Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Deanna

Benefits of Early Neurological Stimulation

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Shih Tzu puppy receiving (ENS) Early Neurological Stimulation in a responsible breeding program.
A newborn Shih Tzu puppy going through the ENS procedure.

ENS stands for Early Neurological Stimulation. As a responsible breeder of Shih Tzu puppies, I use the ENS protocol with all of my litters because it is very beneficial regarding newborn puppy development. ENS helps to improve heart and adrenal performance by stimulating the endocrine system. Early Neurological Stimulation also helps to create stress-tolerant puppies that have greater disease resistance. Furthermore, puppies that take part in ENS protocols are more willing to explore than their counterparts that didn’t receive Early Neurological Stimulation.

Carmen Battaglia is the pioneer responsible for creating ENS protocols. The ENS program was originally put together to enhance the performance of military dogs. The “Super Dog Program” or The “Bio Sensor program” are some early terms used to describe ENS protocols.

There are five steps in the ENS procedure. Breeders perform the five steps from the third day of birth until day 16. The procedure is done once a day for approximately 3-5 seconds per step. It is imperative not to put too much stress or handle newborn puppies too often during this vulnerable stage of development. The ENS activity is usually kept short and to the point.

Five Steps of ENS

  1. Hold the puppy’s head up.
  2. Gently hold the puppy’s head down
  3. Hold the puppy on his/her back.
  4. Set the puppy’s belly down on a cool towel.
  5. Gently rub in between the puppy’s toes.

To sum things up, Early Neurological Stimulation is just another stepping stone that I use in my responsible breeding program to help create bulletproof puppies. After all, I am partially responsible for bringing these puppies into the world. It is my ethical duty to do everything in my power to give each puppy the very best start in life. I owe this to my Shih Tzu puppies and my future puppy owners.

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Fireworks and Shih Tzu Safety

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Fireworks are about to begin! For many pet owners, the Fourth of July is a miserable time of year even for patriots. Many dogs suffer from noise phobias and experience a great deal of anxiety when they hear loud noises. Fireworks can be downright terrifying to dogs. Many dogs try to run away on the Fourth of July. More dogs go missing on the Fourth than any other holiday.

Having a dog with a sensitivity to sounds can be very hard on the dog and the owner. It’s very difficult to watch your pet suffer. As a local, reputable Shih Tzu breeder, I use sound desensitization protocols to help desensitize all of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program. Puppies that grow up around loud noises are less likely to exhibit fear later in life.

If you own a dog that suffers from a noise phobia you must follow some of the simple safety tips above on the Fourth of July. Hopefully, these tips will help to protect your pet. Enjoy your holiday and stay safe!

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Shih Tzu Hair Care Basics

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A female Shih Tzu puppy wearing a red and white dress and a big red bow after getting her hair groomed.
Shih Tzu Hair Care


Shih Tzus are high-maintenance when it comes to their hair! They have human-like hair that needs brushing often. I use a stainless steel comb for daily grooming. I proceed cautiously to avoid pulling on any possible mats. They sell great detangling sprays to make the process go more smoothly.

Don’t forget to brush through the face, ears, and tail as well. Also, remember a Shih Tzu has a double coat. It’s important to make sure to brush the undercoat as well. The undercoat is a hot spot for mats. If you’re having trouble brushing through a mat it is simply more humane to carefully cut it out or get into a reputable groomer as soon as possible.

Shih Tzus need grooming every 6 to 8 weeks unless you’re opting for a traditional longer style. In that case, daily thorough brushing becomes even more essential. You can opt for a Teddy Bear cut or a Puppy Cut to scale down on maintenance. Shorter hairstyles are usually easier to maintain. If the coat gets a lot of mats in between grooming appointments you will probably have no choice other than a short haircut.

I strongly advise waiting until after the 3rd round of vaccines is complete at around 16 to 18 weeks before making an appointment with a groomer. On a side note, all the Shih Tzu puppies for sale in my responsible breeding program have had an introduction to grooming. My goal at Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus is to create compliance in the puppies early on in life during the critical socialization period. Hopefully, this early exposure will help the puppies tolerate future grooming appointments.

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Dog Parks and Puppy Socialization

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Shih Tzus are a toy breed. They should avoid dog parks.
A Toy Breed Shih Tzu Puppy

Should I bring my Shih Tzu to the dog park?

