The shih tzu with a long, flowing coat and an arrogant air is beautiful and captures the heart of many who own and professionally show the breed. Satisfaction, joy and pride can result from conditioning and growing a beautiful coat of hair for the shih tzu. For the showring, this is an absolute must. The complete protrait of a showring shih tzu is one that is draped in a long luxurious coat that has been maintained and groomed properly. This can also be accomplished by sending the shih tzu to a handler getting the shih tzu ready for the showring. If you have the time, patience and ability yourself, whether your shih tzu is a pet or a show dog prospect, you certainly are very fortunate indeed. Most likely you will receive rave reviews everywhere you and your shih tzu go.

A lot of shih tzu owners, however, do opt for the shorter cuts. In my opinion, the shih tzu is just as cute and lovely. Maintaining the longer coats is a fulltime job. It takes hours and hours of careful brushing and most often daily brushing. One of the most important aspects of the procedure is your ability to remain faithful to a schedule.

Start with good health from the inside. Be sure you keep your shih tzu free from parasites and you feed a good, quality, nutritious dog food. I highly recommend HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance pet foods, treats and grooming supplies. I am a faithful user of these products myself and I am completely satisfied with the results evident in my shih tzu. I have a few that I try to keep in long coat. It is very time consuming, but I must admit when I see these romping around in my yard or moving about, I get an extra kind of thrill inside to behold their beauty. So I must say, a beautiful, long coat on a shih tzu is probably my favorite. I just don’t have the exact ability and time to maintain all of mine in that long coat and those I do, are still not as perfected as they could be. Personally, I have just not developed the skills to do so. I believe I have the ability. That ability has not been developed. Maybe some day…..

Whatever you feed your shih tzu, dry food is always superior. And I would think that if you are going all out for a long coat for your shih tzu, you probably will need to add some extra supplements. Again, I would recommend HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance Daily Nutritional System, which is the dry food with a daily supplement, and add to that, their skin and coat supplement, plus add their health bar for skin and coat, which is full of antioxidants. The decision belongs to you, your vet and to your handler, if you use a professional handler or groomer.

I have found where I live that most of the groomers do not like to mess with a long coat. And when I do get this done, the expense is far greater than a simple hair cut. I do have one groomer in particular, only one I have found within driving distance who halfway was descent in combing out and grooming my long haired shih tzu. Then, the expense was so great, I could not afford using her that often. I keep most of my short at this time. The cost for me would have been at least $70 per month for one dog and that is going every two weeks. For the shih tzu lover of long, long hair, it is wise to learn how to do it yourself, yet, also you got your time and labor involved in that. Time is something most of us seem to never have enough of.

Good coats are inherited in many lines. I really do have some show dog coats of hair in my bloodlines at Stain Glass Shih Tzu, and one day I hope to be able to at least take a course in grooming. When I do, I most likely will include what I learn through the course in my articles and e-books I will offer to others. Most likely, this is coming soon. It is just not totally right it seems to not at least have one very long haired shih tzu in the crowd. For some bloodlines, to grow a long and flowing coat is impossible. You will see beautiful and cute faces, wonderful personalities still, but the coat of some of the shih tzu bloodlines just will not grow. There is no other choice in that matter but to the keep it clipped. One of the goals of my breeding program is to continually search for the bloodlines that most closely meet the AKC standard for a long, flowing coat. I am very partial to the smaller sizes, but even in those, I search for the long flowing coat of hair. My Holly, Simon, Danny Boy and Jane Jane all have this type of coat. Holly probably had the best of all. It was extremely long and thick, but guess what, time was not on my side about keeping it that way, so I had to opt for a shave down to start all over. She is still just as cute and perky, and I think she has been very happy with her new haircut. I was saddened to tears almost, but my own fault. A person has to allocate the time to grow these beautiful long coats or else hire someone else to do it for them. That is just the starting point for the entire process.

