| Shih Tzu puppies get plenty of exercise with their | | | | mother and the breeder. |
| littermates before leaving all behind for new homes. | | | | If you are lucky enough to live in an area where puppy |
| Once a Shih Tzu puppy is in his new home, has | | | | classes are held, please take advantage. These |
| reached the age of four months and is fully vaccinated | | | | classes can do a world of good for a young Shih Tzu |
| he should be taken for walks. Start out slow with your | | | | puppy. |
| walks. This is the time you want to start lead training | | | | In the final phase of puppy hood at six months to a |
| your new Shih Tzu puppy. A lot of his exercise should | | | | year of age a Shih Tzu puppy will complete most of |
| still come freely around his new home and in the | | | | his physical growth. By now his second teeth should |
| backyard so he has the opportunity to rest at will. | | | | be through. Be aware that Shih Tzu puppies are a bit |
| Allow him to wear a collar most of the time (never in a | | | | slow at acquiring their teeth. |
| cage or crate). Add a leash as he exercises around | | | | The assessment for the show ring is actually best |
| his new home to get him use to the new gear. From | | | | done at about one year of age. I am not sure how |
| time to time casually pick up the leash and allow your | | | | some show dog breeders claim they know a show |
| puppy to follow behind you. Eventually, you will be able | | | | quality Shih Tzu puppy and thus mark the price up |
| to walk with the Shih Tzu puppy by your side on | | | | because of these so called show qualities. However, |
| official walks through the woods or any favorite place | | | | many show dog breeders claim they have this insight |
| you have to walk. A bond of love will develop from | | | | to be able to tell a show prospect at the young age of |
| these little walks with your new Shih Tzu puppy as he | | | | eight weeks. From all I have read, this is quite |
| and you exercise together. | | | | impossible. The true age to tell whether or not a Shih |
| A young Shih Tzu puppy can make a good start | | | | Tzu is show dog material is at about one year. When |
| toward socialization when he has learned to play with | | | | show dog breeders are anxious to sell their stock at |
| his new owner. He should also be handled by all the | | | | eight to twelve weeks of age based upon the claims |
| members of his new family as well as visitors. He | | | | of "show dog prospect," with a higher price tag, be |
| should now begin to relax and learn to tolerate | | | | leery of this type of sale. You are probably not actually |
| grooming. Before he has received all vaccinations you | | | | getting the show dog prospect that is being advertised |
| really need to limit his contact with other animals and | | | | to you. It is best to wait and shop around with other |
| humans. By the time the Shih Tzu puppy is four | | | | show dog breeders who have kept their Shih Tzu to |
| months old, however, he should be fully vaccinated and | | | | one year and over in order to truly find a true "show |
| ready to acquire socialization skills. It is in the best | | | | dog prospect." |
| interest of the Shih Tzu puppy for the breeder to | | | | Beginning at the age of six months a Shih Tzu puppy |
| follow these same rules - to limit exposure to other | | | | can be taken to shows if this is your interest. Please |
| animals and other people until the Shih Tzu puppy is | | | | allow your Shih Tzu puppy to enjoy puppy hood |
| fully vaccinated. Therefore, many Shih Tzu puppies | | | | before rushing him into the show ring. Don't make |
| sold at the young age of eight and nine weeks should | | | | Shirley Temples out of your six month old Shih Tzu if |
| have only had contact with their littermates, their | | | | he is still quite babyish. |