Shih Tzu Newsletter:  Tzu Tips Newsletter September 2021

Welcome to the September 2021

So glad you took the time to open your email and visit my site.  I wanted to tell you about what's happening here.  As we approach the change of seasons, our Shih Tzu's begin to feel the differences too.  It still feels very much like summer even though September has already come.  What does it mean for you?

For our dogs, skin problems, itchy ears and fleas and ticks are always a problem during the summer months.  People going in and out of doors means that doors are often left open with the possibility of a little dog escaping sometimes quicker than we can react.  With hot temperature, helping our babies stay cool is another challenge some of us face.  What's on your mind?  I'm always ready to meet a challenge and if you ever have a question that you can't answer within the pages of my site, always feel free to contact me and I'll get right on it.

New or Updated this Month

My dogs are now fully vaccinated against Lyme Disease which is becoming more of a problem in my neck of the woods.  Please check with your veterinarian to see if this tick borne disease is becoming more prevalent in your area too.  Want to know more about Lyme Disease in dogs?  Here a link that might help.  

Lyme Disease in Dogs

Foods Toxic to Dogs

Most experienced dog owners know what they can feed their dogs, but sometimes, new puppy owners should review this list.  In my experience in talking with puppy buyers there are two groups of people, those that never feed their dogs "people food," and those that don't always know what dogs can and can't eat. It's always a good idea to review the list of foods that will make your dog sick.

Here's the current list of Foods Dogs Should Not Eat

Here's a list of all the fruits and vegetables that are good for your Shih Tzu

Puppy's Favorite Toys

Every puppy is different and each one latches onto a favorite toy or two, but how does one know what type of toy your dog will like.  Kids can tell us and young parents are only too aware of how persistent a child can be when they learn of a toy they want.  For dogs, we need to guess, but here are a few ideas to get you started.  

Here at Miracle Shih Tzu, puppies get exposed to a variety of different toys.  At first most puppies are more interested in playing with their litter mates and have little use for toys.  By eight or nine weeks of age, most puppies have interacted with a variety of different toys.

  • Squeaky toys
  • Chew toys made of hard plastic
  • Dental bones
  • Soft plush toys 
  • Toys that crackle and make a variety of different sounds when manipulated
  • Balls
  • Rope toys
  • Trash (meaning empty water bottles, medicine bottles that roll, socks tied in knots, and (unfortunately) human shoes, shoe laces, and human fingers and toes.  Most also discover leaves, small branches, grass, and even tiny pebbles from being outside.  

Virtually anything can be a play toy for a little puppy.  The trick is to find real dog toys your puppy loves and prevent them from finding something you'd prefer not to be a toy.  Here are a couple of articles that you might find helpful when choosing toys and preventing unwanted objects from becoming toys.

Puppy Proof Your House

How to Choose the Best Dog Toys (from Small Dog Place, but the puppies photographed were all born here)

Or, maybe you should just let your puppy make his own decision.  Meet Gibby from Medina, Ohio, a many who knows what he wants.

What's Your Dog's Favorite Toy

Send me a quick email with your dog's photo and favorite toy and he or she will be featured in next month's newsletter.

janice@miracleshihtzu.com

Shih Tzu Reference Pages at Your Finger Tips

Index of all Site Pages

Miracle Shih Tzu Site Map

Small Dog Place Site Map  (my larger dog site)

Health Concerns of the Breed

Shih Tzu Overview with List of Diseases

Fleas     

Ticks

Parasites

What you should know about worming puppies

Grooming Tutorials You Might Find Helpful

DIY Grooming Overview

Typical Breed Behaviors & Tips to Conquer Them

Shih Tzu Training Overview

Barking

All About Shih Tzu Puppies

About Shih Tzu Puppies:  Start Here

Breeding and Reproduction for the Would-be Breeder

Interested in Breeding?  Here is a good place to start

Litter News from Miracle Shih Tzu

I breed fewer litters these days, but it doesn't mean that the quality of the puppies has changed in any way.  In fact, quality has improved because I can devote so much more of my time to each litter.  I breed for conformation, health, temperament, and socialization is my specialty.  With my background in psychology and working with children, I have developed a unique perspective on what puppies need to be to make perfect pets.  Feel free to check out my About Me page to learn more about what I'm all about.

You can also learn about my online story by visiting SBI YouTube Channel.

Products I Love

NuVet Plus