Helpful Hints

  • Fresh Water

Make sure your puppy has a good supply of fresh water. I suggest the lixit bottles so
the water is not stagnant and it reduces hard water stains on the face.

  • Nutritious Food
We start our puppies out on puppy chow mixed with some warm water to make gravy
and then slowly wean them over to dry. I recommend either puppy chow, science
diet, or Iams Eukanuba. If you wish to change brands just remember to do so slowly
so that you don’t upset their stomach and watch for changes in their bowel
movements. Be sure you check the nutritional value of the new food. I suggest
stainless steel bowls as they also reduce staining of the face.

  • Health Care
Your new puppy will have had at least one set of shots and will be wormed twice. I
recommend keeping some Nutra-stat or Nutri-Cal(found at any pet store) around, in
case they have a drop in blood sugar. Please be sure to take your new puppy to
your vet within 48 hours. The puppy will be due for its next set of shots at nine weeks.

  • Supplements
We recommend giving your puppy Pet Tabs once a day. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are
very good for their hair. We use 3V Caps Liquid Skin Formula HP. The puppies think
it is a treat.

  • Bathing and Grooming
Your puppy should be brushed daily to begin a habit that you will need to maintain
with their adult coat. Brushing will prevent matting and keep the coat healthy and
shiny looking. Your puppy needs bathing every week. Please do not over bath. This
will dry out their coat. I use bark to basics from groomerschoice.com. They have
great smelling shampoos and a wonderful D-Mat conditioner. These are all tear free.
These shampoos do not require rubbing, which can mat the hair. Your shih tzu will
also need nail clipping, hair removal from ears and occasional hair trimming of the
feet. Please remember to dry hair around the ears completely, wet ear hair is a major
cause of yeast infections. Remember as your puppy’s hair grows to pull the topknot
up out of the eyes. Hair and debris in the eyes can cause infection.

Remember that dental hygiene is important also. Start with a child’s toothbrush. If
you start young they will let you brush them and prevent costly teeth cleaning bills.


  • Car Rides and Trips
Car rides and trips can be very enjoyable for the puppy and you. Just remember
they will need potty breaks and never leave them unattended in a car. If you get
stopped in a long checkout line or run into a friend and talk for a few minutes, your
puppy or dog can be dying a horrible, horrible death. The temperature of a car can
heat to over 140 degrees in a matter of minutes during the summertime.

  • Exercise
All puppies, as well as adult dogs need lots of exercise. This will help keep healthy as
well as happy.

  • Housebreaking
Please remember that trying to housebreak an 8-week-old puppy is like potty training
a 6-month-old baby. Not possible. I recommend crate training. Let them sleep in their
crate. Do not feed or water them directly before bed. Dogs do not like to sleep where
they go to the bathroom. Always take them out to potty within 30 minutes of feeding.
Remember, having lots of patience and rewarding them for good behavior is the key.
Please see training tips.

  • Love and Attention
Shih Tzu puppies have an enormous appetite for love and attention and in return
you will be blessed with more love and devotion then you ever dreamed of.