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