How to Groom Your Shih Tzu Puppy

Set the puppy on a counter top. Hold the puppy gently and securely so that it does not move around. You can also have another person hold it in her lap, or use a restraint collar. If your shih tzu is nervous, do not attempt a full grooming, but brush small sections gently and make sure to give a treat to the puppy so it associates grooming with a positive experience.

Spray the fur with water or a tangle remover spray. Continue to spray until the fur is damp to the skin. Break up mats gently with your fingers or a rat-tail comb. Be careful not to poke the puppy, and give it a break if it shows any sign of fear or nervousness.

Use a bristle brush to groom your shih tzu puppy. Brush the hair away from the puppy's eyes and trim it as necessary so that your puppy can see. Keep the shih tzu's long "bangs" tidy with a barrette. Place the puppy on its back and brush its coat gently, starting at the chest and down to the belly. Most dogs resist this, so alternately, have a friend hold the puppy while you brush its belly. Dampen the fur as needed.

Place the puppy on its side. Dampen the fur as needed and part it into layers thin enough to brush through. Brush the undercoat with long strokes, teasing out any mats and tangles that are noticeable. Part thick fur with a comb, combing gently from the root to the tip. Pay attention to areas under the legs, around the tail, the ears and the belly to ensure that your puppy is completely tangle-free.

Clip your shih tzu puppy every 8 to 12 weeks. Choose a close clip or a longer style. For a close clip of 1 to 2 inches in length, use regular hair clippers or scissors. Clip the fur from the tail base to the neck in one even length, use a shorter guard to clip the stomach and underneath the tail, and use a close guard to clip the bridge of the nose. Give the puppy regular breaks and make sure to offer treats and praise to allay any nervousness.

Dampen your shih tzu's face with a washcloth. Work cornstarch into the moustache and beard. Allow the cornstarch to dry and then comb it out to remove stains from the area. Wipe the puppy's eyes with a damp cotton ball to remove tear stains and dirt.

Wash the puppy with a quality shampoo and conditioner designed for dogs. Bathe the puppy in lukewarm water and shampoo the fur where mats typically form. Work out any mats that you did not remove earlier with your fingers or a comb.

Dry your puppy with a towel to remove excess water. Turn a blow dryer onto the lowest setting and brush the coat to part and dry the hair.

Clean the shih tzu's anal area to remove dried fecal matter. Rinse the area with warm water and a washcloth to remove the fecal matter and dry it with a hair dryer. Brush and trim the fur around the area to keep it clean and prevent mats from forming mats.

Clip the fur between your shih tzu puppy's toes with scissors. The fur will often grow sporadically and long between the toes, and it can interfere with the puppy's gait.

Trim your shih tzu's toenails weekly. When the nails are too long, they will cause discomfort in walking. Place the puppy on its side and hold onto one of the feet with your hand. Push away any hair from the nails, and place your thumb between the pads on its paws. Trim the nails just above the quick, the pink part of the nail that has the nerves and blood vessels, so that only a thin line of white remains.