Shih Tzu Puppy Care

Methods of Shih Tzu Puppy Care and Tips

A shih tzu puppy may be a wonderful addition to your family but you have to be versed in how to care for these delicate puppies. Shih tzu puppy care is not as complicated as say, beagle puppy care, because shih tzu puppies do not need much exercise or to go outside often. However shih tzu puppies do need a lot of rest during their first few weeks of life and you need to be careful not to play with them too much during this time. It is also essential to keep shih tzus from feeling any stress because this can have detrimental effects.

The Importance of Love and Attention in Shih Tzu Puppy Care

Like any breed, shih tzu puppies need love and attention but this breed is particularly needy. Shih tzu puppy care may be difficult for people who are forced to leave their puppy alone for an extended period. In order to thrive, shih tzu puppies need constant love and attention. If you have a busy schedule and don’t think you will be able to spend much time with your puppy, you might want to reconsider getting a shih tzu.
Leave your shih tzu puppy with a big stuffed animal as a companion and leave him raw hide bones to chew on. Shih tzu puppies need bones and chewing toys during their teething stage because otherwise they tend to chew on wooden furniture.
Shih tzu puppy care and training is made easier by the fact that shih tzu puppies are very good at learning and following commands. Shih tzu puppies respond well to the “ee” sound so you should give them a name that incorporates this sound. If you do so, you’ll find that when you give commands your shih tzu will respond more quickly. When your shih tzu does something wrong such as by eliminating in the wrong place, never respond by hitting him. Scolding goes a long way.

Shih tzu Potty Training

Use potty pads for your shih tzu to eliminate on. Shih tzu puppies are fast learners and will eliminate on potty pads. You will be able to tell when your shih tzu puppy wants to eliminate because he will squat. By taking your puppy immediately to the potty pad when he does this, you will teach him to do it on his own. Reward your puppy with a special treat if he does it on his own.

Shih tzu Health Care

Shih tzu puppies between six and twelve weeks of age often suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This condition is often caused by stress. If your dog is listless, wobbly, depressed, or starts vomiting, this may be a sign of hypoglycemia. This is one of the most difficult aspects of shih tzu puppy care because it can come on suddenly and often as a result of the puppy being placed in a new home or being shipped. If your puppy goes unconscious, put a Nutri-cal tablet on his tongue and hold his mouth shut for one minute. Wrap him up in a blanket and take him to the vet immediately. Feeding your shih tzu puppy a high quality kibble diet of lamb or chicken can go a long way in preventing these attacks from occurring.
While this only describes the beginning of shih tzu puppy care, don’t feel overwhelmed. Shih tzu puppies make great companions but there’s no denying that the first few weeks of shih tzu puppy care take some getting used to. After you find your rhythm you’ll find that a shih tzu puppy is relatively easy to take care of and makes a wonderful addition to the family.