Q&A for How to Groom Shih Tzus

Brushing your Shih Tzu regularly is one of the best ways to keep grooming maintenance needs to a minimum. Regular brushing can help keep tangles and mats from developing into bigger problems.

Be especially careful when trimming around the dog’s face. You don’t want to accidentally poke the dog in the eyes. It's a good idea to use scissors with a rounded end to trim the fur on the dog's face. If your dog moves around, try holding its chin so it sits still.

Hair loss could be caused by many different things: diet, allergens in the air or in his bedding, anxiety, or more. Try taking him to the vet or speaking to your vet over the phone.

Either take her to a professional groomer, or shave her. It's very difficult to the knots out, and you probably can't do it on your own without hurting her.

Dogs change color with age. As long as it's her fur and not her skin, she will be okay.

Bathe your dog about once a month. If you bathe them too frequently, their skin will become dry. You could probably do it every three weeks if your dog gets really dirty.

Make sure to get grooming brushes (slicker is the best for long-haired dogs), poo bags, a crate, dog bed, food bowls, toys (three or four), a dog food mat, and determine which vet you will go to.

This could be staining of the hair around its mouth. When your dog drinks water, some of its food gets stuck on the hair around the mouth, and that causes staining.

You should go with the grain, because if you go against the grain you have a higher chance of leaving shave marks.

No, I would suggest leaving it in, although you can trim it (carefully).

Never put rubber bands in a dogs hair. Her hair will lose circulation and fall out. You should stop her from doing this.

Plenty of monthly oral solutions are available, and are much preferable to messy topicals and herbal solutions that have a limited success rate. Simparica for example works for fleas and ticks. Ask your vet.

If you’re going to decide on starting a teeth rushing routine with your pup, be advised you’ll be wanting to be doing it about every day for it to be effective. Tiny mouths like these dogs have enclosed tiny teeth all packed in a smooshy face pretty tightly. Tightly packed mouths like these harbor bacteria easily, and the teeth will build up tarter more quickly than in say, larger, non brachycephalic (smooshed face) breeds. You will be wanting to substitute possibly with a good oral chew from your vet, and teeth cleanings will most likely be a part of this puppy’s great oral future!

You should not use baby shampoo on a dog regularly because humans and canines have a different number of layers of skin, and a differing PH. Human shampoo, even baby shampoo, can be very drying for a dog, even when gentle on human skin. Puppies should getting used to being groomed and handled all over from about 8 weeks old. Practice with soft brushes at home, get an electric toothbrush to help puppy get used to “buzzy” sounds and sensations that she will no doubt encounter in the grooming salon. An experienced groomer will help desensitize her at a young age and have her be relaxed getting her face and feet trimmed regularly. Brushing minimally a couple of times weekly depending on coat length is advised.

Yes you can cut their hair, by using a small pair of curved scissors and holding the dog's mouth at the same time, so it doesn’t move.

It can be a good idea to get a puppy cut as early as 6 weeks. This is just a trim and shampoo to get them used to the grooming process. We had our puppy cut a couple times before getting a full grooming.

The ideal/highly recommend temperature for a Shih Tzu bath is lukewarm. If it is too hot, it could burn the dog's skin, but if it is too cold, it could make your Shih Tzu prone to a respiratory infection.

Use a wet washcloth or cotton ball and gently wipe the stains off. If that does not work, then use wipes that are specifically meant to help rid of stains around your dog's eyes. Ask your vet for them.