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Four Good Reasons to Groom Regularly:

1. Your dog will look his best. You'll be proud to walk down the street.

2. Her coat will be healthier and more comfortable.

3. Giving her a regular once-over allows you to disover problems like tumors, rashes, cuts or parasites before they become serious.

4. Grooming gives you special time with your Shih Tzu, a regular time to connect.

Even if you take your dog to a groomer on a regular basis, she will feel and look better if you do regular maintenance at home between visits.

The Right Equipment

Be sure to use the proper tools. If you use the wrong tools, you could be ineffective, struggle more that you have to, or worse, damage their coat. You can always ask the breeder for advice or your groomer.

Tips

1. Good nutrition plays a huge role in the coat's appearance. Always feed a high quality dog food. Many people also use special products like veterinarian-prescribed foods to keep their dogs coat and skin well lubricated.

2. Mist your dogs coat with a little water as you groom her. The water helps prevent hair breakage.

3. If your dog's coat suddenly becomes dull, he may be ill or have a tapeworm. Consult your veterinarian.

Tangles

1. Spray the tangled or matted area with detangle spray. Work in the spray with your fingers. Then let it sit for a few minutes.

2. Try to loosen the snarl with a slicker brush. For your dog's comfort, be sure to hold her skin above the tangle while you work. Sometimes you can hold a comb vertically and split mats that way by pulling the comb down through the mat.

Try to get out all tangles and mats before you bathe her as water only tightens mats further.

Be extremely careful if you have to resort to cutting out a tangle or mat. Dogs often get stabbedd in the process. Always hold the scissors parallel to the skin to prevent injury. It is very difficult to see where a mat ends and teh skin begins. If you must cut, don't cut anywhere near the skin. If your dog's coat is a mess, you're probably better off letting a professional handle the situation.

Removing Foreign Matter

Gum: Start w/ ice or nail polish remover and then carefully clip out the gum with scissors.

Paint: Use paint thinner or turpentine, but keep these solvents away from the skin.

Oil or grease: Try mechanic's hand cleaner, then shampoo the area.

Long Hair

1. First, brush the entire coat with a pin brush. Hold up a portion of the coat at a time while you brush downwards on the par underneath.

2. Then go through the coat with a large, wide-spaced undercoat comb. Use same step as above.

3. Make a final pass with the wide end of a smaller toothed comb. This time, just comb downwards through the coat.

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Bathing

Not all dogs like a bath. Just because your Shih Tzu doesn't like a bath doesn't mean they don't need one. You must get them accustomed to it. Do whatever works best for you and your Shih Tzu. Each Shih Tzu is different. Do not bathe every week. It will dry out their skin and coat.

There is a great selection of shampoo, conditioners and grooming equipment available to the dog owner. A small bath towel placed in bottom of sink prevents water from accumulating and gives puppy secure footing. Holding the puppy securely under its chest with one hand, soak its body with lukewarm running water, shampoo the body and rinse well. Leave the head for last. Carefully wet the head with a wet sponge and clean the hair with a no-tear baby shampoo.

Still holding puppy securely, rinse thoroughly, being careful not to get water in its nose. A few minutes of cuddling in a towel reassures the puppy and soaks up excess water.

Use a small hand dryer, low heat is normally all that is necessary. if puppy shivers,it is usually due to nerves rather than from being cold. Avoid blowing the warm air directly into the puppy's face.

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Ears, Teeth, and Nails

Hair in their ear must come out to prevent deafness and infections. Do not remove yourself unless you know what you are doing. Ask your groomer how to properly remove hair. How would like it if you dog came up to you, looked in your ear and started pulling without knowing what to do?? You wouldn't like it and neither would they.

As far as dentals go. Teeth brushing is good. There are several methods to use. It depends on what works best for you. Some dogs don't like it when you go playing in their mouth. It doesn't matter. You have to get them use it. Don't yell at them when they bite down. Be nice and talk to them. However, ask your vet for advice on how to go about it if you don't want to get bite.

Dentals are necessary until your pet is 3 or 4. Puppy's are too young. However, even then they may not need. You can always ask the vet at your ANNUALS if its necessary. Usually they will tell you if they need it. You are then thinking that's all I need to do is spend more money for something that isn't necessary. That's not true. What would happen to you if you didn't go to the dentist 2x a year??? That's my point. You can help prevent having to go early or too many times.

There are several tips. Don't feed your dog human food. They eat dog food for a reason. It helps brush their teeth. Also, you can go to the cat aisle and buy a finger brush. Why buy a normal toothbrush. Their ackward and you could hurt your pet. As far as toothpaste goes don't waste your money. Peanut Butter is the same thing. Plus it's cheaper. Do not use your toothpaste. The abrasives are too harsh.

Nails can be tricky. Do be careful. Before you trim, ask your groomer or your vet how to cut. If you cut too close to the quik, you are going to have a messy situation on your hands and not to mention an Shih Tzu. Always have Quik Stop or an alternative on hand.

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