Looking Into A Shih Tzu Hair Cut

A Shih Tzu dog's coat grows quickly so you are going to need to get a hair cut probably relatively early in your dog's life. A hair cut is a pretty big deal for a Shih Tzu so you are more than welcome to try it yourself if you feel you can give your dog the proper type of cut. If you would rather have someone else do it then that is fine and probably preferable. But in the end it is important to do what you feel is right for your dog.

A Shih Tzu pup can start getting hair cuts as young as ten weeks but you need to lead in to it by starting off with small snips of things here and there. Get the little dog used to the idea of being trimmed. Something that will help is to incorporate brushing in with the cutting, as these dogs generally love to be brushed. This will help keep the pup calm while learning to get their hair cut. You can probably do full cuts at around sixteen weeks.

The Shih Tzu has human like hair that makes up its coat instead of fur like every other dog so when you are giving a hair cut you need to keep that in mind. The things that hurt you when you get your hair cut are even worse for your dog so if you have the scissors that are so dull that they pull hair out instead of cutting it, or if you have a habit of sharply yanking up the hair to cut it, you need to rectify these situations as they will cause your dog to fear much needed grooming.

Make sure the hair around the eyes is always trimmed as hair in the eyes is not only very annoying to a Shih Tzu but it can cause an infection so make sure this area is maintained. You can try this yourself but since we are talking an animal capable of making sudden movements you may want to leave the eye area to a professional to avoid injury to your dog.

Always make sure your Shih Tzu hair cut makes the dog's coat shorter in the summer and a little longer in the winter. In the summer it needs to be short otherwise your dog will start to experience health problems with the heat. In the winter you can leave it as long as you like, but make sure the dog can still run and walk without tripping over its coat. Some people like to leave little pieces of hair so they can attach bows and ribbons, which is common among owners. The dogs, however, do not always like it.

Giving your Shih Tzu a hair cut yourself is just fine but you may want to watch a professional do it first. After you see what goes into doing a proper cut you might come to realize that the money you pay a professional once a month or so is well worth it to get your pets hair cut done right.

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Shih-tzu the Best Lap Dog Period

The Shih-tzu is mostly known for its vibrant beauty, abounding energy, and imperial attitude. In fact, the Shih-tzu has become one of the most popular breeds among consumers searching for the unimaginably cute and playful puppy.

The Shih-tzu originates in China. It is believed that these tiny dogs originated in Tibet and then were brought to be bred in the City of Peking. The Shih-tzu quickly caught the eye of the Imperial Chinese court and were guarded protectively by their benevolent owners. Members of the Chinese royalty were so protective of the breed that it wasn't until 1930 that the Shih-tzu debuted in Western civilization.

After being recognized by the British AKC in 1946 and the United States AKC in 1969, the Shih-tzu's popularity grew in leaps and bounds. Today the Shih-tzu remains a very popular breed for both companionship and showing.

Although small, the Shih-tzu is very sturdy and hardy. This breed's most identifiable traits are its abundant coat of long hair, full beard and mustache, and upward growing nose. Weighing in at only 9 to 16 pounds, Shih-tzus can reach an impressive height of 11 inches. The Shih-tzu is full of character. While they can be obstinate, dogs belonging to this breed are generally spunky, active and happy and sometimes portray an attitude that borders on arrogance.

Because of its small size, Shih-tzus do well in very small homes such as apartments. The lack of a yard does not even affect these little guys. They are very sensitive to heat though, and should be kept in a cool environment.

Caring for a Shih-tzu takes a little more patience and dedication than with other breeds. As I said before, these dogs can be obstinate and stubborn which makes training and house breaking a chore. Their thick, long coat requires daily grooming and brushing, and their sensitive eyes need to be cleaned and maintained daily. It is also a good idea to have Shih-tzus professionally groomed on a regular basis. This will aid you in your daily grooming rituals.

The most common health problems associated with Shih-tzus are usually related to their respiratory function. These dogs tend to wheeze and snore a great deal and are prone to ear, eye and other respiratory problems. Shih-tzus also tend to become obese very easily and should not be overfed. Perhaps the most endearing trait of the Shih-tzu is its clever and affectionate personality which make it ideal as a family pet. So, if you are looking for an adorable, spunky canine companion with an imperial background and attitude, perhaps a Shih-tzu is exactly what you are looking for.

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Keeping Your Shih Tzu's Coat Beautiful

One of the things most admired about Shih Tzu is their beautiful coat. That long flowing human like hair! But keeping their coats beautiful does require some effort. That is why many owners choose to keep the coat cut short. And unless you plan to show your Shih Tzu a short cut is perfectly acceptable.

To minimize the risk of tangles and mats a Shih Tzu should be brushed daily. Any pet shop will have a great variety of dog brushes to choose from, including slicker brushes and soft dog brushes. A very young puppy should be handled daily by the breeder. This includes massaging the feet and face, as well as rubbing the belly.

