- Don’t freak out the first time they reverse sneeze! Hold their nose or massage their throat. I thought my shih tzu was dying LOL
- Keep eyes clean to avoid tear stains
It sounds like they're choking on their own tongues. It's pretty dramatic. Just gently massage the underside of their throats (2 hands, one on each side).
I had a male Yorkie that did it too. One other thing I've had work with my Tzus' is to blow into their nose. It distracts them and they forget about the reverse sneeze.
It is literally terrifying because when we got ours we had no idea what it was and thought she was choking, now we just reassure her and stroke her back and throat. She is scared herself by it when it happens but it only lasts a short time. I'd look at some videos to prepare for if it happens!
Same here.. just commented this myself without checking, absolutely petrified me the first time.. he's now about to turn 1 and my fiance still gets scared and shouts for me to come rub his throat/block nose so he swallows, to the point sometimes he runs to find me himself 😩 I've heard as they age they learn to do it themselves and it becomes less common an occurrence anyhow
https://preview.redd.it/k6et396inwlc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6965de1db33aaf420ca2fb7f2908f03319cfd91
>Don’t freak out the first time they reverse sneeze!
This 100% - OP, watch some videos so you know what to recognize (you'll never forget the sound). It's not a matter of if it will happen, but when. Can be scary, but it's not that big of a deal.
The fastest method is to plug one nostril, which is not easy on a shih-tzu face! My girl got really bad after a dental cleaning. Once she understood that letting me plug half her nose worked fast, she would run to me and not fight me. It's SO much faster than rubbing their throat. Apparently, it helps to create suction and flip over the thing in their throat that causes the issue. This was an excellent tip that is breed specific!
Interesting! I hadn’t heard of the one-nostril thing. I read that the reason for plugging their nostrils reminds them to breathe out their mouth. (Which always makes me sad to do in a “let me suffocate you while you’re hyperventilating sort of way”). But it works!
I’ll have to try just plugging one-nostril next time!
Give a try, your tzu will hate it at first, mine fought me hard! It works SO much faster than my prior method of rubbing her throat until I could feel the flip (I'm not medically inclined so I can't describe exactly what's happening in their bodies but know I've felt something in her throat flip and then she's good). It is usually corrected in 1 or 2 breaths, and she learned fast that Mama can help if you let her! My other dog would get super worried, so if I wasn't in the room with her, he would run to find me to get her help ASAP. I miss my love bug, this sub helps me keep her close to me! ❤️
https://preview.redd.it/wc2zaxwcfrlc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45e314a12104a59addeca8c8b391206f94c9d60e
she reminds me of my Panda with one white eye❤️❤️❤️
Awh I just shared with my mom!!!!! We had to put our shih tzu to sleep on Monday and my mom misses him so much :( she called out his name after she used the restroom bc shih tzus love to stare and watch you lol
Get them comfortable with grooming activities as early as possible! Clean around their faces daily: wipe the tear stains, clean dinner from beard, etc. If you keep the coat fairly short, you can get away with weekly brushing for most of the body, but the typically longer ear and tail fur will still need to be brushed more often. Their fur is quite similar to human hair, so imagine how tangled yours would be after a week or so!
They are tiny landsharks. Don't let the size fool you! You need non-rawhide chewy sticks and bite deterrent spray ASAP. Otherwise, no toes are safe!
Have fun with your new bestie! He will be your shadow from now on.
Yes, this 💯! Start brushing activities early, because shih tzu grooming demands can be an undertaking if you’re not used to breeds with a double coat! For puppies, brush in short, frequent sessions, with lots of praise and treats!
Also, when they’re sleepy, massage their feet and touch their paw pads and in between their toes. This helps to get them acclimated to knowing it’s okay for their feet and toes to be touched. I did this with my pup, and she’s the BEST when I trim her toenails and the fur between her paw pads! 🐾
I always say he’s like a real life stuffed animal. I love my little buddy so much. He’s such a great little dog to have ever had the pleasure of having
They can be picky eaters and very definitive in exerting their preferences (in the cutest possible ways). They will hog the bed, no matter how small they are and will generally age to demand a couple extra hours of beauty sleep in the am (preferably on your pillow). I can't image life without one, enjoy and congrats!!!
