Information About The Dog Breed - Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is an affectionate, playful, intelligent little dog. He is also sometimes independent and reserved towards strangers. Furthermore, he loves learning and likes to satisfy his owner, but he can sometimes be rebellious and give the impression that certain tasks are beneath him. With patience, he becomes relatively obedient.

Fun things you need to know about a Shih Tzu:

• Dog suitable for owners with no experience;
• Requires basic training;
• Likes to go for active walks;
• Likes to go for half an hour's walk a day;
• Very small dog;
• Drools a little;
• Needs to be groomed daily;
• Quiet dog;
• Watchdog. Barks and warns;
• Goes well with other pets.

The Shih Tzu is traditionally used to living pampered and surrounded with care in the midst of people. This makes it an excellent house dog, but very ill-suited to being in a kennel. Shih Tzu's are generally fond of people, although they can approach them with some Eastern reservation at times. However, if you manage to gain their trust, they turn out to be a wonderfully playful dog with an uncomplicated character that can sometimes be quite the clown.

A Shih Tzu can still get into mischief or fool around and be quite stubborn. In this respect, his character does not really match his somewhat nuffy appearance: his facial expression could be called arrogant if it were not for the fact that he usually has a very friendly expression in his eyes.

Read more: Bored Dogs | How to Recognize Dog Boredom (and Help!)

Health, Grooming, Exercise, Training & Nutrition Shih Tzu

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

#1 Health of A Shih Tzu Dog

The Shih Tzu, like many other breeds, can suffer from hereditary eye defects and loose kneecaps (luxating patellas). He is prone to ear infections, spinal cord disorders and breathing problems.

#2 Grooming a Shih Tzu

The coat care of the Shih Tzu requires some practice. The coat should be very regularly and carefully cleaned of tangles, after which it should be brushed out well. The head hair is then tied up in a ponytail on top of the head. The protruding hair is carefully distributed in the round. To get the hang of all this, it is best to have it done by a breeder or groomer. Just count on it taking quite some time to keep a Shih Tzu's coat optimally groomed. A tangled coat can cause the dog considerable discomfort. If it is necessary to wash this dog, it must then be carefully blow-dried while brushing and combing.

#3 Exercise a Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu was bred to be a house companion. As such, they require minimal exercise. Short daily walks with their owner and indoor playtime will satisfy the activity needs of this small, short-legged companion. It is content with short walks and would rather go for three 20-minute walks than one hour.

Read more: 29 Must-Follow Tips | How to Transport a Dog in a Car?

#4 Training of a Shih Tzu

A shih tzu has the knack of being a friendly, sweet and happy little dog, but for that you need to raise and socialise your puppy well from the start. They are intelligent, but not the easiest when it comes to learning. Going on puppy classes together is definitely recommended. Do not make the mistake of acting as a dominant educator, as this will only make the relationship more difficult. Stay calm and work with rewards rather than punishments, and never raise your voice to your dog. The trick is to earn your shih tzu's respect, then you will have a lap dog and a truly loyal friend for life.

Be clear and patient
Of course, respect has to come from both sides, just like between people. So be clear in what is and is not allowed and stick to it consistently. Remember that a shih tzu is smart: you can't keep relying on the same tricks endlessly, as they puncture through that pretty quickly. Also, shih tzu are real family dogs and social animals that need company. You need to have enough time for your dog anyway to be a responsible owner, and leaving your shih tzu alone all day is really not an option. If you want a shih tzu that can manage alone at home for a while, pay extra attention to this during the upbringing and socialisation phase. Read up well in advance by buying books on puppy training.

Read more: 8x Best Natural Relaxation Exercises for Dogs

#5 Nutrition

Small dogs have a fast metabolism, which means they burn energy at a high rate. They have a small stomach and therefore need to eat more often and smaller portions. Dog food for small breeds contains the right essential nutrients and consists of smaller chunks. This encourages chewing and improves digestion.

The Shih Tzu should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Read more: Anxiety By Dogs in Car Rides - How To Relieve Dog Car Anxiety

How To Transport A Shih Tzu in The Car?