The permanent dog parents should brush their new puppy from day one, even if his coat does not really need it at the time. This will help the puppy become accustomed to the brushing and he will in fact, come to enjoy this time. Other benefits of this daily routine include the fact that it is a great way to bond with your pet and at the same time you are doing something productive. It is also an ideal time to inspect your pet for any parasites or signs of illness.

If you find tangles or mats carefully spread them apart with your fingers before attempting to brush them out. There are detangling products available to make this task easier. Another option is to mix a small amount of conditioner with water in a spray bottle and mist your pet as you brush. Use about 1/10 conditioner to 9/10 water mixture.

Besides daily brushing proper grooming of your Shih Tzu will include regular bathing. Depending on the age and size of your Shih Tzu, you may find that the use of the kitchen sink works better than the bathtub. Always use a shampoo and conditioner that is specially formulated for dogs. Once again, a trip to your local pet shop will provide you with lots of choices.

When bathing your pet be sure to make the experience enjoyable for him. Talk soothingly and massage his body as you wash. Use caution not to do too much rubbing or you may find that you actually cause tangling and matting.

You will need to either trim the hair around the eyes or use small rubber bands (orthodontic type) to pull the hair up away from the eyes. Hair in the eyes not only obstructs the vision of the Shih Tzu, but it can also result in an eye infection.

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Is a Shih Tzu the Right Dog For You?

Many times people will decide they want a new pet based upon the way a dog looks or some story they have heard about the breed. There is no denying that Shih Tzus (often misspelled as Shitzu, Shihzoo, Shihsue, etc.) are adorable. They are small and the perfect lap dog.

If you like small dogs then you are sure to like this dog breed. Shih Tzu are non-shedding, making them a good choice for persons with allergies. They are intelligent and lively and as happy to be with a single person as they are to be with a large family. Because they are small they do not require a lot of space - they are even content living in an apartment.

But there are many things to consider before adding a new Shih Tzu dog to your family. Perhaps the most important matter is that Shih Tzu are a huge responsibility. You must be committed to providing proper care for them for their lifespan.

You will need to consider your lifestyle and how a Shih Tzu will fit in.  Shih Tzus prefer not to be alone. They are the ultimate companion dog. If you are away from home several hours a day your Fur-baby will be lonely. Loneliness in a dog can result in unfortunate consequences. He/she may bark or whine non-stop or your little baby may look for a way to entertain himself -often this is chewing on things that you would prefer he didn't.

Ideally you will be able to spend most of your waking hours with your pet by your side. But if that is not possible you will need to find ways to keep him safe and out of trouble while you are away. Many dog parents have found that the use of a doggie play pen works well for this. They are large enough to allow plenty of play area, a bed, and a puppy pad space.

Although the doggie play pen will prevent any destruction of your items it does not help to keep your Shih Tzu company. A great solution to that is adding another Fur-baby. This is especially true of puppies. You will then have the fun and entertainment of watching the two of them play and grow together.

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How to Stop Your Shih Tzu From Biting

Train Your Puppy to Stop Biting

Your training should start as early as you puppy is 6 weeks old to avoid him from growing up to an aggressive Shih Tzu. When he bites, give a sharp alarm to express that you're hurt, like for example..."ouch!" or "no!" He will learn to associate your reaction with his behavior and be more careful the next time you play with him.

Don't make the mistake of letting your puppy grow with this habit by thinking that biting is only a dog's play. The truth is...the puppy is growing up unconsciously perfecting his biting power to be prepared to assume position if and when the situation calls for it. So the time to train your Shih Tzu to stop biting is when he is in the early months of life. One year may be a little late!

Be consistent in your anti-biting training. Repeated "ouch!" or "no!" every time he bites

no matter how light or how hard the bite is will teach him that any kind of bite is not accepted. Giving him a toy is another way to show a puppy that he can bite it but not your hand. Once you are getting what you want from your puppy, it's time to praise him to reinforce his good behavior. If still you have Shih Tzu problems about biting why not get him a professional obedience trainer?

Does Your Shih Tzu Still Bite at One Year Old?

If the biting and nipping behaviors are not arrested in the early puppy stage of life, it will continue to play biting until it is one year old. As dog owner you must be aware that playing games with your Shih Tzu encourages dominating attitude that includes biting.

This is the right time to set boundaries for your dog. Stop him from having the liberty around the whole house. Crate training is one way although a little harder at the age of 1. Good obedience training will help avoid your dog from growing up into an aggressive Shih Tzu that bites.

If Still Your Dog Bites When Older

If biting behavior continues as your Shih Tzu becomes an adult dog, he must not have undergone good and persistent obedience training and he wants to assert himself as the dominating power in the house. He might even turn on you!

The ultimate solution if your Shih Tzu puppy training fails (it will only fail if you've been inconsistent as the leader of the pack) is to get a professional help to prevent a pending danger of an attack.

Whether your dog grows up well-behaved or one that bites, it's your take. Remember that a dog is a man's best friend....if and only if you made him one.

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