![]() Instill confidence in your puppy by being firm and consistent. People need to be prepared because adolescence is when rehoming is most likely to occur.”įortunately, through patience and positive reinforcement, Shih Tzu can grow into delightful companions. “They’re not toys you play with and put back on the shelf. “Your puppy may not act like themselves and this is temporary,” explains Broz. Puppies can become moody and stubborn, forgetting all their prior training. AdolescenceĪt 7-8 months, Shih Tzu go through a period of adolescence, lasting about two months. Broz recommends regular brushing along with a professional cleaning at 2 years old to determine if teeth are missing or need to be removed. Some puppies retain their baby teeth, leading to overcrowding. Adult TeethĪdult teeth come in around 8-9 months. “The first car ride should not be to the vet,” says Broz.Īdolescence is a critical time for reinforcing training. Your puppy should feel comfortable in a crate or a safety harness when they’re in a car. “Your puppy will go into monkey see, monkey do mode,” says Broz. If you have more than one dog, they may need separate walks, especially if the older dog isn’t a fan of walking. “If your puppy has a negative experience, it will carry through to other walks.” “Make their first walking session fun,” says Broz. ![]() “Avoid canned food because it sticks to their teeth and creates tartar and plaque.” 7. “Dry kibble is best and you can add salmon oil to keep their coat shiny,” says Broz. Food TransitionĪround seven months, it’s time to switch from puppy food to a diet formulated for adult dogs. Proper nutrition and exercise can keep puppies from becoming overweight. “Because bigger dogs can be intimidating, find a class with dogs that are all the same size, not necessarily the same age,” says Broz. Puppies can begin obedience classes as early as 8 weeks if the puppies in attendance have the same vaccinations. Clean what you can see using a cloth.” 5. “If water remains in the ear, it can cause a yeast infection,” explains Broz. If you have more than one pet, make sure they’re not licking each other’s ears. Broz recommends regular eye cleaning and having your veterinarian check for dry eye at least once a year. Puppies can develop a corneal ulcer from rubbing their face on the carpet. Groomers require that vaccines are up to date including Bordetella which can be administered at 12-16 weeks. If you plan to groom at home, “cutting their coat short is easier to maintain,” says Broz.Īlternatively, if you invest in a professional groomer, your puppy may need a few visits to feel comfortable. Shih Tzu have a long, double coat that requires grooming every 8-10 weeks. Install gates or playpens until your puppy can navigate stairs safely. “Some puppies are fearless while others tend to be skittish,” explains Broz. Puppies under six pounds have less control of their bodies and learn to climb stairs more quickly than going downstairs. Reinforce desired behaviors with praise or treats. When your puppy misbehaves, ignore them until the behavior stops. Start with one command at a time, avoiding harsh correction. Take your puppy out when they first wake up. She recommends putting your puppy on a consistent schedule for eating, sleeping, and playing. “Shih Tzu do what they want but they respond well to ritual,” says Broz. “Remove what they’re focused on and give them something they’re allowed to chew.” To address unwanted chewing, “distraction is the best method,” explains Broz. Teething starts early and everything goes into their mouth.” Anything six inches off the ground is fair game. ![]() “Get prepared as you would for a baby,” says Broz. Five-week-old puppies should feel comfortable around children, adults, and bigger dogs. Handling is key to raising a well-adjusted dog. Next, they transition to cartoons which feature most of the sounds they hear as adults.įriendly and outgoing, Shih Tzu know no strangers and “tend to adore one person in the home,” says Broz. SocializationĪt three weeks, puppies need to get accustomed to different sounds, starting with classical music. ![]() Shih Tzu remain in the breeder’s care until they are twelve weeks old. Broz is a member of the American Shih Tzu Club with champion lines pedigrees on all her puppies. These loveable con artists live up to their name, meaning “Lion Dog.” Shih Tzu respond best to training methods based on praise and rewards.įor advice on training and expected milestones, we talked to Nancy Broz, owner of Jen-Mai Shih Tzu with over forty years of experience breeding and raising Shih Tzu. Ever the charmer, a Shih Tzu puppy can be challenging to train.
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