How to Train a Shih Tzu Dog Puppy

When choosing a Shih Tzu puppy, look for one that is lively, alert, and curious. Avoid puppies that seem lethargic or timid. Examine the puppy's coat, eyes, ears, teeth, and tail to ensure they look healthy. The puppy should have a soft, thick coat, clear eyes and nose, clean ears, sharp teeth that meet properly, and a curled tail. Meet the puppy's parents if possible to get an idea of size and temperament. Shih Tzus generally range from 9-16 pounds as adults. Also ask about health clearances for patellar luxation and eye issues which can affect the breed.

Preparing Your Home

Before bringing your Shih Tzu puppy home, puppy-proof your house. Put away any medications, toxic plants, or cleaning supplies. Secure loose electrical cords and block access to any dangerous areas. Shih Tzu puppies are small enough to wiggle into tight spaces. Set up an exercise pen with bedding and toys where the puppy can stay when you're not supervising directly. Choose a crate for sleeping and traveling. Place pee pads nearby for potty training. Stock up on the following supplies:

• High-quality puppy food and treats
• Food and water bowls
• Collar, leash, and ID tag
• Brush and comb for grooming
• Dog shampoo and conditioner
• Nail clippers
• Potty training pads or fake grass tray
• Variety of chew toys
• Interactive puzzle toys

Having everything prepared ahead of time will make the transition easier on both you and your new pup!

Bringing Puppy Home

The car ride home is your puppy's first real trip. Comfort the puppy on a towel or blanket on your lap or secure the puppy in a crate. Go straight home without any stops. At home, let the puppy sniff and explore on leash while supervising closely. Give your puppy space at first – being taken from mom and littermates is stressful. Set up a schedule right away for feeding, playing, training, and sleeping to help the puppy adjust. For the first few nights, place the crate near your bed to help soothe your puppy. Get acquainted through gentle petting and hand-feeding of kibble. Starting training and socialization right away is key for shaping good behaviors.

House Training

Shih Tzu puppies can be housetrained using crate training, direct outdoor access, or litter box training. The main principles are preventing accidents through routine and supervision, rewarding correct potty habits, and minimizing unsupervised freedom until potty trained. Take puppy out first thing in morning, after eating and drinking, after napping, and every 30 minutes until the puppy potties outside. Use a command like "Go potty" so the puppy learns to go on command. When the puppy eliminates outside, reward with treats and praise. Limit water two hours before bedtime to reduce nighttime accidents. Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to avoid repeats in the same spots. Be patient and consistent – potty training takes 4-6 months for most Shih Tzu puppies.

Crate Training

Crate training utilizes a puppy's natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean. Praise and treat the puppy for entering the open crate. Feed meals inside and place safe toys to create a positive association. Slowly build up alone time inside the crate during daytime. Close the door for a few seconds at first, then working up to an hour or two of crating during the day. Always take the puppy outside immediately before and after crating. If the puppy whines, wait for a pause before letting out, otherwise rewarding dramatic behavior. Leave music or TV on and cover the crate to make it more den-like. The crate should only be used for sleeping and very short-term confinement.

Socialization

Early socialization helps Shih Tzus develop confidence, friendliness, and mental stimulation. Introduce your puppy to new sights, sounds, places, people, and other pets in a gradual, positive manner. Carry your puppy to meet friends and neighbors. Invite vaccinated, mellow dogs and cats over to interact while you supervise. Play different sounds like sirens and songs. Provide new toys and puzzles. Take your puppy on car rides to experience sights and smells through the window. Sign up for a puppy kindergarten class for structured socialization once your puppy has received their second round of vaccines around 16 weeks old. Go slow with any scary or rowdy interactions that could frighten your puppy. Proper socialization prevents fear, aggression, anxiety and anti-social behavior.

Training

Shih Tzus are intelligent, obedient dogs, but training requires time and patience. Begin training your puppy as soon as you bring them home using positive reinforcement methods. Reward calm behavior and obedience with high-value treats like tiny pieces of chicken, cheese or hot dog along with verbal praise. Use clicker training for quick reward marking. Practice basic cues like "sit", "stay", "come", "down" and "leave it" in short 5-minute sessions multiple times per day. Be consistent with your commands and avoid yelling or punishment. Sign up for an obedience class where your puppy can learn in a group environment. With positive methods, most Shih Tzus enjoy training sessions as a chance to work and get treats! Invest time into training early on for a polite, social pup.

Exercise

Though small, Shih Tzus are lively dogs who require daily exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. Puppies have short attention spans, so multiple short play sessions work better than one long session. Good activities include fetching games, tug toys, interactive puzzle toys and short, positive training sessions. Take your puppy on a few short walks after their last round of vaccines around 16 weeks old. Walk at a relaxed pace suitable for a puppy – about 15-20 minutes total mixed with free play. Avoid strenuous exercise that could stress developing joints. Supervise off-leash exercise in safe, enclosed areas only. Signs of overexertion include panting, dragging behind, or refreshing after rest. Monitor your puppy closely and dial back activity if they become overtired. Mentally tiring games help wear out a puppy too!

