How To Raise Your Shih Tzu Pup

You just brought your new Shih Tzu pup home and now you will spend the next couple of weeks making sure it knows all the rules and that it knows you are the boss, right? Wrong. The Shih Tzu is a very self-assured breed of dog that carries itself in a very confident and regal way. It is a very proud, arrogant, and stubborn pet that will always want things to go their way and could probably care less what you have to say. Ready now?

The first thing you want to do with your new Shih Tzu pup is to let it wander just a little so it knows the house and knows what it will be missing out on when you put it in its pen or crate to housebreak it. Remember that a Shih Tzu does not respond to punishment at all and any punishment can set back the training you've done, pretty much to square one. They respond to praise and positive reinforcement. So if you want them to do something praise and reward them when they do it.
The very first concern of any new Shih Tzu pup owner is housebreaking. This takes months, even in the best conditions, so be prepared and be patient. Find a spot in a room in the house and get the dog a large crate or make a large pen area. Put the dog’s food and bedding in there and play with it while it is in the living area so it feels comfortable there. Then confine it only when you are home.

Every 45 minutes you need to take the dog outside to the designated toilet area and see if it does what it needs to do. If it does its thing in the designated toilet area then praise it profusely. You cannot leave a Shih Tzu caged up for too long or it will start to get confused and anxious and soil its own living area. If that happens you are back to square one so make sure you keep a close eye on your dog while it is in the confinement area.
Grooming and a clean coat are very important to a Shih Tzu pup so be sure to comb or brush the dog’s beautiful coat at least once a day. The dog will probably enjoy this and it will keep the coat from getting tangled. A tangled coat can mean an unhealthy Shih Tzu so make sure you are brushing that coat daily. A monthly bath may not be a bad idea but test your dog’s reaction first. If it seems like the bath will cause problems then contact your breeder for advice.

Your Shih Tzu wants to always be the center of attention so make sure you constantly show it plenty of love and attention and play with your dog a lot. Shih Tzu dogs will require a great deal of your time so be prepared to give up large chunks of your day to paying attention to your dog. But they are also one of the most loyal breeds there is and they return your love right back at you.

You can find helpful information on training Shih Tzu puppies in this article. You can use this article to assist you with Shih Tzu puppy care.

A Shopping Guide To Shih Tzu Puppies For Sale

If you are looking for your first Shih Tzu puppy, the absolute best place for you to look for Shih Tzu puppies for sale is with AKC licensed Shih Tzu breeders. Not only will you get a Shih Tzu puppy that is healthy, sane and under warranty, but you also get access to the advice of the Shih Tzu breeder. They have lived with Shih Tzus a long time and know the quirks of this independent but loyal breed. If you have never had a Shih Tzu before – let alone a Shih Tzu puppy – then the support from the Shih Tzu breeder will be worth every penny.

You can search on the Internet or information from the American Kennel Club (AKC) to find Shih Tzu puppies for sale in your area. Since Shih Tzus are the ninth most popular breed in America (according to the AKC), you should have no problem finding a reputable Shih Tzu breeder around where you live.
When you find a likely kennel offering Shih Tzu puppies for sale or a rescue that has older puppies, you should never be asked for monetary information first. You should have to fill out an electronic adoption form, or some other form of application. If you don’t fill out this form, a reputable breeder or rescue will never get back to you. They need to know just as much about you as you need to know about them.

Why all the fuss and time? They do this to be sure you are matched with a puppy that matches your personality and lifestyle. They also want to know and help you with all of your questions on Shih Tzu puppy care so your puppy has a forever home with you. The biggest reason pets are abandoned is that the owners didn’t know what they were getting into before they brought the pet home.
When you do find the right Shih Tzu puppies for sale expect to be quizzed thoroughly by the breeder or shelter worker about your knowledge of Shih Tzus and Shih Tzu puppy care. You might have to have your home inspected, or fill out a stack of paperwork, or even give personal references. This is because breeders want to be sure you know what you are getting into so the dog will not wind up abandoned. And the animal shelters don’t want the puppy to come back.

The biggest reason dogs and older puppies are abandoned is that their owners did not take the time to find out about the breed. Someone who buys a Shih Tzu puppy for sale and wants a dog that doesn’t have to be brushed or trimmed often is in for a big shock. A Shih Tzu breeder or rescue shelter will let you know right away that the time to grooming Shih Tzus is intense. With a breeder or shelter, you will not only know what you are getting in for, but you should be allowed to call them with questions whenever you need to.

This author has written hundreds of articles on dogs, including where to find the best Shih Tzu puppies for sale. Shih Tzu puppy care is not as hard as caring for a newborn baby, because puppies are trainable right from the start.