Stefanie’s Helpful Puppy Rearing Tips!

When I first started breeding Shih Tzu Puppies back in 2006 we had a lot of questions, a lot of the time they were the same questions asked over and over by new families who were adopting a puppy from me. 

So I created this document here below, with helpful tips for all things related to your new pup.

I will also give you a hard copy of all this information below on your First Visit. But just in case you have lost it, I am posting it here as well. 

Thanks so much! And as always, if you have questions you can always call or text me anytime 801-634-7233

                      

Topics:

*General Information

*Chewing

*Potty Training

*Human Foods: DO’s & DON’TS

*Products to Purchase

                                   

General Info:

1.      Make sure you clean your puppy's bum after each time s/he poops. Otherwise the puppy's poop may form a hard rock over their anus and they will not be able to get their poop out and this can cause a hernia, other medical issues and possible death.

2.       Leave their dry food out all day long so they can eat when they want. Shih Tzu’s typically do not over eat. Also, make sure you change their water 2 to 3 times a day, you do not want a slimy rim in your bowl or algae to grow in the bottles. Make sure you continue to wash them daily.

3.       Give 2 tablespoons of wet food every day if you feel they are not eating enough dry food on their own. I liked to give it to them when they leave my home just to make sure they don’t have a “sugar crash” so to speak of. So, just make sure they are getting plenty of water and plenty of food. Whether it is wet or dry. Keep a good close eye on them. If the puppy's poop starts to get too runny, go down to one Tablespoon a day. You only need to do this until you feel that s/he is eating the dry food well enough to sustain without the wet food.

4.       Potty training, it is going to be a challenge for a few months as your puppy will not have complete control over their bladder until they are 5 months of age. (Sometimes depending on the puppy it could be up to 7 months.) Be patient, but consistent. Take your puppy out every few hours and especially when s/he first wakes up in the morning and after a nap. Make sure you give them tons of praise when they do go potty where they are supposed to go.

5.        When potty training I have found that the Potty Park and the Potty Training Pads from Pet Co. work best. We train the puppies on potty pads and the potty park from the time they first start to walk around 3-4 weeks.

6.           Your puppy was given shots by me between the ages of 6-8 weeks. I give the shots to your puppy when they are completely done nursing. You will need to schedule an appointment with your vet to get your puppy's second shots at 12 weeks. (All this is listed in the medical sheet I gave you on day of adoption.)

7.      When choosing a vet make sure you check them out thoroughly, I always recommend that if you live in the same area as I do, to see Dr. Anderson who works at Animal Crackers Veterinarian Hospital. Dr. Ross Anderson was the Lead Veterinarian at Hogle Zoo for almost 20 years and is a very renowned and very respected Veterinarian in the State of Utah. Their number is 801-561-9271 and their address is : 7540 South Redwood Road in West Jordan. They are FANTASTIC over there, you will love them and love their prices, they do not overly charge like a lot of Veterniarian Hospitals do these days. They are honest and fair in their prices. Call and make an appointment for your puppys second set of shots with Dr Anderson, let them know that your puppy is one of my puppies and they will get you right in!

8.  For grooming we love Dana Dutt at Wag the Dawg Salon! She may not have opening spots for new clients, if that is the case make sure you reach out to others and find someone who you can trust with your new precious baby!

9.      Clipping their toe nails. You will just need to use regular fingernail scissors for the first few months. Just be very careful and clip the very tip. If you cut too low into the quick of the nail you can make your puppy bleed and it could also lead to infections. (A Little corn starch is all that is needed if you have a little bleed. Put the cornstarch on and hold it with your fingers until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding is very bad you may have to wrap it with some sticky bandage wrap.)

10.       Keep the hair in between your puppy's eyes shaved and clean as the hairs around their eyes can cause eye infections if not kept clean and trimmed. If you decide to grow out there in the traditional Show dog type of fashion, just make sure you are cleaning the eyes regularly with a warm wash cloth.

11.       Our puppies have been sleeping in soft beds since they were born, (purchased from Pet Co or on Amazon.com) I would suggest you either leave them in an area at night to sleep with a soft bed instead of a kennel while potty training as sometimes you can wake up to a potty mess and will have to wash the kennel and your puppy.

