Shih Tzu

Sweet 'n' sassy frolic-a-holics with a pudgy babyface and luxurious hair that is low allergen.

Application Form

Smokie

Smokie is new to the family from B.B and Tig. She is black with silvery grey on her tail and rump and chocolaty brown on her face within the shades of black and a small white chest patch. She's a lap-dog cuddle bear, a jumping bean, and a rascal looking for a fun time.

Tig

A perfect cuddler with a 'ragdoll' disposition focused on his owner intensely, he likes to stay close to his people and is not one to run off. Soft and fluffy weighing in at 12 lbs. No coprophagia. He has all of his patellas and eyes OFA's in good standing and a CHIC #.

Aslan

Adventurous, athletic, and obedient, a strong and lean 16 lbs. of muscle. He has been tested extensively. OFA submitted health records all in good or average standing with healthy joints - hips, elbows, patellas, dentition, CAER eyes, and outstanding DNA with no known carriers in any breed tests per Embark. He has a CHIC #.

Fancy

A luxurious lounging tiny princess with soft, lofty, flowing hair weighing 9 lbs. No coprophagia. She has good patellas and eyes OFA's and her CHIC #.

B.B.

She has a soft energy and a happy-go-lucky demeanor. Her hair feels like velvet, soft, plush and silky. An easy potty trainer. She is sturdy boned. She has all good patellas and eyes OFA testing all in good standing and a CHIC #.

Penny

Gentle with a soft mouth and delicate demeanor. Not only is she easy to potty train, loves fetch, and no coprophagia habit which is a rare find in small dogs, these are traits that I love about her. She has all good patellas and eyes OFA's and a CHIC #.

Nova

Nova is from Tig and Penny. Easy to potty train. She has all good patellas and eyes OFA's and a CHIC #.

Grace

Grace is from Fancy and Aslan. She is a sweetheart who comes to sit on my lap and gives me one or two delicate kissed on the nose and at times she can be a rascal looking for fun. She is athletic like her daddy, exploratory and bold. She is a lovely warm gold and white with a black mask. CHIC# on file with good eyes and knees.

TRAINING and GROOMING

Links for Shih Tzu:

Breed-specific advice often includes tips and techniques that can save time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Training Resources

Podcast list:

*Puppy Culture Potluck Podcast / MadcapRadio.com / Puppy Culture Potluck (PCP) available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, CastBox, PocketCasts, PodBean

*THE PUPPY TRAINING PODCAST | BAXTER & Bella / Puppy Training Podcast (PTP) available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music

*Podcast - The Marty and Laura Show / The Marty and Laura Show podcast (MLS) available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, Substack

Bloat medical emergency (Dals):

*MLS: Episode 34

Brachycephalics (short nose breeds):

*MLS: Episode 36

Travel:

*PTP: Episodes; 71, 148, 212

*PCP: Episode; 6 carsick pups

New Puppy:

*PTP: Episode; 24, 6, 240, 158, 51, 159, 12, 31

*PCP: Episodes; 14, 24, 9, 2(poop eating), 4 (too early to wake up)

*MLS: Episode 4

Tummy Troubles:

*MLS: Episodes; 64, 71, 72, 32, 45

Potty Training:

*PCP: Episode 46 - Why Puppies Pee In The House Even When They've Just Been Outside

*PTP: Episodes; 196, 54, 154, 43

Home Alone:

*PTP: Episodes; 208, 22, 63, 22, 61,

*MLS: Episodes; 16

Anxiety Thunderstorms, Fireworks, etc:

*PTP: Episodes; 30, 22, 148

*MLS: Episodes; 28, 16

Play Dates, Dog Parks, Doggy Daycares:

*MLS: Episodes; 17

*PTP: Episodes; 176, 42

*PCP: Episodes; 24, 29,

Discipline:

*PCP: Episodes; 18, 7, 14

*PTP: Episodes; 10 (loose leash walking)

*MLS: Episode 74 (Training schedules)

Health:

*MLS: Episodes; 8 (ticks), 7 (vaccines), 9 (spay/neuter), 25 (oral hygiene), 31 (cost of vet care), 30 (outdoor dangers, foxtails, algae, alligators), 11 (Emergency ??) 15 (long life), 32 (diet), 64 (pancreatitis - table food warning), 59 (baby it's cold outside), 73 (allergies), 55 (foot licking)

Training Principles

A few simple principles can make training clearer and more consistent:

• What you reward / release is what you teach.

