Your Shih Tzu

A lot of people believe that owning and raising a puppy can be more trouble then it is worth.  I believe differently, and am going to give you some tips on how to raise a puppy that will become a great companion.  I am sure you are reading this as someone who is interested in getting a puppy.  And you have likely had some good, and bad experiences with dogs in the past.

Any puppy can be a great pet.  It is always the owner that sets the stage.  If you have ever seen the show "Dog Whisperer" you will know what I mean.  Simple things you do every day will help make your pet a better one, or a worse one.  And realizing this can help you to mold your puppy into the pet that all your friends wished they had.

First off, make sure you really want a pet and have the time for it.  Don't get a puppy because you think it would be neat, get it because you know you want one.  And only if you have the time for it.  Having time to spend with your puppy is very important, but it is not something that you have to dread for the next 15 years.

Put simply, spending enough time at the beginning with your Shih Tzu is most important.  Paying lots and lots of attention to your puppy will make them want to please you.  And that is the first step in having a great pet.  That is the main reason everyone says to spend alot of time with your puppy.  As the dog gets older and learns what is expected of it, you wont need to spend so much time with them.  You have made the best friend of your life, and you will always be their best friend.

That is why dogs are often called Mans Best Friend.  Spending a little time with a cute and furry animal, will get you years of love and affection in return.  It is THE greatest investment a person can make.

You can spoil your Shih Tzu rotten.  And that is not what I want you to do.  You should not pick your dog up every time it barks or cries.  That will teach the dog that barking (and being annoying) will get it the attention it wants.  (It might be cute at first, but it will quickly become a bad habit when your dogs bark turns into an ear piercing, show stopping shriek). 

If you ever see your Shih Tzu laying on the ground looking cute, or looking mellow and relaxed.  That is the time to pick it up and cuddle it for just a couple minutes.  Doing that, instead of picking it up when it barks will teach your puppy that if it is nice, quiet, and mellow; then it will get the attention it wants.  Your only chore is to give your Shih Tzu that attention.  Not necessarily in the form of hour long walks, or 30 minutes of play time.  But when you are home, and see your puppy is being quiet you should go give it some affection each chance you get.  Although exercise and playtime are very important, they are not the only thing a puppy needs.

Giving your dog the proper amount of attention (at the right times) will teach your dog how to act properly.

A second thing to keep in mind is potty training.  It is one of the single most important, and often times most neglected issues when it comes to dog owners.  It is "easy" to train your Shih Tzu to go to the restroom outside.  But it does require some time, patience, and consistency at the beginning. 

Shih Tzu's are very intelligent dogs, so potty training them can be a "wiz" if you want it to be.  Keeping in mind that you have the time, and patience to spend with the puppy.  There are a few simple things you can do to make your puppy into the best dog of your life.  First, take your puppy out way more then you think it needs to be at the beginning. 

Your Shih Tzu will need to go to the restroom constantly.  And it will not wait for your to take it out.  Taking your puppy out every 2 to 3 hours is a good start.  And praising it is a must.  The puppy will soon think that it is doing something good (their will to please) and they will want to do it more.  You must also make sure not to give them access to water all the time.  Your Shih Tzu's bladder is too small, and their thirst is too great.  They will seem like they never stop going.  Your Shih Tzu can have free access to water once they are potty trained.  Otherwise it is best to control their water intake.  But make sure they get plenty of water.

Give them water after they play, then take them out.  Take them out first thing in the morning, and right before bed.  Several times throughout the day.  And always after meal time.  But make sure it is on a schedule.  As that just makes it easier for your dog to understand and learn.  At first the dog will have accidents.  But you can do alot to prevent that.

When you put  your Shih Tzu to bed, be sure to put them in a small crate.  They might go to the restroom on themselves for a few nights, but they wont like it.  Don't worry, it wont last long.  It is too small of an area and they will want to stay clean.  So they will quickly learn not to go in their kennel.  (Don't feed and water your Shih Tzu right before bed.)  Simply taking them out in the morning, will get you an instant success, and you will be able to praise your puppy within mere seconds.  (Which also trains them to go the restroom quickly.)  Once your puppy is crate trained, move them into a bathroom, laundry room, or other small area.  And test the waters there.  If they have accidents go back to the kennel for a while.  Then try the larger room again.  Be sure to take them out more often.  Until they stop and learn.  Once it is good in that room try for a bigger area.  Don't leave them unattended.  And watch to see when they go to the door.  Some dogs wont bark at the door.  Sometimes they will just stand there.

Keeping your Shih Tzu puppy on a schedule, taking them out frequently, not feeding and watering them right before bed, and keeping them in a crate will quickly teach your dog when and where to go potty.  And that is one of the best things you can do to ensure you have a great pet.  We feed our Shih Tzu's at  about 5 or 6, take them out right after.  And then take them outside again right before bed.

Here at Wishwell we have a belief that there is really only one thing that makes your Shih Tzu a great pet.  And that is spending enough time loving them.  If you do that, your Shih Tzu will want to please you and that will be their only purpose in life.  They will always want to be by your side.  And having a dog that follows you room to room, never has an accident, and does everything you say is something everyone dreams of.  It is just a matter of time invested at the very beginning.  And it is well worth that effort.

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