Q&A: Hey Guys, I need help?
Question by BoxerMom: Hey Guys, I need help?
My hubby bought me a Shih Tzu. I have been looking for one for quite sometime, it is a pup and came from a rescue. I have done a good amount of research. I am just wondering if they are prone to trachea collaspe if you use a collar? I am wondering basically if I need to use a harness when walking him, or if a collar is fine?
I already know about the grooming needs. They are prone to eye and ear problems, slipped knee, spinal problems due to long back and short legs, and can have skinn problems if not groomed properly. I also know they can be prone to wheezing and snoring due to their short muzzle, but I have told everyone I am partial to the short muzzle breeds, and snoring won’t bother me, I have Boxers. I am also wondering how often I should bath him without stripping any natural oils from his hair. Thank you all, and sorry I have not been around much I have had some personal issues.
Do I need to use a harness or is a collar fine, and how often to bath him? What is the best shampoo?
Liz- you are so funny. You know I walk 2 big Boxers 2 x’s a day by myself. I may have issues with the new pup pulling to hard though. He maybe superman. lol
Best answer:
Answer by Tiger-Lilly
Personaly I prefer to use harnesses on my dog’s as I find the collar a bit lapse on control, also a bit unkind.
I prefer to use baby shampoo on my dog’s, they are Belgian shepherds and are long-haired, this is mild does not irritate thm at all, also keeps thier coats nice and soft, I bath them every 3months, unless they start to pong or get very dirty, hope this all helps.
I would use a harness for walking..but that’s me because they can be hurt easily if they pull when walking. And since he will be at a groomers often enough i would just brush him meantime depending if you plan to take him every 6 weeks or so ? I would use a wet wash clothes on his face and eyes pretty much daily because of food and eye mucus. Other than that brushing will keep natural oils at a good level.Best of luck withe new dog.
I’ve seen alot of smaller dogs with this problem because of poor leash training. People that let their dog strain to the end of the leash, gagging the whole walk… enough of that causes damage. A harness is fine if you want that.
As for grooming, I think any more than once a month would be excessive. Haircuts and grooming are more an issue for a Shih Tzu. I would chat with an experienced groomer for the best schedule.
a collar should be fine as longs as it is not to tight. but a lot of people prefure to us a harness as it stops pulling but in my eye it does not the amount of people that have brought their dog to the vet wanting to put it down as the dog has broke their arm to many times and they are no longer able to care for them this is the result of a harness as wen a dog pulls they us their front leg and a harness in placed behind the legs to i would recomend a gental leader wich does round the dogs face and they find discomfert in this i no it sounds mean but it truley works. and with bathing as this breed is a long coated dog only bath 1 a week but brush every day but just once over dont keep going over the same place or the oils will get brushed off and it depends on what you want the shampoo for as it is along dog with a white coat (thought this because it is a Shih Tzu) you are best using a shampoo with oils and protein in it
My mother has three of them. she uses a collar for them. I have suggested a harness though cause of the trachea problems.
As for the washing she gives them a bath once every other week, or when they get dirty.
she uses a conditioning shampoo and then a good dog conditioner.
brushes them out and blow dry on low..
(sounds like a dryer cycle)
They are wonderful dogs.
I would walk him with a harness, so much easier on him. (hartz oatmeal shampoo is good to use)
good luck
I would use a harness….I’m not sure if they prone to trachea collapse, but a shihtzu is a small dog and there’s a small chance she will pull you to death. I use a harness on my mini dachshund…I think it’s more comfortable for her and it relieves any stress on her spine.
I would bath her every 4 – 6 weeks and brush her regularly between baths. If you are going to have her hair clipped short as many shihzu owners do, 4 – 6 weeks is a good time period. Use a good shampoo that is made for dogs and isn’t harsh. Also use a conditioner.
Good luck! And, congrats on your new addition!
Edit: LOL…I wasn’t being a smart ass…what I meant is that I would never use a harness on a dog such as a boxer! They have big chests and they would use that harness to thier advantage! I suppose you know what I mean! Shihzu’s are small and probably wouldn’t use the harness that way, so that’s why I said that!!
I am on my 3rd.shih tzu. I love those Lil dogs.
I use a collar with mine we haven’t had any problems.
I bath him once a week unless he gets out in the yard and plays to hard. I use flea and tick shampoo and then some white rain shampoo and conditioner ( you will need conditioner ) sometime I use a dandruff shampoo when his bad skin flares up.