Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing for bath time
• Part 2 of 3: Washing your Shih tzu puppy
• Part 3 of 3: Finishing the washing process
• Tips
• Warnings

Although Shih Tzu keep themselves relatively clean, they still need to be bathed regularly - more often even if they've been into something smelly or accidentally soiled themselves. Your Shih Tzu puppy may not be that fussy about cleaning himself, so knowing how to wash him properly is important to you. With the right preparation and good bathing technique, bath time will be a pleasant experience for both you and your puppy!

To step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing for bath time

1. Buy a high quality pet-safe shampoo and conditioner. It is recommended to bathe a Shih Tzu every three weeks. However, puppies may need to be bathed more often as they can soil their assholes when they defecate. Using a high quality shampoo and conditioner will help keep your puppy's coat and skin clean and healthy.
   • The variety of shampoos and conditioners to choose from at the pet store can be overwhelming. To narrow your search area, look for shampoos specifically for puppies that don't sting the eyes.
   • Hypoallergenic shampoos are also suitable for puppies. These are free of detergents, fragrances and additives that can be harsh on your puppy's skin. Good quality hypoallergenic shampoos contain ingredients such as avocado, coconut oil or lanolin.
   • Conditioner has many benefits. It prevents hair breakage, closes the hair shaft (helps keep out dirt and stains) and prevents dry and itchy skin after shampooing. Conditioner is particularly helpful with long-haired dogs such as the Shih Tzu.
   • There are also spray conditioners that can give your puppy's coat a nice shine after shampooing. The spray can also protect your puppy's coat from the sun and other elements of the outside world, such as wind and dry air.
   • Conditioners that do not require washing out are ideal for Shih Tzu. Conditioners that do need to be washed out are usually not strong enough for a Shih Tzu's coat.
   • If your puppy has specific skin concerns, your vet can help you find a shampoo and conditioner that is best for your puppy.
   • Human shampoos and conditioners have a pH level that can irritate your puppy's skin, so don't use your own shampoo and conditioner to wash him with.
2. Get additional bathing supplies. In addition to shampoo and conditioner, you also need various other items: comb, brush, cotton balls, towels, washcloths and a hair dryer especially for animals. The comb should be a stainless steel two-sided comb and will be used after drying. A boar bristle brush is needed to brush it before taking a bath.
   • Bath brushes are available for dogs, useful for washing puppies.
   • Pen brushes are especially helpful with Shih tzu given their long hair. Bristle or nylon blend brushes are also good for Shih tzu.
   • The cotton balls will be useful for keeping water out of your puppy's ears when you bathe him.
   • You will need several towels: one to put on the bottom of the sink or tub to keep the dog from slipping, and a few to dry it off after the bath.
   • Washcloths will be needed to clean your puppy's muzzle and around your puppy's ears.
   • The hair dryer should be one especially for pets, as the intense heat from human hair dryers can damage your puppy's skin. Hair dryers are especially useful for long-haired dogs.
   • If you plan on grooming your puppy after the bath, you will also need nail scissors, styptic powder and an ear cleaner.
3. Get your puppy used to bath time. If this is your puppy's first time bathed, he will need some time beforehand to get comfortable with the bathing process. This means that he should become familiar with the sights, sounds and sensations of bath time. Your puppy may only need a few days, or it may take him longer (a week or more) to get comfortable with what bath time will mean for him.
   • For example, let him get used to the sound of running water.
   • To get your puppy used to the hairdryer, show it to him first while it is off. When he's comfortable with it when it's off, turn it on while it's turned away from him. Gradually move closer to him with the hairdryer turned on, until he is no longer afraid or on the lookout for it. This process can take at least several days, depending on your puppy's comfort level. Give him treats during this acclimation process.
   • Let him rummage at all the tools you'll be using when bathing and grooming.
   • In addition to his normal playtime, you can spend some time touching his paws, touching his ears, and rubbing him all over. The more comfortable he is with your touch, the better he will respond to it when you wash him with shampoo and conditioner.
   • Praise your puppy extensively and give him plenty of treats when he responds positively to the acclimation process. Rewarding him will help prepare him for a positive bath time experience.