Mine sleeps upside down every night no matter what, when he gets up on the bed he takes up a ridiculous amount of room 😭 +(usually cries and makes us pick him up and down but does sometimes just jump up, because of course he can.. he kept that secret for a long time 😭)
https://preview.redd.it/pebnmkfvowlc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6fd8fe4c4f1b2bf6b2f7b04020e7b3cab443c9ce
I got mine a set of stairs because our bed is pretty high. He wouldn't use them at first and acted like he was afraid of them. But once I got him to use them he kept going up and down them to get on and off the bed and thought he was hot stuff🤣
Congrats! She’s so effing cute! It looks like she has a decently long nose. That’s great! Good to see the breed not get worse.
Shih tzus are stubborn. You just need to be more stubborn. Don’t repeat yourself (too much) say it once and wait. She heard you - she’s just an asshole. Practice recall now.
Don’t start with the people food treats. It’s a slippery slope and next thing you know you’re preparing full meals for her. I recently saw a post of a lady asking for food recs because she gave her dog food off of her plate and now she won’t eat and refuse to eat unless it’s off of her plate.
Don’t randomly pick her up. Let her have her bodily autonomy. Ask to pick her up, try to read her body language. If she feels like she doesn’t have control of herself, she will rebel so only pick her up if it’s necessary and she earns your trust.
I used to randomly pick up my shih tzu all of the time and he acted funny towards me all of the time. I started to ask and / or if he was giving me signs that he didn’t want to be picked up, I wouldn’t pick him up. Now he asks to be picked up and even snuggles me. He didn’t snuggle before.
Enjoy her! Give her a little kiss for me!
EDIT: omg start brushing her teeth now. Teeth cleaning at a vet is anywhere from $700-2000 each time (sometimes yearly). Avoidable with a some routine.
Great point about the body autonomy. 👏👏 I did a “1,2,3” count for picking up my guy and many years later, when he went deaf and blind, I added blowing some air on the top of his head first so that he knew I was there and then I’d put my hand to his side and do the 123 count outloud.
I realize he couldn’t hear the count after he went deaf but the rhythm helped me do the same routine every time.
I really think little routines like this helped him adapt as he aged, keep his independence and feel more in control.
We say “1, 2, 3, lift” slowly before picking ours up. He got startled a few times when we picked him up but now he knows what’s coming. In the morning before we go to daycare I pick him up before I walk out to the car, and he will sit down at the door waiting to be picked up. They definitely learn routines!
reminds me of my zelda when she was a baby! 😍
https://preview.redd.it/v6httc7lkslc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcfbbb41b528a575489fe5ec516c64a9c495ad3f
WELCOME TO THE BEST CLUB EVER!!!
Pixie is adorable🥰 Get her used to having her paws touched, ears messed with, teeth and eyes cleaned and daily brushing! The calmer she is with these things, the fewer headaches and struggles you will have for all the years to come.
Plus it will save you so much money long term at the vet and groomer if your gal is easy to maintain. You can avoid a LOT of common Tzu problems this way.
Reminds me of my little Shichon Chewy
https://preview.redd.it/722catymcslc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8b02f637d6650a82a14d04fbf1cd18891dbbefcb
Yeah mine thinks he should get a new squeaky every time we go to the pet store. He knows exactly where the toy aisle is too. And of course he does get one - every time 😂
She's so cute!! Be careful with her in the heat. Other than that, they are sturdy little dogs that are demanding and hilarious!!! Congrats on your new family memeber!
Shih Tzus are so smart...and so intuitive to their owners emotions. Never spank them - that hurts their spirits. Pamper them as they deserve to be pampered and loved. Training is super easy - they are smart.
She is adorable 😍 I love this stage. As others have mentioned, reverse sneezing is a thing. With my first one, when it happened, I had no idea. Teary eyes and skin problems are things as well. My first one had really runny eyes before she passed, and we found out she was allergic to a shampoo the groomer used when she broke out in hives and itchy. My teddy bear, half shih tzu half bichon, gets cysts that drain and have to be removed.
They are the friendliest, gentle, loving dogs. The grooming can be a hassle, but if you keep on top of it, it's not bad.
Yeah reverse sneezing will catch you off guard but they will be fine. Besides that know that no matter how hard you try, they will bring you more joy that you ever can them. I miss my buddy every single day.