12.       VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT leave your puppy alone with a collar on. I had a lady adopt a puppy from me and she left a collar with dangle things on it while she went to work, and it tried to get over the gate and the collar got stuck in the gate holes and it struggled and struggled to get out and ended up hanging itself to death. This was very hard on the family, especially the young daughter. So, because of this incident, I let all of my newly adopted families know about this situation. To be honest, I never put collars on my dogs unless we are going on walks or to Animal Crackers Vet. I have all my dogs chipped and they are inside dogs, so I do not worry about them getting lost. This however, is a personal choice; I just wanted to make you aware of what could happen.

13. Make sure if your puppy has their dew claws that you watch them, keep them trimmed and make sure if they are digging you clean them. Dew claws are not a huge issue at all, some prefer to have them removed, other breeders do not. Sometimes when you get them removed they can grow back. It is rare, but it does happen. So, if your puppy comes home and does have dew claws (the thumb) just keep a close on eye on them.

 

POTTY TRAINING:

No matter if it is your child or your puppy, it is a hard thing and takes lots of time and consistency.

I get a lot of questions about potty training and so I decided to add this info not only to my website but into this information packet I give to you families on first visit for everyone to look over.

For me, I have done both crate training and potty pad training. Both have worked for me. BUT I have found that if you put them in a little play area, with pee pads right at the front where they leave the play pen area that is where they will go pee pee. (It is what I do when they are about 4 weeks old. I get them started on these from the very beginning, so they are use to them when they come home with you.) Then when you are not playing with them always leave them in the crated area. It is my favorite way to train and works best for these dogs! People also don't like to crate train because with their Shih Tzu's if they need to go potty they don't have control they will lose it and then you will have a mess. But some others have found it to work. You have to try different things and go with what works for you! but for me the play area works the best.

Crate training is a good option for some who have a lot of rugs and carpet and do not want to section off your house. You keep the puppy in the crate at night time and also throughout the day when you are not home, working or busy around the house. Typically, puppies do not want to go to the bathroom where they sleep, but like I said they do not have control of their bladder so you may end up with a mess. The size of the crate should be only big enough for them to stand up in and turn around. Any bigger and you may find you will have accidents in the crate. Keep something warm such as a blanket, tiny dog bed or towel in the crate.

You will want to take your puppy out to go to the bathroom every 1-2 hours for the first few weeks.

Now, remember that your puppy will not have complete control of their bladder until they are 5-7 months old. Accidents WILL happen. Just plan on it and do not get upset about it. You just HAVE TO KNOW it is going to happen.

Also, if you are consistent, you will have very few accidents. Be consistent, you may have to get up in the might for the first couple of months to take them out to potty. It is like having a baby, they will not know what you want them to do unless you show them and be consistent. Take them to the SAME spot each time you go out to go potty, then they will know it is potty time. Do not look at them or play with them while out potty training, because then they will just think it is play time. A good thing to do as well, is to take a tiny little treat outside with you and when your baby does what you want s/he to do, you need to get overly excited and praise your puppy and give them a treat. Shih Tzu’s want to please their owner and when they know they have done something good, over time they will want to continue to do so.

So, when there is accident in the house, do not get mad at the puppy, get mad at yourself for not catching it in time. LOL

I go to a lot of Breeders seminars around the Valley and one thing a speaker said that made me laugh and also is so true I would like to share: “If your puppy has an accident, roll up a newspaper and smack yourself on the head for not paying attention.” I laughed because it is so true.

It is a lot of work in the beginning, but it will all be worth it once they get the hang of it.

One thing I tell most families to do is get a dog door. This will really help with Potty training. I have found through everything that I have done, the Dog Door has been the best thing for me. They may just make it out on to the deck and not down the stairs to the grass, but at least they tried and made it out of the house!

If you do not want to crate train, then I suggest getting these brass gates from Pet Co. or Amazon now has them and they are cheaper and free shipping if you are a Prime member! (my favorite option!) They are sections of gates all looped together, you can stretch them out long, put them in a square or a circle. I tell my families to get these gates and put them in an area when the floor is tile, wood or linoleum. Place several pee pads and possibly a potty park (looks like a grass pad you can also purchase from Pet Co.) Also, stick a nice soft bed in the area and some toys for them to play with.