Part 2 of 3: Washing your Shih tzu puppy

1. Prepare the bathroom. Since your puppy is so small, you can easily wash it in the large sink (if you have one) or the tub. Whichever spot you choose, make sure to put either a towel or a non-slip mat on the bottom so your puppy won't slip or fall during his bath.
   • In addition to this; it is important for puppies to be warm. A small space heater can be useful for keeping the room warm.
   • Gather all your supplies in the laundry room. This will keep you organized and efficient and will reduce the likelihood that you will have to stand with your back to the puppy while bathing.
   • Put some of your pup's toys in the sink or bathtub. This will keep him busy during the bath and will make the experience more enjoyable for him. Plastic toys and toys that you can hide treats in are great for letting your puppy play with during the bath.
   • Consider diluting the shampoo (1 part shampoo to 10 parts water) and conditioner (1 part conditioner to 8 parts water). Diluting the products may be necessary if your puppy has particularly sensitive skin.
   • It may be helpful to keep some kibble nearby to feed your puppy while you bathe him.
2. Take your puppy to the washroom. Instead of calling him to you, go up to him, pick him up and lift him to the sink or bathtub. If your puppy is very young, he may not yet know how to consistently respond to name calling - this is also a reason to get him instead of calling him to you.
   • Walk your puppy slowly and talk to him in a calm and calming voice to keep him calm before taking a bath. His first bath can be a confusing experience for him, so you'll want to put him at ease as much as possible.
   • You can also offer him some treats while wearing him.
3. Brush your puppy. Use a regular brush to smooth your puppy's coat and remove tangles (parts or felted fur) before bathing. These tangles can be nearly impossible to comb or brush through when the coat gets wet, so it is better to smooth the hair as much as possible before getting your puppy wet.
   • Shih Tzu have long hair, which can make brushing a challenge.
   • There are anti-tangle sprays on the market that can help you brush out knots and tangles from your puppy's coat. Anti-scratch products are available at the pet store.
   • Spraying water on your puppy's coat while brushing him can also help brush out knots.
   • Brush your puppy from top to bottom and towards his backside.
4. Wet your puppy. It is very important to check the water temperature before getting your puppy wet. The water should not be warmer than lukewarm. If you wash it in your bath, use your shower head to wet it. If he is afraid of the shower head, you can fill a pitcher with water and pour the water over him.
   • Hold his head up gently to avoid getting his muzzle and eyes wet.
   • Make sure to put cotton balls in his ears before you wet him.
5. Apply shampoo to your puppy's coat. Follow the instructions on the shampoo bottle to determine how much shampoo you need. Starting from the back of your pup's head, then working your way back to his tail, use your hands to gently work the shampoo into his coat and skin. As mentioned before, you can also use a dog bath brush to wash your puppy instead of your hands.
   • Pay extra attention to your puppy's belly and the area between your puppy's back legs. These areas often get very dirty, so you don't want to skip these areas when bathing your puppy.
   • Gently hold your puppy's head up when soaping to avoid getting shampoo in his eyes, ears, or snout.
6. Rinse out the shampoo. Shampoo residue can make your puppy's skin itchy and uncomfortable, so you will need to rinse his coat thoroughly to remove all of the shampoo. Because dogs' coats are generally thicker than human hair, multiple rinses are necessary to get all of the shampoo out.
   • You know you've rinsed out all of the shampoo when you no longer see foam in your pup's coat, or in the water at the bottom of the sink or bathtub.
7. Apply conditioner to your puppy's coat. Apply the conditioner the same way you applied the shampoo. This is a vital step to moisturize your puppy's coat, restore his skin's essential oils, prevent hair breakage and close the hair shaft. Follow the instructions on the conditioner bottle to determine how much conditioner to use and how long to keep it in before rinsing it.
8. Clean your puppy's muzzle. Dampen a clean washcloth and gently wipe your puppy's snout. Make sure to wipe the corner of his eye and around his eyes to remove tear stains and excess sludge. Make sure to also clean the corners of its mouth.
   • Shih Tzu have shallow eye sockets, which makes them prone to excessive tearing and therefore reddish-brown tear stains.
   • You can use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, applied to a cotton ball or small cloth, to remove the tear stains.
9. Dry your puppy. First, use a few towels to pat it dry. It is important to pat him dry, as a rubbing motion can cause split ends in his coat. Once you pat it dry, use the hairdryer to finish drying off. Use one hand to lift and work through his coat while using the hairdryer. This will ensure that all layers of his coat have dried completely.
   • To prevent heat damage to your pup's skin, use the lowest setting on the hairdryer, and don't keep the heat focused on one area for extended periods of time.
   • Make sure you keep the opening of the hair dryer at least two to three inches away from his fur.
   • Keep in mind that once you are done rinsing out the conditioner, your puppy will likely have an urge to shake out.
   • When you are done drying, remember to remove the cotton balls from his ears.

Part 3 of 3: Finishing the washing process

1. Comb your puppy's coat. When he's completely dry, use your two-sided stainless steel comb to brush through his coat and remove any tangles. Once his coat is smooth, you can use the spray conditioner to spray a nice finish over his coat.
2. Clean your puppy's ears. Keeping your puppy's ears clean is just as important as keeping everything else clean. Pour the recommended amount of ear cleaner into your puppy's ears, one ear at a time, following the instructions on the bottle, and gently massage his ears. Use a clean cotton ball to remove any visible dirt.
   • If you feel comfortable doing this, use small tweezers to remove hair from your pup's ear canal. If you are not sure how to do this, your vet or groomer can do this for you as well.
3. Trim your puppy's nails. Trim your puppy's nails to just above life, using your nail clippers. Life is the blood vessel that runs halfway up your puppy's nail. If your puppy has light-colored or transparent nails, it will be easy to see.
   • Life has many nerve endings. When you cut in life, not only will the nail start to bleed, but your pup will also be in pain.
   • If your puppy has light-colored or transparent nails, you can see life from the side of your puppy's nail. If this is the case, cut the nail until you see that you are slightly above life.
   • If your puppy has dark colored nails, cut very small pieces at a time and look at the cut edge of the nail. Stop cutting when you start to see a gray or pink oval in the cut edge of the nail - this oval is life.
   • If you cut past life and the nail starts to bleed, dab a little styptic powder on the nail to stop the bleeding. The bleeding will stop immediately after you apply the styptic powder.
   • If you are not comfortable trimming your puppy's nails, your vet or groomer can do the job.

Tips

• Since a puppy self-pollutes easily, it can help to regularly trim the hair around the anus so that this area can be kept relatively clean.
• Your puppy may not be happy to cooperate when you bathe him. If so, consider going to a groomer to have it washed.

Warnings

• Frequent washing can strip your puppy's skin of important essential oils.