FAQ...

What do I feed my new puppy?

I wean my puppies on Chicken Soup for the Puppy Lover's Soul. PetCo and PetsMart carries this throughout the United States. You may want to soften the dry kibble with warm water the first few weeks. Not all puppies like to eat whole dry kibble. As an infant puppy they seem to like soft food better. Spoiling a baby puppy should be the least of your worries. Getting your puppy to eat is more important than what they eat at this stage in their life. Switching over later on is not a problem.

Let your puppy eat as much dry food as he/she wants as often as he/she wants. Always leave dry food down for your puppy. A young puppy will not eat on demand. They eat when they want to so there has to be something down whenever they decide to eat. Start with 2 heaped tablespoons. You can adjust the amount when you see how much your puppy eats at a meal. At 12-16 weeks of age, you can pick up the water bowl at night to aid in potty training but have dry kibble accessible always until you see a pattern of your puppy's eating habits. Then you can feed your puppy when you know they usually want to eat. A particularly small puppy make need a supplement of canned food until 3 or 4 months of age. At that time you should be able to switch to puppy dry kibble until 8 months of age. Then you can switch to adult.

Do males or females make better pets?

Everybody has a different opinion on this question! Some feel that males are much more loving and get more attached to you than the females do. The main factor in people choosing a female over a male is that they worry about a male dog lifting their leg on things as they get older. Indeed, it is true that if a male is left unaltered and around other dogs that they do tend to want to mark their territory. This is a natural instinct and is not the dog's fault! If a male is neutered early enough, this generally does not happen. In fact, if they are neutered by 6 months of age, most never even lift their leg and squat like a female to pee. They don't have the slightest idea what marking territory is about. Most people who have a problem with males lifting their leg after they have been neutered, have usually waited until they are adults or are already marking their territory before altering them. NEVER NEUTER A MALE BEFORE 5 MONTHS OF AGE! Some breeders will have this done at 8 weeks of age. WRONG!! A male needs a certain amount of hormones to develop properly.

What about vaccinating and worming?

They are wormed on a regular basis starting shortly after birth. All puppies are born with worms no matter how worm-free their mother may appear to be under the microscope. Canines have the residual of worm infestation embedded in the lining of their stomach. This has been passed down for umpteen years and apparently can't be gotten rid of. Therefore they pass this along to all offspring who shortly find themselves with a worm in their tummy. Every puppy MUST be wormed. Continue deworming your puppy on a monthly basis until 4 months of age.  Have a fecal exam done regularly until 1 year of age, then annually when time for vaccinations. Check with your vet, their schedule may vary.

It is a good idea to vaccinate against distemper, hepatitis, adeno2, parvo and parainfluenza. Puppy will need another vaccination with an '8 in 1' at 10 weeks of age and again at 14 weeks along with a rabies vaccination. The last 8-in-1 will be given at 18 weeks. Revaccinate annually. Always keep your puppy away from strange dogs, their urine and feces, until your puppy has completed their series of vaccinations. When going to the vet, never let your puppy down on the floor. Do not let anyone in the office pet your puppy until all vaccines have been given. That is how parvo and other diseases can be transmitted. Bring your own towel or blanket to place on the examining table. If you would like to give your puppy other vaccinations such as Lyme if they will be exposed to ticks, Giardia if they are exposed to bad water or Bordetellosis if they are kept in a kennel care while you work or walked by a dog walking service, do not administer on the same day your 8-in-1 is given. Many vets commonly treat larger puppies/dogs and aren't real familiar with the teacups. They should not be given too many drugs at one time. Remember, the 1 lb teacup gets the same amount of vaccine that a 50 lb dog gets!!

Why are imperials so expensive and do you give a size guarantee?

Usually, the tinier the puppy, the higher the price. The reason that breeders charge so much for the real tiny ones , is that the extremely tiny puppy (3-4 lbs) is very hard to get! Also, most breeders put a lot of TLC in raising the tiny imperials 24/7. Imperials require extra care, and some can't go to a new home until they are at least 10-12 weeks old.

There are two descriptions of shih tzus; Imperial and the Standard. Imperials are under 9 lbs, standards are 9 lbs but under 17 lbs.

What kind of care does a Shih Tzu require?

Things to look out for in the Imperial Shih Tzu are eyes, ears, teeth and skin.

