| Does your Shih Tzu wiggle and squirm, back off and | | | | Shih Tzu definitely appreciates this interest, |
| fight you what seems every bit of the way when | | | | gentleness and attention, which will result in a closer |
| you try to groom him or her? | | | | communication and relationship between you and |
| | | | | your Shih Tzu. Not only will your relationship and |
| First examine your own technique. Are you being a | | | | communication with your Shih Tzu be improved, but |
| little too rough? | | | | the Shih Tzu will certainly look more beautiful with |
| | | | | the right kind of care. |
| It is also true that some Shih Tzu never do get to | | | | |
| like or learn to like grooming sessions. These Shih | | | | Tip #2 |
| Tzu will require extra patience and most likely extra | | | | |
| work on your part to actually get them groomed. | | | | Before a bath, put a drop of or two of mineral oil in |
| | | | | your Shih Tzu’s eyes to prevent burning from |
| Some Shih Tzu will try every trick they can think of | | | | soap suds, although you will always need to use a |
| to hamper your progress. Some of my Shih Tzu will | | | | tearless shampoo for the face and around the eyes, |
| purposely lay their heads on the table while I | | | | a few drops of mineral oil also says to the Shih Tzu |
| “try” to pluck the hair from their ears. | | | | that you are taking extra care of him or her. |
| | | | | Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest |
| Shih Tzu is quite intelligent. They can use this | | | | difference when trying to make the grooming |
| intelligence against you when it comes to grooming | | | | sessions as pleasant as possible. |
| time. I think it is a rare Shih Tzu, however, that | | | | |
| does not eventually come around and be | | | | Tip#3 |
| cooperative. You have to make them think it is | | | | |
| “special time just for them and you.” Shih | | | | For a successful bath that cleans your Shih Tzu |
| Tzu loves anything that seems to be out of the way | | | | thoroughly, be certain you wet your Shih Tzu’s |
| special treatment just for them. | | | | hair extremely well with warm water first. |
| | | | | |
| Tip #1 | | | | Tip #4 |
| | | | | Start at the withers of your Shih Tzu with the water |
| Be gentle! | | | | hose or device that delivers water to your Shih Tzu |
| | | | | for the bath. Let a little warm water run in the sink |
| Be even gentler in sensitive areas such as the groin, | | | | around his feet first, and then work from the withers |
| the feet, under the tail, around the eyes. Even the | | | | backwards to the end of the tail. Soak the Shih |
| sweetest and calmest of Shih Tzu will flinch a little in | | | | Tzu’s head the very last. This technique |
| these areas. Most Shih Tzu allow a groomer to be | | | | provides for the Shih Tzu staying warmer and less |
| pretty brisk on the body, and chest, but such | | | | restless if he gets the feel of the water on his body |
| enthusiasm in the tender regions can resemble more | | | | before having the stream of water directed over his |
| “torture” than special treatment, and the | | | | face and eyes. They sometimes get startled at the |
| Shih Tzu will gladly let you know they consider it to | | | | point of water reaching their eyes. It is good, |
| be torture! | | | | however, to rinse the eyes with a stream of water |
| | | | | during the bath. |
| Since the Shih Tzu is a long haired breed you will be | | | | |
| so much better off getting him or her use to | | | | If you will follow these tips you will have begun to |
| grooming as a puppy, the very day you bring your | | | | prove to your new Shih Tzu adult or puppy that you |
| Shih Tzu puppy home should be the first day of | | | | are his friend and helper during the grooming process |
| grooming as well. | | | | and what you two will be doing together is nothing |
| | | | | that will hurt or harm him or her. |
| Grooming your Shih Tzu will probably never seem | | | | |
| easy, but it can become a very gratifying experience | | | | |
| for both the Shih Tzu and its owner. Show your | | | | |
| Shih Tzu you take pride in his appearance. Most | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |