Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

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How to Give Your Shih Tzu Puppy a Bath

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Bath time has finally arrived for your new Shih Tzu puppy! If you already have had dogs in the past you probably already know how to bathe your dog. But, for the first-time puppy owner, the task may be daunting! Hopefully, this blog post will ease your fears.

You will need to gather the following supplies before you start bathing your Shih Tzu puppy:

  • Shampoo (I like the TropicClean line.)
  • A towel or a baby bath mat to place in the sink.
  • Baby washcloths.
  • A comb for brushing fur.
  • A dog eye comb or a fine-toothed comb for the eye area.
  • Eye cleaner (I like Burt’s Bee’s eye wash.)
  • Ear cleaner if your puppy is prone to ear infections or the ears smell or look dirty. (I like Zymox cortisone free ear cleaner.)
  • Cotton balls for cleaning eyes and protecting ears during bath.
  • A cup for rinsing your puppy.
  • A couple of towels for drying your puppy.
  • A blow dryer for drying your Shih Tzu.
  • Treats for a job well done.

Bath-Time procedure:

  1. Brush the coat well. Shih Tzus has a thick double coat. Make sure to get through both layers. Be extra gentle when dealing with mats. It is important to brush through the coat and remove all mats before bathing. Bathing will just mat the coat more if it isn’t brushed out before the bath.
  2. Next, line the sink with the baby bath mat or a towel. This will prevent your puppy from slipping. Your puppy will feel safer this way.
  3. Place cotton balls in your Shih Tzu puppy’s ears to prevent water from getting inside the ear canal.
  4. Place your Shih Tzu puppy on the bath mat or towel. Gently pour water over your puppy with the cup. (Make sure the water is warm but not hot.) If your sink has a hose attachment you can use it if your puppy tolerates it. I typically soak the entire body and leave the head for last. When working with a young puppy I drench a washcloth in warm water. I use the washcloth to gently clean the face area. I’m extra careful when I approach the eye area.
  5. Then I pour some shampoo into my hand and massage it into the puppy’s fur. You can purchase a squeeze bottle and fill it with shampoo and water if you prefer. I also rub a little shampoo on the top of the puppy’s head, the sides of the face, and under the chin. I am very careful to avoid the sensitive eye area. I use eye cleaner and a cotton ball to clean the eye area after the bath is finished.
  6. Rinse the shampoo away with warm water.
  7. Wrap your Shih Tzu puppy in a towel and rub dry.
  8. Take your eye cleaner and saturate two cotton balls. Gently massage the eye area. Then take the dog eye comb and gently remove any debris. (Click here to read my detailed blog post on eye cleaning.)
  9. Take the cotton balls out of your puppy’s ears if you haven’t already done so. This is a great time to clean your Shih Tzu puppy’s ears if needed. Gently squirt ear cleaner into the ear. Massage the ear. Then take a cotton ball and dry the area to the best of your ability.
  10. Blow dry your puppy. Use the warm setting to prevent burning your puppy.
  11. Once your puppy’s fur is completely dry comb through the fur again gently to make sure there aren’t any tangles. You can do this a little later in the day if the fur is still damp or your puppy needs a break.
  12. Finally, give your puppy a high-value treat and lots of praise and snuggles for a job well done!

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New Shih Tzu Puppy Essentials

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A chocolate-liver Shih Tzu puppy with his tongue out resting on a white blanket with leaves.
Puppies provide unconditional love!

If you’re getting ready to bring home a new Shih Tzu puppy soon you will need a supply list to help you prepare for the arrival. Having the proper essentials before your puppy comes home will help the transition go smoothly. Before your new Shih Tzu puppy arrives you will want everything in place so you can focus on puppy kisses and making your new puppy feel at home.

Most of the supplies below can be found on my Amazon favorites list for new puppy owners: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/31T4PG3CU0ND3?ref_=wl_share. Hopefully, the supply list will help ease the process. Click here for more of my personal Shih Tzu puppy recommendations.

