The Complete Shih Tzu Guide for First Time Owners: Everything You Need to Know

Loyal and loving, the Shih Tzu was, for centuries, the cherished lapdog of Chinese emperors before it was allowed out of China in the 1930s. Since the late 1960s, having become one of the most popular toy dogs in both the US and the UK, this tiny ‘Lion Dog’ is very friendly and fond of everyone they come across. Shih Tzus are Indoor breeds of dogs, which means that they do not need too much exercise and are suitable for homes without a backyard. Read on for how you can prepare for this lively breed before you include one in your family and determine how much does a Shih Tzu puppy cost!

Tips for First Time Owners

Here are some useful tips for first time Shih Tzu owners to make the transition process much easier.

Home Preparation

Make sure that when a new pet arrives in your home, the place is ready for the arrival of your new ball of fur. In order to avoid risks to your Shih Tzu’s physical and health well-being, place all dangerous items, including electrical wirings and detergents, away from the reach of your pet. Remove objects they can grasp or topple and also place out of reach any potential object they should not get into if misplaced. Bear in mind that a standard puppy is naturally curious and will be running around exploring this new territory, and everything within their grasp is considered ‘play-thing.’

Every Teacup Shih Tzu pup requires some necessary things. These include food for the dog, chew toys, food and water bowls, a collar with a leash, ID tags, a blanket, an edible, submissive bow, grooming tools, and puppy pads. Due to this, Shih Tzus are prone to heat stroke; therefore, your Shih Tzu should have a room in which they can retire on hot days.

Grooming: Keeping Your Shih Tzu Looking Fabulous

Shih Tzus is one of the few breeds with long, flowing fur that may give the impression of a powder puff. However, this beautiful coat needs to be maintained frequently so that it is in the best shape, as seen here.

1) Daily Brushing: Shih Tzus have long hair, which means they must be brushed daily to eliminate tangles and mats. To make this process easier, a good brush and detangling spray are needed.
2) Regular Baths: Regular bathing should be done in the case of Shih Tzus every three to four weeks to maintain a clean skin and coat. Utilize a mild soap and water that does not really dry out the skin of the breed. 
3) Haircuts: One must have their hair well-trimmed so that the coat is not bulky. Some owners groom their little friends in what is referred to as the ‘puppy cut,’ which is simpler in terms of length and maintenance.
4) Eye and Face Care: Shih Tzus' eyes are out-fallen and, if not well cared for, could give the dog an infection. Regular cleaning of their eyes with a piece of cloth soaked in a little water every day would also be appropriate to get rid of any secretion. Moreover, growing new hair around the eye regions and trimming the existing hair will be useful since it will not provoke itching.
5) Dental Care: A teacup Shih Tzu, like any other small breed dog, is susceptible to dental problems. To ensure proper dental hygiene, they should also brush their teeth daily and use dental chews.

Feeding Your Shih Tzu: Nutrition Basics

Feeding is one of the most important aspects of caring for your Shih Tzu and achieving a healthy state. They are usually small and have very sensitive digestive systems, so the food they take should be determined and feeding times set.

1) Choosing the Right Food: Shop for premium-brand food formulated for small dogs. The food should contain maximum protein and minimum filler and contain vitamins and minerals.
2) Portion Control: Dogs are susceptible to obesity, so their diet should be regulated. Feed your dog according to the instructions on the pack of dog food, and then adapt according to your dog’s activity level and size.
3) Meal Frequency: Although this breed is very active and energetic, it is not very big. Thus, it should be fed small portions of food more times within a day than is usually recommended. This diet is advisable to maintain the puppy's energy levels; it is advised that it be fed twice or thrice a day.
4) Avoiding Human Food: Much as you may want to feed your Shih Tzu your food, many foods are dangerous to the health of your dog. This should be done by avoiding products that may be toxic to the dog and only feeding on treats and foods meant for the dog.

Exercise: Keeping Your Shih Tzu Active and Healthy

This is a small breed and, therefore, should be exercised regularly to help it lead a healthy and happy life. Yet its exercise requirements are lower than those of the larger breeds.

1) Daily Walks: Shih Tzus are indoor dog breeds, and they do not need long walks; short walks of 20-30 minutes twice a day are enough for them. This not only helps them expend that energy but also stimulates their minds.
2) Playtime: Like any other breed, Shih Tzus loves to play indoors. They can be encouraged to play ball, tug, or even engage in toy games. This is a good way to get such children to exercise without having to have a large yard or space for physical activity.
3) Avoiding Overexertion: Since the Shih Tzu has this short snout, this breed can easily fall victim to respiratory diseases, especially when it is hot or humid. It is important to exclude any intense physical activity and, at the same time, ensure constant availability of clean water supply.

Training Your Shih Tzu

Training a Shih Tzu is quite easy, but one has to be patient and make sure that the training is well-reinforced. Due to their self-contained nature and sometimes exasperating determination, Tzu's training can sometimes be quite difficult; however, with patience and understanding, you will be able to happily train your Shih Tzu to say please, thank you, sit, come, etc.

1) Start Early: The best thing one might do is to train the Shih Tzu from a young age when he is most obedient and quick to grasp commands. Puppies are much more trainable and, in general, do not have the chance to develop wrong behavior.
2) Positive Reinforcement: Pups of this breed are intelligent and can easily be trained, especially if you use rewards, warm words, and toys. This kind of training aims at positive reinforcement, in that good behavior is always followed by a reward, which enhances the relationship between the owner and the dog.
3) Basic Commands: When training your Shih Tzu, it is recommendable to start with the basics, which include the sit, stay, come, and down commands. These commands are for safety, and you will find them very useful for controlling your dog in any circumstance.
4) Socialization: However, it is advisable to introduce your Shih Tzu to various terrains, other individuals, and other animals from an early age. This will also assist them in building up their confidence and dismissing fear or aggressiveness when they are in situations they are not familiar with.

Conclusion

The life of the Shih Tzu is very fulfilling because the dog will give the owner lots of love, affection, and happiness. Opps cute is a good word, but these little dogs are fierce, and they definitely add a lot of joy to life. Shih Tzus requires grooming and training and, of course, provides a lot of company and attention – and the friendship that you have with your Shih Tzu cannot be compared to anything else. If you need more information related to this dog breed, then at Up and Away Pups, we have the right training programs to help you!