Preparing to Bring Home a Shih Tzu Puppy?

Congratulations!

Bringing your new precious puppy home is an exciting event.

If this is your first puppy I am sure you have a tone of questions. Most new parents have these common questions: 

• What do I need to do to prepare? 
• What dog items do I need to buy? 
• Where will my precious puppy sleep?
• Is my house puppy friendly?

I can only imagine the excitement you are feeling knowing you will soon have an adorable little ball of fur running around your home. Undoubtedly you will want everything to be perfect. You want your little Shih Tzu to feel safe. You want to make sure you have everything he needs to start his new life.

It is important to also remember that this is probably the first time your little puppy has been away from his breeder and in a new environment. So, this can be a frightening experience for your little puppy too.

I put together a checklist for you below to help alleviate some of your anxieties.

DID YOU PUPPY PROOF YOUR HOME?

Bringing home a new puppy is similar to bringing home a new baby.  As a result, you need to puppy proof your home by eliminating all hazards that could cause your puppy harm.  Puppies will no doubt be curious and rummage through anything and everything that is within their paw reach.

Below are some things you should do to puppy proof your home:

Remove all chemicals your puppy can come in contact with such as cleaning supplies, ant traps, gardening supplies, and prescriptions. Store all these items in cabinet with a door.

Secure all loose wires such as cell chargers, household appliances, and TV wires so your puppy is not tempted to chew on them.

Keep your personal items such as shoes and papers picked up. Puppies love to chew on your personal belongings.

Place plastic plug protectors in all your outlets.

Place barriers around any open flames such as a fireplace.

Pick your plants up off the floor because many household plants can be fatal to your puppy.

Place trash cans in a place your puppy can not get to especially bathroom waste baskets. Puppies love to tip over your garbage cans.

Pay close attention to hanging curtains. You may want to make sure they are not draping the floor because little puppies may get tangled up in them.

Put baby gates up around stairways so your little puppy does not fall down the stairs.

Remove any other potential dangers that may be lingering around your home that could cause your precious puppy harm.

DID YOU CREATE A LIVING SPACE FOR YOUR PUPPY?

Shih Tzu like all other dogs are territorial. So you want to make sure you create a comfortable living space for them that they can call their own.

Your puppy needs his own space for sleeping. Make sure you designate a quiet safe place for him so he feels secure and relaxed. The space should be inviting, cozy, and warm.

Place his bed in a quiet corner of a room.

Make sure his sleeping area has sun light to keep his spirits up and free from drafts.

Designate a place for him to eat. His food and water dish should be in an area where there is not a lot of high traffic and somewhere that is easy to clean. Your kitchen is a perfect place.

Never keep your Shih Tzu in a dog house outside. These little dogs are companion dogs and need to be around the people they love “You”.

DID YOU PURCHASE BASIC PUPPY SUPPLIES?

Now that you have prepared your home and created a safe environment for your little Shih Tzu, you need to purchase some basic puppy supplies. Below is a list of supplies you should have before you bring your puppy home.

Dog bowls Purchase stainless stelel bowls because they are less susceptible to bacteria.

Dog collar  Purchase a dog collar that has adjustable clamps.

Dog leash  You can purchase a leash with a harness to avoid putting strain on his throat or a standard leash that hooks to his collar.

Identification tag  ID tags are important and should contain your dogs name and phone number in the event he is lost. Some states also require you register your dog and certify they have received all their vaccinations.

Dog bed  You will want to purchase a comfortable, washable dog bed. Make sure the bed is big enough for him to sprawl out in. But not too big.

Grooming supplies  You will need a dog brush, toenail clippers, special shampoo, and dental supplies such as pet toothpaste and toothbrush.

Dog toys  Your little Shih Tzu will need toys to play with and chew on to keep him busy.

Dog food  Pay special attention to the ingredients on your dog food labels and be sure you are feeding him a natural, healthy, well-balanced diet.

Baby gate  Place a baby gate by stairs or in doorways to keep your puppy safe