Shih Tzu Puppy Care

Caring For Your Shih Tzu Puppy

Shih Tzu puppy care can be a lot of fun, but it is important that you provide the correct essentials to get your puppy off on the right food.

You should not bring your puppy home until they are completely weaned which is anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks depending on how the breeder does it. 

Younger puppies are cuter, but they have to be fully weaned and at least two months old before you bring them home otherwise you are asking form problems.

Feeding Puppies

Puppies should be fed several times a day or just offered food ad lib, which means free choice.  Puppies should be on hard food, in fact all dogs should be on hard food to help keep their teeth clean.

Puppies are able to eat hard food, but if you think they are having trouble with this you can wet down their food a little.

Shih Tzu puppy care also involves making sure your puppy has lots of fresh clean water to drink.

Housebreaking A Shih Tzu

Potty training your Shih Tzu will take some time and effort on your part.  When you first get your puppy home you should take them outside every hour so they know they can go outside if the choose.

Every time they go outside make sure you reward them, either through rewards, like a food treat, or through affection.  They have to learn that when they use the bathroom outside they are rewarded and when they go inside they are punished.

Housebreaking your Shih Tzu goes fastest when you maintain a regular routine of when you take your dog outside.

Dogs love to live by routines, so give them one.

Shih Tzu vaccinations

Shih Tzu puppy care also involves making sure your dog is vaccinated.  Normal puppy shots start around 8 weeks of age and are given every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks old, which is when they should have a fully active immune system.

The puppy shot is called DHPP, which stand for Distemper,  Hepatitis, Parvo, and Parainfluenza.

At 4 months of age your dog should receive its rabies vaccination, which is a legal requirement for all Shih Tzu to have.

Shih Tzu puppy care is great.  You are rewarded for all your hard work with a loving caring and respectful dog.