| If you're planning on getting a new Shih Tzu, the dog's | | | | bathroom? |
| gender and color will most likely play a role in what you | | | | 2) Stature |
| decide to get. You will also have to make the decision | | | | Shih Tzu puppies are small dogs; however, they are a |
| on what age you'd like the dog to be. The age of the | | | | lot tougher than other smaller breeds, but they can still |
| dog is an important decision because taking care of a | | | | be injured rather easily by a rough child, other dogs, or |
| puppy and an adolescent or a senior dog is very | | | | a mistake. You need to keep them out of harm's way |
| different. | | | | on a regular basis. |
| However, most people that are looking for a new Shih | | | | 3) Socialization |
| Tzu or any other dog for that matter will most likely | | | | Puppies are not aware of the big bad world that |
| want a puppy. Hopefully, you're prepared for the work, | | | | they're in; they don't know much about people, other |
| responsibility and the expense of taking care of a | | | | dogs, and places. Therefore, be careful about how you |
| puppy. Here are some things that you'll have to think | | | | expose them to these situations, because the wrong |
| about before getting a puppy: | | | | exposure could lead to behavioral problems such as |
| 1) A New puppy will have to go through housetraining | | | | anxiety, fear, or aggression. It is important for you to |
| and obedience training | | | | properly socialize your Shih Tzu puppy so that he or |
| No matter how cute a puppy is, they do not know the | | | | she grows well-adjusted to their lives with humans. |
| first thing about living in a human home. They don't | | | | 4) Energy |
| know that your expensive carpet is not the bathroom | | | | Although the Shih Tzu is not a hyper active breed, a |
| and your shoes aren't chew toys. You will have to | | | | puppy is a different story. As you know, all puppies |
| have a lot of patience with a puppy; they need a lot of | | | | have an abundance of energy that is unrivaled. |
| training. Are you patient enough to put in the quality | | | | Therefore, if you get tired just thinking about keeping |
| time needed to get your puppy to the point where he | | | | up with a puppy, maybe an older dog will be right for |
| or knows the difference between your carpet and the | | | | you. |