This is personally what I do. I have the gates set up, the pads in place, dog bed, food and water set out as well. (Always leave water and dry food out for them all day, Shih Tzu’s typically do not over eat.)

You will still need to follow the potty schedule I listed above, going outside 1-2 hours every day for the first weeks. Then when you are not playing with your puppy, working or it is bed time, place your puppy in the kennel area.

One thing to also consider, your puppy may cry at night for the first few nights. So, you may want to put their kennel or crate in an area where you will not hear them at night. I know it is heart breaking to hear them cry, BUT you have to let them cry it out, otherwise, if you go and get them every time they cry or go and talk to them, they will continue to whine for the rest of their lives at night.

You have to start them off on the right foot with the habits you want them to have from the beginning. Do not give in because you feel bad for them. Otherwise they will take advantage of that whenever possible. Shih Tzu’s are extremely smart! LOL

If you have accidents inside, (Poop) take the poop outside and leave it where you want them to go. Then they will know this is where they should go potty. I always leave some of the poop in the backyard/front yard when I am potty training, so they know where they should go. Also, this may seem kind of gross, but the potty pads, let them have some pee on them and leave it out so they know they are supposed to go there when in the house. If there is a pee accident, suck it up with the pee pad and flip it over so they can smell this is where they are supposed to go pee pee.

I know all this seems like a lot, but do not over think everything, it will happen, your puppy will get it, just takes time, be patient and do not get angry. Once you start smacking or yelling, your puppy will be frightened of you and you do not want that.

Always remember, 5-7 months until they have complete control of their bladders. Then at that point, if they are still having accidents, I personally will rub their nose in it and tap them on the head and say, NO! You go potty outside! And then I send them outside (Where they should have gone potty) to sit and think about their actions. LOL Sounds funny I know! But it works!

 

CHEWING:

This is always a problem and will be for several months. The teeth that your baby has when you adopt them from me, they will lose them all and have a full new set within  4-6 months or age.

You sometimes will find the teeth, but most the time they just swallow them and it is totally normal to do so. So do not worry! J

Just as human babies do, your puppy will be teething, and while you will not get the screaming and fevers like you would with a human baby, you puppy is still in pain, and this is why you will find the wood around the door or the base boards maybe a wooden chair chewed on. You puppy is teething and needs to chew on things to help with the pain and also to help the new teeth come in.

So, I am sure you are asking… oh great! My furniture! How do I avoid this? Well, my suggestion is get A LOT of chew toys, squeaky ones are always fun, rope toys, rubber ones, empty water bottles are also fun for them to play with, they are loud and fun to chew. But, you may end up with some bite marks on some of your base boards, wooden stools and so forth. It does happen, so my suggestion for that, get a marker that matches the wood color to cover it up… ha ha

You really cannot get to mad at them, because they are babies trying to ease the pain and need something hard to chew on and for some reason they just love wood. I went as far as to get some blocks cut out in fun shapes of wood and gave them to my dogs and they loved it and it saved some chairs from bite marks.

You can always take them to the area they chewed and show them and say really mad, NO! You do not eat this and give them a little tap on the head. But, to be honest, it will more than likely happen again.

Sometimes, with some puppies, you won’t have this problem, with my two oldest Molly and Charlie and my second to youngest Nala, we never had chewing issues. However, Jasmine and Belle and Bailey have all chewed up the wood work around the sliding door. I cannot even tell you how many times we have stained it. It cracks me up. I really am not mad about it, because I understand it and just know that is part of having a puppy.

So with all this said, Having a puppy is not an easy breeze, it is a lot of work, but it sure is worth it! When at the end of the day they are fast asleep in your lap. Or when you come home from work/school/shopping and they are standing at the top of the stairs or in the door way shaking their tails and are so excited to see you their entire body is almost in a total circle! When they lick your face and snuggle with you! Or when you first wake up and then come to the bathroom and nip your heels and bark hello! Their love for you is unconditional, so have your love for them be the same!

 

You will have challenges, but I always say, the good outweighs the bad for sure!

