How to Care for a Shih Tzu Puppy

Shih Tzu dogs are among the most affectionate, loving and playful dog breeds. Their small size is definitely made up for tenfold by their large personalities, and their lucky owners are sure to delight in years of entertainment and devoted companionship.

• Be prepared with all the necessary supplies before bringing your puppy home. Have nutritious and high quality puppy food ready, as well as a proper dog bed, kennel and some toys. Puppy pads or old newspapers will be necessary for potty training.


• Train your Shih Tzu puppy early, and be stern. Though they are always eager to please, Shih Tzus are not known for their intelligence and are prone to having many accidents and difficulties throughout the training process. Be sure to establish yourself in the alpha role from the beginning and assert your dominance while providing constant positive reinforcement through training. The two most common training issues with Shih Tzu puppies are potty training and biting/chewing. Always keep in mind that these behaviors are not meant maliciously and are just instinctive that must be "un-trained." Be dominant and constant, but remain positive. Your Shih Tzu will want to please you.


• Be consistent with your feeding, especially during puppyhood. Shih Tzus have fairly sensitive stomachs and should not veer away from their customary puppy food. After about six months, you can start slowly weaning them away from the puppy food and incorporating adult kibble into their diet. However, refrain from going overboard with treats, whether made for dogs or scraps from the table. A slight bit of too much "foreign" food will cause the Shih Tzu to become sick or have diarrhea.


• Keep your Shih Tzu groomed regularly. Shih Tzus are known for their long, luxurious coat. It grows fast and can tangle or become dirty very quickly without proper care. If you prefer to keep your Shih Tzu's coat long, be sure to brush it out daily. Again, start this habit with them early so they become accustomed to sitting still during grooming. Otherwise, you will want to get their coat clipped to a shorter, more manageable length about every six weeks. A bath should be given once or twice a month.


• Provide play and exercise regularly. Shih Tzus are small and do not require the same degree and amount of outdoor activity as that of, say, a golden retreiver or labrador, but at least 30 minutes of walking is ideal. Also keep plenty of toys - squeaky toys and balls - available to keep them entertained throughout the day.