While the Shih Tzu usually maintains good personal hygiene, you should still bathe your dog regularly-even more often if he accidentally soils himself or comes into contact with something smelly. Shih Tzu puppies may not really care about their cleanliness, so make sure you know how to bathe them properly. With proper preparation and good bathing techniques, this bath time will be a pleasurable experience for both you and him!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready for a Bath
Step 1. Purchase a high-quality dog shampoo and conditioner
It is recommended that you bathe your Shih Tzu every three weeks. However, if he is still a child, you will need to bathe him more often. Shih tzu puppies can get their buttocks dirty when they have a bowel movement. Quality shampoo and conditioner will ensure that the coat and skin stay healthy and clean.
- The variety of shampoos and conditioners to choose from from your nearest pet supply store can be confusing. To narrow your search, look for a shampoo that's specific to puppies.
- Hypoallergenic shampoos are also suitable for puppies. This shampoo is free of detergents, fragrances, and additives that may be harmful to a puppy's skin. Good hypoallergenic shampoos contain ingredients like avocado, coconut oil, or lanolin.
- Conditioner has many advantages. Conditioner prevents breakage, blocks the hair shaft (to keep dust and stains away), and can prevent itchy, dry skin after bathing. Conditioner is especially useful for long-haired dogs like the Shih Tzu.
- Spray conditioners are also available to provide a beautiful shine after the puppy has bathed. Sprays can also protect their fur from the sun and other elements of the outdoors, such as wind and dry air.
- The settling conditioner is not suitable for the Shih Tzu. Conditioners like this, which have to be rinsed off, are usually not suitable for Shih Tzu coats.
- If your puppy has specific skin problems, your vet can help you identify the best shampoo and conditioner for him.
- Human shampoos and conditioners have a pH level that can irritate puppies' skin, so don't use your shampoo and conditioner to bathe them.
Step 2. Purchase additional toiletries
In addition to shampoo and conditioner, you'll need a few other things: a comb, hairbrush, cotton balls, towels, and a pet-specific dryer. The comb must be a double-sided stainless steel comb, and will be used once dry. A bristle brush is also needed to brush the Shih Tzu before bathing.
- You can buy a dog brush that is useful for bathing puppies.
- The pin brush is especially useful for the Shih Tzu because of its long hair. A nylon and bristle blend brush is also effective for the Shih Tzu.
- Cotton balls will help keep water from getting into your puppy's ears when you bathe him.
- You will need several towels: one to tuck under the sink or tub for clogging, and several to dry your Shih Tzu after a bath.
- A washcloth will also be needed to clean the puppy's face and the area around the puppy's eyes.
- Hair dryers should be made specifically for pets, as the heat from a human hair dryer can damage a puppy's skin. This hairdryer is especially useful for dogs with long hair.
- If you plan to groom your puppy after bathing, you will also need a nail clipper, blood-retaining powder, and ear cleaner.
Step 3. Get your puppy used to bathing
If this is the first time he is going to be bathed, the puppy will need some time to get used to the process. This means that he must get used to the input of sights, sounds, and sensations while bathing. It may only take a few days, or even longer (a week or more) to get used to bath time.
- For example, let him get used to hearing the sound of running water.
- To familiarize your puppy with the hairdryer, first show it off. When he is used to it, turn it on with his back to him. Approach him gradually with the device on until he is not afraid or worried. This process may take a few days, depending on the nature of your puppy. Give snacks in this self-accustoming exercise.
- Let him sniff out all the equipment you will use to bathe and groom him.
- In addition to his regular playtime, spend time touching the soles of his feet, cleaning his ears, and petting him in general. The more comfortable he feels to the touch, the more he will react well when you scrub him with shampoo and conditioner.
- Provide verbal praise and treats when the puppy responds positively to this process of self-accustoming. The gift will set him up for a positive bathing experience.
Part 2 of 3: Bathing Shih Tzu Puppies
Step 1. Prepare the bath area
Due to its small size, you can easily bathe your Shih Tzu in the sink (if you have one) or the tub. Whichever location you choose, make sure you put a non-slip towel or rug on it so it doesn't slip or fall in the shower.
- Also, make sure he's warm. A small space heater may be useful to keep the bathroom warm.
- Arrange all the equipment in the bath area. This way, you'll stay organized and efficient, while minimizing the risk of turning your back on your puppy when you bathe him.
- Put some of the toys in the sink or tub. This way, he will stay entertained while bathing and feel happier. Plastic toys instead of ones that can be used to hide treats are good toys for puppies to bathe in.
- Consider diluting shampoo (1 part shampoo to 10 parts water) and conditioner (1 part conditioner and 8 parts water). Dissolving each product may be necessary if the puppy's skin is sensitive.
- It's beneficial to prepare treats to give your puppy when he's bathed.
Step 2. Take the puppy to the bathing area
Instead of calling him to come to you, visit him, pick him up, and take him to the sink or tub. If your puppy is really young, he may not know how to respond consistently when called upon – this is also why you should come to him instead of letting him come to you.
