Good Shih Tzu Bathing Techniques Are Essential For Healthy Coats And Skin

A good bathing technique is essential for keeping your Shih Tzus hair in good shape and keeping skin problems at a minimum. A lot of Shih Tzu owners say they have skin problems. This is a problem I have not encountered a lot in my existence with the Shih Tzu. However, it does happen more in some bloodlines. Follow the instructions in this article and you should have no problem in keeping a nice smelling and clean Shih Tzu in your presence at all times.

Gather together everything that is needed before you start to bath your Shih Tzu. This is always handier than having to run here and there gathering up your supplies and tools once the process begins.

The first bath you give your Shih Tzu may be traumatic. It truly is best to delay bathing Shih Tzu puppies until they are at least 3 months old. For the first bath you might try using a small bowl, dishpan or the kitchen sink rather than the bathtub. Always be sure the water is neither too cold or to hot. Shih Tzu puppies react violently sometimes to either extreme. Be careful your Shih Tzu puppy does not jump or wiggle out of your hands. If the temperature of water is just right, there will be less chance of the Shih Tzu puppy wiggling out of your hands. Use a mild shampoo especially formulated for dogs that is tearless. Regular baby shampoo can be used. I have never had a problem with dry skin when I used baby shampoo. It is just harder to rinse out. Shampoo formulated especially for dogs and puppies is usually easier to rinse out. I do like using Fluffy Puppy shampoo for puppies and even on the faces of my older Shih Tzu because it is tearless.

Pouring water gently over your Shih Tzu puppy in the kitchen sink, a small bowl or dishpan is much less alarming than using a high powered sprayer. Once your Shih Tzu puppy is use to his bath, you can try using the spray attachment which is much better and faster at getting out all the shampoo. You can also use a gallon milk jug (when it is empty and rinsed out of course) to first pour water over the puppy. After being washed, the Shih Tzu puppy must be dried off completely before being allowed outside again.

An older Shih Tzu can be washed in the bathtub using a shower attachment. Place a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub to provide firm footing just as you would for yourself. Your choice of shampoo and conditioner depends upon the type of coat your Shih Tzu has. Avoid using human shampoo on your Shih Tzu. I have used Pantene, but like the baby shampoo, it is harder to rinse out of the hair and I just dont like the way it leaves the Shih Tzus hair looking dull. Many Shih Tzu are allergic to human shampoo. I have found them to be itchy after a bath with human shampoo. I switched over completely to shampoos especially formulated for dogs. Some human shampoos have been known to coat each hair and build up after use, which is probably what causes the itching. There are so many really good brands of dog shampoo on the market these days; there is truly no good reason to use human shampoo on your Shih Tzu. In summertime it is a good idea to use a shampoo to fight against fleas.

Be prepared to get splashed as your Shih Tzu gets older in the bath. Either wear grooming aprons made especially for this function or wrap a large towel around you.

If you are afraid you might get water in the ears of your Shih Tzu, plug the ears with cotton before beginning the bath. Getting water in the ears can cause ear infections.

Really wet down the hair of a Shih Tzu good before applying the shampoo. Pour the shampoo down the middle of the Shih Tzus back. As it runs down each side work it into the hair with a squeezing movement of the fingers. Do not rub or massage. The coat is more apt to become tangled with rubbing movements. The best way to get the cleanest hair is to gently squeeze the shampoo through the hair really working up a thick, good lather. You will need to pour a little extra shampoo on each leg and foot, the tail, chest and stomach areas. Lift your Shih Tzu up by the front legs to shampoo the stomach and then wash the chest. Wash the head and face last using the tearless shampoo.

If you are bathing a very dirty Shih Tzu, you will need rinse really well and repeat the process, then rinse really good again.

A good human hair dryer works find for the Shih Tzu. Brush the hair while blowing drying in order to make the hair straight.

Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies for sale. Visit us at http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com and sign up for our newsletters. We have a variety of colors, the small AKC standards, imperials and teacups at reasonable prices.