Nutrition

Proper nutrition supports healthy growth and development in Shih Tzu puppies. Feed a high-quality small breed puppy food formulated for growth. Follow portion guidelines based on your puppy's expected adult weight, typically 1/2 to 1 cup of food total a day, divided into 2-3 meals. Large breed puppy foods can lead to rapid growth which can harm Shih Tzu joints and bones. Avoid free feeding which can lead to picky eating or obesity. Treats should comprise no more than 10% of daily calories. Provide fresh water at all times in a tip-proof bowl. Transition to adult food around 10-12 months old. Discuss optimal nutrition with your veterinarian. Some Shih Tzus are prone to food allergies so take care in selecting ingredients if skin issues arise. Healthy weight maintenance prevents many illnesses down the road.

Grooming

Get your Shih Tzu used to grooming from a very young age. Handle paws, brush coat, trim nails weekly and inspect ears and teeth. Bathing and drying long Shih Tzu coats is an art. Introduce bathing gently using dog conditioning shampoo to avoid drying out the skin. Always thoroughly dry the coat afterwards with a cool blow dryer on low setting. Brush coat daily with a slicker brush and metal comb all the way to the skin to prevent painful mats and tangles. Tie up topknot hair with soft bands to allow vision. Trim hair out of eyes. Clean inside of ears weekly with veterinarian-approved solution. Brush teeth frequently with dog toothpaste and visit vet for dental cleanings. Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks will keep your Shih Tzu looking and feeling their best!

Veterinary Care

Establishing a relationship with a trusted veterinarian sets your Shih Tzu puppy up for a lifetime of quality care. Enroll your puppy in a veterinary practice as soon as possible for an initial well puppy exam. Discuss any genetic concerns based on health clearances. Create a schedule of age-appropriate exams and vaccines with your vet. Shih Tzus require a series of core vaccines as puppies including DHPP, rabies, and bordetella as well as regular deworming and heartworm/flea/tick prevention. Spay or neuter your Shih Tzu around 6 months old unless you plan to breed. Budget for annual or biannual vet exams, bloodwork, and dental cleanings to keep your dog healthy. Keeping up with preventative care reduces the need for costly issues later on. Invest in pet insurance for peace of mind. Familiarize yourself with common Shih Tzu health conditions and warning signs. Having a trusted veterinarian provides guidance on your puppy's changing needs.

Common Behavior Issues

Shih Tzus are loving companion dogs but can develop some unwanted behaviors without proper training. Nipping and rough play is common in puppies who learn appropriate bite pressure from littermates. Redirect biting onto chew toys and yelp or withdraw attention at hard bites. Jumping up can become a habit as cute puppies but is dangerous as adults. Turn and walk away from jumping to discourage the behavior. Potty training setbacks arise but stay consistent and clean soiled areas thoroughly with enzyme cleaner. Early socialization prevents fearfulness and aggression towards strangers or other dogs. Separation anxiety occurs in some Shih Tzus left alone excessively causing vocalizing and destruction. Crate training along with new enriching toys helps ease separation stress. Patience and positive reinforcement shape good manners as your Shih Tzu puppy grows.

Supplies and Expenses

Here are some typical costs for a Shih Tzu puppy:

• Purchase price from reputable breeder: $800-$2000
• Initial vet visit including exam, vaccines, bloodwork: $100-$300
• High quality food and treats: $30-$60 per month
• Collar, leash, harness, ID tag: $50-$150+
• Crates: $50-$150+
• Potty pads or fake grass trays: $25-$50
• Food and water bowls: $10-$50+
• Variety of toys: $5-$15+ per toy
• Daily grooming tools: $50+
• Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks: $40-$80+ per session
• Basic training class: $100-$250
• Initial medical tests and deworming: $150-$350
• Spay or neuter surgery: $300-$500
• Pet insurance: $500-$1000 per year

Puppies require an investment of time, energy and money. But caring for a Shih Tzu through all life stages brings years of companionship and joy. Do your homework to ensure this energetic, loving breed fits your lifestyle.

Tips and Considerations

Here are a few final tips for raising a happy, healthy Shih Tzu:

• Select a puppy from health-tested parents with good temperaments. Meet the mother dog if possible.

• Stock up on supplies before the puppy comes home for a seamless transition.

• Crate training and routine help Shih Tzus thrive. Set a consistent schedule.

• Use positive reinforcement training methods. Shih Tzus aim to please.

• Socialize early and often to prevent fearfulness. Maintain social skills.

• Groom frequently to avoid painful mats and skin problems beneath the coat.

• Feed a high-quality diet suited for the breed's size and activity level.

• Walks, games and puzzle toys satisfy exercise needs without overexertion.

• Teach children how to gently play with and handle this small breed. Supervise all interactions.

• Budget for professional grooming, medical care, quality food and supplies.

• Find a veterinarian you trust to provide preventative and wellness care.

• Patience and consistency are key during the puppy stages! Enjoy the journey.

With the proper guidance, care and love, a Shih Tzu puppy will mature into a playful, loyal companion for years to come. Do your preparation and enjoy this ancient breed!