I'm hoping to get a puppy in the summer. I was going for a golden retriever, but my normal school schedule is quite busy. So I think getting a Shih Tzu puppy or dog in the summer would be a good idea. I've heard that they are pretty independent, but still playful. So are they good with busy schedules? I'm free weekends, but I'm gone from home approx 7-3:20. (school) My mom can take care of the dog of course, during school, but I was just wondering. Feel free to provide other info on Shih Tzu's as well. I really want a dog to fit into my busy schedule.
From a relative, I heard they are pretty hard work for the first 3 months, so thats why I want to get one during summer vacation which is roughly 2 1/2 months. She also loves it, and says it would be a great dog. Sleeps a lot, but it okay with being woken up to play, and adorable. 
i have a shih tzu shes very mellow never barks. a lot of grooming since i keep her long hair. she does like to chew a lot so she needs a lot of chew toys and i get her nyla bones for strong chewers. shes very good with people and other dogs. they are known to have eye problems but i haven't had any. she loves to be held but yet she is independent. i do not leave her alone though she comes every where with me. i had an incident where she choked on a small rawhide so i watch things i give her. she seems to swallow more than chew her food sometimes i find her to be a good match for me you could always get a book and look up more info on them good luck and enjoy
They seem to do all right, although a lot of it depends on the individual.
They aren't an especially high energy breed, so its easy to talk them for a walk before you go and have them be happy while your gone.
I have fostered several shih tzus and they have all been fine alone for about the same period of time BUT these were adult dogs, and not puppies.
You might consider rescuing an adult shih tzu
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i have a shih tzu/poodle mix and the first three months are hard but if you crate train them they will eventually like it in their crate. they won't pee or poop in it and they won't cry in it. the first three months are hard for any dog, because you have to train them to do stuff out side but it's harder with little dogs because they have a smaller bladder but once you get past that they are really great! and i'm in school during the day too and it isn't a problem.
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Shih tzu would be great for your schedule. They are calm dogs that need less exercise. But, like many other dogs, you also have to show your love for it.
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i have a shih tzu shes very mellow never barks. a lot of grooming since i keep her long hair. she does like to chew a lot so she needs a lot of chew toys and i get her nyla bones for strong chewers. shes very good with people and other dogs. they are known to have eye problems but i haven't had any. she loves to be held but yet she is independent. i do not leave her alone though she comes every where with me. i had an incident where she choked on a small rawhide so i watch things i give her. she seems to swallow more than chew her food sometimes i find her to be a good match for me you could always get a book and look up more info on them good luck and enjoy
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<<<<I have a Shih Tzu myself and I also attend school and my mom is there when I'm not. Your Shih Tzu should be ok, well I know mine doesn't have a prob being alone.
Also the 3 months thing I don't think that is correct it only the 4-5 weeks and that's because he was kind of shy other than that and keeping them groomed was the only hard work (of course all dogs are different). YES they do have breaks where they just nappy nap from time to time but if you keep the fun rolling they will be willing to play. Also Shih Tzu are very smart dogs that catch on things very quick! I'm 15 and taught my dog how to sit, beg, Shake a paw, which hand! (its a game where they pick which hand the treat is in with their paw SO cute!),potty trained he goes to the door and stretches when he needs to potty ect. very Clever breed I would difinitely recommend Shih Tzu now days Everyone has one LOL who can blame them?
Hope I helped Good-luck
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<<<Proud Shih Tzu Owner!!!>>>
i would suggest that you get an adult or young adult Shih Tzu. they are more likely to already housebroke and can handle being left alone for longer periods.
puppies should not be left more than 4hrs. at a time. go on line to the American Shih Tzu Club. it will give you all the information you will need plus a rescue section with contacts all over the US.
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i have 3 shih tzu's, one male age 2 and 2 females, ages 2 and 7 months.
they are the easiest dogs in the world to have. they require very little work, they are cuddlers and like to be around you, i work a full time job and the 2 older ones are alone for about 4 hours, the baby is being crate trained, so when we work, she is in her crate. they dont shed, they dont bark much, our male barks more than the females, they are so loving and smart and like to be around people. i think if you are giving 2 1/2 months to devote to acclamating the dog to your lifestyle, that would be great. by the time you return to school the dog will be in a good routine and maybe can be left alone, if not completely potty trained, the crate is a good thing for them. they like the security of it, and will go in it even if you are home, its like their "safe place".
I can not say enough about this breed of dogs. i was not the typical dog person. i had dogs growing up, mutts, and never liked them on beds or furniture, and now all 3 of ours sleep with us, we take them in the car whenever we go out and they are more like our family than our grown kids are.
there is a website that you need to check out, its called
http://www.sunvalleykennel.com. this is where i got all 3 of my dogs and they are the best bred, well cared for dogs. the owner cares; about the dogs she sells and will make sure you are completely satisfied.
if you have any more ????'s please feel free to email me. if i had the choice i would recommend females over the male, they seem to be more loving.
good luck
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2 1/2 months will be perfect for you to train your puppy. Put alot of work into esp the 1st month and things will go smooth. We got Jack when he was 7 weeks old – didn't realize until later he probably should have been 12 weeks old. Took him out potty every hour when he was awake, outside just as soon as he woke up. The first two weeks I set the alarm for every 3 hours at night, then a week at 4 hours, then 5 hours, then 6 hours. After 3 weeks of potty training he had picked it up really well but wasn't good at telling us he had to go out. So we started giving him Cheerios. One when he wee wees, two when he woo woos, and one when he comes inside. Within a week he started barking or woo wooing to go outside. 4 months later he still thinks Cheerios are the best treat ever.
I would recommend getting your puppy professionally groomed until after it has it's puppy/adult shed. That gives it time to get used to being groomed, and the shed around 10 months is nasty. After that keep getting it professionally groomed or do it yourself.
Another thing that is totally important. SOCIALIZATION! I read somewhere that you need to introduce your puppy to 100 people in the first 100 days. Jack is so kind and loving, and we have taken him to Petsmart, Petco, and he has traveled with us. Until your puppy gets all his shots, you shouldn't let him walk around in pet stores, or where other dogs have pottied. But when you puppy is small you probably would want to carrying him around the store anyway.
Male vs. Female. As long as you socialize yoru puppy and show it love I don't think there is a difference. We had 2 female Shih Tzu [they were sisters] when I was a teenager and my hubby had a female Shih Tzu growing up, so that's what we wanted. A black and white female Shih Tzu. When we got Jack we weren't really looking for a pup. He was the runt of the litter, and nobody wanted him. A small light brown and white little mop of hair with black on the tip of his ears and tail. As soon as I held him I knew he was the one, but I didn't say anything to my hubby. I handed Jack to him and I could see in his eyes that it was the one for him too. Jack is 6 months old [he was a 4th of July puppy] and is the most loving, friendly, kind puppy I have ever known.
By the time you are ready to go to school your puppy should be trained enough to go out every 3 – 4 hours. Jack usually goes out every 5 hours, but sometimes it's every 3. But he does let us know. We got him August 25, and he has only had 3 accidents in the house since September 20. 1 was at Thanksgiving when we had a 2 year old staying with us and he just forgot he had to go. The other 2 were just last week the day we brought him home from being neutered [they kept him overnight] and we think he was just too numb to realize he had to go.
I hope you get the puppy of your dreams. I know we did. Good luck!
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I work and go to school so I'm not home much. My Shih Tzu is very low energy, and likes to be left alone a lot. So I think it would work out. I love my Shih Tzu, best dog I've had.
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Shih Tzu owner of 5 years