Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Dog safety

Shih Tzus and the Danger of Second-Hand Smoke

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A brown and white liver Shih Tzu puppy posing for a photo next to a toy bear.
Sweet Shih Tzu Puppy

We are all relatively aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes and marijuana around humans and our pets. But, did you know that second and third-hand smoke pose a risk to our animals’ health as well? Second-hand smoke is the chemical odor that lingers in the air after smoking. Third-hand smoke is the toxic chemical compounds that are left behind on skin, clothing, furniture, floors, etc. I don’t know about your dogs, but my Shih Tzus love to give kisses. Third-hand smoking compounds left on the face and skin may inadvertently harm your dog when he or she licks your skin after smoking.

To make matters worse, studies show that brachycephalic breeds like Shih Tzus are at an even greater risk because of their short nose. This increased risk in short-nosed dogs puts Shih Tzus at an elevated risk for contracting nose cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. In my opinion, any type of smoke exposure is not worth the risk.

Furthermore, nicotine and marijuana are dangerous if your dog accidentally ingests either of the two substances. If your Shih Tzu ingests marijuana you must take him or her to the veterinarian immediately. Your Shih Tzu may need IV fluids and other medications to help detoxify from the poisoning.

Pet intoxication with marijuana or nicotine can cause symptoms such as:

  • Vomiting
  • Loss of balance
  • Drooling
  • Hyperactivity
  • Disorientation
  • Low heart rate
  • Frequent urination

The moral of the story here is to keep your dog away from cannabis and nicotine in the first place. Try to smoke outdoors if you’re a smoker. When you come inside from smoking wash your hands and possibly change out your clothes to protect your pet. Make sure to keep all cannabis and nicotine products out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion. In the end, it is our job as responsible pet owners to protect our dogs from harm even if it may be inconvenient to us humans. Our pets trust us to take care of them in the best way possible. 

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What is the Best Age to Take Your Shih Tzu Puppy on a Walk

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Taking your Shih Tzu puppy outside on a walk is a great form of socialization. Socialization is an important part of puppyhood. But, it is best to wait to take your puppy on a walk outside of your home perimeter after the puppy shots are complete. Your Shih Tzu puppy may come in contact with a disease if he or she goes on a walk through the neighborhood before the puppy vaccination series is done at 16-18 weeks.

I recommend outdoor socialization take place in a safe area of your yard until vaccines are complete. You can carry your puppy in your arms during walks off the property to keep all 4 paws off the floor. Or, you can purchase a puppy stroller for trips around the block. The goal is to avoid harmful pathogens until inoculations are complete.

This doesn’t mean you cannot work on leash walking. Feel free to put a harness and leash on your Shih Tzu puppy and start walking around your yard. You will probably notice that your puppy doesn’t know exactly what to do on a walk anyway. This is a good time to teach the basics. By the time basic leash walking skills are understood puppy shots will most likely be complete. 

It is important to also do a quick check of your yard before bringing your Shih Tzu puppy outside. Make sure there are no snakes, scorpions, coyotes, hawks, etc on the property. I always recommend going outdoors with your Shih Tzu. It isn’t safe for your puppy or adult Shih Tzu for that matter to be outdoors alone in Arizona. Check out my article on Arizona wildlife to learn more on protecting your Shih Tzu from animals that may enter your property.

If you live in an area where wildlife may gain access to the yard it may be best to section off a small area of the yard for outside time until shots are done. Animals such as Coyotes may carry Parvovirus which can be deadly to puppies that have yet to complete the vaccine series. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

There are plenty of socialization opportunities that your puppy can participate in while waiting to complete puppy vaccines. Indoor socialization with other dogs is a great way to keep your puppy busy and happy. Check out the video above for instance of a past litter of Shih Tzu Puppies from my breeding program having a puppy party. Although these puppies weren’t yet fully inoculated they were still able to socialize with one another.

It is also okay to socialize your Shih Tzu puppy with other dogs as long as you know their temperament and vaccine status. The goal is to avoid unvaccinated animals until the puppy shots are complete. Just be sure to go slow with dog introductions. Not all adult dogs are fond of jumpy puppies. Feel free to check out my blog article on how to Introduce dogs to one another. Once vaccines are complete, puppy socialization classes and training are a great way to continue the socialization process and set your Shih Tzu puppy up for success! 

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How to Protect your Shih Tzu from Food Poisoning

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A black Shih Tzu puppy wearing a light gray hoodie with ears.
Shih Tzu Puppy Cuteness Overload

Have you ever wondered if your Shih Tzu is susceptible to food poisoning? Well, the short answer is yes. If your Shih Tzu eats something with mold, bacteria, or another type of toxin, he or she may become ill. Most of the time the symptoms of food poisoning in dogs are mild but serious illness may occur.