It would be awesome if a dog park were a safe place for your Shih Tzu puppy to socialize with other dogs. Unfortunately, there are a lot of risks when it comes to taking your Shih Tzu to a dog park. First of all, puppies should never go to a dog park until their vaccine series is complete. It’s simply not worth the risk. Puppies have a weak immune system and are at a high risk of illness if they spend time with a sick animal on their outing. Also, make sure you talk to your vet about how often to deworm your pet. Parasites are usually more frequent in places where there are a lot of dogs.


The next concern I have is the possibility of your Shih Tzu being bitten by another dog or possibly worse. There are stories on the internet from time to time of these horrible encounters. Furthermore, If your Shih Tzu were to survive a dog attack he or she would probably have long-lasting fear because of the negative experience. All Shih Tzu puppies in my responsible breeding program are taught to be resilient but I cannot control negative experiences that take place after the puppies leave my home.


On a more positive note, there is another option besides a dog park for your Shih Tzu puppy! Invite a friend or family member over who owns a dog that is completely done with puppy shots. Also, make sure that the dog has an even and friendly temperament. Most Shih Tzus are social creatures and will appreciate the company!

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Bulletproof Puppies

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Creating Resilient Puppies Through Curriculum

Puppies that take part in a developmentally appropriate curriculum are shown in studies to be more intelligent emotionally and intellectually. Puppies raised on a first-class puppy curriculum are also more resilient to stress. Who doesn’t want a bulletproof puppy ready to take on the world?

To create bulletproof puppies a responsible breeder must have a proper educational background to properly socialize the puppies. There are plenty of puppy curriculum programs on the market today. I have taken classes from many reputable programs including Puppy Culture, Empowered Breeder, and AviDog. I currently raise all my puppies using key elements from these three amazing programs.

A first-class puppy curriculum doesn’t consist of just throwing random toys into a small playpen and walking away. Each item that the puppies interact with must be developmentally appropriate and serve a purpose. For example, if I’m working on sound desensitization it’s not enough for me to just play a recording of a police siren daily. The puppies need to hear different sounds in different locations at different times. Hearing a police siren on a recording device is a lot different than hearing a police siren outside. It’s important to recreate real-life situations as often as humanly possible.

I keep all of the Shih Tzu puppies in my responsible breeding program until they’re 10 to 12 weeks old. Puppies go through a critical period of development during the early weeks of life that cannot be replicated. As a responsible Shih Tzu breeder I must make sure that the puppies from my breeding program receive all the tools necessary to be successful in life. At Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus, I make it my mission to produce bulletproof puppies that are ready to take on the world!

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Shih Tzus and Seniors

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Our liver Shih Tzu sire resting on the couch.
Shih Tzu Puppies Love Seniors

Are Shih Tzus a good breed match for seniors?

A Shih Tzu can be a great dog for a senior! Shih Tzus were bred to be companion animals for royalty. If you’re looking for a lap dog, look no further. A Shih Tzus has an easygoing nature and small size which make them ideal pets for seniors.

Many seniors face isolation and loneliness and benefit tremendously from having a lap dog. A Shih Tzu has a small yet sturdy body frame which lends a hand to seniors facing mobility issues. Another bonus is that a Shih Tzu doesn’t need an overly active lifestyle. A short stroll around the neighborhood or a play session in the yard is often enough to fulfill a Shih Tzu’s daily exercise requirements.

While a Shih Tzu may be charming and make a great companion animal for seniors, there are some things to consider before bringing a Shih Tzu home. First, decide whether you want a Shih Tzu puppy or an adult Shih Tzu. A Shih Tzu puppy is a cuddly, adorable, and irresistible bundle of love. But, a Shih Tzu puppy is a lot of work even if the puppy came from a responsible Shih Tzu breeder. A puppy needs training and patience to learn exactly what is expected once going home. Also, puppies in general have more energy than adult dogs. They tire quickly but do need an outlet for burning off that excess energy.

Not every Shih Tzu puppy for sale in my breeding program is born with the same temperament. Just like humans, they possess traits that make them unique. In my breeding program, each puppy goes through temperament testing before placement with a family. My goal as a first-class Shih Tzu breeder is to set all my families up for success. For example, It could end in disaster if I placed a high-energy Shih Tzu puppy in a home with a client who has mobility issues.

All things considered, a Shih Tzu is a loyal companion animal that is relatively easy to own. With proper training, a Shih Tzu can become an ideal pet for just about anyone! If you’re thinking about getting a Shih Tzu puppy it is important to make sure that you work with an ethical breeder that emphasizes socialization and temperament testing. Your Shih Tzu’s temperament should align with your specific needs.

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