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Shih Tzu
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02-04-2011 12:42pm#1
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The pup will only destroy the house if you let it.
You have a daughter, so remember back to when she was a baby/toddler. It's not that different, it's all about routine, training, praising for good behaviour, and bonding with them.
The pup is most likely going to be upset for the first couple of nights, being away from it's mother & siblings, in a new home that smells different.
An idea is to give a blanket to the breeder, to have the mother lie on or rub off, so that when you take the pup, you have a blanket to bring home that smells familiar. That can be in the pups bed. They may or may not cry at night for a few nights, this is normal, and again, like a baby, you don't come running as soon as they start or else they'll know crying = attention. Obviously you can go to them after a bit if they don't settle down, and put them back in their bed.
They don't have full control of their bladder/bowels for another while, so when they have to go, they go. Some people use newspapers, or puppy pads, some people prefer not to use them at all. Some people use crate training. (all of these things you can research or others here can give their experience of crate training)
You can't really give out to them for going to the toilet on the floor, they can't control it, but mid wee or not, pick them up and out the back on to the grass and then lots of praise when they finish there. Dogs are bright & they'll pick up weeing outside = praise.
Pups teethe just like babies, they'll have sore gums and want to gnaw on things to ease the pain. Some pups will chew table/chair legs, or socks or whatever. You need to dog proof the area the pup will be in, so that anything precious can't be gotten at. There are dog chew toys, but my pup used to love chewing on my fingers. Or you can give them ice cubes, they're cooling for the gums and gives them something to chew/play with.
With them chewing things, you can use whatever term you want to let them know they can't do something. I use 'aah aah' like with a child, so they know that means 'no don't touch/don't do that'. So if the pup is eating something they shouldn't you tell them, and then take them away from it or it away from them (if it's a sock or shoe etc).
If the pup hurts you if it's chewing on your finger, as pups will play bite, and they do not realise they've sharp teeth and can hurt, you can make a sort of yelp noise. This lets them know they hurt you, and you can say 'be gentle' or whatever you want to say after and when they're more gentle with you, you give praise. Remember pups lose their puppy teeth in around the 5/6 month time frame (give or take a few weeks), so don't get a fright.
Food, again, research what's best for your pup. But you need to get the same food the pup is on with the breeder now anyway, as you can't just change their food overnight. Their tummies are sensitive and you'll just make them very ill. It has to be done gradually over a few days/a week, slowly reducing the old food, and increasing the new. (if you are changing foods)
Pups usually have 3 small feeds a day, little and often as they only have small tummies.
After their food they'll usually need to poo so bring them outside and onto the grass/wherever you want them going, and when they go, praise.
They'll need to be brought out often to wee too, as again they can't really hold it in yet.
And bring them out as late at night as you can / they may need to go during the night so that might be there for you to clean up in the morning, or if you get up you can bring them out. Having a small area for them at night is good, so that if they do go to the toilet, it's not everywhere.
You can begin training as young as you like, little things, about boundaries, or sitting or whatever you want. You can't bring them outside for a walk (i.e. other than your back garden if you have one) until after all their vaccinations are complete (usually around 12 weeks old). You will have to finish off the vaccinations yourself with the vets I'd say, but the breeder will let you know what's left to be gotten. They can pick up things before they have all their vaccinations so it's very important not to bring them out or have lots of dogs over.
Andreac has given good advice on breeding, it's not to be gone into lightly or without proper research and thought. It's not cheap either, there's lots of tests to be done before you can breed and then IF you do, there's more veterinary bills for the mother and the pups when they're born, with vaccinations/worming/etc. It's a lot of work so make sure you know what you're doing if you're really set on it. Get advice from the breeder you're getting the pup off too, I'm sure they can tell you how much time, effort and money goes into it.
These are really just the basics, there's lots to know and lots to learn but just have some patience and you can ask as many questions as you like.
Edit - I took so long typing this your reply wasn't up until after I submitted it lol - I see you're not that pushed on breeding, so neutering is a good idea then. This can be done around the 6month age if you want it done soon, some people think you need to let them through one lot of being in heat, others don't. You can research/ask your vets advice and make up your own mind.
I got one done when she was about 6 months, and our older dog (we got her when she was a year and half & she'd already had a litter
) so she was done shortly after we got her too. 0 -
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portgirl123 wrote: »a person i know a groomer says in 12 yrs of grooming she has been bit twice, both times by shih tzus.
This says more about the owner of the shih tzus than the dog itself.
Secret is to get a dog used to being groomed as early as possible, any decent book on the breed will tell you when is time to start and how to treat their coat. From personal experience, I have a Westie, get them used to the sight of the brush and brush them from the start, treating them as you go so they'll eventually take no notice of it. When they're pups use their food as treats or you'll rue the day you introduced other foods, take it from someone who knows
Most of all, make sure you have the camera charged constantly, because puppies are always getting into adventures. Enjoy it, because they grow up so quickly, my fella was 3 yesterday. Best of luck with it all. 0 -
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Oh yes - I remember that time well!! We had two weeks before the dog would settle at night. He would cry when we went up, and at 15 minute intervals during the night. Shih Tzu do love their Sooty & Sweep even when grown up. Mine would sleep 24 hours if he could!
In the end, we got him a crate which helped. He recognised it as 'his' quiet space and soon would go to the crate if he wanted to be left in peace. I put a piece of vet bed on one side, and sheets of newspaper on the other in case he wanted to go and we didn't get to him in time to take him out. The newspaper's long gone of course, but he sleeps in it at night.
One corner of the living room's now taken up with 'dog crap'! Baskets of towels, another one for his toys, another for his treats, another for his grooming - the list goes on!!:D0 -
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