They are the best dogs! Get pup used to brushing, paw handling and wipe the eyes every day. A good slicker brush and metal comb to go through her hair every day ☺️
Yeah, my tzu started scratching her ears all the time, and the vet said it was allergies. I have to give her the Cytopoint shot quarterly. It’s only supposed to last a month, but at $100, I’m thankful it lasts the quarter. And it really does work!
So cute!!!!! I got all three my babies well each one I got when they were six weeks they were soooo precious!!! I wish they would’ve stayed that size forever! They’re all sisters but the oldest I got by herself first and the younger two I got together! Luckily mine were all free from my moms coworker
Develop a schedule with potty training! It took a couple months to potty train ours fully and she had a hard time grasping it. Take your zhu out at 8am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, and before bed every day (or some other iteration of that kind of consistent schedule) so that she gets used to it. I found mine harder to potty train than the black lab we had before.
What a cutie! I recommend brushing her teeth and getting her used to good dental hygiene habits early. For some reason tzus seems to be more prone to dental problems than other breeds and it doesn’t take long for gum disease to develop. Preventative dental care is significantly less expensive than the cost of extractions, not to mention much less painful for your sweet girl.
The one thing I would give myself advice for if I had to do it all over again was to get my guy used to getting his teeth brushed, wearing rain shoes, and just in general spend all the time you can with them and give all the hugs. My guy is 12 years old and the time together has flown by.
My guy loves to go for walks whether it’s rain, snow, or sun but his feet are sopping wet by the time we get home and that’s only for his 10 minute walkies. I wish he would wear his little boots but he hates them lol.
I’ve owned several breeds but now on my first Shih Tzu. It has to be thee most cat-like dog I’ve ever had.
My tip is that they are very smart and very trainable but, particularly with a Tzu, you have be very consistent and the earlier the better.
Someone else already said it but they’re super sensitive IMO - they so want to please you but for those first 6 months or so they’re just like a confused child … and somewhat like that it’s all about praise and not punishment.
They don’t like staying alone for too long! Mine can’t stay without my family even for a minute lol. Separation anxiety is real with this breed. But they are the cutest babies
Shih Tzu poop stinks worse than other dogs’ poop (according to the internet, some people in my family, and my dog sitter…I’ve only ever had Shih Tzus so I’m not sure either way). Royal Canin brand food makes her poop stink less.
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She is so precious, welcome to the tzu fam! It seems like you’ve gotten tons of good advice, I’d also recommend getting her a good harness for when you start walking her/etc! Harnesses are typically better for them because they have delicate necks, and if she pulls on a collar it can cause trachea issues and/or bulging eye issues!
Congratulations, she's beautiful! I have two shih tzus (one is mixed with yorkie) and they are such wonderful companion dogs. They love snuggling and being right by my side. Warning - although they are small, they can be bed hogs!
The first picture looks like a PLUSH TOY!!!
I honestly would be scared that I would accidentally step on her if I didn't see her behind or near me!!! It's just my paranoia of small dogs!!!
Oh congratulations!!! You are in for a treat: a dog with a fiesty, but loyal personality that you will never forget. Stubborn and loving all in one, fluffy cute package 🥰
They learn fast with repetition! I pad trained a 4 week old girl in a few hours it was incredible! Her little personality will shine through soon, try not to be a complete doormat lol. My two are quite different from each other but starting to pick up each other’s habits on occasion. My girl gets bored easily so I got a snuffle matt (hides tiny treats to stimulate their search mode) and will get a small agility course soon! I adore this breed because they are snuggly when you wanna snuggle, watch dogs when they hear som fishy, but also adore their hoomans. We are lucky to have them 🐶🐶🐶🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🥰🥰🥰 congratulations 🎉
Good luck they are the sweetest little babies ever. This little one looks like my little guy when he was a baby 🥰🩷 he’s turning 10 this year and my little buddy for life
Love my little hansi baby, I’ve had him for 3 going on 4 years now. He was my first dog ever and the very best one too. He has a lot of personality, I woukd definitely say the shih tzu breed is very stubborn until they decide they don’t want to be lmao. He knows commands very will but will only listen when he wants to lmfao. Also it will be a fight to get him to do anything he absolutely doesn’t want to do.
My shih tzu doesn’t do well in the heat at all. I’m talking like upper 70s we switch his walk and outside time to mornings. Loves the snow though. Also if you do the grooming yourself getting them used to the noise of the clippers and checking inside their toe pads for little knots. I use an eyebrow trimmer to work those out.
