Perhaps Shih Tzu are one of the most frequently brought pets to the grooming station. Their long silky coat entail care and frequent cleaning to make sure that there is no formation of mats. Mats are tangled hair that if left unattended can lead to a patch of bald skin or breakage of the hair shaft. If you own a Shih Tzu, you may need to fit trips to the groomer into your schedule and budget; or you can simply groom your pet yourself! Though this may take a little practice, it is a good way to bond with your pet.
First thing is to train your Shih Tzu – preferably when he is still a puppy in behaving while being wet, brushed, shampooed and being touched all over his body. Make sure to provide a relaxing environment to your dog and place him on a table top where you can easily move around. Avoid distractions and strangers coming in and out of the room. Also, invest in the proper tools and know their uses in grooming. Aside from the face, the face comb is used on the whiskers and on the beard. Two level combs, which have a set of finer teeth, are used to check for presence of mats after the initial brushing while finishing combs are used for final touch ups of the coat. Pin brushes are usually used for long haired breeds for a smoother finish. Hemostats, on the other hand trim the hair on the ears which lessens air circulation in the outer ear that prevents bacterial proliferation. Round tip scissors also work the same way but they are used on the anal area for hygienic purposes.
Shih Tzu grooming is done every 5 weeks so there is no rush in learning how to perfect the techniques. There are videos and step by step guides available on the internet that can aid you in learning. Though basically, grooming involves brushing, nail clipping, washing with shampoo and conditioner, blow drying and maintenance of the hair coat. Should you decide to be your Shih Tzu’s personal groomer, just always remember to train your dog, study the techniques and have the right tools at hand. If all is well, you’re good to go, groomer!
