Bringing Your Shih Tzu Puppy Home Phoenix AZ

The day a young Shih Tzu puppy leaves his mother and littermates can be the most traumatic day of its life. With just a little preparing in advance you can make the experience as pleasant as possible. It is quite normal for a Shih Tzu puppy to cry at this time. It does not mean this is not the puppy for you. Many people believe puppies can somehow "choose" them and that is the puppy for them. I really don't believe this. I have had owned many Shih Tzu puppies and most of them saw me for the first time at the airport when I picked them up. None of them have had the chance to personally "choose" me as their owner. And all of them have loved me.

Take along some paper towels or something to clean up after your Shih Tzu puppy in the car. There is a chance the puppy will become car sick or just a little nauseated from being taking away from mom and littermates. This is all quite normal and will pass. When you get home with your Shih Tzu puppy take him immediately to the spot where you want him to learn to eliminate. Don't expect him to do exactly as you say at this point. Just give the Shih Tzu puppy a chance now to eliminate at your chosen spot. If by chance he does as he is suppose to do, have a treat ready and lots of praise. This could be the beginning of "successful" housebreaking for you and your new Shih Tzu puppy.

On the first day try not to pick the Shih Tzu puppy up a lot and make a lot of fuss over him. Pet him gently and let him know you are very happy to have him home with you, but allow him to explore his new environment in his own way. Be sure to have discussed the particular rules of your household with all family members before bringing home a new Shih Tzu puppy. This would be things like where the puppy will sleep, eat, eliminate, and who will be responsible for the unique chores of owning a Shih Tzu puppy. It is very important to decide exactly where the Shih Tzu puppy will sleep and to keep to this rigidly. Be prepared for your Shih Tzu puppy to cry a little the first night and perhaps a whole lot. Keep remembering he has left his mommy, his brothers and sisters and is now in a very strange place. Put yourself in the paws of your Shih Tzu puppy. If it were you, you would probably do some crying too. This will pass as he learns his new family and forgets about those he left behind. Do not be tempted to allow him away from his sleeping area because he cries and fusses.

Your breeder probably provided you with the food the Shih Tzu puppy was eating. Do not be surprised if the Shih Tzu puppy does not eat at first. Be prepared to offer him a bit of Nutri-cal. Ask for instructions about Nutri-cal from your breeder or your vet and have a tube on hand just in case the Shih Tzu puppy does refuse to eat at first. Toy Breed puppies are very prone to hypoglycemia and this is a scary thing to witness.

Introduce your puppy to a grooming routine as soon as possible. Day one in his new home is not too early to start brushing a little on his hair.

If you have other dogs and pets at home, be sure to greet them first and fuss the most over them when you first bring home a new Shih Tzu puppy. Don't be surprised if the existing pet residents are a bit jealous of this new little guy. This too can pass if handled properly.