There are lots of products to help us deal with the shih tzu that do not have the better coats of hair. And as I mentioned before, HealthyPetNet products is always my first choice. There are, however, dozens of other products you can try that may suit you and your shih tzu even better. If you have the time and money, it can be a very enjoyable hobby. I have too many hobbies concerning the shih tzu right now anyway, but…..I do plan on gaining more skill at coat handling and grooming. I just recently bought my first clipper, a must for the types of work I am in at this time – raising puppies. Many times, shih tzu moms need to be completely shaven down for the sake of cleanliness and this is a routine I follow with mine. In my plans is a special grooming room with all the bells and whistles – a nice tub – tables and all the right equipment. Even for the person who has only one shih tzu, having the exact equipment needed and the lighting and tubs can be a very fun experience and much more rewarding than using the family bathtub and a small space in the corner of one very dimly lit room. I tell you what…..my plans include a nice grooming room with all the bells and whistles. I just hope I am not 95 before I can afford that. I plan to live to be 100 years old. And then, I plan an afterlife for myself, not as a shih tzu of course, but just as a soul that lives on….that’s a whole other topic however.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered to subscribers. Weekly updates of available puppies. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Whelping a litter Shih Tzu puppies can sometimes be physically and emotionally exhausting for both you and the Shih Tzu matron. Before you take your well deserved rest, be certain the Shih Tzu matron and Shih Tzu puppies are comfortable, each Shih Tzu puppy has nursed well, the heat lamp is not too close, and the heating pad is not turned up too high. At this time it is crucial to maintain proper environmental temperatures. Newborn Shih Tzu puppies are incapable of controlling their own body temperatures. Chilling to any degree leaves newborn Shih Tzu puppies susceptible to infectious disease. Room temperature should be maintained at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit for at least their first few days.

Initially offer your Shih Tzu dam only soft, messy-type foods and supplements of a high quality milk replacement added to her food. I like using Pedigree Lamb and Rice canned formula with Just Born milk replacement powder sprinkled on top or mixed within.

Most Shih Tzu dams are ready for a good meal once whelping is over and the puppies are all settled in nursing well. However, do not worry if she refuses one or two feedings during her first 24 hours of motherhood. Do not expect her to leave her newborn Shih Tzu puppies. If she is too exhausted to eat right after whelping, she will be ready by the next day most usually.

To prevent serious cleanup problems, place four interlocking layers of open newspaper on the floor over heavy plastic film such as that used by painters. Plastic sheeting covered by newspaper saves all flooring, is nonporous, makes any cleanup easy and is inexpensive to purchase.

Use Clorox bleach, ? cup to a gallon of water to disinfect the Shih Tzu whelping box and immediate area. You will need to disinfect daily.

Two days following whelping, offer your Shih Tzu matron soft food mixed with a high quality dog food. I use HealthyPetNet Life?s Abundance and have found it to be the absolute best food for my Shih Tzu.

Your Shih Tzu dam should be seen by a veterinarian for a postpartum examination within 24 hours of whelping. It is not uncommon for a Shih Tzu dam to retain one or more placentas, large amounts of blood and other body fluids in the uterus. It is also possible that she retained one or two Shih Tzu puppies as well. All of these need to be expelled immediately. Retention will predispose the Shih Tzu dam to infection. Many veterinarians will give the oxytocin shot within the first 24 hours of whelping to help her expel any retained fluids, placental material and/or puppies.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Pet clothing is offered on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Early in the lives of the Shih Tzu puppies, the very best of care is crucial to well-rounded Shih Tzu puppy development. Dams and their litters do not survive alone. There is more to raising Shih Tzu and the Toy breed puppies in general than truly meets the eye.

Not only does one need to carefully consider the pedigrees and health histories of each mating, but one must continue to study to become an expertise in general puppy care. Yes, there is much, much more to breeding than just putting two dogs together and allowing nature to take its course. Dog breeding is a science. It is a discipline. It is a profession.

