Raising Shih Tzu Puppies

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect a week by week when you’re raising Shih Tzu puppies.  Remember the key to raising healthy and happy puppies is preparation on your part.  If you put in the work you will be richly rewarded.  Don’t skimp on any of the preparations, because this time period is crucial to developing a great Shih Tzu.

Week One

At this time puppies spend 90% of their time sleeping and only 10% eating.  They are very susceptible to heat and cold so you have to keep them constantly warm.   At this age they still cannot urinate or defecate by themselves they still need stimulation from their mother.   Some puppies can lose up to 10% of their weight after birth which is not abnormal but they should soon start to regain this weight.  In terms of weight the puppies should double in size by the end of the first week.   Keep the walloping box around 85° and when you handle the puppies make sure you use a towel to hold them.

Week Two

Shih Tzu puppies usually open their eyes around 8-10 days and their ears between days 13 and 17.  During the second week you can lower the temperature of the whopping box to  80° to 83°. 

Week Three

During the third week you’ll see teeth start to erupt and the puppies will start to stand and start walking.   They may even start to try and lap up some water or milk.  At this age their nervous system is more developed so they can urinate and defecate by themselves.  Also this is when the puppies will start to play a little bit more with their littermates.  You can start trying to give your puppies some milk replacer for at least one meal a day or try and offer some very mushy food. 

Week Four

At this age the puppies will start to eat more food and move around more easily.  They may even start to chase each other, bark, and bite.  Keep offering them more and more food every day.  At this age you should try and weigh them at least twice a week if not more to make sure they are gaining weight.

Week Five

Around the fifth full week puppies start to establish some sort of dominance in the pack.   Also you’ll see rapid growth and development and you can even start beginning the weaning process when raising Shih Tzu puppies at this age.

Week Six

Continue weighing your Shih Tzu puppies on a regular basis and continue to offer more or more food since this is a period of rapid development and growth for puppies.

Week Seven

At about this age puppies have total hearing and visual capacity and will be more inquisitive about the environment.  You should have completely weaned the puppies at this point and they should be on regular puppy food.  Only adopt the puppies out when they have been fully weaned.

Week Eight, Nine and Ten.

Around this age when raising Shih Tzu puppies you can begin house training or potty training and if you have not separated the littermates yet now would be the time to do so.   Most puppies start their first series of vaccinations around this age as well so you should contact your veterinarian and set up appointments.  It is good to get a thorough veterinary examination when raising Shih Tzu puppies, and have the first series of vaccinations given.