• What is practiced will be repeated, for better or worse.

• Keep training simple, short, and positive.

If you do not want a behavior in the adult dog, do not allow it in the puppy. It is much easier to prevent habits than to undo them later.

Food Safety: Foods to Avoid

Some foods are toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness, organ damage, or death.

Avoid:

• grapes and raisins (some breeds are more affected than others, we do not yet fully understand why)

• caffeine

• chocolate, especially dark chocolate - the higher the cacao % the more toxic

• xylitol - even a small pack of gum can be deadly

• large amounts of tomato sauce, garlic, or onions, which can cause stomach upset and vomiting.

If your dog eats a toxic substance or shows concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control resource immediately.

Limit table food. Some spices such as spices in pumpkin pie and large quantities of very high-fat foods such as fat trimmings off of meat or large quantities of cheese in potatoes au gratin or other similar holiday foods can cause digestive upset and may contribute to pancreatitis or diabetes. The quantity is by body weight so what is okay for you isn't always okay for them. Ask your veterinarian for feeding guidance that fits your dog.

Introducing a New Puppy to Other Pets

Give your resident pets time and space to adjust to the new puppy. For the first week or two, use baby gates or exercise pens to allow safe visual and scent-based introductions before allowing closer interaction.

During the adjustment period, keep food, favorite toys, and chews separate to help prevent tension or guarding between pets.

Potty Training

I have accustomed them to disposable potty pads, pine pellet bedding litter with alfalfa pellets sprinkled on top for a grass smell.

Potty Pad Setup

If you use potty pads, replace them once they are about one-quarter soiled with urine or after any bowel movement. If the pad is too dirty, your puppy may choose the floor, couch, or bed instead. Using multiple pads at once can improve success, and many puppies prefer a potty area that offers a little privacy if other dogs are watching or if you've ever scolded them for potty in the house... all they know is you get mad when you see them go potty so logic says maybe they should hide it from you, this also applies to outside on a leash... don't make them scared to potty in front of you.

Pad Recommendations

Pet’s World pads, available through Chewy, can be a more affordable bulk option than many grocery-store brands. They are a little thinner, but puppies usually do not use a pad more than once or twice anyway.

Watch for Potty Signals

Common signs that a puppy is about to go include:

• running back and forth in a zigzag pattern,

• pouncing,

• standing against a wall or fence with the front paws up, or

• spinning in circles.

When you see these signs, move quickly but stay calm. Pick up your puppy, take them to the potty area, and wait patiently with as few distractions as possible.

Supervision and Space Management

If your puppy has an accident, it usually means they had too much space too soon. Puppies naturally try not to soil their sleeping area, but they do not automatically understand that the dining room, guest room, or space behind the couch is part of that same living area. Keep the space small at first and expand freedom gradually.

Use close indoor supervision and increase freedom slowly over time so your puppy does not rehearse accidents.

Rest and Downtime

Puppies need naps, downtime, and breaks from stimulation, so do not feel guilty about using a crate or pen appropriately.

Cleaning Accidents

Use an enzyme cleaner to remove odor and help prevent repeat accidents. Vinegar alone is usually not enough, and ammonia-based cleaners can be confusing because they smell like urine to dogs.

Optional DIY cleaner (shared by Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, on the Laura and Marty Show podcast): mix 1 small bottle of peroxide, 1 small box of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of unscented plain Dawn dish soap (vets like plain Dawn specifically). Use it right away, as it should not be stored in a container. Avoid the eyes if using it for de-skunking the body, and rinse thoroughly, since dish soap can be difficult to fully wash out but cuts grease very effectively.

Potty Training Expectations

Shih Tzu typically require consistent effort with potty training, along with careful use of space and management rules to prevent setbacks. Some are better than others, some prefer indoors, especially in bad weather. If you prefer a lower-maintenance option, an older dog over 2 to 3 years of age may be a better fit.

Profile and Puppies on Good Dog