Shih Tzu breeding must be carefully thought out and is most definitely a profession that does require specialized knowledge. Regardless of the location of your breeding establishment, whether it is in your backyard, your garage, basement or an establishment that is especially built for breeding purposes, you the breeder is who makes your establishment professional or non-professional. The breeder is who determines what type of establishment, professional or non-professional, the breeding establishment is. Location, such as the backyard, basement or buildings especially designed for breeding purposes does not determine whether or not the establishment is professional.

If a breeder fails in their responsibilities to the early lives of Shih Tzu puppies, it is either through ignorance or lack of commitment. Ignorance, lack of knowledge and lack of commitment more closely defines the ?backyard? breeder, and or those raising puppies in puppy mills. The committed and professional breeder realizes there is no real profit in rearing a litter of Shih Tzu puppies other than the satisfaction of doing the best job possible.

Once Shih Tzu puppies open their eyes the real work and expense of rearing a litter begins. Shih Tzu puppies begin to display individual character traits. It is at this time that Shih Tzu puppies rely more heavily upon the breeder and less with the dam. The professional breeder recognizes and readily assumes the responsibilities of caring for a Shih Tzu litter and does not abandon them to their dam?s care alone.

A large Shih Tzu litter may require supplementary feeding while continuing to allow the dam and offspring full access to each other. Smaller or premature Shih Tzu puppies often require supplementary feeding around the clock. The healthy brood matron should be vibrant, should not carry excess weight nor appear undernourished. An emotionally and physically healthy dam consistently maintains an active and lively interest in her puppies and environment. The professional breeder must be observant enough to care for the captain (the brood matron) just as well as to care for the Shih Tzu litter providing her with adequate food, water and emotional support.

There are very distinctive differences between the ?backyard? unprofessional breeder and the professional breeder, some of which are detailed here in this article. There are many other differences, far too many to mention in one article.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. Visit us, sign up for our newsletter and purchase online at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

The same tensions that occur in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder occur in dogs and Shih Tzu occasionally. Arising out of stress and conflict the obsessive-compulsive behaviors have some soothing effects on mood. Prevention of dogs from engaging in their particular compulsions can create anxiety in its own right.

There are two factors that seem to be necessary for the development of compulsive behaviors in dogs and Shih Tzu occasionally. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are more often seen in the larger breed of dogs.

1.Genetic predisposition

2.Environmental stress that will trigger the expression of the behavior.

The stress can either be a sudden type of high-grade stress or a less severe long-standing pressure that causes a sudden or gradual onset of the condition. The behavior pattern that emerges will depend on the particular breed. In general, longhaired large breeds of dogs may over groom, herding breeds may chase or hoard and a pure predatory breed may bite, mouth or chase objects. In comparison to human obsessive-compulsive behaviors, a human may over groom by applying their lipstick over and over or continually rearranging their hair or even the hand washing ritual with the washing of the hands over and over again.

All the behaviors performed by compulsive canines are essentially normal behaviors. They are just performed over and over again and out of context. The same occurs with humans. There is nothing wrong with washing your hands repeatedly, but if you wash your hands several hundred times a day you have a problem. Psychiatrists treat the human problems on a case-by case basis. Veterinarians remain divided regarding the significance of canine overly expressed behaviors.

One of the big breakthroughs of canine obsessive-compulsive disorders came with the fairly wide acceptance in human medicine of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. These disorders are of a compulsive nature and have certain causal and physiological features in common. Basically, humans no longer have to be a hand washer, hoarder, or checker to have OCD relating to concerns over personal safety. Instead a more general description involving other repetitive behaviors as well is the most current theory. If susceptible humans under various forms of stress react by performing various compulsive behaviors related to their own species such as grooming, exercising, gathering, hunting, dogs are probably doing the same. Dogs are self-groomers, predators and imbibers, which are a few of their naturalistic behaviors that become obsessive with them. For example, when stressed, a dog may begin to groom themselves excessively, or they may drink water excessively.

