| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | the bottom of the tub to provide firm footing |
| A good bathing technique is essential for keeping | | | | just as you would for yourself. Your choice of |
| your Shih Tzu’s hair in good shape and | | | | shampoo and conditioner depends upon the type |
| keeping skin problems at a minimum. A lot of Shih | | | | of coat your Shih Tzu has. Avoid using human |
| Tzu owners say they have skin problems. This is | | | | shampoo on your Shih Tzu. I have used Pantene, |
| a problem I have not encountered a lot in my | | | | but like the baby shampoo, it is harder to rinse |
| existence with the Shih Tzu. However, it does | | | | out of the hair and I just don’t like the |
| happen more in some bloodlines. Follow the | | | | way it leaves the Shih Tzu’s hair looking |
| instructions in this article and you should have no | | | | dull. Many Shih Tzu are allergic to human shampoo. |
| problem in keeping a nice smelling and clean Shih | | | | I have found them to be itchy after a |
| Tzu in your presence at all times. | | | | bath with human shampoo. I switched over |
| Gather together everything that is needed before | | | | completely to shampoos especially formulated for |
| you start to bath your Shih Tzu. This is always | | | | dogs. Some human shampoos have been known |
| handier than having to run here and there | | | | to coat each hair and build up after use, which is |
| gathering up your supplies and tools once the | | | | probably what causes the itching. There are so |
| process begins. | | | | many really good brands of dog shampoo on the |
| The first bath you give your Shih Tzu may be | | | | market these days; there is truly no good reason |
| traumatic. It truly is best to delay bathing Shih | | | | to use human shampoo on your Shih Tzu. In |
| Tzu puppies until they are at least 3 months old. | | | | summertime it is a good idea to use a shampoo |
| For the first bath you might try using a small | | | | to fight against fleas. |
| bowl, dishpan or the kitchen sink rather than the | | | | Be prepared to get splashed as your Shih Tzu |
| bathtub. Always be sure the water is neither too | | | | gets older in the bath. Either wear grooming |
| cold or to hot. Shih Tzu puppies react violently | | | | aprons made especially for this function or wrap a |
| sometimes to either extreme. Be careful your | | | | large towel around you. |
| Shih Tzu puppy does not jump or wiggle out of | | | | If you are afraid you might get water in the ears |
| your hands. If the temperature of water is | | | | of your Shih Tzu, plug the ears with cotton |
| just right, there will be less chance of the | | | | before beginning the bath. Getting water in the |
| Shih Tzu puppy wiggling out of your hands. Use a | | | | ears can cause ear infections. |
| mild shampoo especially formulated for dogs that | | | | Really wet down the hair of a Shih Tzu good |
| is tearless. Regular baby shampoo can be | | | | before applying the shampoo. Pour the shampoo |
| used. I have never had a problem with dry skin | | | | down the middle of the Shih Tzu’s back. |
| when I used baby shampoo. It is just harder to | | | | As it runs down each side work it into the hair |
| rinse out. Shampoo formulated especially for dogs | | | | with a squeezing movement of the fingers. Do |
| and puppies is usually easier to rinse out. I do like | | | | not rub or massage. The coat is more apt to |
| using Fluffy Puppy shampoo for puppies and even | | | | become tangled with rubbing movements. The |
| on the faces of my older Shih Tzu because it is | | | | best way to get the cleanest hair is to gently |
| tearless. | | | | squeeze the shampoo through the hair really |
| Pouring water gently over your Shih Tzu puppy in | | | | working up a thick, good lather. You will need to |
| the kitchen sink, a small bowl or dishpan is much | | | | pour a little extra shampoo on each leg and foot, |
| less alarming than using a high powered sprayer. | | | | the tail, chest and stomach areas. Lift your Shih |
| Once your Shih Tzu puppy is use to his bath, you | | | | Tzu up by the front legs to shampoo the |
| can try using the spray attachment which is much | | | | stomach and then wash the chest. Wash the |
| better and faster at getting out all the shampoo. | | | | head and face last using the tearless shampoo. |
| You can also use a gallon milk jug (when it is | | | | If you are bathing a very dirty Shih Tzu, you will |
| empty and rinsed out of course) to first pour | | | | need rinse really well and repeat the process, then |
| water over the puppy. After being washed, the | | | | rinse really good again. |
| Shih Tzu puppy must be dried off completely | | | | A good human hair dryer works find for the Shih |
| before being allowed outside again. | | | | Tzu. Brush the hair while blowing drying in order to |
| An older Shih Tzu can be washed in the bathtub | | | | make the hair straight. |
| using a shower attachment. Place a rubber mat in | | | | |