Here are some handy tips on grooming your beautiful shih tzu puppy.

First and foremost, brush your dog everyday. It only takes a few minutes and is really worth it. The rest of Shih Tzu grooming practices will only need to be done periodically and if you get her used to it as a puppy, it will cause you no bother at all.

Equipment: A stiff bristle brush, a slicker brush, comb, sissors, and specialist dog nail clippers. I would also recommend a specialist dog conditioner spray to help with tangles. I also suggest you have some styptic powder on hand, in case of accidents that cause bleeding.

Brushing Coat: As recommended above, brush her coat lightly every day. Use a spray of water or dog conditioner to help with the knots. Once a week or fortnightly (depending on her coat) brush her thoroughly to prevent matting and dread locks. If she has severe matting, try a dog oil to help untangle it. Begin brushing her chest, underside and legs gently with a bristle brush. Lay her on her back for ease. Part the hair and brush it in sections, from the skin to the tip. Use the slicker brush around her ankles. Turn her to her side and begin brushing her legs and side. Remember to use the dog conditioner to make life easier. Turn her over to do the other side and then standing up to brush along her back and up to her tail. Brush the long outer coat and then use the comb until smooth. Use a fine comb to smooth over her face, eyes and whiskers. Snip away any excess hair between her toes keeping it as short as you can. Keep a look out for fleas, etc. And obviously treat them if found. If you want her to look pretty, tie her hair on her head with a bow. After you have finished, reward her with a treat for good behaviour and this reward will also train her to enjoy grooming time and make the next session a breeze.

Bath Time: Dogs do not need to be bathed like humans. Only give her a dip if she is dirty, smelly or before a show. Her skin has oil glands that keep the skin soft and prevent drying and cracking. She also produces an oil to help keep her coat waterproof, by bathing her with shampoo, you are washing away these essential oils. Handy tip: Brush and comb her before a bath. This will make it easier afterwards. Wet the dog, minding not to get water in her ears or eyes. Use a good quality specialist dog shampoo and only use a little bit. Massage it in, then rinse off making sure you rinse away all traces of shampoo that could make her skin irritable when dry. After her bath, dry her quickly with a clean, soft towel and let her shake excess water off (the bit they love the best). Continue drying her gently and then give her a quick comb. Try to keep her inside while she is drying otherwise you may be repeating the process after she rolls around in the garden. Again, give her a treat as a reward for being so good.

Ears and Eyes: During your thorough shih tzu grooming session, pay attention to her ears. You can buy commercial ear-cleaning solution and I suggest you do. This solution will help you remove any wax build-up. Very gently, with some cotton wool dipped in the solution, wipe around the inside flap of the ear. Use a seperate piece of cotton wool for the other ear. Keep her eyes clear of discharge by using a piece of cotton wool dampened with water and wipe across. Use a clean piece of cotton wool for the other eye. If you notice any inflamation, it might be worth taking her to the vet, she may need antibiotics for an infection.

Toes and toenails: Ask your vet or professional dog groomer to show you how to use nail clippers. In the middle of your dogs nail you will see a pinky coloured line, this is called the 'quick'. The quick contains nerves and blood vessles and if cut by accident, your dog will be in intense pain. Holding your dogs paw firmly, so he doesn't move, you want to cut the nail as close to the end of the quick as you can and cut the nail on an angle.

Fangs: Tooth care begins with giving your dog hard foods like dog biscuits, rawhide bones and chews to help cut back on tartar build-up. Having said that, giving her teeth a brush every day is also a great idea. You can buy dog tooth paste and brushes from your local pet store. Check her mouth for any bleeding or irritation before brushing and take her to the vet if you see any or you see any tartar build-up that will need to be removed by the vet.

For further helpful hints, check out www.shitzupuppiesblog.com