Lick granuloma in the canine is equivalent to hand washing in the human. Affected dogs lick their wrists or hocks excessively, over-cleaning or over grooming themselves until the skin in these regions is ulcerated. For years, no one knew why dogs engaged in this pointless, mindless behavior. Now, veterinarians are seeing the OCD link and with this understanding are able to treat the condition much more effectively. Lick granuloma primarily affects larger breeds of dogs such as Labradors, golden retrievers, Great Danes and Dobermans. Individual susceptibility and environmental influences are also required for the full expression of the behavior. Affected animals are usually anxious, sensitive, and high-strung and may give an impression of a generalized anxiety disorder. Environmental factors include various stresses and conflict situations, including separation anxiety or boredom.

Fortunately, the disorder of obsession-compulsive behaviors is not very prevalent in our beloved Shih Tzu.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Coming when called is a vital skill that every shih tzu must learn, both for its own safety and that of those around it. A disobedient shih tzu that refuses to come when called could easily be hit by a car, get into a fight with another shih tzu, or suffer a variety of other bad experiences. A well trained shih tzu that comes when called can safely be taken out to play in the local park, at the beach, on the hiking trail, or anywhere else the owner and shih tzu may wish to go.

Basic training to come when called is relatively easy and straightforward, and involves providing praise, treats and other perks when the shih tzu does as his owner wants. After these basic come when called training exercises are mastered, there are a number of fun exercises that can be introduced to challenge the shih tzu and pique its interest.

Making training into a fun game is one of the best ways to motivate shih tzu and handler alike. It is easy for training sessions to become routine and boring, and it is important to keep them from degenerating into this state.

Before beginning any food based training exercise, it is important to make sure that the shih tzu is properly motivated and ready to respond to treat based training. Testing the shih tzu is simply a matter of taking a piece of his regular food and waving it in front of the shih tzu?s nose. If the shih tzu shows great enthusiasm for the food, it is ready to start the training. If not, it is best to wait until the shih tzu is in a more receptive mood.

The treats that work best for treat based training games like hide and seek are cut up quarter inch or smaller pieces of chicken, cheese or liver. In other words, something your dog will love. It is best to use very small pieces to avoid overfeeding the shih tzu during the training sessions.

One great game for you and another family member or friend to play with your shih tzu is simply back and forth recall. This is a great exercise for teaching your shih tzu to come whenever it is called by a member of the family. Shih Tzu often learn to only respond to one person, and this can be a problem when other people are watching the shih tzu. That is one reason why professional shih tzu trainers always insist on working with the owner as well as the shih tzu. A well trained dog must learn to respond to whoever is in charge, not just the owner or usual handler.

In the back and forth recall game, two or more people stand approximately ten yards apart, in a safe place like a fenced in yard. One person calls the shih tzu and asks him to sit and say until another person asks the shih tzu to come. When the shih tzu responds to the command to come, it is rewarded with a treat. Most shih tzu respond wonderfully to this exercise and love playing this game. When playing the back and forth recall game, it is important that only the person who called the shih tzu be allowed to give the shih tzu a treat.

After the shih tzu has mastered the back and forth recall game, the humans in the game can start to spread further out, thus turning the back and forth recall game into a fun game of hide and seek. The hide and seek game starts with two or more people in the center room of the house. Every time they call the shih tzu to come, they spread out further away from where they started. As the game continues, one person will be at one end of the house, while another may be at the opposite end. What makes the hide and seek game so much fun for the shih tzu is that he must seek out the person to get the treat, instead of simply running up to a person in plain sight. This type of seeking behavior appeals to many of the shih tzu?s natural instincts. After all, dogs are naturally hunting animals, and seeking out food is second nature to them.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Every shih tzu owner must eventually deal with some unwanted behaviors on the part of their four legged companions. Some of the most frequently encountered training problems with shih tzu puppies and shih tzu dogs alike are jumping on people and performing those amazing feats of escape.

