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Does your Shih Tzu wiggle and squirm, back off and fight you what seems every bit of the way when you try to groom him or her?

First examine your own technique. Are you being a little too rough?

It is also true that some Shih Tzu never do get to like or learn to like grooming sessions. These Shih Tzu will require extra patience and most likely extra work on your part to actually get them groomed.

Some Shih Tzu will try every trick they can think of to hamper your progress. Some of my Shih Tzu will purposely lay their heads on the table while I 'try' to pluck the hair from their ears.

Shih Tzu is quite intelligent. They can use this intelligence against you when it comes to grooming time. I think it is a rare Shih Tzu, however, that does not eventually come around and be cooperative. You have to make them think it is 'special time just for them and you.' Shih Tzu loves anything that seems to be out of the way special treatment just for them.

Tip #1

Be gentle!

Be even gentler in sensitive areas such as the groin, the feet, under the tail, around the eyes. Even the sweetest and calmest of Shih Tzu will flinch a little in these areas. Most Shih Tzu allow a groomer to be pretty brisk on the body, and chest, but such enthusiasm in the tender regions can resemble more 'torture' than special treatment, and the Shih Tzu will gladly let you know they consider it to be torture!

Since the Shih Tzu is a long haired breed you will be so much better off getting him or her use to grooming as a puppy, the very day you bring your Shih Tzu puppy home should be the first day of grooming as well.

Grooming your Shih Tzu will probably never seem easy, but it can become a very gratifying experience for both the Shih Tzu and its owner. Show your Shih Tzu you take pride in his appearance. Most Shih Tzu definitely appreciates this interest, gentleness and attention, which will result in a closer communication and relationship between you and your Shih Tzu. Not only will your relationship and communication with your Shih Tzu be improved, but the Shih Tzu will certainly look more beautiful with the right kind of care.

Tip #2

Before a bath, put a drop of or two of mineral oil in your Shih Tzu's eyes to prevent burning from soap suds, although you will always need to use a tearless shampoo for the face and around the eyes, a few drops of mineral oil also says to the Shih Tzu that you are taking extra care of him or her. Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest difference when trying to make the grooming sessions as pleasant as possible.

Tip#3

For a successful bath that cleans your Shih Tzu thoroughly, be certain you wet your Shih Tzu's hair extremely well with warm water first.

Tip #4

Start at the withers of your Shih Tzu with the water hose or device that delivers water to your Shih Tzu for the bath. Let a little warm water run in the sink around his feet first, and then work from the withers backwards to the end of the tail. Soak the Shih Tzu's head the very last. This technique provides for the Shih Tzu staying warmer and less restless if he gets the feel of the water on his body before having the stream of water directed over his face and eyes. They sometimes get startled at the point of water reaching their eyes. It is good, however, to rinse the eyes with a stream of water during the bath.

If you will follow these tips you will have begun to prove to your new Shih Tzu adult or puppy that you are his friend and helper during the grooming process and what you two will be doing together is nothing that will hurt or harm him or her.

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