- Walk slowly with the puppy and talk to him in a soothing, reassuring voice to keep him calm before bath time. This first bath time may make him feel uneasy, so make sure he is as comfortable as possible.
- You can also offer a snack while holding her.
Step 3. Rub the puppy
Use a bristle brush to smooth out the coat and remove any tangles before bathing. Tangles can be very difficult to comb or brush when your dog's coat is wet, so straighten it as much as you can before bathing him.
- The Shih Tzu's fur is long, so rubbing it may be difficult.
- A detangling spray can help you scrub away knots and tangles in your puppy's fur. You can buy it at the nearest pet supply store.
- Spraying water on your puppy's fur while scrubbing it can also help untangle the tangles.
- Brush the puppy down and down its back.
Step 4. Wet the puppy
You should test the temperature of the water before wetting it. This water cannot be warmer than lukewarm. If you bathe him in the tub, try using a hand shower to wet him. If he's scared, use a large glass and pour water over him.
- Gently hold his head upright to keep his face and eyes from getting wet.
- Make sure you tuck cotton balls in his ears before wetting him.
Step 5. Apply shampoo to the puppy's coat
Follow the directions on the bottle to determine the shampoo dosage. Start at the back of the puppy's head and work your way up to the tail. Use both hands to rub the shampoo into the coat and skin. As mentioned above, you can use a special dog bath brush instead of your hands to bathe him.
- Pay special attention to the belly and the area between the hind legs. These areas are usually very dirty, so make sure you don't miss them while bathing the puppy.
- Gently adjust the dog's head position. Make sure to keep his head straight while you apply the shampoo to avoid irritating his eyes, ears, and mouth.
Step 6. Rinse off the remaining shampoo
Shampoo residue can make a puppy's skin itchy and uncomfortable, so you'll need to rinse the coat thoroughly to get rid of all the shampoo. Since dog hair tends to be thicker than human hair, you may need to rinse it several times.
The rinse is considered complete if you no longer see suds on the coat or water at the bottom of the tub/sink
Step 7. Apply conditioner to the dog's coat
Apply in the same way as shampoo. This is an important step in moisturizing a puppy's coat, restoring essential oils from the skin, preventing coat damage, and sealing the hair shafts. Follow the instructions on the bottle of conditioner to determine how much to use and how long you should leave it on before rinsing.
Step 8. Clean the puppy's face
Moisten a clean washcloth and gently rub the puppy's face. Make sure you wipe the corners of your eyes and around them to remove dirt and tear stains. Make sure you also clean the corners of his mouth.
- The Shih Tzu's eye sockets are shallow, so they are more susceptible to reddish-brown discharge and excessive tears.
- You can use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide applied to a cotton ball or small towel to clean eye discharge.
Step 9. Dry the puppy
First, use a few towels to pat it dry. The rubbing motion can make a dog's coat split. After that, use a hairdryer. Use one hand to lift the dog's hair as you use this tool. This way, all layers of fur are completely dry.
- To prevent heat damage to your dog's skin, use the lowest heat setting on the hairdryer. Don't focus on one area for a long time.
- Make sure the funnel is at least five to eight centimeters from your pet's fur.
- Keep in mind that your puppy will probably want to shake his hair as soon as you finish rinsing out the conditioner.
- Also make sure you remember to remove the cotton balls from his ears after he's finished drying.
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Bathing Process
Step 1. Comb the puppy's fur
When he's completely dry, use a double-sided stainless steel comb to smooth his hair and finish tangling. Once the coat is flat, use a spray conditioner to add a beautiful finishing touch to the coat.
Step 2. Clean the puppy's ears
Keeping your puppy's ears clean is just as important as keeping his whole body clean. Following the directions on the ear cleaner bottle, pour the recommended dose of ear cleaner into the dog's ears. Do one at a time and massage gently. Use a clean cotton ball to remove any visible dirt.
If you are able to do this, use small tweezers to remove the hair from the puppy's ear canal. Otherwise, your nearest vet or veterinarian can do it for you
Step 3. Trim the puppy's nails
Trim the nails so they are just above the quick part. Use a dog nail clipper. This quick section itself is a blood vessel that runs up to the center of your puppy's nails. This section is easy to find if the puppy's nails are bright or transparent.
- Quick contains many nerve endings. If you cut beyond the quick, the dog's nails will start to bleed a little and he will feel pain.
- If your puppy's nails are bright or transparent, you may be able to see the quicks from the sides of the nails. In this case, trim the nail so that it is just above the quick area.]
- If your puppy's nails are dark, trim them slightly and look at the edges you just trimmed. Stop cutting when you see a gray or pink oval in it. This part of the oval is what is called a quick.
- If you cut beyond the quick and your dog's nails start to bleed, use some blood-staining powder to stop it. The bleeding will stop immediately.
- If you're not sure you can trim your puppy's toenails, ask your doctor or veterinarian for help.
Tips
- Since puppies tend to dirty themselves, trim the fur around their anus to keep them clean.
- Puppies may not be cooperative when you try to bathe them. If this is the case, consider taking him to a professional dog grooming service for a bath.
