Coming Home
Your new puppy goes home with:
Small amount of current dog food they are eating.
Treats
Blanket with mother's scent to transition to new home.
Toys
Vaccination Booklet
Information regarding the Shih Tzu breed
Purchase Agreement & Guarantee
NAPR registration papers after proof of Spay/Neuter form is completed by your veterinarian and returned to us.
My support during your pups lifetime
What I Eat
Life's Abundance All Stages
Your puppy has been fed "Life's Abundance All Life Stages" according to the instructions on the package AM & PM.
Life's Abundance Dog Food is a high-quality food and can only be purchased with the link at the bottom of the page and will deliver right to your door within 1-3 days.
Low quality foods produce more elimination/waste and high-quality foods you do not have to feed as much. As your puppy grows you will need to read the package directions for increase of food.
Just because your puppy gobbles their food does not mean they are still hungry after the fact. Do not over feed.
It is recommended that all new owners purchase a small bag of Life's Abundance All Life Stages Dog Food before you bring your puppy home
If you choose not to continue to feed Life's Abundance Dog Food then your puppy should be weaned off slowly paying close attention to changes in stools. If the stool starts to get less firm, then the new food that you have chosen to feed your puppy is not working for your puppies digestive system.
Remember to have a bowl that is non skid and has some weight to it, then the bowl does not move about or it becomes a play toy.
Potty Training
Your puppy started using paper pads to eliminate on as soon as they could walk. Sometimes puppies choose to play with the paper pads, then I use a puppy training pad holder. If the training pad holder does not stop the behavior of playing with the paper pad, then we have to switch to cloth pads.
I do not train puppies to eliminate outside. If puppies have had first vaccination and weather permits, I will start taking them outside. However, they are not trained for outside potty only. If you continue to use potty pads and then later decide to change them to outside it will be more challenging to make the transition. I have found if I train on potty pads and then it is a while before going outside they will think rugs are pads. It is always important to potty your puppy right after meals.
Be patient while outside to give your puppy a chance to eliminate, rushing your puppy will only cause accidents in the home.
I use Pet All Start Training Pads from Walmart. If your puppy has been using cloth pads, remember they will think rugs or carpet are places they can eliminate. Each litter is different on how they react to the paper pads. I don't tolerate playing with paper pads and will switch them to cloth after making several attempts to keep them on the paper pads.
The Ride Home
Some puppies are sensitive at first to riding in a vehicle and may get sick. Be prepared in case clean-up is needed. Your new puppy will not be fed the day your puppy is leaving, per I don't want your puppy to get an upset tummy on the way to your home. It is important to
pick up your puppy in the morning if possible so they don't have to wait all day to eat their breakfast when you arrive home. It is requested you have either a small plastic carrying crate that you can seat belt in the vehicle or a harness that clips into the vehicle when you travel. This is for the puppy's safety and yours while in a moving vehicle. Loose puppy's sitting on laps or wondering about the car are a safety issue!
What Do I Need At Home?
Once the decision is made and you are committed to your new family member then it is time to start getting your home ready.
Shih Tzu are an inside breed and should never be left outside for long periods of time. We recommend
you keep your puppy away from public places until the puppy has received the 3rd or final vaccination.
Find a designated area on non-carpeted floor to keep your puppy for the next few weeks. We recommend starting out with a small area and gradually making the area bigger as your puppy gets comfortable and learns boundaries. I recommend a 4 - 6 panel play pen. Start as 4 panel and then making it a 6-panel puppy play pen. We like the ones that you can add panels to if you want to make it bigger or divide a room off. These play pens are plastic and easy to carry and are cleanable too. The area you are keeping your puppy should also have a night light and no electrical cords present and the outlets should be covered for safety.
If you are using a crate at night. Do not cover the crate with a blanket. Do not use the crate as a punish area. The puppy needs to feel this area is his safe place. The area that your puppy is in should be well ventilated, cool and your puppy should have access to water at all times.
Remember your puppy is just a baby and will need several times throughout the day to rest/nap alone.
Hygiene
Daily face washes are important to keep the face clean and sanitary. We use baby wipes or a washcloth.
We recommend a tear-less puppy shampoo that is easy on the eyes. A conditioner for the coat is not needed per the quality of the food you are feeding should be helping with skin and coat from the inside out. If you plan on taking your puppy to a groomer, then it is important to set aside a few minutes a day to set your puppy down and run a comb or brush through your puppy's coat. Your groomer will thank you for having such a well-behaved Shih Tzu. Plus, it will make your puppy's experience much more pleasant at the groomers.
Veterinarian Visits
our puppy already has received 1-2 puppy vaccinations 5-way (DAPPv) vaccination and wormed 2 times before they
come to your home. The next puppy vaccination will be your first veterinarian visit and the due date will be located on
our agreement. Do not vaccinate before the due date.
Your veterinarian will advise on which vaccinations he/she recommends but the following is how I immunize my pets.
Your first vet visit should consist of: 5-way vaccination & Bordetella (kennel cough if your puppy will be going to public places around other dogs.)
Your Second vet visit should consist of: 5-way (DAPPv) vaccination & if the puppy is 4.5 months old then a 1 year rabies can be given.
Teeth care is of great importance and the baby teeth need to be removed at around 6 months of age if they have not fallen out on their own for the adult teeth to come in properly. A good time to do this is when your puppy will be spayed/neutered and the teeth can be taken care of while your puppy is asleep during the spay/neuter procedure.
Please keep your puppy off of veterinarian floors and make sure the exam table/scale has been disinfected before placing your puppy down.