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Your Dog and Your Furniture

Some dog owners believe that a dog is a dog, and that his place is on the floor exclusively. Some feel that he is a member of the family, and that he should be allowed up on chairs or sofas if he feels like it. And there are attitudes in between that may dictate permission for him to get up on one "favorite chair." Generally the split is between country and city, with country dogs being relegated to the floor and city dogs having the run of the place.

If he is going to be strictly a floor dog, then he should never be allowed up on any piece of furniture, right from the start. Being up on the couch with you or solo hold little distinction for him and it will only confuse him later if you deny him the privilege. When he is little, he won't be able to negotiate the height, so there is no problem with him climbing up.

As he grows and investigates, he will try to climb up just to see what is there. Push him off gently and tell him "no" a few times and he will get the idea. Later he may try to occupy it while you are out of the house. An easy solution to train him is a few light mousetraps covered with a sheet or newspaper set near the back of the cushion. The trap can't hurt him and the snapping noise will solve the problem.

If you decide that he is going to be a full member of the household with all privileges, the problems are only those of dirt and reactions. As for dirt, he should be trained to wait at the door for a quick cleaning with an old rag after he has been out of doors. By the time he is old enough to climb onto chairs easily he will be old enough to have learned the "sit and stay" and there ends the problem.

As far as reactions go, this is really something between you and your friends. Somewhat fastidious friends who come to visit may find dogs on furniture disagreeable, particularly if the dog has to be shooed off of the chair they are about to sit in. If he is a chair sitter in your house, he may try to be one when he goes visiting with you. So set up a rigid rule for him - okay at home, forbidden elsewhere, and don't make exceptions and he won't be likely to be confused.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest dog collars and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at http://www.joncopets.com

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Shih Tzu The Hotly Contested Question Of Shih Tzu Size Part III

There is a highly important article presented by a Norweigan Shih Tzu fancier of which the authors name is not given. It is thought to be almost certain, however, the article was written by Dr. Walter Young, author of Some Canine Breeds of Asia.

The article was published in Peiping shortly before the first Peking Kennel Club Show. The articles states: at least as common as good Pekingese in Peiping are the Tibetans, the shock-headed long-coated little dogs which came to China during the Manchu dynasty as gifts from the grand lamas at Lhasa. The writer continues to say: it is a novel little breed, and complained at that time, no effort is made to distinguish what is quite evidently two distinct types, one considerably larger and higher on the leg than the other.

These types of dogs described as being considerably larger and higher on the leg than the other were commonly bred by Chinese fanciers and sold in the dog markets on fair days. The writer placed these dogs as ones who must be in the non-sporting group, and admitted there was much confusion about the breed, and even in those days, was very inaccurate information being spread about the different sizes of the Shih Tzu. The article does confirm the theory regarding the existence of two types of Shih Tzu in Peking, at least as far as the 1930s were concerned: one of a very small variety, in size more or less similar to the Pekingese, the other larger and apparently closely resembling what we now call the Apso, although smaller, and with shorter legs. The writer was also aware of many cases of crossing of Shih Tzu and Pekingese.

When Princess Der Ling came to Peking and shared her knowledge with the Countess dAnjou, the full truth about the palace dogs of old began to emerge. Peking fanciers began to do their best to restore to the Shih Tzu something of the imperial grandeur which had been its birthright in happier days. The Japanese occupation of Peking in the summer of 1937 which was followed by the attack on Pearl Harbor 4 years later, brought an end to their hopes and dreams.

Some very valuable information regarding Shih Tzu size and weight is in the form of a personal letter, dated May, 1955, written by the Countess dAnjou to Mrs. L.G. Widdrington, leading English fancier and widely recognized authority on palace lion dog history. The letter in its entirety can be found in the American Shih Tzu News of March, 1967. The standard that was made out for France set weight limits for the Shih Tzu of 11-22 pounds. The whole standard is also said to have met with the complete approval of two other French fanciers from pre-Pearl Harbor Peking. It is highly unlikely either of them knew nearly as much about the breeds history as the Countess. The available evidence suggest their experience of Shih Tzu dates from the confused period before the Princess Der Ling arrived in Peking to bring to light the full truth about the Imperial Lion Dogs as she had known them in the palace.