Whether your Shih Tzu is 6 months, 1 year or 5 years old, you will need to transport it by car one way or another. The destinations could be visiting the dog vet, family, a vacation trip or a walk in the woods. Whatever the reason may be, being well-prepared when travelling with a Shih Tzu in the car is very important.

How To Ensure Comfort in The Car For A Shih Tzu?

Travelling in a vehicle can be distressing for your pet along with the motion causing them to be sick. To help your Shih Tzu getting used to being in the car, it’s best to introduce them to this as early as possible as part of their socialisation training. Exposing them at a young age to this environment will desensitise their uncertainty and get them used to the motion. It’s best for your dog to be able to see out of a window when travelling, or if your pet is prone to motion sickness, allow them to face forward.

Travel socialisation can be built up, starting with short distances and extending to longer distance car journeys. Treats can help make these new experiences positive and reinforce your pet that they have behaved well.

Travelling With A Shih Tzu in The Car

How to travel with a dog in the car? In order to ensure a successfull car ride you need to be well-prepared. We have gathered the best must-follow tips to create the best preparation for your dog.

The most common dog problems that many dogs experience in the car:

• Motion sickness: to avoid car sickness, it's important to not feed your dog a few hours before leaving the house;
• Stress: be familiar with dog stress in the car. Read our blog to learn more about stress in dogs;
• Anxiety: anxiety by dogs in car rides are very common. Read more about this problem to prevent it.

What are the best tips to travel with a dog?

• Law rules & Requirements - of how to travel with a dog in Europe;
• 29 Must-Follow Tips - How to transport a dog in the car?;

Tips:

• If you’re staying in a hotel, call the management in advance and know their policies when it comes to pets;
• Bring your dog’s medical certificates, vaccination documents, and other similar records just in case they are required;
• When traveling by land, take a break every 2-3 hours. Bring your dog out of the crate and let him get some fresh air to stretch a little bit. Bathroom breaks would also be important for your pet;
• If all else fails, you can consider using medication or sedative as prescribed by your vet;
• Make sure your dog is used to getting into your car regularly from a young age;
• To make sure he doesn't get too stressed, take the time to gradually get him used to the car. You can make several short trips, reward him with a treat so he associates transportation with positive things;
• Never leave your dog alone in the car, even with the window open, in the shade or even in winter (risk of excessive heat, injuries ...);
• If you travel by car with your dog, stop every 2 hours for his needs and give him something to drink;
• Make sure the driver is safe;
• Make sure your dog is safe and comfortable by using a dog car seat.

Read more: Stress By Dogs in Car Rides - How To Relieve Dog Stress

Travelling in The Car - Safety For Your Shih Tzu

One of the most important rules of travelling with your dog: Do not leave your Shih Tzu free in the car. Indeed, he may be injured, fall or receive a shock when braking hard.

1. Dog car seat: The best investment is a dog car seat with safety elements to ensure a safe car ride;
2. Safety elements: always make sure your dog is restraint with a sturdy dog harness and a dog car seat belt;

Travelling in The Car - Safety For The Driver

In a collision at 50 km/h, even a small dog can become a life-threatening projectile for passengers in the car. What is the law on dogs in cars? When in a vehicle make sure dogs or  are suitably restrained to avoid distraction or injuring. In an event of a collision, it could be used as evidence against you if your dog is not properly secured.

Do dogs have to be restrained in cars? When driving with dogs it's important to be familiar with the law rule 57 highway code. A proper dog car seat, dog harness, dog seat belt are the best ways of restraining. Make sure to check out the correct law rules for your own country.

If your pet is found to have caused or contributed to an accident, your car insurance could be invalid, as well as any pet insurance. You could also face a fine of up to £5,000 if you’re taken to court, as well as points on your license.

Read more: Separation Anxiety in Dogs | Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

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The dog booster seat is a must-have to instantly master anxiety, stress or car sickness. The elevated seat provides a breathtaking view of the outside world. L'élianne ® strives for a future where dogs no longer have to feel such problems.

The luxury dog booster car seat functions as an airbag effect during sharp turns, hard brakes & high bumps. By recreating the comforts of your home for small to medium-sized dogs into the car.

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