Jumping up on people

Jumping up on people can be a cute trick for shih tzu puppies, but it quickly becomes a problem behavior as the shih tzu gets older, larger and heavier. A very heavy shih tzu can easily knock a child or even a small adult off his or her feet, so jumping on people can be a dangerous problem as well as an annoying one.

The reason shih tzu puppies and older shih tzu jump on people is obvious ? they are excited and happy to see them. Many people are reluctant to discourage this exuberant behavior, but it is important to redirect that happiness and energy in other ways. Many well meaning owners, family members and friends inadvertently encourage this jumping up behavior by picking the shih tzu puppy up, kissing it or otherwise providing encouragement.

This type of inconsistency is anathema to proper shih tzu training, and in order for the shih tzu to be trained not to jump, every member of the family must recognize and accept the importance of the training. If one member of the family allows the shih tzu dog to jump up while other family members do not, the shih tzu will understandably become confused and frustrated. The training must be firm, kind and consistent in order to be effective.

One way to redirect the shih tzu dog?s happiness and excitement from jumping is to teach him to lift his paw when greeting you. This ?shaking hands? posture is an acceptable way for the shih tzu to show his happiness and his respect. Many people even teach their shih tzu to do simple tricks, like rolling over, instead of jumping on people.

Escaping and roaming the neighborhood

A responsible shih tzu owner would never dream of allowing his or her shih tzu to roam the neighborhood freely. Allowing a shih tzu to roam on its own is irresponsible, dangerous (to the shih tzu and the neighborhood), and probably even illegal. Most towns have ordinances which prohibit dogs from being allowed to roam around free, so you could be in legal trouble if your dog is found wandering the neighborhood unattended.

Of course sometimes that wandering shih tzu is not the owner?s idea, and many dogs perform amazing feats of escape when left on their own. The temptations for unattended dogs are many, including passing bicycles, joggers, children, cats and other dogs. It is much easier to prevent escapes than to recapture a loose shih tzu, so let?s talk about some preventative measures every dog owner can take.

Removing the motivation to escape is a big part of the solution. A bored shih tzu is much more likely to spend his day plotting the great escape. A shih tzu that is surrounded by everything he or she needs, like lots of toys, a soft bed, and plenty of fresh clean, water, is more likely to spend his or her day contentedly sleeping or playing with toys until the owner returns.

In addition, a shih tzu with lots of pent up, unused energy is likely to try to escape. Try incorporating several vigorous play sessions with your shih tzu into your daily routine. Make one of those play sessions right before you leave. If your shih tzu has a chance to work off his or her energy, chances are he or she will sleep or relax much of the day.

Of course dealing with the shih tzu is only half the problem. It is also important to make the property as escape proof as possible, through proper fencing and other measures. For shih tzu that dig, it may be necessary to extend the fence underground by placing metal stakes in the ground every few feet. For shih tzu that jump, it may be necessary to make the fence higher. And if none of these measures work, it may be necessary to confine the shih tzu to the house when you are not at home.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Teaching a shih tzu to come when called is also called ?recall.? Recall is actually a series of behaviors. You want to make your shih tzu think that coming when called is the best thing that happens in his life. Practice a lot. Increase the distractions gradually so your shih tzu learns that coming to you is always more rewarding than anything else there is to do. Reinforce with different kinds of rewards.

Follow the recall with one of your shih tzu?s favorite things ? food, a toy, freedom, or playing with another dog. When your shih tzu is distracted, time your ?come? cue for the moment the shih tzu can most easily disengage from his other activity. Avoid repeatedly calling your shih tzu when you know he won?t or can?t come to you. Go get him instead. While you are teaching your shih tzu to come, never end your shih tzu?s play or fun by calling him to you. Always be enthusiastic and upbeat when your shih tzu comes to you.

Teach your shih tzu each part of the chain of behaviors separately. For food rewards, try chicken, liver, cheese, sardines, and other smelly, yummy, soft treats.

