If you plan to groom your puppy after the bath, you’ll also need canine nail clippers and ear cleaner. Generally, the best shampoos for a Shih Tzu contain all-natural ingredients. Look for soap-free dog shampoo designed to soothe and hydrate your puppy’s sensitive skin, and consult your veterinarian for their opinion. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Human shampoos and conditioners may irritate your puppy’s skin, so be sure to use products specifically for dogs.
Ensure the sink or tub is clean before bathing your Shih Tzu puppy. Clear out any leftover soap or cleaning product residue, then lay down the bathmat.
Brush down the puppy’s back in the direction their fur grows, so the movements feel natural and comfortable to your Shih Tzu. Mats get even harder to brush through when the puppy’s fur becomes wet, so it’s best to get the coat as smooth as possible before going forward with the bath. If your puppy is prone to getting mats in their fur, you can also use a detangling spray to help smooth it out.
If your dog doesn’t like the showerhead or you don’t have one, fill a pitcher with lukewarm water and pour it over them instead. A gentle stream of water is best because it helps your puppy relax and get comfortable with the sensation of running water on their body. When it’s time for the bath, bring your puppy to the bathing area rather than trying to call them over. Go pick them up and carry them over to the sink or tub, talking to them in a quiet and soothing voice to keep them calm. Remember that dogs run a little bit warmer than humans, so a little bit more than lukewarm is okay for them. Make sure to use a gentle pressure when wetting the dog’s body. Remember that it’s a puppy and you shouldn’t use force.
Take the opportunity to massage your puppy as you work. Pay particular attention to your puppy’s belly and the area between their back legs, which tend to get very dirty. Keep holding your puppy’s head upward when shampooing them to avoid getting shampoo in their eyes, ears, and mouth.
Remove all the tear stains and excess goo around the puppy’s eyes as you wipe. Shih Tzus have shallow eye sockets, which makes them prone to excessive tearing and subsequent reddish-brown tear stains. Use a dog tear stain remover to get the stains off your puppy’s face. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
You’ll know all the shampoo is gone when you no longer see suds in your puppy’s coat or the water in the bottom of the sink or tub. If your puppy is wiggly in the bath at first, use their collar or harness to hold them in place as you work. Keep one hand on the puppy holding it in place, and complete the bath with the other.
If your pup doesn’t want to sit still for 5 minutes (typical if they’re new to baths), spend that time massaging them and working the conditioner into their fur.
Don’t rub your puppy with the towel as you dry them off. Rubbing can damage their coat and cause split ends; stick to blotting the water off instead. Once the conditioner is in place, massage the puppy’s coat with your hands to distribute it evenly. Shih Tzu fur is typically long and silky, so it needs extra protection to stay moisturized between washes. That’s why a leave-in conditioner is so helpful!
Keep the blow dryer’s nozzle about 6 inches (15 cm) away from your pet’s coat as you work. Be sure to remove the cotton balls from your puppy’s ears after you’re done drying them off!
Acclimate your puppy to the blow dryer by showing it to them while it’s turned off. Then, turn it on but face it away from the pup. Gradually move closer and gently blow on their fur until they’re not frightened of the blow dryer. [16] X Research source Play relaxing music for your puppy and massage them on any spots they normally enjoy being petted. This can help keep them calm throughout the bath! Give your puppy plenty of verbal praise and treats when they respond positively to the acclimation process. Rewarding them will prepare them for a positive experience at bath time.
As you wipe out their ears with a cotton ball, don’t go further than a knuckle deep into your puppy’s ear canal. Your puppy’s ear hygiene is just as important as the rest of their body! Generally, it’s a good idea to clean a dog’s ears once a month.
The pink quick is easy to identify if your puppy has light-colored or transparent nails. If they have dark nails, trim a little bit at a time and stop when you see a gray or pink oval in the cut edge of the nail—that’s the quick. It also helps to start clipping your puppy’s nails while they’re young, so they get used to it and accept it as a part of life—just like bathing. If you’re not comfortable with trimming your puppy’s nails, a veterinarian or pet groomer can easily do it.
The only time you might need to bathe your Shih Tzu more often is if they have skin issues that cause irritation and itching. In those cases, your puppy’s veterinarian can prescribe a treatment for them.