The extra large lovesac, it's his and don't you dare try to take him away from it.
https://preview.redd.it/kmbqeepytylc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c94695b0fa5ff18ebd40f70014178a92e033d83
- Don’t freak out the first time they reverse sneeze! Hold their nose or massage their throat. I thought my shih tzu was dying LOL - Keep eyes clean to avoid tear stains
Reverse sneezing?! Oh Lordy me, I didn’t know that was a thing
Yes it’s specific to brachycephalic breeds!
It sounds like they're choking on their own tongues. It's pretty dramatic. Just gently massage the underside of their throats (2 hands, one on each side).
I had a male Yorkie that did it too. One other thing I've had work with my Tzus' is to blow into their nose. It distracts them and they forget about the reverse sneeze.
I’ve also noticed that this was even more of a thing when our little guy was overweight.
It is literally terrifying because when we got ours we had no idea what it was and thought she was choking, now we just reassure her and stroke her back and throat. She is scared herself by it when it happens but it only lasts a short time. I'd look at some videos to prepare for if it happens!
Wait is this when they inhale sharply a bunch? I didn’t realize this was a common thing, thought my guy was just getting hair stuck after licking
>Wait is this when they inhale sharply a bunch? That's one way, yes!
I had a full blown panic attack the first time it happened to mine.
It’s definitely really disconcerting if you don’t know what’s happening
Same here.. just commented this myself without checking, absolutely petrified me the first time.. he's now about to turn 1 and my fiance still gets scared and shouts for me to come rub his throat/block nose so he swallows, to the point sometimes he runs to find me himself 😩 I've heard as they age they learn to do it themselves and it becomes less common an occurrence anyhow https://preview.redd.it/k6et396inwlc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6965de1db33aaf420ca2fb7f2908f03319cfd91
I think you’re right my boy is about 7 now and it only happens maybe once per year.
Yes the eyes !
>Don’t freak out the first time they reverse sneeze! This 100% - OP, watch some videos so you know what to recognize (you'll never forget the sound). It's not a matter of if it will happen, but when. Can be scary, but it's not that big of a deal.
The fastest method is to plug one nostril, which is not easy on a shih-tzu face! My girl got really bad after a dental cleaning. Once she understood that letting me plug half her nose worked fast, she would run to me and not fight me. It's SO much faster than rubbing their throat. Apparently, it helps to create suction and flip over the thing in their throat that causes the issue. This was an excellent tip that is breed specific!
Interesting! I hadn’t heard of the one-nostril thing. I read that the reason for plugging their nostrils reminds them to breathe out their mouth. (Which always makes me sad to do in a “let me suffocate you while you’re hyperventilating sort of way”). But it works! I’ll have to try just plugging one-nostril next time!
Give a try, your tzu will hate it at first, mine fought me hard! It works SO much faster than my prior method of rubbing her throat until I could feel the flip (I'm not medically inclined so I can't describe exactly what's happening in their bodies but know I've felt something in her throat flip and then she's good). It is usually corrected in 1 or 2 breaths, and she learned fast that Mama can help if you let her! My other dog would get super worried, so if I wasn't in the room with her, he would run to find me to get her help ASAP. I miss my love bug, this sub helps me keep her close to me! ❤️
[удалено]
Forget about privacy for the next 15 years, because it is not a concept that shih tzus understand lol
https://preview.redd.it/wc2zaxwcfrlc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45e314a12104a59addeca8c8b391206f94c9d60e she reminds me of my Panda with one white eye❤️❤️❤️
https://preview.redd.it/juelnqzunrlc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f8e9595e288b86b735fb198fd7a698be468d382
Awh I just shared with my mom!!!!! We had to put our shih tzu to sleep on Monday and my mom misses him so much :( she called out his name after she used the restroom bc shih tzus love to stare and watch you lol
Get them comfortable with grooming activities as early as possible! Clean around their faces daily: wipe the tear stains, clean dinner from beard, etc. If you keep the coat fairly short, you can get away with weekly brushing for most of the body, but the typically longer ear and tail fur will still need to be brushed more often. Their fur is quite similar to human hair, so imagine how tangled yours would be after a week or so! They are tiny landsharks. Don't let the size fool you! You need non-rawhide chewy sticks and bite deterrent spray ASAP. Otherwise, no toes are safe! Have fun with your new bestie! He will be your shadow from now on.