The Countess went on in her letter to make it quite clear that she was far from happy about the weight limits permitted. She had accepted them against her better judgement. She did not regard such a weight range as historically correct or even as desirable. The Countesss letter to Mrs. Widdrington states: Yes, I did think the Shih Tzu too big in England. They really should be under 12 pounds. In fact, there were two classes in Peking, up to 12 pounds (which would include our little 6 pound teacups today) and over 12 pounds were judged separately. They never had the big ones in the Imperial Palace

Presently, the American Kennel Club standard for size does not regard the weight of under 9 pounds as being appropriate for the ideal Shih Tzu, and to be accepted by the American Kennel Club show ring competitions. This size is not allowed in the AKC show ring. All who love this size, must accept this fact as it is.

However, we must also face the facts that these smaller size Shih Tzu are the result of days gone-by breeding practices. It is not at all true that the smaller Shih Tzu are sickly or have greater health problems than the larger Shih Tzu. It is not at all true that breeders who produce the smaller size Shih Tzu are guilty of being irresponsible, in-breeding and line-breeding with close relatives to obtain the small size, and doing just about anything to get these small sizes for the sake of more money.

Shih Tzu puppies from the standard size Shih Tzu show ring requirements are priced at much higher prices and are capable of having just as many, if not more, health problems due to the fact that anytime animals are bred to meet a specific weight, look and requirement, a type has to be set in. Type is set in by in-breeding and line-breeding. Negative attributes, such as any health problems in the bloodlines are passed onto offspring just as the positive attributes of those that make a Shih Tzu beautiful for the Showring.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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How Niche Markets Can Increase Online Sales

One of the best ways to increase sales is by targeting specific audiences that are interested in the products you have to offer. This form of marketing is called niche marketing. In order to target specific groups, you will need to evaluate the types of people who will most likely buy from your site, where to find these groups, and how to market to them.

Evaluating niche groups

You can evaluate niche groups by first deciding who you want to cater your business towards. Knowing your products or the affiliate program's products should tell you plenty. If you have created an email list, sending a short survey to your customers asking them a little about themselves (average age, income level, purchase preferences, family, and hobbies) is a great way to learn more about the types of people who are buying from your site.

Niche groups can be determined in many ways. Customers may be found in multiple groups, which can make choosing a niche group more difficult. The best way to cater to these groups is to choose two or three at a time, market to them, and see what happens.

Finding niche groups

The great thing about niche groups is that they are everywhere! Niche groups include hobbyists, political groups, gender groups, career groups, artists, writers, and others. Niche groups are usually attracted to similar web sites, blogs, and open forums. For example, soccer enthusiasts usually shop on similar sports web sites and sports news sites.

When looking for niche groups, visit forums that cater to these groups and ask questions. You will be surprised by all the responses. People enjoy talking about their hobbies, careers, and lives.

Visit web sites that are offer products that are similar to yours and see if other businesses have posted ads. Chances are, these businesses are frequented by the same niche groups.

Marketing to niche groups

Marketing to niche groups is slightly different from marketing to everyone else who finds your ad online. You will have to be more specific about what you're selling and where you place ads. If you write articles that are going to be read by a specific group, you need to write on a topic they are interested in. The same goes for blogs and posting comments on forums.

Try marketing to several niche groups in order to get an idea of which ones are the most interested in what you are selling. Tracking where visitors are coming from is very important when marketing to certain groups.

Testing niche groups

Testing niche groups is the only way to see if they are the right ones for your business. You will have to allow some time for your marketing efforts to pay off, however. When marketing to specific groups, give it your all and try to boost sales as much as possible.

If, after a month, you do not see an increase in sales from a particular niche group, then focus your energies elsewhere. Focus on other groups until you find a few that show interest in your web site. Market more aggressively and enjoy the increase in sales.

Stuart Pearce is founder and owner of Style Product Developer Ltd. The company specialise in offering tools and resources to make the creation of a web based business easy and accessible to all. Begin your online career now, visit http://www.styleopportunities.com for details.

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