New Puppy Supply List

  • A puppy playpen
  • A travel crate (I use the travel crate for vet visits and car trips.) I love the travel crate that attaches to the stroller option. It is a great investment and will help keep all four paws off the floor until the puppy vaccine series is complete.
  • Baby gates for sectioning off unsafe areas.
  • A Turf Potty tray system or paper potty pads and a tray: This comes in handy if you’re going to be gone for longer periods in early puppyhood. Puppies are only able to hold their bladders for so long.
  • Puppy wipes for cleaning dirty paws and bottoms.
  • A dog car seat or seat belt if you’re not going to use a travel crate.
  • Puppy kibble (Your Shih Tzu breeder should have recommendations for you.) Make sure the kibble is for puppies or all life stages, NOT adult dogs. Puppies need puppy food to develop properly.
  • Canned or fresh puppy food for the first few days just in case the puppy isn’t eating.
  • Filtered water (We have reverse osmosis. It helps tremendously with tear staining in my opinion.)
  • Treats and safe chews
  • A Kong, teething toys, and some interactive treat dispensers and toys to keep your puppy busy.
  • Food and water bowls preferably stainless steel. (I use a water fountain with all my Shih Tzu litters.) I feel it is more hygienic and helps with tear staining.
  • Honey, corn syrup, or Nutrical for low blood sugar.
  • Unflavored Pedialyte or Puppylyte for diarrhea or vomiting.
  • A Leash
  • A Harness (Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed.) A collar should never be used for walking. The collar can put pressure on your Shih Tzu’s sensitive airway.
  • A dog collar for ID tags
  • Dog shampoo and conditioner
  • Ear cleaner
  • Brush or comb (I prefer a stainless steel comb for daily brushing.)
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste (Ask your vet when it is best to start brushing your puppy’s teeth.)
  • Nail clippers
  • Blunt safety scissors for occasional eye trims.
  • Dog grooming clippers come in handy for trimming up bottoms and pads in between grooming appointments. If the bottom area isn’t kept clean from hair your Shih Tzu could suffer from an impacted bowel which can be deadly.
  • A dog bed or cot
  • Nontoxic enzyme cleaner for cleaning up accidents.
  • Poo bags
  • Pooper scooper
  • Pet Insurance
  • A first-aid kit
  • A good veterinarian, trainer, and groomer! (Bella and Baxter is a good online training option if you’re not interested in private training or puppy classes. You will receive a 25% discount if you utilize Bella & Baxter and use the discount code ARIZONASUNRISE when checking out.)
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Survival Tips for Your Puppy’s First Few Days at Home

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A gold female Shih Tzu puppy for sale dressed up in a red, white and black Minnie Mouse costume.
Puppies Bring So Much Joy to Those That Love Them

Bringing home a new puppy is super exciting! But, the first few days with your new puppy may be challenging. Your puppy will need time to acclimate to his/her new home environment. Your puppy has been taken away from everything that he or she has ever known. Your puppy may whine in the playpen and you may have some sleepless nights. The good news is it will pass. Your puppy will acclimate.  Just remain patient while your puppy adapts to his/her new surroundings.

Below are some tips that may help the first few days go more smoothly.

  • Take your puppy potty in the desired location as soon as you get home. 
  • Gradually introduce your new puppy to family members. Remember, your puppy may take time to acclimate. It’s best to go slow. 
  • Be cautious when introducing your puppy to your other house pets. Puppies are jumpy! Read the blog post I wrote on how to safely introduce two dogs to each other if you want specific tips for success. Not all pets are comfortable with a jumpy puppy. Your pets will need time to become used to one another.
  • You may want to attach a leash to a harness when your puppy is out of the playpen for safety and control.
  • Your puppy may not be very hungry the first day or two. He or she may not eat a full meal at each sitting. Until your puppy is eating well, I recommend feeding frequently and leaving dry kibble out all day.
  • Offer your puppy plenty of praise and treats to start building a positive bond.
  • If your puppy is refusing kibble the first few days offer a fresh or canned option. If you don’t have any fresh or canned food options available, soak kibble in water for a couple of hours. puppies usually find soaked kibble very palatable. Or, grind up some freeze-dried chicken hearts or liver treats and sprinkle it onto their kibble.
  • Book your vet appointments ahead if possible. Veterinarians often book out months in advance. Puppies need booster shots every 3 to 4 weeks until the puppy vaccination series is complete.
  • When you take your puppy for puppy vaccinations, remember all 4 paws off the floor! I cover the exam table and scale with a throw-away potty pad after wiping everything down with a disinfectant wipe. Also, make sure staff washes their hands before handling your puppy. First thing in the morning appointments are helpful. I use a puppy stroller with a detachable base to transport my dogs to the vet. Some of the stroller options even clip to the seatbelt.
  • Ask your breeder to send your puppy home with a blanket or toy with Mom and the littermates’ scent to help with anxiety. Snuggle puppies are a great purchase for calming as well.
  • A Kong, a safe puppy chew, a puppy puzzle, a lick mat, or a snuffle mat are great tools for keeping your puppy busy while in the playpen. 
  • I advise filtered water for your puppy. We have reverse osmosis in our home. I feel it helps prevent tear staining as well.
  • Puppies can sometimes get loose stools from stress. Canned PLAIN pumpkin can be helpful. Avoid feeding table scraps. 
  • Remember, a tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. Play with your puppy often! Your puppy needs exercise. Short exercise sessions will help your puppy remain calm in the playpen. 
  • I recommend purchasing a playpen to serve as your puppy’s living space until potty training is well underway. This is a safe place for your puppy to stay when you’re not able to supervise. I prefer the playpen set up to the crate because it gives the puppies more room to play and move around. If you’re worried about your flooring. You can place a large piece of Linoleum or Garage grip flooring under the playpen. The flooring options can be found at Home Depot. They typically have inexpensive remnant linoleum rolls in the flooring section.
  • Your puppy is teething. Be patient and offer a chew toy as an alternative if your puppy tries to chew on your hand. Wet frozen washcloths help as well.
  • If you are going to use an artificial turf potty pad or paper pad in the playpen I recommend that you purchase a potty tray system that holds everything in place. Your puppy will chew up the paper pad underneath if it isn’t secure.
  • I recommend bathing your puppy every 4-6 weeks. Bathing too often can dry out the skin. I love the TropicClean line.
  • I clean the puppy living quarters with nontoxic floor products such as Method, Seventh Generation, Simple Green, etc.
  • Whenever you walk up to the puppy playpen to greet your puppy stand as far away from the potty and food area. Your puppy will rush over to see you and may accidentally step in the food or water bowl or step on poop.
  • When you walk up to the playpen remain still and avoid petting your puppy until he or she is calmly sitting. Then offer praise and or a reward. I try not to pet the puppies until they’re sitting calmly.
  • I do the same thing with feeding. I stand calmly with the food bowl or treat. I wait patiently until the puppies are sitting quietly. Then I offer the food.
  • Remember to always reward positive behavior and redirect negative behavior when possible!