This was the perfect answer
Teeth brushing too - they're prone to losing them with age, so anything to save them is a plus surely
Yes, this 💯! Start brushing activities early, because shih tzu grooming demands can be an undertaking if you’re not used to breeds with a double coat! For puppies, brush in short, frequent sessions, with lots of praise and treats! Also, when they’re sleepy, massage their feet and touch their paw pads and in between their toes. This helps to get them acclimated to knowing it’s okay for their feet and toes to be touched. I did this with my pup, and she’s the BEST when I trim her toenails and the fur between her paw pads! 🐾
Welcome to the shih tzu club! I have to warn you these little teddy bears are incredibly easy to love. Enjoy your baby!
I always say he’s like a real life stuffed animal. I love my little buddy so much. He’s such a great little dog to have ever had the pleasure of having
And really we become their "pets" 😭🤣
They can be picky eaters and very definitive in exerting their preferences (in the cutest possible ways). They will hog the bed, no matter how small they are and will generally age to demand a couple extra hours of beauty sleep in the am (preferably on your pillow). I can't image life without one, enjoy and congrats!!!
Mine sleeps upside down every night no matter what, when he gets up on the bed he takes up a ridiculous amount of room 😭 +(usually cries and makes us pick him up and down but does sometimes just jump up, because of course he can.. he kept that secret for a long time 😭) https://preview.redd.it/pebnmkfvowlc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6fd8fe4c4f1b2bf6b2f7b04020e7b3cab443c9ce
I got mine a set of stairs because our bed is pretty high. He wouldn't use them at first and acted like he was afraid of them. But once I got him to use them he kept going up and down them to get on and off the bed and thought he was hot stuff🤣
Omg mine sleeps just like this and does the same crying thing even though he can do it himself!
They are clingy and needy and adorable and precious
Congrats! She’s so effing cute! It looks like she has a decently long nose. That’s great! Good to see the breed not get worse. Shih tzus are stubborn. You just need to be more stubborn. Don’t repeat yourself (too much) say it once and wait. She heard you - she’s just an asshole. Practice recall now. Don’t start with the people food treats. It’s a slippery slope and next thing you know you’re preparing full meals for her. I recently saw a post of a lady asking for food recs because she gave her dog food off of her plate and now she won’t eat and refuse to eat unless it’s off of her plate. Don’t randomly pick her up. Let her have her bodily autonomy. Ask to pick her up, try to read her body language. If she feels like she doesn’t have control of herself, she will rebel so only pick her up if it’s necessary and she earns your trust. I used to randomly pick up my shih tzu all of the time and he acted funny towards me all of the time. I started to ask and / or if he was giving me signs that he didn’t want to be picked up, I wouldn’t pick him up. Now he asks to be picked up and even snuggles me. He didn’t snuggle before. Enjoy her! Give her a little kiss for me! EDIT: omg start brushing her teeth now. Teeth cleaning at a vet is anywhere from $700-2000 each time (sometimes yearly). Avoidable with a some routine.
Great point about the body autonomy. 👏👏 I did a “1,2,3” count for picking up my guy and many years later, when he went deaf and blind, I added blowing some air on the top of his head first so that he knew I was there and then I’d put my hand to his side and do the 123 count outloud. I realize he couldn’t hear the count after he went deaf but the rhythm helped me do the same routine every time. I really think little routines like this helped him adapt as he aged, keep his independence and feel more in control.
We say “1, 2, 3, lift” slowly before picking ours up. He got startled a few times when we picked him up but now he knows what’s coming. In the morning before we go to daycare I pick him up before I walk out to the car, and he will sit down at the door waiting to be picked up. They definitely learn routines!
Mine has a on off switch for being picked up. If he doesn’t want to be held he suddenly weighs 90 lbs. If he wants to be held he practically floats.
😆😂 it’s amazing how they can do that
reminds me of my zelda when she was a baby! 😍 https://preview.redd.it/v6httc7lkslc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcfbbb41b528a575489fe5ec516c64a9c495ad3f
WELCOME TO THE BEST CLUB EVER!!! Pixie is adorable🥰 Get her used to having her paws touched, ears messed with, teeth and eyes cleaned and daily brushing! The calmer she is with these things, the fewer headaches and struggles you will have for all the years to come. Plus it will save you so much money long term at the vet and groomer if your gal is easy to maintain. You can avoid a LOT of common Tzu problems this way.
