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