Official Shih Tzu Guide

I have a 2 year old Shih Tzu and am interested in adopting a kitten from my friend. From past experiences my dog has been very curious about cats and isn’t likely to chase them. The cat I’m wanting to adopt is a kitten, and is already able to tolerate dogs. Is it a safer idea to let them meet first? Also, if you know any good cat hotels around the Bay Area, CA please let me know.

I have a Shih Tzu who is about three, about a year ago we got a kitten, and they took to each other great. They love each other, and play with each other nonstop. My dog even acts more like a cat now. My dog did grow up with a cat around, although she wasn’t around her like Maggie is(my other cat is older and really not very sociable).

My suggestion would be to let them meet first, just to see how they would initially take to each other. I would think that if your dog had only been curious in the past, then it would probably be okay. The fact that the kitten can already tolerate dogs is probably a good sign, too. I know that when we brought Maggie home, my dog was so hyped up and excited to see her that she scared her, but after a while they became really close.

That was just my experience,although it really depends on both your your Shih Tzu’s and the kitten’s personality, hopefully it will help you.

I’m thinking about adopting my first dog, a Shih tzu, from a shelter that requires the new owner to purchase a 6 month supply of heartworm preventative and 6 month supply of flea and tick preventative.

Anyone have a guesstimate of how much this might be?
No way. $100 for 1 month..?

around a 100.00 for a six month supply for both medicines.

Just recently we adopted a three year old Shih-Tzu who for the first couple of days, was really good and sweet. For the first few days she was very good but, yesterday we found out she took a dump in the office, and tonight my daughter caught her doing the same thing in the living room. She is starting to pee too. What is the best thing to do in this situationn?
we have a doggy door and she knows how to use it and we also have another shih-tzu

First, consistency and scheduling is key. I have a shih tzu who I adopted 2 months ago (also 3 years old) who has our schedule memorized so much that he licks me at 6:30 every morning now because that’s when we started going out Day 1. He’s my own personal alarm clock.

Keep a schedule. Keep track of when your dog eats and drinks and then how soon after she needs to eliminate. Keep a chart on your refrigerator, and if you have kids have them get involved in updating the chart.

Many dogs will also give a one-minute warning when its time to go. My pup starts walking in circles, sniffing and I know that it’s at this time that I need to drop everything and take him outside.

When an accident happens, do not let your shih tzu see you cleaning up the mess - she will think that this is part of a game. She makes the mess, you clean up. You need to clean the spot well - any odor left will encourage her to continue to eliminate in that are. DO NOT use any cleaner with ammonia, as this is a common element of pet urine.

Pets do better with praise - make sure you over praise your pup and give bite size treats when they eliminate in the right spot.

If you catch her eliminating in the house, do not stick their nose in it or yell. Make a noise to startle her, then immediately take her outside and give lots of praise if she finishes outside.

If you find a spot where your pup has eliminated, do not bring them to the spot and rub their nose in it. Most pups will have no idea what is going on and this will only scare them.

Good luck. Shih tzus are the best dogs and make wonderful companions!

I recently adopted an adult Shih tzu and just purchased a collar from the store today. He is a very small dog so I bought the smallest one they had. I adjusted it to the farthest reach and I can just place my finger between his neck and the collar. Is that too tight? Is there a test that I can do to insure that it is not too snug?
Thanks. :0)

You should be able to slip 2 fingers under the collar from any part of his neck.

We have our minds set on a specific shih tzu that we would like to adopt and I would like to know how many times and how much we should feed her each day.

1/2 cup twice a day.

I am getting a shih tzu puppy but i am not sure where to buy one from.

I want it from a breeder who cares for there puppy’s well and not a major pet store because they’re puppy’s come from puppy mills where they are badly cared for.

Thanks

Shih tzu dogs are notorious for being breed in horrible puppy mills. So I’m glad your looking to get your puppy from a reputable breeder. It would be fantastic if you could find a shih tzu to adopt from a shelter. That way the puppy would not only cost less but you’d be rescuing him/her.

I’m not sure if you are taking about Manchester, England or one of the Manchester cities in the states but if you are in the states definitely go to www.petfinder.com. It lists all the animals in shelters across the country.

If your not in the states then I would suggest that you ask a local veterinarian if he or she knows any reputable breeders in your area.

Good luck.

I recently adopted a little Yorkie/ Shih tzu and her fur is really thin. What could I use to help her have a fuller, shiny coat?

You can help her have a shiny coat by feeding a top quality dog food and making sure she gets salmon oil daily. As for fuller coat, that’s governed by genetics.

I was thinking about adopting a husky. The owner says he has an alpha dog personality. I currently have shih tzu with a very passive, cuddly personality. Both dogs are 2 years old. Would letting the 2 dogs intermingle be a bad idea? Can I train the husky to live with my shih tzu and be nice if he turns out to be aggressive?

Let the dog’s meet and make a good judgement from that. Also ask the current owner as many questions as possible to decide if it’s right. Please be aware that huskies are stubborn and need a lot of training and exercise so do your research on the breed first.

My aunt’s mateing her schnoodle (schauzer poodle) with a shih tzu.
Is there a term for that? Any pictures of how they might, possibly look like?
K. Well "shame on my aunt"? She didn’t know. Her friend brought it up to her when she came to her house. Thanks though, gosh.

Tell your aunt several MILLION mixed breed dogs were killed in shelters last year due to puppy mills & back yard breeders and she should not breed her dog as you NEVER breed mixed breed dogs.

Mixes are mutts, you never know what they will look like or what size they will be. If you want a mix, pls go to the shelter and adopt one. Have your aunt get her dog spayed.

I have two cats. They are two and three year old males. They are VERY affectionate and follow me around everywhere. I am planning on adopting a female shih tzu puppy at the end of the month. I know it will take time for them to get used to the puppy, but will their affection for me continue? I don’t want them to live in fear of the puppy. Can they co-exist and share my love? Will they continue to sit on my lap even when the puppy enters the room?

the animals will work out their own relationships. your cats are territorial and will let the puppy know it. their affection will continue as long as you continue yours it will just take a little time for them to adjust to sharing you with another animal.