Shih Tzu - MOUNTAINPASSBARN.COM

Smokie

Smokie is 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 focused on his owner intensely. Soft and fluffy weighing in at 12 lbs. He has all of his patellas and eyes OFA's in good standing and a CHIC #.

Aslan

Adventurous 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. 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, short, long, and stout. 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 but 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 a lovely warm gold and white with a black mask. Passing CAER eye exam registered with the OFA.

Profile and Puppies on Good Dog

Shih Tzu in History

Excerpt from the American Shih Tzu Club:

..."no Shih Tzu ever left China until the twentieth century and not until after the Chinese no longer had an empire with an Empress to protect them. There were frequent descriptions of the dogs in the Imperial Palace, particularly under this last Empress, which included “shag dogs” as well as the familiar pugs and Pekingese so we know they were there. Why they never got out of the country is a question without an answer.

During the years of the empress’ life, she was very particular about the breeding of her dogs and thus very judgmental. Those not measuring up to her standard were lucky to find homes with minor royalty or influential people outside the palace. After her death, while China was in turmoil, foreign diplomats were able to acquire dogs that were said to have come from the palace where they had been carefully bred and cared for by eunuchs for many years, but only one that was actually born in the palace made it to the west. The long-haired dogs had many names at this time of which “Lhasa Terrier” or “Apso” seemed to be more common. These names point to the fact that they were considered to have been imported from Tibet instead of having originated in China but considering the efforts of eunuchs at breeding to please the empress, one cannot consider them to have been purebred in any sense of the word. There was a Peking Kennel Club in the late thirties which actually held dog shows where the long-haired dogs were entered. However, the judge complained that the lack of uniformity among the dogs, albeit they all had short muzzles, long hair and tails carried high over the back, made judging them quite difficult if not impossible. We owe the appearance of the Shih Tzu of today to the few Europeans who managed to obtain what they considered good specimens of the shaggy dogs and successfully bring them back to Europe."...

American Shih Tzu Club ASTC

TRAINING and GROOMING

Links for Shih Tzu:

Additional Shih Tzu Resources from ASTC

There is much more information available beyond this introduction. I am sharing this as a starting point to help connect you with a strong source of Shih Tzu-specific knowledge. If you cannot easily find what you need, use the search bar, as some helpful information on the ASTC website may not be easy to locate from the main pages. General guidance from other sources can still be helpful, but breed-specific advice often includes tips and techniques that can save time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Training Resources

If you would like additional support, these resources may be helpful:

• The training articles on the American Shih Tzu Club website

• The training information PDF booklet included with AKC registration for Shih Tzu

• The training information available through Good Dog, if you purchased your dog through that platform

• Free podcasts such as The Puppy Training Podcast and Puppy Culture Potluck

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: Episodes; 46,

*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,

• caffeine,

• chocolate, especially dark chocolate,

• xylitol, and

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

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.

Preventing Resource Guarding

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

Potty Training

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.

Pad and System 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.

In the baby puppy pen, I use the BrilliantPad system because the protective grate helps keep the hair on their feet clean, prevents puppies from eating stool, and keeps them from shredding the pads for fun during the early weeks and, in some dogs, even longer. The system can also roll up waste automatically or through your phone. 10% discount code: brilliantpad.com/ShannonW

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 Dawn dish soap. Use it right away, as it should not be stored in a container. Avoid the eyes if using it for de-skunking, and rinse thoroughly, since dish soap can be difficult to fully wash out.

Potty Training Expectations

Shih Tzu typically require about a year of consistent effort with potty training, along with careful use of space and management rules to prevent setbacks. 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