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How to Recognize Normal Behavior in Shih Tzu Puppies

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An available liver Shih Tzu puppy laying on a fuzzy baby blue blanket next to a stuffed toy.
A Liver Shih Tzu Puppy


So you have finally brought your new puppy home from a reputable Shih Tzu breeder. You’re super excited to do everything in your power to properly raise your Shih Tzu puppy. You have bought books on everything from potty training to teaching your new puppy simple commands like how to sit.

Life is going great! Then one day you’re playing with your sweet Shih Tzu puppy and he nips your finger hard! Unfortunately, mouthing, chewing, and biting are normal puppy behaviors. This behavior is similar to a baby teething. All puppies teethe and seek out something to chew on to relieve the discomfort. I am here to tell you that anything is a game including your fingers. I typically tell my Shih Tzu puppy owners to always have a chew toy in hand when playing with a teething puppy. Simply redirect by offering the toy instead of your hand. If the behavior continues discontinue the play session and try again with a chew toy in hand when the puppy calms down.

Jumping up to greet guests is another normal puppy behavior. Puppies are full of energy and get super excited when it comes to receiving human attention. I recommend staying very still, folding your arms, and ignoring your puppy until he or she has stopped jumping up. Then show your puppy attention. This method will reward appropriate behavior while ignoring the negative behavior. I also advise training simple commands like sit and stay which will help tremendously.

Curiosity is another common puppy behavior. Your new puppy is learning all about this great big world. Puppies are often eager to explore their new environment. This heightened curiosity is great but must also be managed appropriately. Your puppy could easily become injured if he or she becomes curious about your house plant and decides to take a nibble for instance. Many plants and other items in the average pet home are toxic to dogs. It is essential to safety-proof the home before your curious puppy arrives. An app like PupTox is a great idea as well. I also suggest keeping your puppy in a playpen when you’re unable to supervise until trained.

Below, I have put together a list of some of the most common puppy behaviors. Some of the more undesirable behaviors can be properly managed through training. Also, remember that your puppy will mature and outgrow many of these behaviors over time. In the meantime, I advise being patient and consistent with training. Before you know it, your puppy will become an amazing well-trained member of your family.

Common Puppy Behaviors:

  • Curious about everything
  • Energetic (Puppy Zoomies)
  • Affectionate
  • Barking and vocalizing
  • Mouthing and chewing
  • Chasing anything that moves
  • Whining
  • Jumping up
  • Short attention span
  • Pouncing
  • Putting everything and anything in their mouths
  • Vigorously shaking toys
  • Shredding potty pads, toys, beds
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Why is my Puppy Whining all the Time?

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purebred liver Shih Tzu puppy sitting on a blanket full of fall leaves.

I always tell my clients that having a new puppy in the home is equivalent to having a new baby. Puppies like babies are not able to use their words to tell us how they feel. Whining or crying is your puppy’s way of trying to tell you something. Puppy owners must learn to speak their new puppy’s language.