Enjoy all the stages with your puppy. They grow fast 1 year for us is 7 years to them. Love your dog! Care for them! Be Consistent! and whenever you have questions you can always call or text me anytime for their entire life! I am here for you always!

 

  Feeding your Dogs human food can be tricky! Below is a helpful list of things to and to not feed our Shih Tzu's

 

I have a lot of people ask me what foods their dogs can and cannot have. SO! I have put together a little list here below of the things your dog should not have, what do to if they ingest things they should not and of course what things they can have. These are things I have learned over the years by finding out the hard way and also from my Vet Dr. Anderson (Animal Crackers Veterinarian Hospital in West Jordan Utah) Of Course always consult with your Vet before giving any human food to your doggy. This just my little helpful list of do’s and don’ts.

 

As Always call or text me anytime if you have any questions whatsoever, 801-634-7233 I am more than willing to help you at any time. I do not know it all because I am not a Vet, but I have been doing this for so long I have learned a lot over the years and can give you my best advice.

 

 Foods that are poisonous, toxic or fatal to your Shih Tzu:

 

Avocados: Can cause only mild gastric upset in dogs, the skin, leaves, seed and bark of the fruit are much more problematic, containing a toxic chemical known as persin.

 

Garlic and Onions: Can create anemia in dogs, pale gums, elevated heart rate, weakness, and collapsing, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, and dehydration, pale mucous membranes, rapid breathing, lethargy, weakness, jaundice, and dark colored urine

 

Chocolate: The problem in chocolate is theobromine. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous types are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Chocolate can cause a dog to vomit and have diarrhea. It can also cause heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death. Methylxanthines found in chocolate stop a dog’s metabolic process.

 

Grapes and Raisins: can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog sick. Vomiting over and over is an early sign. Within a day, your dog will get sluggish and depressed.

 

Caffeine: Caffeine can be fatal.  Watch out for coffee and tea, even the beans and the grounds. Keep your dog away from cocoa, chocolate, colas, and energy drinks. Caffeine is also in some cold medicines and pain killers. Think your dog had caffeine? Watch for restlessness, fast breathing, and muscle twitches.

 

Cherries: Choke cherry, Black cherry and cherry laurel contain cyanogenic glycosides. All parts of these plants other than the ripe pulp around the seeds are considered toxic and contain cyanide. Cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase, an enzyme necessary for cellular oxygen transport, preventing appropriate oxygen uptake by cells. When ingested in toxic amounts, clinical signs of dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, inadequate oxygen levels, bright red gums, shock, and death can be seen.

 

Fat Trimmings and Bones: Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And, even though it seems natural to give a dog a bone, she can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and block or cause cuts in your dog's digestive system.

 

Macadamia nuts: These are some of the most poisonous foods for dogs. Macadamia nuts, part of the Protaceae family, can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk, lethargy, and vomiting. Even worse, they can affect the nervous system.

 

Mushrooms: Most mushrooms can cause gastrointestinal irritation. This is the most common syndrome and is rarely fatal. Vomiting and diarrhea generally develop within six hours of ingestion. The upset stomach lasts about 24 hours and requires minimal veterinary care.

 

Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums: The problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. Seeds from persimmons can cause problems in a dog's small intestine. They can also block his intestines. That can also happen if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Peach and plum pits also have cyanide, which is poisonous to people and dogs. People know not to eat them. Dogs don't.

 

Raw Meat and Fish: Like raw eggs, raw meat and fish can have bacteria that causes food poisoning. Some fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can also have a parasite that causes "fish disease" or "salmon poisoning disease." It's treatable, but get help right away. The first signs are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes. Fully cook the fish to kill the parasite.

 

Salt: Some salt is okay, but symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high temperature, and seizures. It may even cause death.

 

Green potatoes: Never let your dog have a potato that is green, Glycoalkaloids, which are nerve toxins, can develop only in the stems, shoots and green parts of the skin. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion and cause your dog to be very lethargic.

 

Fruit seeds and pits in general should be avoided: Those that are not toxic often present choking hazards

 

Certain Nuts: Walnuts, Pecans, Macadamia nuts, Pistachio’s, Hickory nuts and Almonds. All can cause gastric intestinal issues, blockage, and tears in esophagus, upset stomach, neurological problems, seizures and pancreatitis.

