How to Take Care of a Shitzu

The Shih Tzu is one of the Toy breeds. These dogs are usually slightly longer in size than they are tall and have long hair. The Shih Tzu has round eyes, rather than the almond shape of some breeds and it is known for being a companion dog. Shih Tzus can be considered high-maintenance, due to the long hair and the playfulness of the dog's general mood. Caring for the Shih Tzu daily will help the dog's self confidence and will also keep the hair in good condition.

Things You'll Need

  • Face comb
  • 2 Level comb
  • Bristle brush
  • Conditioning shampoo
  • Hair ponies
  • Round tip scissors
  • Blow dryer
  • Washcloth
  • High-quality dog food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Groom the dog daily by brushing the hair and keeping it free of tangles. Brushing the hair several times a day may be required if the dog goes for a walk and gets into leaves, briars or other debris. If tangles refuse to come out of the hair, it is best to trim them out with round tipped scissors. Use a 2 level comb for the tough tangles and a face comb for mild combing or combing around the face and whiskers.

    • 2

      Shampoo the dog's hair with a conditioning shampoo for dogs with long hair. This will help the hair remain tangle-free as much as possible. The dog will need to be bathed and shampooed once every two weeks or more.

    • 3

      Dry the dog's hair on a cool setting. Drying it as you brush the dog's hair gently will also help keep the hair tangle-free. If your dog is not used to the sound of a dryer, you may have to help your dog adapt to it, gently.

    • 4

      Place the dog's hair back out of the eyes in a decorative dog-style hair ponie. These can be purchased at dog boutiques or pet stores. Some of them come with bows or ribbons. These need to be taken out each day to brush the hair.

    • 5

      Wash the dog's eyes gently with a soft cloth pre-wet with warm water. This helps to keep sleep mat from caking in the dog's eyes. This helps to prevent eye infections that can occur. Wash your hands before and after each eye cleaning.

    • 6

      Discuss vaccinations for your Shih Tzu with your veterinarian and take the dog in for shots when needed. Having your dog vaccinated is vital to the dog's health.

    • 7

      Feed your dog pet food that is high-quality. It may seem that high-quality dog food is much more expensive, but in the long run it actually can cost less. Higher quality dog food will require less per feeding, so your dog will not need as much of it. Therefore, it will last longer than the cheaper food. Higher quality dog foods mean less trips to the veterinarian's office, which helps offset the cost of paying more for the food up front. Look for dog foods that have specifically named meats and whole ground grains.

    • 8

      Avoid stress for your dog. Toddlers or babies who may create jealousy with your Shih Tzu can cause erratic barking, nervousness or sleeplessness. Pay attention to your dog's behavior and try to avoid stressful situations as much as you can or offer your dog more attention in these circumstances.

    • 9

      Exercise with your dog, get fresh air and play. Shih Tzu dogs love activity and sunshine. Playing with your dog is important to her overall disposition. Having exercise during the day also helps them sleep better and it is healthier for their muscles, weight and heart.

    • 10

      Assist your dog with separation anxiety. Symptoms of this may be constant barking, tearing up the house, yelping while running around in circles or urinating on the floor more than usual while you are gone. Caring for your Shih Tzu's emotional health, as well as it's physical health is important to the overall happiness of your dog. Speak with your vet about a mild anxiety prescription for your dog or other options to help the dog cope while you are separated.