Also, try and remember to be patient! Your puppy has just been taken away from everything he or she has ever known. Whining in the beginning is very normal. The good news is that puppies are very adaptable. With love, guidance, and patience they will grow into amazing family members.

One of the most common reasons for whining will be your puppy’s need for human attention. If your puppy cries whenever you enter the room your puppy might be craving human touch. When it comes to temperament, some puppies have a high human focus. They’re like stickers. They always want to be stuck to you!

This doesn’t mean you should always pick your puppy up every time he or she whimpers. Remember when I said that puppies are like babies? It is your job to figure out why your new baby is crying. You don’t want to pick up your puppy every time he or she whimpers. This will just teach your puppy that whining is an acceptable behavior.

Instead, I recommend first and foremost, making sure your puppy’s needs are met. Does your puppy need a hug and cuddle session with his or her favorite humans? Has your puppy eaten enough and had plenty to drink? Does your puppy need to go potty? Is your puppy in need of an exercise session or some mental stimulation? Is your puppy still acclimating to his or her new home and missing mom or siblings? Is your puppy not feeling well?

Once you find out why your puppy is whining it will be much easier to meet his or her basic needs. On the other hand, remember you don’t need to pick up your puppy every time he or she cries. Your puppy needs to learn how to self-soothe. You can help the process go smoothly by providing your puppy with a snuggle puppy and toys that provide mental stimulation. Feel free to browse my list of ideas for keeping your puppy busy here.

Tip for Success

I thought it would be great to end this blog post with a tip that I feel helps with puppy whining. Whenever you’re getting ready to pick up your puppy stand in front of him or her and freeze. Avoid picking up your puppy until he or she is calm and remains still.

This way you’re not rewarding the negative jumping up and whining behavior. You may have to walk out of sight and watch from a distance until you see the desirable behavior if your puppy is relentless. When you catch your puppy being calm and displaying appropriate behavior pick him or her up and give a big hug, praise, and maybe even a treat!

Always remember to reward the positive and ignore the negative when it comes to whining. The exemption to the rule is if your puppy is hurt. In this case, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. A good trainer will come in handy as well! Follow the following link if you desire more information on online puppy school from Baxter & Bella: https://www.baxterandbella.com/.

They always say it takes a village to raise a child properly. I believe it takes a village to raise a puppy properly as well! If everyone in the family is on board, consistent, and patient the puppy will have all the tools necessary to be successful. In no time at all your puppy will be grow up and you will miss the puppy days of the past.

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How to Safely Introduce Two Dogs to Each Other

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Two purebred liver Shih Tzu puppies for sale in my responsible breeding program on a white rug.
Liver Shih Tzu Brothers & Best Friends

If you plan on bringing a new puppy or adult dog home and already have a dog at home this is a good read for you! Dogs have their special way of getting to know one another. We as humans must take the necessary steps to help the introduction go smoothly.

Dogs are social creatures and they learn a lot of valuable information by interacting with other dogs. You may observe that they use their noses to learn about one another. Sniffing is a huge part of the investigation process. Often dog introductions are a wonderful match from the start. Other times, time and patience come into play.

The human needs to observe the interaction to make sure things are going well. Pay close attention to body language. The dog’s body should not be tense. Their ears shouldn’t be pinned back. The dogs should look relaxed and curious. If either dog looks anxious or afraid this could be a red flag.

It is common for the greeting to be short. One dog may simply walk away and go about his business after the introduction. Another scenario that may play out is that the dogs may not greet one another at all in the beginning. They may simply not be interested in interacting at the moment.

Some tips for helping the dog introduction go smoothly include the following:

  • Ideally, have the meet and greet take place in an open neutral space so the dogs have room to flee if necessary.
  • You may want to have both dogs on a leash to start.
  • Keep meet-and-greet sessions short.
  • Be cautious with resources such as food and toys until a relationship is established.
  • If possible, know the temperament of both dogs.
  • Make sure your new puppy/dog has a safe place when you’re not able to observe the dogs interacting. A playpen, spare room, or crate works well.
  • Praise positive interactive behaviors.
  • Redirect negative interactions and separate for a while.
  • Have a trainer lined up just in case any issues arise.
  • Join an online dog training program like Baxter & Bella for more tips for success. (https://www.baxterandbella.com/)

My biggest tip for success is to be patient. The getting to know one another process often takes time. Your dogs may become best friends overnight or it may take time for them to acclimate to one another. Either way, be there to patiently facilitate the process and step in when necessary. Hopefully, a lifelong canine friendship will be right around the corner.

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