Teaching your shih tzu the cue: Go into a low stimulation environment where you and your shih tzu can be alone, like a bathroom or a bedroom. Say the word you have chosen for your cue, such as, ?come!? and give your dog a treat. Repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times. Do this exercise several times for two or three days.

Teach your shih tzu the beginning behavior by capturing it: When your shih tzu is about to come to you anyway, say ?come!? just before he gets to you, then say ?yes!? and give your shih tzu a reward.

When you take your shih tzu for a walk, suddenly call him and take several steps back. When your shih tz turns to follow, say ?yes!? and give him a reward. Tell your shih tzu what a great shih tzu he is! After a couple of practices, add in the sit and/or a collar touch. Say your shih tzu?s name, come, sit!?

Increase the distance and speed gradually. Start by calling your shih tzu a few feet, then a few more until you can call him through your house and across your backyard. Practice away from home in fenced areas, or in an open area using a long line for safety.

Teach your shih tzu to pay attention when you ask, separately from teaching ?come!? To get your shih tzu to pay attention to you, work attention games into everyday life. For 10 days or so every time your shih tzu looks your way reward him with praise, affection, or a treat. Do this throughout the day. After a couple of days of rewarding the natural check in, start occasionally saying your shih tzu?s name and reward him when he looks your way.

Putting it all together: When your shih tzu has learned all the pieces, you can start putting the behaviors together. The entire chain of behaviors are: responding to your request for attention, coming to you quickly, sitting or accepting a collar touch, waiting for the release. Practice several times and at various times during the day in low distraction environments to set your shih tzu up for successes. Only use your cue for recall when you are very certain he will come to you to help your shih tzu succeed. Keep practice sessions light and fun.

Connie Limon is a shih tzu breeder. She is publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

There has been a strong opinion in shih tzu history that the Tibetan Lion Dog is the result of a cross between the Lhasa Terrier and the Pekingese, which occurred out of the mixing of the two breeds in Tibet and China.

The dogs of each country had been taken to the other from time to time by tribute envoys and officials. The cross in Tibet, that had been taken out of that country by way of India, has been called the Apso, while the cross in Peking has been called the Tibetan Poodle or Lion Dog. The Tibetan cross probably had more of the Lhassa Terrier in it, while the Chinese cross has more of the Pekingese.

Shih Tzu Management:

Be cautious about the dangers of dampness and violent temperature changes when it comes to the living quarters for your shih tzu. With a heritage of luxurious living in the palaces of the Orient, the domesticated dogs of today for the most part share the lovely homes of their owners in our affluent society but still must be protected against sudden change in temperature or weather conditions, particularly true with puppies.

The Shih Tzu is a rugged little dog, it is sheer folly for a dog to sleep indoors by the stove, fireplace, or beneath a comforter on his master’s bed one night, and then be expected to spend the next night outdoors in a dog house or in a drafty garage. Shih Tzu do have a way of choosing their own beds, and it will probably be the same as yours!

Probably about the most important of all aspects in the care and health of your Shih Tzu is diet! My Shih Tzu have thrived better on HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance. Fresh water available at all times is also a diet essential. Be careful about the extras you choose to feed your dog. Try to be certain that everything he eats is safe and nutritious. Again, I recommend using HealthyPetNet treats, the dental cookies, the skin and coat bar, the Porky Puffs, etc. As a breeder, I recommend and prescribe the diet I prefer using for my own dogs and that has worked best for me. I cannot say enough good about HealthyPetNet Products. I can’t imagine anyone not liking them after once trying them. Yet…..I do realize other breeders will have their own recommendations. And, as always, your own personal vet should be included in your final decision about your shih tzu’s diet.