 

Mold: Ingestion of moldy food from the garbage or a compost pile puts dogs at risk for toxicity due to tremorgenic mycotoxins. These toxins may be found in moldy bread, pasta, cheese, nuts, or other decaying matter like compost. Signs of eating moldy food include vomiting, agitation, walking as if they are drunk, tremors, seizures, and severe secondary hyperthermia. Signs may persist from hours to days, but typically resolve within 24-48 hours with aggressive veterinary treatment.

 

Milk and Dairy Products: it may be tempting to share your ice cream with your dog. Instead, give her an ice cube. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems for your pup. They can also trigger food allergies, which can cause her to itch.

 

Cooking Products: Lots of things found on your kitchen shelves can hurt your dog. Baking powder and baking soda are both highly toxic. So are nutmeg and other spices. Keep food high enough to be out of your dog’s reach and keep pantry doors closed.

 

Alcohol: Just a little beer, liquor, wine, or food with alcohol can be bad. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, breathing problems, coma, even death. And the smaller your dog, the worse it can be.

 

Your Meds: Dogs shouldn't take people medicine. It's can make them very sick. Just as you do for your kids, keep all medicines out of your dog’s reach. And, never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless your vet tells you to. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog.

 

Cinnamon: Cinnamon and its oils can irritate the inside of pets’ mouths, making them uncomfortable and sick. It can lower a dog’s blood sugar too much and can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, increased, or decreased heart rate and even liver disease. If they inhale it in powder form, cinnamon can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, and choking.

 

Almonds: Almonds may not necessarily be toxic to dogs like pecans, walnuts and macadamia nuts are, but they can block the esophagus or even tear the windpipe if not chewed completely. Salted almonds are especially dangerous because they can increase water retention, which is potentially fatal to dogs prone to heart disease.

 

Raw bread dough or anything containing yeast should never be fed to your dog:

The warm, moist conditions of the stomach create a breeding ground for live yeast cultures that cause the raw dough to expand in the abdomen. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to the death of tissue. Furthermore, as the yeast multiplies, it can create alcohols that cause the dog to become inebriated.

 

Xylitol, Found in Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods is a common artificial sweetener: While it has no discernible effect on humans, in dogs xylitol leads to a rapid and severe drop in blood sugar levels, sometimes resulting in seizures and liver failure in as little as 30 minutes after ingestion.

 

 What should you do if your little Shih Tzu eats something they should not have?

 

No matter how careful you are, your dog might find and swallow something s/he shouldn't.

 

Keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435 where you know you can find it. And, if you think your dog has eaten something toxic, call for emergency help right away.

 

What Can Your Shih Tzu Eat?

 

Salmon: fully cooked salmon is an excellent source of protein, good fats, and amino acids. It promotes joint and brain health and gives their immune systems a nice boost. However, raw or undercooked salmon contains parasites that can make dogs very sick, causing vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, even death. Be sure to cook salmon all the way through (the FDA recommends at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit) and the parasites should cook out.

 

Lean Meats: Be sure the foods are cooked, pure, and not fatty or heavily seasoned.

 

Shrimp: A few shrimp every now and then is fine for your dog, but only if they are fully cooked and the shell (including the tail, head, and legs) is removed completely. Shrimp are high in antioxidants, vitamin B-12, and phosphorus, but also low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates.

 

Turkey: Turkey is fine for dogs as long as it is not covered in garlic (which can be very toxic to dogs) and seasonings. Also be sure to remove excess fat and skin from the meat and don’t forget to check for bones; poultry bones can splinter during digestion, causing blockage or even tears in the intestines.

 

Cheese: Small to moderate quantities. As long as your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, which is rare but still possible in canines, cheese can be a great treat. Many kinds of cheese can be high in fat, so go for low-fat varieties like cottage cheese or mozzarella

 

Eggs: Eggs are safe for dogs as long as long as they are fully cooked. Cooked eggs are a wonderful source of protein and can help an upset stomach. However, eating raw egg whites can give dogs biotin deficiency, so be sure to cook the eggs all the way through before giving them to your pet.

