You and Your New Puppy!
Your new puppy is just like bringing home a new baby. You should have things in line before you bring home your new bundle of fur.

Things to have ready before hand:
- Food - Ready on hand.
- A food and water bowl.
- A crate for his bed.
- Blanket
- Toys
- Pee-pads - optional, but great for when they are little. Makes it easier when it is too cold or raining outside since they are so small.


When You First Bring Home Your New Puppy
Spend the first 24 hours getting to know each other. If you have children, they will be very excited during this time, but stress that the puppy needs time to get to know his surroundings, and that the puppy is a new member of the family and will not be going anywhere. The puppy needs time to get acquainted to its new home.

Puppies require a great deal of sleep. Approximately 16 hours of sleep a day. They sleep about 3 to 4 hours, then might be awake for an hour. In this time they will want to potty, eat, play, and potty again. Then they will be tired again and want another nap. If they do not get their rest, just like any small being, they will get cranky, and then ill.

Since the Shih Tzu is a small breed, it does not eat much at one time. It is good to have a good quality dry puppy food available at all time. It should have 20% or more fat. If your new puppy needs to be enticed to eat, one way is by mixing the food with some wet puppy food, or wetting the dry with a little water. Most likely your puppy will not have this problem, but it is very important that they do get fresh food and water throughout the day.


A Few DO NOTS !
Do Not give your puppy milk.
Do Not put additives in the water.
Do Not give your puppy anything sweet to eat.
The list of Nevers to feed a puppy / dog: Chocolate of any kind, grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions.

Do Not bathe too often. The Shih Tzu breed tends to have dry skin, so make sure you use a good quality tearless shampoo.


A Few Dos!
-Do provide lots of chewing and stuffed toys to play with.
-Do start his grooming procedure. The more your new puppy gets use to the brush and comb, the better. With long hair puppies, be sure to keep their hair out of their eyes. In the beginning, this will not be a problem, but as the hair grows you need to decide.... to trim, or to knot and bow. Also, it is important to keep their rear-end clipped for cleanliness.


Potty Training
A great way to start potty training is by a crate. This is like their little apartment, and a safe zone for them for when you are away, or not able to watch them closely. Do not get a crate too big. Normally a dog will not potty where they sleep.

Your new puppy is just like a new born baby when it comes to potty. They both have a lack of muscle control. As time goes by, your puppy will be able to control this function, but in their first few months.... when he has to go, he has to go! Therefore it is best to take him potty often.

When they wake up they potty, and after they eat they potty. Don’t think that house training happens over night. It takes much patience and understanding.