| The first sense of a Shih Tzu puppy is "scent." The | | | | and very young Shih Tzu puppy: |
| newborn Shih Tzu puppy will be able to smell the scent | | | | 1. Place your hands firmly around the Shih Tzu puppy's |
| of the breeder immediately after the sac is broken. | | | | body making it feel secure before it is lifted from the |
| The Shih Tzu breeder is familiar with litters of Shih Tzu | | | | whelping box. |
| puppies before their eyes open. Up until the Shih Tzu | | | | 2. Immediately begin to snuggle the Shih Tzu puppy |
| puppy opens its eyes they became familiar with their | | | | closely to your neck, chest or face area, letting the |
| breeder's scent through their dam's coat. Shih Tzu | | | | Shih Tzu puppy smell your familiar scent. Here is |
| puppies learn where there is and is not a place of milk | | | | where the Shih Tzu puppy will feel the reassuring |
| and nourishment on their mother through scent. | | | | rhythm of your breathing and your heartbeat. The Shih |
| It is advisable that only the Shih Tzu breeder handle | | | | Tzu puppy will remain relaxed. The Shih Tzu puppy will |
| puppies during their first two weeks. This does limit the | | | | have less tendency to struggle against others first |
| Shih Tzu puppy's reality of the world around them; | | | | holding them if you will practice these steps from the |
| however, it is practicing sound early responsible care | | | | beginning. |
| practices. As Shih Tzu puppies begin to open their | | | | In general, you should not place very young Shih Tzu |
| eyes they become aware of differences in people. | | | | puppies in your lap, at least until after they begin to |
| Because of this awareness, a very young Shih Tzu | | | | walk. They do not feel secure in a lap position at a |
| puppy may act violently the first time handled by | | | | very young age. |
| anyone other than their breeder. The Shih Tzu puppy | | | | When handling newborn Shih Tzu puppies it is helpful |
| may begin to struggle or scream to be free. It really is | | | | to make "kissing" sounds near their ears. The sound is |
| not necessary for other people besides the breeder to | | | | similar to puppies nursing. Therefore, repetitious kissing |
| handle Shih Tzu puppies during this very early period of | | | | offers the same sense of security and comfort for |
| their lives. If a Shih Tzu puppy is frightening by early | | | | the Shih Tzu puppy. |
| interactions with other people it could set the stage for | | | | One of the earliest conditionings a Shih Tzu puppy |
| later mistrust toward all humans. It is therefore | | | | encounters is being nestled in secure comfort by its |
| extremely important that all early contacts with a Shih | | | | dam while being fed warm milk. When you emit the |
| Tzu puppy be positive. Once a barrier of distrust is | | | | same type of sounds with repetitious kissing the Shih |
| instilled in a newborn Shih Tzu puppy, the puppy can | | | | Tzu puppy responds immediately to your stimulation |
| become hard to work with and sometimes even | | | | and will feel secure. The Shih Tzu puppy will snuggle |
| unmanageable as adults. Limiting contact with humans | | | | rather than struggle and learn to trust humans from a |
| also aids in the spreading of germs to newborn Shih | | | | very early period of their lives. This type of conditioning |
| Tzu puppies. | | | | is important for proper development as an adult Shih |
| There is a proper way to hold a very young Shih Tzu | | | | Tzu and instills a "trusting" of humans rather than a |
| puppy. You should not "swoop" a Shih Tzu puppy | | | | "fear" of humans. |
| quickly into your arms, or hold it at arm's length. Do not | | | | Shih Tzu puppy conditioning beyond diet is a highly |
| ever pick up a Shih Tzu puppy by its legs, ears, tail or | | | | important part of a professional Shih Tzu breeder's job, |
| scruff. Severe and even irreparable damage can | | | | and will often separate the professional breeder from |
| result. | | | | the "backyard" or puppy mill breeders. |
| Use the following steps to pick up and hold a newborn | | | | This article is FREE to publish with resource box. |