CUTTING DOG NAILS

Dogs are often reluctant to have their nails clipped, therefore, starting the process at a very young age is a good idea.

Initially, get your dog accustomed to you simply holding and stroking their paws. Then progress to applying light pressure on their paws and nails - lightly pinching their nails between your finger and thumb. Reward them for allowing this.

Then, after a lesson from your vets in how to cut a dog's nails, lightly trim a couple of nails a day. Just trim off the tips - this lessens the chances of you cutting too deep and frightening your dog off.

Talk to your dog in a soothing voice all the time and reward him with his favorite treat and a romp straight after. He will gradually grow accustomed to this unpleasant procedure and learn to at least put up with it.

You can choose a nail clipping tool that you feel most comfortable with. There are many types on the market and they all equal. Just make sure you get a nice sharp pair. Some people use the new tools on the market that grind the nail. I find for my Shih Tzu the simple old variety clippers work best.

It is also advisable to keep a styptic pen or Quick stop powder handy just in case you clip into your dog's quick.

Anatomy Of A Dog's Nail
Knowing how to cut dog's nails is easier when you know the anatomy of a dog's nail.

A dog's nail is constructed of a hard outer cover, which protects the quick which is the inner soft part containing blood vessels and tender nerve endings. In dogs with light coloured nails, the quick can often been seen as being faintly pinkish in color and is thus easy to avoid cutting into.

In the more common black nailed variety, the quick it totally invisible. Therefore, knowing exactly how to cut a dog's nails in this case is imperative. In these cases, trimming off a small amount at a time is more advisable. Sometimes you can look at the bottom of the nail and get a good idea of where the quick starts.

Keep checking the clipped part of your dog's nail and look out for a dark spot in the middle of the newly clipped area - this shows the start of the quick. Taking small amounts at a time will enable you to know whn you are getting close or let you know you can take just a little more.

Also, don't forget your dog's dew claws. Growing on the inside of his legs. To learn more abou thow to groom and keep yoru dog healthy go to www.shihtzukisses.com

NEW PAGES ON TIAN MI SHIH TZU www.shihtzukisses.com

With a high demand for general knowledge about the care of Shih Tzu I decided to add a couple pages to the site. Tian Mi Shih Tzu now offers an eye care page, a tooth care page, allergies, poisons, and over the counter meds page.

I have added these pages as a service to other Shih Tzu lovers. If you have any ideas or feedback about the site please let me know. I would love to hear what you have to say.

IZZY DOES IT AGAIN!!!

Izzy took West Palm by storm winning winners bitch both days to give her four more points!!! ALMOST THERE!!!

GOOGLE IS TOYING WITH ME

OK, I get excited because once again www.shihtzukisses.com was on the first page in google for the keyword, shih tzu puppies. I was even two from the bottom on page oone!!! I have a witness this time. I ran to the other room where my husband sat reading the Boston Globe and demanded he pull up Google and type in shih tzu puppies. There is was just as pretty as picture looking so important. shihtzukisses.com!!!

I pull up Goole this am and type in key words shih tzu puppies and what the ??? happened??? Shihtzukisses.com is back on page two ;o( YES, I am obssesed!!!

Could it be Google is mad at me?? Could it be a sick game they like to play with site owners? Could it be my competition is kicking it up a notch? No, probably none of these. Its just the way the dice roll on Google. In the mean time being on page one has caused my obssesion to return. I am trying to promote Simplybepaws.com If I can get it anywhere near where shihtzukisses.com is in Google rankings I would finally say I have figured this whole ranking thing out.

Thats it!!! Google does not want you to figure it out. They keep changing the rules to keep us all guessing!!!!!

IT COSTS HOW MUCH TO GROOM A SHIH TZU???

I would never suggest skimping on grooming because it is to expensive. I would however suggest trying your hand at grooming your own Shih Tzu. If you are the least bit gifted in the creative department, you can groom your Shih Tzu.

Cleaning and grooming your pet’s coat is essential if you want to keep pests such as fleas from making their home in it. First thing you want to remember is a Shih Tzu needs to be brushed daily, if long and every couple days, if short.

THE BATH: A lot has been said about how often to give a bath. I have read and heard the "experts" say you should only bath once a month. If I only bathed once a month my dogs would be rolling around the house like Linus in Snoopy, flies and all. I bath my Shih Tzu once a week. I use different shampoos on different dogs. check out my grooming page for good products to use. Always brush BEFORE the bath. Water sets the mats. It will be harder, and more painful to get them out after the bath.

THE HAIR CUT: Once a month when I give a bath the dogs get they're hair cuts and nail trim. I use Andis clippers and You can follow the direstions on my Shih Tzu hair cut page or create your own pattern. I use a #10 blade. Don't worry if your Shih Tzu looks a little funny the first time or to. They don't seem to mind. Just remember hair grows back and you can try it again in about a month. Learn from your mistakes.

A special note on nails: A dog’s nails are continuously growing, and if they’re long they can more easily do damage to your carpet and furniture. They might also break off, which would be painful for your pet. So you need to trim your dog’s nails on a monthly basis. This isn’t like clipping your own nails because a dog’s nails are shaped differently and are much thicker. A dog nail trimmer must be utilized. You’ll also need some quick stop powder to stop the bleeding if you should happen to cut your dog.

For more information on grooming go to www.shihtzukisses.com/grooming.htm

BARB GETS CREATIVE WITH THE BOMB

This is to cute!!! Barb sent this to me after grooming Bomb. I think she has to much time on her hands. I am sending her a couple of my show dogs.

DOES YOUR SHIH TZU SMELL LIKE A FRITO?

Funny thing about Shih Tzu, just before bath day when you are snuggling in bed with your little angel, a funny smell might hit your nose. Its a familiar smell but not quite like the smell you remember. Then it hits you, "My Shih Tzu smells like a frito." or popcorn. I am tempted to get out of bed and dispense baths in any order so my precious little angels smell cuddly once again. I just tell myself tomorrow will come very soon and try to go to sleep with a guilty conscience.

Morning comes and dogs run and hide because once the first Shih Tzu hits the sink it spreads throughout the house like wildfire that IT'S BATH DAY!!! As I finish one Shih Tzu its like an Easter egg hunt looking for my next victim. One by one my angels smell cuddly again.

Peace is once again restored in our home. All the Shih Tzu are clean and fresh.
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