| All Shih Tzu puppies need to learn to tolerate grooming | | | | half-dozen times before moving on to the next one. |
| at an early age. Grooming your Shih Tzu is more than | | | | Try the following exercises in five- to 10-minute |
| cosmetic. A matted Shih Tzu is uncomfortable and | | | | sessions. |
| subject to skin irritations and infections. | | | | 10 Positive Association Touching Exercises: |
| Unclipped toenails will grow and curve, distorting the | | | | 1. Scratch your Shih Tzu puppy under the chin, and |
| Shih Tzu's foot to the point of crippling. Dirty ears can | | | | then feed it a tiny treat from your other hand. |
| become infected and induce pain-related aggression | | | | 2. Touch each paw, and then feed the Shih Tzu puppy |
| and/or hearing loss. Lack of grooming can cause a | | | | a treat from your other hand. |
| Shih Tzu serious discomfort. | | | | 3. Rub each ear. Feed your Shih Tzu puppy a treat |
| Shih Tzu is not born with warm feelings toward being | | | | after each rub. |
| groomed. A Shih Tzu needs to learn to enjoy | | | | 4. Stroke your Shih Tzu puppy's back, then offer a |
| grooming. This is easiest if started sooner, rather than | | | | treat. |
| later. In time, your Shih Tzu will learn to love the extra | | | | 5. Run your hand down your Shih Tzu puppy's tail, |
| attention it receives while being groomed. | | | | squeezing softly, then feed your pup a treat. |
| Allow your new Shih Tzu puppy a couple of days to | | | | 6. Slip one hand under the Shih Tzu puppy's chest and |
| settle in to his new home and family routine. Take the | | | | lift gently, and then feed your Shih Tzu puppy a treat. |
| first few days to familiarize all family members with | | | | 7. Lift each paw, and feed a treat after each lift. |
| the new Shih Tzu puppy's housetraining, feeding and | | | | 8. Massage each hind leg from hip to knee, and feed a |
| crating routines, and to establish basic house rules. | | | | treat after each leg. |
| During this time start preparing your new Shih Tzu | | | | 9. Slide your hand from each shoulder to the ankle, and |
| puppy for grooming by practicing positive association | | | | feed a treat after each. |
| touching exercises. You will need a container of treats. | | | | 10. Run your fingers over your Shih Tzu puppy's face, |
| You can do the touching exercises in any order, | | | | cheeks and muzzle, and feed your Shih Tzu puppy a |
| several times a day, and repeat each one a | | | | treat. |