New Shih Tzu puppy FAQ

Shih Tzu Planet has come up with a few questions new Shih Tzu owners may ask. If you have more questions feel free to let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer.

1) When can I bathe my Shih Tzu puppy for the first time?
Because grooming will always be such a big part of the Shih Tzu’s life it’s best not to wait too long to start getting him used to bathing and grooming. When you start is up to you really, but around 3 months of age should be old enough. You may want to protect his ears from getting wet as this can cause infections.

2) What things will I need when I first bring him home?
- Dog food and water
- Dog dishes for him to drink and eat out of, preferably ceramic
- Some warm cozy bedding for him to sleep on
- Some outdoor rainproof shelter if you want him to sleep outside
- Some chew toys
- Worm and flea medication although you most likely won’t need this immediately so it’s not as urgent
- Grooming things - brush, shampoo etc - another thing that is not urgent but is good to have right away

3) Should I start house training the puppy right away?
Yes but gently and without punishment. Establish a toilet area and don’t let the puppy roam around the house unsupervised until he is used to going to the toilet only in the designated area. The designated toilet area’s surface should be different to the rest of your house flooring such as carpet or floorboards.