Skin Care - Shih Tzu require brushing and combing at least 3 times a week. To maintain a full coat, weekly baths and blow drying are a must. For the clipped coat pet, they still require regular brushing and baths every two weeks. Imperials can have sensitive skin. If you notice your pet scratching a lot during the day and you have eliminated fleas and your vet sees no rash, redness nor obvious skin problems, you might need to check your food ingredients. Imperials can suddenly develop a condition to an ingredient that they have previously been eating with no problems. Choose a food with a proper balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. If necessary, you can give a supplement of Fish Oil, 1 teaspoon, 1-2 times a week. If the coat is still dull and dry, have your vet check for tapeworms. You will need to bring in an entire stool, not just a small sample. You can't see tapeworms under a microscope. The vet will look for segments of them around the outer part of the stool. But just because you don't see them, doesn't mean your dog doesn't have them. Even with a good topical preventive, all it takes is to swallow one flea for them to develop tapeworms.

Dental Care - Crooked teeth and/or baby teeth that refuse to fall out are common in the Imperial breed. Have your vet check their teeth at every visit. Daily brushing is also recommended. Your vet or groomer can show you how to do this.

Ear Care - Shih Tzu grows fine soft hair in their ears which should be removed to prevent ear infections and to maintain good health. Therefore, a trip to the groomer at least every 1-2 months is required if you can't do this yourself.

The long floppy ears of a Shih Tzu make them more susceptible to ear infections. This trait is also a favorite breeding spot for ear mites. Birds bring in mites and leave them in your yard so they can be easily picked up by your Imperial and doesn't mean you have a dirty place. Check their ears often and keep them clean. Before you begin, ask your veterinarian for advice on ear care, cleansing solutions and frequency of use.

Step 1: With your dog lying on his side, apply an ear-cleaning solution to the inside of his ear.

Step 2: Gently massage the outer ear for a minute or two so the solution can take effect. Step 3: Use a clean, solution-soaked cotton ball—never a cotton swab—to remove remaining dirt and wax near the opening of the ear canal. Clean the inside and outer folds of each ear.

Special hints: Check ears at least once a week. If you notice redness, swelling, discharge, crustiness or a foul odor—or if your dog often shakes his head, tilts it to one side, or scratches his ears—schedule a veterinarian examination.

Eye Care - The large eyes of a Shih Tzu make them more susceptible to eye infections. Their short muzzle makes it necessary for them to get their whole face very close to something in order to check it out, making them more susceptible to eye debris and injury.

Step 1: Put your dog in the sitting position and place one hand on the top of his head.

Step 2: With your free hand, use a moist cotton ball to gently clean the skin and coat around each eye.

Special hints: Tend to eyes at least once each week. Eyes should be bright, clear and free of matter and discharge. If they appear inflamed or the surrounding skin is overly red, contact your veterinarian.

Note: Some shih tzu have extra short muzzles with deep skin folds around their eyes that require extra care. Use a moist cotton ball to swab inside the folds and remove debris. Your veterinarian may recommend an antiseptic wash for this purpose.

The anal gland

Imperials have a small gland right inside their anus that holds a brown colored fluid. This is not feces. Your groomer will empty this gland by squeezing it. It is a simple procedure called 'expressing the anal gland' and can also be done at home during a bath. Your vet or groomer can demonstrate how to do this.

Umbilical hernia

Sometimes a puppy may have a small opening at their belly button. This is called an umbilical hernia and is common in some short nosed breeds. Whether this is caused by the mom pulling too hard on the cord at birth or a genetic condition is not known with 100% certainty. An umbilical hernia that has no protrusion is not painful nor is it dangerous. They usually close on their own by the time they are grown but if not, having a stitch placed during the spay/neutering procedure will take care of it.

Shih Tzu has many admirable traits but it is perhaps the breed's temperament that is so remarkable. In fact, the AKC breed standard for the Shih Tzu specifically mentions its temperament, stating that the breed must be "outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting toward all."

The Shih Tzu may even be loving and trusting to a fault. They don't understand that someone may not like them or that something bad night happen to them. Also, they are slow to recognize aggression from other dogs or animals. They will walk up to any dog and go nose to nose, wagging their tails.

Another attractive Shih Tzu quality is that although they are small, they are tough and sturdy. They are a big dog in a small package but don't require a ton of exercise. Shih Tzu enjoy their walks but they don't 'require' a lot of activity. They are ready to play when you are, but they can amuse themselves. Even an older Shih Tzu will still love their balls, toys and other play objects.

This is not to say that the Shih Tzu can survive without any attention. The Shih Tzu 'lives' to be with its owner. If you don't like having a shadow, don't get a Shih Tzu.

Another consideration is that Shih Tzu can be a real challenge to "house-train." Crating your new puppy is a must. If you can't stand being away from him at night, place the crate next to your bed. Be consistent, it won't take long and they will get the idea. Then you can move the crate to storage and your lil' Shih Tzu will be able to have the run of the house.