Dogs are notorious for eating off-limits things. There is a reason they came up with the term garbage gut. Most dogs wouldn’t mind fine dining on stale garbage, a dead bird carcass, and a host of other off-limit delicacies. Let’s not forget dog food recalls. Often dog food is recalled because of pathogens.

Some of the symptoms of food poisoning in your Shih Tzu include the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dehydration 
  • Loss of balance
  • Seizures
  • Collapse

If you think that your Shih Tzu might be a victim of food poisoning, I suggest consulting with your veterinarian right away. If it is after hours, try contacting the poison control center for advice: https://www.aspca.org/. If your pet is sick for less than 24 hours, you can try offering a pet-safe electrolyte solution until things calm down as long as your vet is on board. If you’re dealing with a Shih Tzu puppy or your pet isn’t able to keep down electrolytes a visit to urgent care may be necessary. Shih Tzu Puppies and small dogs can dehydrate quickly. Your Shih Tzu may need IV fluids to prevent dehydration.

Also, if you truly suspect that your Shih Tzu is a victim of food poisoning, I recommend that you contact the Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary. There is a form that you can fill out electronically to report and investigate food poisoning. If pet owners don’t report food poisoning incidents many more pets may become ill. It is also a good idea to contact the dog food company and let them know of the adverse reaction. 

It is important not to confuse food poisoning with the ingestion of a toxic substance. A great deal of human food is highly toxic to dogs. For example, grapes, chocolate, and xylitol are capable of making your Shih Tzu very ill. The great outdoors is another place where your furry friend may nibble on something toxic. Did you know that many leaves and plants are poisonous to your pet? If you will be getting a new puppy soon check out my post on how to safety-proof your home to avoid toxic food and plant poisoning.

As you probably already know, dogs are curious creatures that have no problem nibbling on just about anything. It is important to observe your pet for serious signs of toxicity if food poisoning is a possibility. Seek medical care right away if your Shih Tzu is lethargic, dehydrated, or isn’t improving within 24 hours. Be sure to report incidents of possible food poisoning to the FDA promptly to help ensure that more pets aren’t put in harm’s way! 

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Small Animals and Wildlife Desert Dangers

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A bobcat in our front yard in our suburban neighborhood. Watch your pets!
A Bobcat Visiting Our Suburban Neighborhood

Dog Dangers in the Desert

The desert is home to an array of beautiful wildlife and captivating natural beauty. Unfortunately, wildlife dangers are a real threat to small animals. Some of the wildlife we coexist with don’t always have the best intentions when it comes to your Shih Tzu. Arizona has an abundant population of rattlesnakes, coyotes, bobcats, poisonous frogs, scorpions, killer bees, spiders and the list goes on and on. All of the critters mentioned above may pose a serious risk to your pet Shih Tzu. 

Shih Tzus is a relatively small toy breed dog. They don’t stand a chance against a coyote that may jump your block wall fence looking for dinner. I can say with certainty that they can and will jump a 6-foot block wall. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I’ve also had a bobcat walk right past me in my front yard in broad daylight. (Check out the photo above!) 

You may think you’re safe because you live in the suburbs. I live in the suburbs too! I have seen coyotes and bobcats walk through my neighborhood on more than one occasion. Humans have built suburbs closer and closer to the desert. We have spectacular views but at the cost of being in closer proximity to dangerous desert animals. Animals such as coyotes are also able to pass on dangerous parasites and viruses like parvovirus to your pet. Parvovirus is a real concern here in Arizona and many other states. 

I am a Shih Tzu breeder. My Shih Tzu puppies wouldn’t stand a chance against a coyote. Because I live in an area where it isn’t uncommon to see a coyote or bobcat jump a wall, I need to be extra cautious. When I take Shih Tzu puppies outdoors, I look for predators before I bring the puppies outside. If you have bought a Shih Tzu puppy from me, you know I’m not a risk taker. The health and safety of my dogs comes first!

The Sonoran Desert Toad is another critter that you need to be on the lookout for in your yard. I always recommend walking through the yard before bringing your dog outside. Bullfrogs are notorious for coming out in abundance during monsoon season when it rains a lot. 

We had a bullfrog sunbathing near our pool this summer after a heavy rainfall. When my husband tried to catch it with a net to release it into the desert it took a quick swim across our pool first. If a dog licks a Sonoran Desert Toad they will ingest the toxic substance found on their skin. It is important to rinse your dog’s mouth out immediately and seek veterinary care. 

Scorpions, snakes, and poisonous spiders are common predators in the valley as well. Dogs may see snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders as a simple game of chase. The problem is that all of these creatures release toxic poison into their victims.