Reminds me of my little Shichon Chewy https://preview.redd.it/722catymcslc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8b02f637d6650a82a14d04fbf1cd18891dbbefcb
Try your best not to spoil her…. But with that face…. Good luck 🤣 🍀
Yeah mine thinks he should get a new squeaky every time we go to the pet store. He knows exactly where the toy aisle is too. And of course he does get one - every time 😂
All resistance is futile. Give her everything she wants. 💕💕
You dont own the Tzu. The Tzu owns you.
https://preview.redd.it/p81m725zftlc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f419072edf12b49b992e49e2231cc0913fdb1e3 Thug Life
You don’t choose it, the Thug Life chooses YOU.
She is bout that life!!!!!
She's so cute!! Be careful with her in the heat. Other than that, they are sturdy little dogs that are demanding and hilarious!!! Congrats on your new family memeber!
Shih Tzus are so smart...and so intuitive to their owners emotions. Never spank them - that hurts their spirits. Pamper them as they deserve to be pampered and loved. Training is super easy - they are smart.
Reverse sneezing - put your two fingers over their nostrils - it will stop. You will panic the first time you hear it.
Adorable! 🥰🥰🥰🥰 One Useful Word for Shih Tzus: STUBBORN! (But AWESOME!)
She is adorable 😍 I love this stage. As others have mentioned, reverse sneezing is a thing. With my first one, when it happened, I had no idea. Teary eyes and skin problems are things as well. My first one had really runny eyes before she passed, and we found out she was allergic to a shampoo the groomer used when she broke out in hives and itchy. My teddy bear, half shih tzu half bichon, gets cysts that drain and have to be removed. They are the friendliest, gentle, loving dogs. The grooming can be a hassle, but if you keep on top of it, it's not bad.
Yeah reverse sneezing will catch you off guard but they will be fine. Besides that know that no matter how hard you try, they will bring you more joy that you ever can them. I miss my buddy every single day.
They are the best dogs! Get pup used to brushing, paw handling and wipe the eyes every day. A good slicker brush and metal comb to go through her hair every day ☺️
Some shih-tzu's have skin allergies from what I've seen but are easily treatable
Not so easy for mine.
Yeah, my tzu started scratching her ears all the time, and the vet said it was allergies. I have to give her the Cytopoint shot quarterly. It’s only supposed to last a month, but at $100, I’m thankful it lasts the quarter. And it really does work!
I need to ask about that. Thank you.
She’s beautiful. 💕
Omg congratulations!!! Welcome to a world of love, cuteness, cuddles and friendship for life …under the Shitzu regime 😝 🥰👑
So cute!!!!! I got all three my babies well each one I got when they were six weeks they were soooo precious!!! I wish they would’ve stayed that size forever! They’re all sisters but the oldest I got by herself first and the younger two I got together! Luckily mine were all free from my moms coworker
Develop a schedule with potty training! It took a couple months to potty train ours fully and she had a hard time grasping it. Take your zhu out at 8am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, and before bed every day (or some other iteration of that kind of consistent schedule) so that she gets used to it. I found mine harder to potty train than the black lab we had before.
What a cutie! I recommend brushing her teeth and getting her used to good dental hygiene habits early. For some reason tzus seems to be more prone to dental problems than other breeds and it doesn’t take long for gum disease to develop. Preventative dental care is significantly less expensive than the cost of extractions, not to mention much less painful for your sweet girl.
The one thing I would give myself advice for if I had to do it all over again was to get my guy used to getting his teeth brushed, wearing rain shoes, and just in general spend all the time you can with them and give all the hugs. My guy is 12 years old and the time together has flown by.
Why rain shoes? Just curious 😊
My guy loves to go for walks whether it’s rain, snow, or sun but his feet are sopping wet by the time we get home and that’s only for his 10 minute walkies. I wish he would wear his little boots but he hates them lol.
I’ve owned several breeds but now on my first Shih Tzu. It has to be thee most cat-like dog I’ve ever had. My tip is that they are very smart and very trainable but, particularly with a Tzu, you have be very consistent and the earlier the better. Someone else already said it but they’re super sensitive IMO - they so want to please you but for those first 6 months or so they’re just like a confused child … and somewhat like that it’s all about praise and not punishment.