The capacity and size of the individual shih tzu determines the amount of food he/she should consume each day. Labels on the food itself give good guidelines to follow. For my puppies before they leave home, I keep food out at all times. This can change, according to the new owner’s preferences. A healthy dog should eat the approximate same amount every day, and will be in good flesh without going to fat. Table scraps are out of the question. Never feed your shih tzu table scraps. Shih Tzu are acustomed to the best and it seems this part of their heritage never fades away. Feed your Shih Tzu the very best of Premium Dog Food. HealthyPetNet Life’s Abundance is my choice.

A Legend of Shih Tzu Management:

The Chinese tell a story of Ch’en, of the town of Chiang Chou as an illustration of the perfectly brought up household. Ch’en not only preserved harmony among the 700 members of his family but also had the family dogs so well trained that, if one was late for dinner, the other 99 waited for him!

No explanation was given of how this was accomplished and the stories are legend, of course, but another Chinese sage, Chang Kung-i of Shantung, provided a clue……..questioned by a T’ang Emperor how he kept nine branches of the family together, Chang gave an answer often quoted in China, by writing one word a hundred times – - jen-mai, meaning patience or forbearance.

The stories being legend, there is nothing to prove that the Ch’en family dogs, if they even existed, were Shih Tzu Kou. Such tales do draw attention to the fact that the Shih Tzu can be trained in obedience since they are highly intelligent, remarkably responsive, and unusually quick to learn.

Training a Shih Tzu does call for patience, however, since a common trait of the Shih Tzu is a strong self- willed streak. This fact has been noted down through history by many Shih Tzu Fanciers. One leading dog trainer in the United States spoke of the breed with extreme admiration, but emphasized, with a smile…….that they could occasionally be very stubborn.

So….keep that in mind when training your Shih Tzu, and remember, none of us are without downfalls. The Shih Tzu with all its other wonderful qualities far outweighs this one aspect of their personalities. Try praising your shih tzu during training with HealthyPetNet Porky Puffs (a favorite treat of my shih tzu). They go CRAZY for HealthyPetNet Porky Puffs.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Coupons for shih tzu puppies and other products are offered to subscribers. Updates of available puppies. Sign up at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

Anyone who owns a shih tzu dog or shih tzu puppy will eventually run into the need to eliminate unwanted habits. While most shih tzu dogs are eager to please their owners and smart enough to do what is asked of them, it is important for the owner to properly communicate just what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Each type of unacceptable behavior requires its own specific cures, and in most cases the cures will need to be tailored to fit the specific personality of the shih tzu dog. Every breed of dog has its own unique personality characteristics, and every individual within that breed has his or her own unique personality.

Whining, howling and excessive barking: Let?s start with one of the most frequently encountered problem behaviors in both dogs and puppies. While some barking and other vocalizing is perfectly normal, in many cases barking, howling and whining can become problematic. This is particularly important for those living in apartment buildings, or in closely spaced homes. Fielding complaints about barking is not the best way for you and your dog to meet the neighbors.

Some tips of dealing with excessive whining, barking and howling include:

If your shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog is howling or whining while confined to its crate, immediately take it to its toilet area. Most shih tzu puppies and shih tzu dogs will whine when they need to do their business.

It is important to teach a shih tzu dog or a shih tzu puppy to accept being alone. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, and these stressed dogs can exhibit all sorts of destructive and annoying behaviors. It is important to accustom the shih tzu puppy to being left on its own, even when the owner is at home.

Always strive to make the shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog as comfortable as possible. Always attend to the physical and psychological needs of the dog by providing food, water and toys.

If the shih tzu dog is whining, check for obvious reasons first. Is the water dish empty? Is the shih tzu dog showing signs of illness? Has his or her favorite toy rolled under the furniture? Is the temperature of the room too hot or too cold?

Do not reward the shih tzu puppy or shih tzu dog for whining. If the shih tzu dog whines when left alone, for instance, it would be a mistake to go to the shih tzu dog every time it whines.

After you have ensured that the shih tzu?s physical needs are being met, and that discomfort is not responsible for the whining, do not hesitate to reprimand the shih tzu dog for inappropriate behavior.