My husband was once out playing with the solar lights in the evening when he got bit by a brown recluse. The bite got bad and he had to go to the hospital. The area started to turn black, and necrotic and swelled up quite a bit. He ended up needing to take antibiotics for 6 weeks. Imagine how much worse a Brown Recluse bite would be in a Shih Tzu puppy! Symptoms may range from tissue destruction to death.

I almost forgot to mention owls, hawks, and eagles when it comes to small-breed pet dangers. A hawk may confuse your small Shih Tzu for a bunny and attempt to carry him or her away. The hawk is simply looking for a meal and doesn’t know the difference between a rabbit and a Shih Tzu puppy! Unfortunately, the talons of some birds can do serious damage to a toy breed dog. Just google hawks and dog attacks if you don’t believe me. Pet supervision is key when it comes to avoiding bird attacks.

As you probably can already see after reading this blog post, wildlife is abundant in Arizona. Unfortunately, not all of the wild animals in Arizona have your pets’ best interests at heart. They’re simply trying to survive the best way that they can. This often means venturing into the suburbs or visiting your yard.

You must secure and safety-proof all outdoor areas that your Shih Tzu may have access to. Start by covering all gaps in fences. We have installed chicken wire on are slotted fences as a safety precaution as well. But, most importantly, I recommend never leaving your small Shih Tzu outdoors alone in Arizona. I also suggest doing a checkover of the yard before going outside with your pet. It is better to be safe than sorry!

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Xylitol Poisoning in Your Pet

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A male sable Shih Tzu puppy playing with colorful balls in a wobble disc.
Shih Tzu Puppy from my Breeding Program

Have you ever heard of Xylitol?

Furthermore, did you know that Xylitol is toxic to dogs? Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that can cause serious health issues in your dog including possible death. Xylitol is a common ingredient found in gum and baked goods. Xylitol may be tricky to locate on package ingredient labels because it often goes by different names. Xylitol is often labeled as sugar alcohol, birch sugar, or wood sugar.

Some of the most common food items that may contain xylitol include:

  • Sugar-free candy
  • Sugar-free gum
  • Sugar-free foods
  • Keto or low-carb foods
  • Vegetarian foods 
  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Peanut butter
  • Syrup
  • Nasal sprays
  • Chewable vitamins

It doesn’t take much xylitol to cause ill effects in a dog. Small breed dogs like Shih Tzus are at an even greater risk because of their relatively small stature. Doses over 0.5 grams may cause liver toxicity and possibly lead to death. Xylitol gum typically has up to 1 gram of xylitol per piece. That is enough to kill a small dog like a Shih Tzu! 

When my children were young we got our first dog. We tried to educate ourselves as much as possible before our puppy arrived. I even went as far as to avoid gum chewing in the home because my children were notorious for dropping things.

One day, I went to take our puppy into the puppy-proofed dog yard to play. I turned my back for a minute and turned around to see her chewing on a stick of gum. By the time I got to her, she had already chewed up part of it. I called my veterinarian and she told me to try to induce vomiting with peroxide. I wasn’t certain if the gum contained xylitol but wasn’t willing to take any chances.

Our puppy wasn’t vomiting after the peroxide. It was after hours but my veterinarian agreed to meet me at her office. Our vet ended up pumping our puppy’s stomach which fortunately removed the gum. Our puppy ended up being fine. But, if I hadn’t noticed our puppy eating the gum the outcome could have been tragic!

We never found out how the gum ended up in the yard. I suspect one of the kids or their friends accidentally dropped it from their pocket. I learned my lesson! I always from that day forward did a quick sweep of the yard before letting my dogs outside. Doing a quick daily check of the home inside and out is much less stressful than losing a family pet.

Some of the symptoms that you can look out for if you expect poisoning include:

  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea 
  • Weakness
  • Lack of coordination
  • Seizures
  • Collapsing 

As a responsible Shih Tzu breeder, I always educate my puppy parents on how important it is to keep puppies away from toxic substances. I highly recommend not having xylitol-containing products in your home unless it is safely stored away and properly handled.

If your dog ever does ingest xylitol or any other poison contact your veterinarian for advice immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to xylitol ingestion in your pet. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Your dog’s life may be on the line!

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Flying Home Safely With Your Shih Tzu Puppy

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A liver Shih Tzu puppy wearing a reindeer costume.
Flying home with a puppy doesn’t have to be frightening!

Is Flying Home with a Puppy Safe?

What happens if you find an amazing and responsible Shih Tzu breeder but he or she lives in another state? If properly executed travel arrangements are in place there should be little reason the puppy couldn’t travel in the cabin to his or her new destination. Due to a Shih Tzu’s small size, they’re usually great travel companions. 