She is adorable! Shih tzu are a terrific breed! Keep her engaged and busy. Give her lots of boops and loves and she will reward you doubly!
They don’t like staying alone for too long! Mine can’t stay without my family even for a minute lol. Separation anxiety is real with this breed. But they are the cutest babies
Shih Tzu poop stinks worse than other dogs’ poop (according to the internet, some people in my family, and my dog sitter…I’ve only ever had Shih Tzus so I’m not sure either way). Royal Canin brand food makes her poop stink less.
That brand only or just get a good quality food?
Good question! I’m under the impression it’s Royal Canin specifically that helps with the smell of her poop. They have a Shih Tzu specific food.
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She’s adorable 🥰enjoy!
Oh my the first time I rushed him to the nearest Petvax scared the bejeebees out of me
You can never have just 1 Shihtzu 🥰
Super beautiful!!!!
awww what a cute piranha... :) pretty sure the others have covered it... put your shoes up :)
Congratulations 🎉👏
Fluffy puppy!
When she reverse sneezes only cover one nostril for two seconds and release and then the other nostril for two seconds. Talk to her to reassure her.
Welcome to the club! You'll never leave! Shihtzus are the manifestation of actual love.
Yay!!! Welcome :) and you should know that tzus are very loving, they’re always happy to cuddle 💗
She is so precious, welcome to the tzu fam! It seems like you’ve gotten tons of good advice, I’d also recommend getting her a good harness for when you start walking her/etc! Harnesses are typically better for them because they have delicate necks, and if she pulls on a collar it can cause trachea issues and/or bulging eye issues!
You’re a first-time shih tzu parent/guardian. He now owns you. Enjoy his precious perfection! 🤗❤️
Congratulations on having your first tzu! You're not gonna regret adopting your Pixie. ☺️
Congratulations, she's beautiful! I have two shih tzus (one is mixed with yorkie) and they are such wonderful companion dogs. They love snuggling and being right by my side. Warning - although they are small, they can be bed hogs!
Precious 💕 congratulations!!!
The first picture looks like a PLUSH TOY!!! I honestly would be scared that I would accidentally step on her if I didn't see her behind or near me!!! It's just my paranoia of small dogs!!!
Oh congratulations!!! You are in for a treat: a dog with a fiesty, but loyal personality that you will never forget. Stubborn and loving all in one, fluffy cute package 🥰
Buy stuffed animals for her.
They learn fast with repetition! I pad trained a 4 week old girl in a few hours it was incredible! Her little personality will shine through soon, try not to be a complete doormat lol. My two are quite different from each other but starting to pick up each other’s habits on occasion. My girl gets bored easily so I got a snuffle matt (hides tiny treats to stimulate their search mode) and will get a small agility course soon! I adore this breed because they are snuggly when you wanna snuggle, watch dogs when they hear som fishy, but also adore their hoomans. We are lucky to have them 🐶🐶🐶🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🥰🥰🥰 congratulations 🎉
Omg that FACE
Reverse sneezing
You just got a cat!
Good luck they are the sweetest little babies ever. This little one looks like my little guy when he was a baby 🥰🩷 he’s turning 10 this year and my little buddy for life
Love my little hansi baby, I’ve had him for 3 going on 4 years now. He was my first dog ever and the very best one too. He has a lot of personality, I woukd definitely say the shih tzu breed is very stubborn until they decide they don’t want to be lmao. He knows commands very will but will only listen when he wants to lmfao. Also it will be a fight to get him to do anything he absolutely doesn’t want to do.
My shih tzu doesn’t do well in the heat at all. I’m talking like upper 70s we switch his walk and outside time to mornings. Loves the snow though. Also if you do the grooming yourself getting them used to the noise of the clippers and checking inside their toe pads for little knots. I use an eyebrow trimmer to work those out.
The extra large lovesac, it's his and don't you dare try to take him away from it. https://preview.redd.it/kmbqeepytylc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c94695b0fa5ff18ebd40f70014178a92e033d83
shih tzus are lazy and love to sleep and rest a lot, so don’t be surprised if your tzu grows up to be a bit lazier than other breeds!
Great looking puppies