Problem Chewing: Puppies naturally chew, and they tend to explore their world using their mouths and teeth. While chewing may be normal, however, it is not acceptable, and it is important to nip any chewing problems in the bud to prevent the chewing shih tzu puppy from growing into a chewing shih tzu dog.

Providing a variety of chew toys is important when teaching a shih tzu puppy what is appropriate to chew and what is not. Providing a variety of attractive chew toys is a good way to keep the shih tzu puppy entertained and to keep his teeth and gums exercised. Scented or flavored toys are great choices for most puppies.

The shih tzu puppy should be encouraged to play with these chosen toys, and the shih tzu puppy should be effusively praised every time he or she plays with or chews these toys.

Another great strategy is to encourage the shih tzu puppy to get a toy every time he or she greets you. Every time the shih tzu puppy greets you or a member of your family, teach him to get one of his toys.

It is also important to exercise good housekeeping techniques when training a shih tzu puppy not to chew on inappropriate items. Keeping the area to which the shih tzu puppy has access free and clean is important. Keeping items out of reach of the shih tzu puppy will go a long way toward discouraging inappropriate chewing. Try to keep the shih tzu puppy?s area free of shoes, trash, and other items, and always make sure that the area has been properly puppy proofed.

If the shih tzu puppy does pick up an inappropriate item like a shoe, distract the shih tzu puppy and quickly replace the item with one of its toys. After the shih tzu puppy has taken the toy, praise it for playing with and chewing that toy.

Try booby trapping items the shih tzu dog should avoid by spraying them with bitter apple, Tabasco sauce or other nasty but non-toxic items.

Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

The Shih Tzu with its long coat of hair requires regular, careful grooming. It is better to take a little time each day to keep the coat of your Shih Tzu in top shape than to allow it to go almost beyond repair. If you don?t set aside each day to properly groom your Shih Tzu, the coat will take a lot more time and energy to restore to its original luster and length. This is especially true if you are grooming for the show ring.

The first step is to choose a particular spot for grooming your Shih Tzu each time. Choose a spot where the light is good and where your Shih Tzu will have fewest distractions. Keep toys, treats and other distractions away from your Shih Tzu grooming area. Let your Shih Tzu know this is work that is absolutely necessary. Be firm but gentle.

You must groom a Shih Tzu from the skin out to be effective. Your Shih Tzu grooming table should be sturdy and steady to keep your Shih Tzu from becoming nervous on a wabbling table. A ribbed rubber matting is nice on the Shih Tzu grooming table and is easy to keep clean.

Time to groom your Shih Tzu will depend upon how much hair he has, the thickness of the coat and texture. Shih Tzu more heavily coated will of course require more time in grooming.

The correct brush for a Shih Tzu should have pin bristles. Brush your Shih Tzu?s coat in layers from the skin out to the very ends of the hair. Notice how your brush gathers hair. If the brush is gathering hair only on one side as you brush your Shih Tzu you are holding the brush in the wrong position. A Shih Tzu?s coat should be brushed in the direction in which hair is to fall. However, Shih Tzu puppies can benefit from brushing the coat in ever which way to stimulate the skin and hair cells to encourage growth of the permanent coat. Fluff the leg hair on a Shih Tzu puppy for a finishing touch.

Pay special attention to your Shih Tzu?s feet. The feet of a Shih Tzu are usually the first to get dirty and the hardest to get clean. They tend to tangle and mat easier. The hocks and elbows of your Shih Tzu should receive special attention.

If you find a find a bad tangle or mat in your Shih Tzu?s coat, brush away the surrounding hair and take the mat in your hand. Take a little of the mat at a time and shred it gently with your fingers, working it apart. Take your comb and carefully work it out from the ends of the hair first until you get to the skin of your Shih Tzu. Start at the bottom and work toward the body. When the mat has all been separated, brush the broken hairs out until all the remaining hairs are free.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com