I allow puppies from my breeding program to travel in cabin to their new homes as long as the trip isn’t too long. Usually, the owner-to-be flies to the airport closest to my home or I meet them at the airport. If my clients prefer, my husband or I fly with the puppy in the cabin to the puppy’s new home destination if our schedules allow. We’re close to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport- https://www.skyharbor.com/.

I don’t currently use a flight nanny although I’m sure there are some great flight nannies out there. The reason is, that I like to meet the families that are taking my Shih Tzu Puppies home. I raise these puppies from the day they take their first breath. It is impossible to not fall in love with each puppy that is brought up in my home. Meeting the families that will care for them for the rest of their lives provides closure and is very reassuring to me as a Shih Tzu breeder.

I don’t ever under any circumstances allow any of the Shih Tzu Puppies from my breeding program to fly in cargo. Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed. This means they’re prone to breathing issues. I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking the risk even if it were a small one. Furthermore, I work hard to properly socialize every puppy in my breeding program. Sticking a puppy in a crate by itself under an airplane would be traumatizing in my opinion. 

It is essential when booking your airline ticket that you let the airline know that you will be traveling with a puppy. Also, if possible make flight accommodations as soon as possible. Some airline carriers only allow a certain number of pets on each flight. It is wise to make sure your Shih Tzu breeder sends home vaccination records as well. Many airlines will want to see proof of vaccination. Some airlines may require other documents such as a health certificate so check ahead to find out what your airline requires. 

Your puppy may likely need to go to the bathroom before you reach your destination. I recommend putting a couple of potty pads on the ground in the bathroom stall for potty breaks. Use the harness and leash if needed. Simply place your puppy on the pads in the bathroom stall every couple of hours to see if he or she needs to go potty. Make sure to only let your puppy step where you have put the potty pads for sanitary reasons. This is why I recommend a couple of potty pads. Bathrooms aren’t the cleanest places. 

This method is the safest way not only for long trips but for puppies traveling in general. Puppies have an underdeveloped immune system. Most puppies aren’t done with their puppy vaccinations by the time they fly home. This puts the puppy at risk for contracting a disease such as Parvovirus which can be deadly. I always tell my clients to keep all four paws off the floor until the vaccine series is complete. If you let your puppy walk in a place where an animal with unknown vaccine status may have walked you put your puppy at risk.

Unfortunately, you most likely won’t be able to remove your Shih Tzu puppy from the travel bag during the flight. It would be awesome if your puppy could ride on your lap for comfort but this isn’t the case. But, you’re usually able to open the bag a little bit and pet your puppy for comfort. Be sure to put the blanket with Mom and the littermates’ scent in the travel carrier if the breeder provided you with one. If not, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a blanket with mom’s scent before the puppy pick up.

Also, I suggest packing an interactive toy and a chew toy to keep your puppy busy. A stuffed Kong will occupy your puppy for quite some time. If the puppy starts to get anxious try to head to the bathroom for a potty break. If this doesn’t work offer a small treat or a small meal if it is meal time. You can also talk with your Veterinarian about medication options to have on hand just in case. I feel it is best to try natural anxiety relief before reaching for medication in such a small puppy. 

I suggest packing the essentials below if you plan on flying home with your new puppy:

  • A soft-sided well-ventilated crate. Make sure to check with your airline in advance in regards to crate dimensions. Also, it is a bonus if your Shih Tzu breeder acclimates your puppy to a travel crate before the go-home day.
  • A collapsible food bowl for feeding your puppy.
  • Puppy food for meal time if it is a lengthy trip.
  • Treats to establish a positive rapport.
  • A couple of chew toys or interactive toys to keep the puppy busy.
  • A soft blanket for the crate to keep the puppy cozy. Ideally, your Shih Tzu breeder will send home a blanket that smells like Mom and littermates.
  • A travel water bottle and bowl if one isn’t attached for water breaks. You will have to empty and refill the water bottle to go through baggage claim.
  • A harness for your puppy.
  • A leash for potty breaks.
  • Nutri-cal or honey for low blood sugar prevention if your puppy is too nervous to eat. 
  • Puppy wipes in case your puppy gets nervous and vomits.
  • Poop bags for cleaning up after potty breaks.
  • Potty pads for potty breaks.
  • Small ziploc bags. You may need to fill a bag with ice if it gets too hot on the plane. 
  • Puppy vaccine records from the breeder.

I truly hope your flight with your new puppy goes smoothly. Try to remain calm and patient during the trip. Animals can sense human emotions. If you’re nervous your puppy will most likely be nervous. Remember that the flight is only temporary. In no time at all you will be home making wonderful memories with your new Shih Tzu puppy. 

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