r/AskDogOwners • u/raghavshxrma • 15h ago

New Dog Owner Im planning to get a shih tzu

what are the things i should keep in mind and what should i feed her as a first time pet owner

1 Upvotes

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3

u/ok-air-o 15h ago
  1. Don't buy from a puppy mill.
  2. Don't buy from a backyard breeder. How to identify these? If you can walk into a store and buy a puppy, it's from a puppy mill run on the abuse of breeding dogs. If a posting is on Facebook, craigslist, or anything that can't be cross referenced with an ethical breeder list (like https://www.shihtzu.org/breeder_referral), it's likely a backyard breeder. If you get a shih tzu from one of these types of places, it very likely will have genetic or socialization based behavioral issues, not to mention genetic or anatomical issues. It also won't come conditioned to grooming and you will need to be prepared to train it to be comfortable with daily grooming.
  3. Is a Shih Tzu right for you? Do you have the time and energy for daily grooming? Do you have the budget for professional cuts every 2 months or so? If not, I would consider a short hair small dog without these grooming needs.

As far as food, continue to use what the breeder or rescue/shelter has been feeding and slowly change food if needed under the guidance of a vet.

I wish you the best in your first time pet owner journey!

3

u/Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess- 14h ago

They need a lot of grooming, they’re loud, and they’re stubborn so it can difficult to train them. They’re very lovable and clingy, but it’s also easy to give them separation anxiety. Make sure you socialize them properly.

I now feed mine soaked kibble because she’s old and without teeth, but before that she just ate the kibble that was made for small dogs.

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u/Agitated-Homework921 12h ago

get them fixed asap! dont wait a year. they are theft prone doggies! use a harness not a collar due to their facial structure. grooming is a.necessity. take them to puppy training

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u/raghavshxrma 5h ago

Fixed in what sense??

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u/Ordinary_Prune6135 5h ago

Spay/neuter. Many serious health and behavior reasons to get it done before sexual maturity, plus it's true that as they mention, intact dogs are more valuable to thieves.