Shih Tzu have a coat of hair, not fur. This means that their coat will not shed. Just like human hair, Shih Tzu hair needs to be taken care of or it will become a knotted mess. Pay particular attention to the hair around your dog’s eyes. If you leave their hair long, you will need to tie the hair around their eyes up. [2] X Research source This will help to keep the hair out of their eyes and out of their food and water dishes.
Pay particular attention to the dog’s eye area but be careful when using scissors around your them! It’s important to trim the hair around their eyes so that your dog’s eyes stay clean and so that they can see but it can be difficult to keep them still enough. Just take your time and be cautious. You may even want to recruit a helper to hold your pup still.
Take your dog to town now and then so it doesn’t become scared of cars, lights, noises, and other people. Also expose them early to other things that can rile up small dogs, such as skateboards and bicycles. The more they see and interact with a variety of life experiences, the more comfortable they should be.
Take your dog to town now and then so it doesn’t become scared of cars, lights, noises, and other people. Also expose them early to other things that can rile up small dogs, such as skateboards and bicycles. The more they see and interact with a variety of life experiences, the more comfortable they should be.
In particular Shih Tzus are notorious for having house breaking problems. Use positive reinforcement, not punishment, and stay patient with your dog.
Remember that no matter what, your Shih Tzu will bite in the early stages. It’s completely normal, but don’t let him/her get used to it!
Despite their sometimes delicate appearance, Shih Tzus are sturdy dogs and they don’t mind getting a little dirty every now and then. Remember that dogs who nip and go crazy inside the house may need more exercising outside! Exercise not only helps a dog’s body but it can also help their mind.
Shih Tzu are prone to eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a group of diseases that attack certain breeds of dogs. [5] X Research source It is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina, basically progressive vision loss culminating in blindness. Be alert for the dog bumping into things, not spotting where a toy is, or sudden loss of confidence in novel situations. Shih Tzu are also prone to disc problems and back pain. While back problems are genetic in these dogs, as so they can’t always be avoided, you should do a few things to limits the possibility of injury. First and foremost, minimize the risk of a slipped disc by not allowing your dog to jump from heights and keep them slim. [9] X Research source Minimize the risk of a slipped disc by not allowing your dog to jump from heights and keep them slim. Also, if your dog seems to be in pain take them to the vet. A veterinarian can assess the health of your dog and manage their pain at the very least.
You should also trim your pup’s nails every week or two. [9] X Research source
