clippers for small dogs and cats. http://www.scissorsales.com/veterinary.html

Hemostats for pulling ear hair. http://www.thefind.com/pets/info-ear-hair-puller-hemostats

Anus: The anus area must be checked frequently on a Shih Tzu. Make sure that the hair is kept clipped around this area or it will form a plug and your baby will not be able to go!!! You can end up with a sick dog in a couple days.

The pads on the feet/nails. Keep the hair clipped even with the pads. I check our dogs weekly.  We use a cat nail trimmer to trim nails. Only cut off only the “hook” on the nail and watch for the quick (pink area). It will bleed a lot and cause pain if you cut this area. Small nail trims weekly make this a non-event for you and your dog. If you catch the quick, men’s styptic pencil will help stop the flow.

The face hair. Daily ring out a damp wash cloth (I put a few drops of shampoo in the water) to wipe your Shih Tzu’ face. Please be especially diligent washing around the eyes. Let your groomer do any face trimming.

Caring for the coat. We give our Shih Tzu baths from about 8 weeks. If you bath your Shih Tzu, make sure they are dry to the skin before allowing them outside. We use a dryer to dry the coat after a bath. They may feel dry, but they are a double coated breed and it still takes a couple hours for them to completely dry to the skin.

Bathing: I use both kitchen sinks for puppies. You will need: shampoo, conditioner, a wash cloth, a plastic cup, a towel, a small comb, and a hand dryer.

In one sink, I put a couple inches of baby-warm bath water with a small amount of Panteen shampoo mixed in… a puppy bubble bath. I use a rung out wash cloth for the face. For the body, I scoop the bath water over the puppy with a plastic cup paying special attention to the butt and pee areas. I run a comb through under the eyes and the butt area to make sure I have not missed anything. Next you rinse the puppy with clear water. In the other sink, I have a couple inches of baby-warm water with a small amount of Panteen conditioner. Again, using the cup, I scoop this over the Shih Tzu’ body.  Leaving the conditioner in the coat, I squeeze out the coat and towel dry.

Using a hand dryer set on low, I sit them on my lap on the towel and fluff them dry. Make sure not to get the dryer too close. Make this a fun time and your Shih Tzu will love his bath.