 

Peanuts: They’re packed with good fats and proteins that will benefit your dog. Just be sure to give peanuts in moderation, as you don’t want your dog taking in too much fat, which can lead to pancreas issues in canines. Also, avoid salted peanuts

 

Peanut Butter: Just like whole peanuts, peanut butter is an excellent source of protein for dogs. It contains heart-healthy fats, vitamins B and E and niacin. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is the healthiest option because it doesn’t contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be toxic to dogs.

 

Pork and Ham: Pork is highly digestible protein, packed with amino acids, and it contains more calories per pound than other meats. Pork also may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction in some pets compared to meat.

 

Corn: Corn is one of the most common ingredients in most dog foods. However, the cob can be hard for them to digest and may cause an intestinal blockage, so avoid giving them corn on the cob.

 

Cashews: Cashews are OK for dogs, but only a few at a time. They’ve got calcium, magnesium, antioxidants, and proteins, but while these nuts contain less fat than walnuts, almonds, or pecans, too many can lead to weight gain and other fat-related conditions. A few cashews here and there is a nice treat, but only if they’re unsalted

 

Coconut: This funky fruit contains Lauric, which strengthens the immune system by fighting off viruses. It can also help with bad breath and clearing up skin conditions like hot spots, flea allergies, and itchy skin. Coconut milk and coconut oil are safe for dogs too. Just be sure your dog doesn’t get its paws on the furry outside of the shell, which can get lodged in the throat.

 

Honey: Honey is packed with countless nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants. Feeding dogs a tablespoon of local honey twice a day can help with allergies because it introduces small amounts of pollen to their systems, building up immunity to allergens in your area. In addition to consuming honey, the sticky spread can also be used as a topical treatment for burns and superficial cuts.

 

Tuna: In moderation, cooked fresh tuna is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes heart and eye health. As for canned tuna, it contains small amounts of mercury and sodium, which should be avoided in excess. A little bit of canned tuna and tuna juice here and there is fine – prepared only in water, not oil – as long as it doesn’t contain any spices.

 

Apples, oranges, bananas, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, pears, raspberries and mango's: These are tasty treats for your dog. Take out any seeds first. Seeds, stems, and leaves can cause serious problems and of course all this in moderation.

 

Yogurt: Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for dogs. It is rich in protein and calcium. The active bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system with probiotics. Be sure to skip over yogurts with added sugars and artificial sweeteners.

 

Carrot sticks, green beans, peas, cucumber slices, or zucchini slices, plain baked potato, broccoli, celery and sweet potatoes: All of these veggies my dogs love, but, don't let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants from your pantry or garden, and of course all this in moderation.

 

Bread: Small amounts of plain bread (no spices and definitely no raisins) won’t hurt your dog, but it also won’t provide any health benefits either. It has no nutritional value and can really pack on the carbohydrates and calories, just like in people. Homemade breads are a better option than store-bought, as bread from the grocery store typically contains unnecessary preservatives, but it’s best to avoid it all together.

 

Popcorn: Unsalted, unbuttered, plain air-popped popcorn is OK for your dog in moderation. It contains riboflavin and thiamine, both of which promote eye health and digestion, as well as small amounts of iron and protein. Be sure to pop the kernels all the way before giving them to your dog, as unpopped kernels could become a choking hazard.

 

Fish: Fish contains good fats and amino acids, giving your dog a nice health boost. Salmon and sardines are especially beneficial – salmon because it’s loaded with vitamins and protein, and sardines because they have soft, digestible bones for extra calcium. With the exception of sardines, be sure to pick out all the tiny bones, which can be tedious but is necessary.

 

Cooked White Rice and Pasta: Dogs can eat plain white rice or pasta after it’s cooked. And, a serving of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes make your dog feel better when s/he is having stomach problems.

 

Items to Purchase:

 

Needless to say I am a huge fan or Amazon.com and I purchase pretty much everything for my dogs online on Amazon.com, below is a list of products I use all time and love. Not everything is necessary, but it is good to have on hand.