Imperial Care: Small Imperials are not suitable for everyone's lifestyle. I get several e-mails a day from people looking for imperials. A lot of people get mini's and imperials confused. Most people think that they want an imperial, when they are really looking for a nice tiny toy. A mini is still tiny enough to rest in the smallest lap, fit in the new papoose backpacks or reside in a condo or apartment. They do not realize the extra care that a very tiny imperial requires. Most imperials will never be able to jump on your bed without a stool. If they are put on a bed or couch as a puppy, they must be watched constantly so that they do not fall off, as they can break a leg or be seriously or fatally injured. Plus, as puppies, because of their small size, they cannot have the run of the whole house and must be confined in a small playpen etc. They are also not suitable for households with small children or even larger dogs, as they can be easily hurt, dropped, or stepped on. Also, some (but not all) teacups are prone to *Hypoglycemia. (*Which is low blood sugar). When a dog uses up all his stored source of energy (food) and it isn't replaced, then low blood sugar results. So if you decide to get a teacup, make sure you know the warning signs! To prevent this, tiny pups should have small frequent meals and plenty of time to rest. All animals, including humans, have intestinal bacteria such as E-coli. It's called intestinal Flora. Some are good bacteria and are necessary to eat up the bad ones. Maintaining a natural balance is essential for good health. When the bad out way the good, problems are present such as diarrhea. Stress induced coccidia is very common in young puppies. Something as simply as changing their environment can cause an outbreak. Albon is the antibiotic of choice to cure this condition.

If ticks are a problem in your yard please consult your veterinarian. How do I housetrain my new puppy? Housetraining means that you are training your puppy to urinate/defecate outdoors. Remember that your shih tzu wants to please you and will try its hardest to do just that. Your puppy will learn faster if you use positive praise and affection. - When you are unable to be home (or unable to pay 100% attention to the pup) never give your puppy full access of the house before they are two years of age. They are still too immature at this time of their life. Confining them while you are away or busy (in room with child safety gate) is the safe choice as well as the best and easiest way to housetrain.

- Feeding times need to be scheduled after 12 weeks of age.

- Limited daily access to water; water 5 to 6 times a day, and after each drink take the puppy immediately outside to urinate/defecate. Praise them once they have gone to the bathroom!

- Accept that there WILL be accidents, your puppy’s body is still immature. A puppy doesn’t gain complete control of their bladder until they are 12 weeks of age. Reward him when he goes outside with lots of praise, and ignore the accidents. This attitude will speed up his learning.

1) After 12 weeks of age you can put the puppy on a schedule. You want to feed them at a certain time every day. Take them outdoors to urinate/defecate at the same times each day. First thing in the morning, before feeding them or even feeding yourself, let them out to urinate/defecate. Then, after you feed them in the AM, let them out to urinate/defecate again. Repeat this after each feeding and watering each day. Praise them once they have done their business outside! You puppy will learn much quicker with positive praise.

For a general gauge to go by: Puppies from 8 weeks to three months of age should have dry kibble accessible for the puppy all day, puppies 3 months of age to 6 months of age should be fed three times daily. When the dog reaches 6 months of age to 1 year of age, they should be fed twice daily. Then, when the puppy is over one year old, they can be fed either once or twice daily.

Give the puppy water every 3 to 4 hours, which is about four to five times a day. After he drinks, take the puppy outside to urinate/defecate (this means you will be bringing the puppy outdoors about 5 to 6 times each day). 2) Be sure that your puppy is given a proper diet. Before bringing your puppy home from the breeder, ask the breeder what they have been feeding the puppy and continue feeding the same feed (same brand and flavor, if applicable) as well as the same amount. If you wish to change feeds, be sure to do so gradually by adding a little bit of the new feed with the old each day (this change should be made over period of 7-10 days). Avoid giving your dog table scraps. By 12 weeks of age you can start feeding him at certain times. This way you will always know when to take him outdoors and will speed up housetraining.

3) The last water given to the puppy should be around 7:30PM, and yet another trip outdoors to urinate/defecate. Then, the last time to take them outside in order to urinate/defecate should be around 11:00PM. (This last trip outside is up to you - whatever time you normally turn in for the night, just keep it at the same time over the weekend as well)

4) You must choose one type of housebreaking. Either you train your puppy to be housebroken, which is where the dog always urinates outdoors, or, you paper train your puppy. This is where the puppy urinates/defecates indoors in a predetermined area, such as on a hard floor upon newspapers. You must choose one, not both. This avoids confusion.

5) The young puppy needs some area of confinement - they shouldn’t have complete run of the house, especially prior to housebreaking and during the housebreaking process! Confinement can be within the kitchen; it's a great choice since it usually has a hard floor and doesn't have wires or tempting remote controls laying around! Also, using a child safety gate helps keep them from running about the house and soiling other rooms. It also serves to save them from other dangers around the home as well.