 

1.    First the grooming comb! Such a necessary item. I love this one and have three myself!

Andis Pet Steel Grooming Comb (65730) – 6.39$ found on Amazon.com

Grooming shaver: Wahl Professional Animal Deluxe U-Clip Pet Grooming Kit 16 pc. on Amazon.com for about 45$

Toe nail clipper: GoPets Nail Clippers for Dogs & Cats with 1 Nail File, Orange / Black – on Amazon.com for 14.99$

 

2.       This is Gate System I recommend for everyone to buy. I really don't suggest getting those little kennels and putting them in it when you are potty training. Puppies do not have control of their bladders until they are between 5-7 months old. So they may have quite the accident and you will have quite the mess. I recommend getting this gate system, or one like it. You can put down old towels and place a dog bed in there. Along with their food and water dishes and toys. Then at the very front of the gate where they come out place the pee pad. That is where they will run to come out and see you and that is where they will be prone to go potty. It is such a better choice than kenneling, but of course the decision comes down to what you want to do with your puppy. :)

MidWest Exercise Pen – you can get it on Amazon.com for around 36-40$ not bad!

 

3.       Dog beds are super important for your puppy. Just like us, they need a place to sleep and the first few weeks they are home with you, they will sleep a lot. They are still babies, I would say even as they grow older they will spend half the day in their bed. OR if they are really lazy like my Bailey it will be more like 75% of their day. LOL 

AKC Casablanca Round Solid Pet Bed – found on Amazon.com for around 15$

 

4.       I recently decided to try these LIXIT water bottles out. They work like a charm! The puppies when they are little can drown in the water dishes, so I decided to try these bottles. The puppies love them and they are safe, clean and wonderful!

However, over time you may want to move to a water dish. Sometimes I feel like they may not get their entire thirst quenched, but then again, I have four dogs who prefer and only use the water bottles. So you will have to go by what you feel your puppy likes best. But, just know they are started on these LIXIT water bottles, you can buy them on Amazon.com or at Petco. Not sure if PetSmart has them, but for sure the other two places do.

Lixit Top Fill Dog Bottle found on Amazon.com for around 12$

 

5.       Puppy Pee Pads! This is the best invention ever. I LOVE these things. They are a life saver when potty training. I have also found that puppies love to and think it is so much fun to rip these up! So, I found this awesome little pee pad holder at Pet Co. Now when I place it in there and connect the latches they cannot rip it up! So, you can see the pee marks on it too. They use it and love it. It makes me happy!

AKC Training Pads – Found on Amazon.com for around 15$ for 100 pads

IRIS Puppy and Dog Training Pet Pad or Holder for around $15.99 on amazon.com

6.       These are puppy treats that I give my dogs. The Greenies are my favorite. They not only clean their teeth but help with puppy breath!

GREENIES Original Dental Dog Treats – Size Petite for around 30$ on Amazon.com

Milk-Bone MaroSnacks Dog Treats for All Sizes Dogs – 40 ounce for around 6.50$ on Amazon.com

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews – Size Small around 7.50$ on Amazon.com

 

7.       LOVE these diapers! They are great for when we are potty training and on the move. I have taken my Minnie out to Orthodontist appointments for my son or down to Moms for Sunday dinner and we put these on in case of accidents. Because let’s face it, potty training is hard enough at home and then if you leave to an unknown environment they get even more confused. So these diapers are great to have on hand. AND they are cute too!

Pet Soft Fashion Cotton Demin Jeans Pet Disposable Diaper Cowboy Style Puppy Dog Diaper,XS—XL – size extra small found on Amazon 11.99$

 

8.       This is my dogs and puppies most favorite food. I start the puppies on this at about 4 weeks old. The kernels are super small and easy for them to eat or "GUM" when they are teething. I recommend staying on this brand, but if for some reason you want to switch, it is totally fine, just slowly add in whatever you are going to give your puppy with this. I will give you 1 bag of this food that should last about a month. So slowly add in whatever dog food you are going to give your puppy to this. Also, just leave it out all day. Shih Tzu's do not typically over eat. So always leave out food and water so they can eat and drink when they need.

ROYAL CANIN BREED HEALTH NUTRITION Shih Tzu Puppy dry dog food, 2.5-Pound 29.99$ on amazon.com

 

9.       This is the only thing I use on my dogs as far as Shampoo and Conditioner goes. I get it on Amazon for a great price.

Nature's Specialties Plum Silky Pet Shampoo, 32-Ounce – found on amazon for 26$ best price I have found

Nature's Specialties Aloe Remoisturizer Pet Conditioner, 32-Ounce – found on Amazon 22$

 

10.       Every puppy needs good chew toys. You need to help them through their teething process. They will be getting in their adult teeth when they live with you. You may even find teeth on the floor or stuck in their toys. Do not worry about it, it is totally normal. I even had a lady who adopted one puppy from me save the tooth in her doggy scrapbook! So cute! Every dog needs their teeth brushed. This is the simplest way I have found to do that. This is the Finger Tooth Brush. I LOVE IT! It is really hard to try and brush your dog’s teeth with a long stick tooth brush. They DO NOT like it! BUT they like to chew on your fingers as you will soon find out, so you place the fingerbrush on your finger stick some beef smelling paste on it and it is so easy!

Pet Republique Cat & Dog Finger Toothbrush Set of 6 / 3 - Dental Hygiene Brushes for Small to Large Dogs, Cats, & Most Pets – found on amazon for 7$

CET Poultry Toothpaste, 70 gm – found on amazon.com for 10.98$

 

11.       Just like you and I, your dog needs a multi-vitamin. You can try and get them to eat them plain, sometimes they won’t, so wrap it in some meat and they will not know the difference. 4 of my dogs will eat this plain. It does smell like a puppy treat, so that is good as well. The others I just wrap it in meat.

Pro-Sense Daily Multivitamin Chewable Tablets, 90-Count – found on amazon.com for 13.36$ they have them in puppy, adult and senior!

12.      This is a way fun item that I found for my girls. These are not the cheap flimsy bows that you find a lot. They are strong and can be used over and over. I love them. The bows have tags on them and you just pull them off. Do not worry about breaking the band, it is strong and can uphold a lot. I have used the same bows on my girls 6 different times now and they don't show any wear or tear. So I highly recommend these to anyone looking to grow out their puppy’s top knot.

Aria Tiny Bows with Rosettes for Dogs, 100-Piece Canisters 15.95$ on amazon.com

 

13.       Ear cleaning solution. Sometimes puppies can get ear infections. So this is a good thing to use to help prevent that. Usually I wash my dogs once a week. I just don't like that "Dog" smell and so I will give them a nice bath usually every Friday. Before I do that, I will clean their Anal glands and then clean their ears as well. All you do is just squirt some in the ear, rub it around and around then take a cloth and wipe it out. Also, the hair in the ears is very fine. You can just pull it straight out. It is very simple, you just grab the hair with your thumb and fingers and pull it out. It does not hurt them at all. This will also help to prevent ear infections and to keep the ears clean.

Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone – sold on Amazon.com for around 18.40$

 

14.        Now, this is kind of gross, so brace yourselves! Shih Tzu's do have a tendency to eat their own poops. Now, my husband calls it a gift, not having to clean up after a dog because they do it themselves. He will ask them sometimes how their "scooby snack" was... so gross... I however think it is super nasty, so I asked my Vet Dr. Anderson what I could do about this. He told me to try this little powder. It comes in packets and you sprinkle 1/4 of the packet on their food twice a day. It makes their poop taste "gross" if you can imagine ever it being yummy in the first place!! UGH! Sometimes they will not want to eat the powder on the food, so I will sprinkle it on a piece of Deli Turkey and wrap it up and feed it to them. This way I am sure to get it down the hatch. It usually take 2-3 days to stop the nasty "Scooby Snack" eating

ForBid Stop Stool Eating – on Amazon.com for about 18$

 

Doggie Dailies Probiotics for Dogs, 225 Soft Chews, Advanced Dog Probiotic Supplement Relieves Dog Diarrhea, Improves Digestion, Optimizes Immune System, and Enhances Overall Health, Made in the USA

                                                  Congratulations on your new little puppy!

If you have any questions for me, please feel free to reach out to me anytime. I am here for you for your pup’s entire lifespan.  Call or text me anytime! 801-634-7233

 Stefanie Marie Peacock                 www.peacockshihtzupuppies.com           Breeding since 2006