I have owned shih tzu’s for more than a decade. Recently we got a tea cup shih tzu and we noticed every single day we were dealing with matting. It became very frustrating especially when she wasn’t a fair of the dog groomers. Well, after much money spent and worrying about hurting her with the brush we found the secret.
How To Remove Tangles and Matting From Shih Tzu?
Remember that the adult shih tzu have two layers of fur: you have to brush from the skin outward to get both layers.
Brush your dog at least a few times a week, if not daily, to help prevent tangles and matting. The fur is much easier to work with that way.
Make sure to consult a professional groomer or veterinarian for removal of really bad tangles. Many times if really bad they will shave them down and then you can start fresh. Hair follicles can die if matting isn’t handled right away.
How to properly remove tangles from Shih Tzu
It starts with proper grooming. If you want a long coat on a Shih Tzu it requires daily upkeep. 
Shih tzus are known for their beautiful, flowing, two-layer coat. Unfortunately, keeping those locks soft and tangle-free can prove to be a pain. With a bit of patience and persistence you can keep her looking as glamorous as she deserves.
Set your shih tzu on your lap and pet her to get her comfortable. A squirmy dog can prove to be quite difficult to groom. Offer praise and a treat for good behavior.
Mist a Shih Tzu detangler spray on a small section of your little lady’s fur. Not only will the detangler help with the tangles, it will also keep the coat nice and soft. You can make your own detangling solution with a spray bottle of water and a teaspoon or so of detangling conditioner, and then shake well.
Use your fingers to free loose, small mats and tangles from the fur. Then comb through from the skin outward with a pin brush. Be gentle.
Grab a steel comb, de-matting comb, or pin brush for tighter knots. Gently pick at each one with the edge of the comb. Take your time until you detangle the trouble spot.
Comb the area you were working on when you have conquered that tangle. Move on to the next.
Simple Hack To Make Shih Tzu Hair Silky & Soft
So many dog breeds have health concerns – some minor, some major. Many shih tzu owners struggle with skin and coat issues. Coats can become dull and thin, and some shih tzus are constantly scratching or biting at their skin.
What to do about dull coats and skin problems in shih tzus
On a recent visit to my vet, I asked if there were something I could do to help, and the vet asked if I gave the dogs an Omega supplement. I explained that I gave the dogs a high-quality dog kibble that claimed to have a balance of nutrients, including Omega-3 fatty acids.
How to Bath a Shih Tzu
There is an art to bathing a Shih Tzu while minimizing tangling. After the coat is wet, apply the shampoo by squeezing it through the coat in a downward motion. In order to get the coat squeaky clean, continue to move the shampoo down the coat. Thoroughly shampooing the coat will contribute to building a healthy, strong, and manageable coat. The same technique is used when conditioning the coat. It is important to condition the Shih Tzu’s coat in order to nourish and hydrate each individual strand of hair. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the coat. It is a good idea to slightly cool the water temperature down for the final rinse to ensure the coat is completely free of any product. Once the bath is finished, blot the coat with a towel and squeeze excess water from the ears, legs, and long furnishings. Always use a downward motion to remove the excess rather than a circular motion in order to keep the coat from further tangling.
If your Shih Tzu has a long coat, it is best to line dry the dog using fluff or stand dryer. Systematically line dry the entire coat right down to the skin. Make sure the dog is completely dry in the area you are working on before you move onto the next section. Once the Shih Tzu is completely dry, make sure the coat is tangle-free. Double-check your brush out by using a metal comb. It should glide freely through the coat all the way down to the skin.
Quick & Easy Way to Wash Your Shih Tzu Face
The long, silky coat the Shih Tzu is known for requires a great deal of grooming. Part of the Shih Tzu grooming process involves cleaning the face and eyes. When you know what you’re doing, cleaning and trimming your pooch’s face is quick and simple.
Clean your Shih Tzu’s eyes at least once a week. Over-the-counter eye cleaning cloths — available at your local pet store or from an online retailer — provide a simple, convenient means of removing the tear stains that often occur because of blocked ducts in their large eyes. Use a cotton ball and warm water to remove stubborn stains.
Wash the hair on your fuzzy pup’s face. Use a gentle shampoo that will not burn your baby’s eyes or cause irritation. Rinse the face completely and pat it dry with a towel — do not rub to dry. This may cause the fine hair of the Shih Tzu to mat or tangle.
Brush the long and short hair on your Shih Tzu’s face with a pin brush that has no balls on the ends. The balls may cause matting and pull the hair out. Comb any mats left in her hair. Work from the ends of the hair toward the skin when removing mats.
Trim facial hair and hair around the eyes with a pair of blunt-end scissors. Hold the hair out from the skin and trim the end off. Your personal preference should dictate the length you leave the facial hair. If you want a mustache look, cut the hair to about 1 inch around your dog’s nose and cheeks. For longer coats, blend the facial hair, including the eyebrows, into the coat.
Why Does My Shih Tzu Face Smell
Could it Be Caused by Food or Water?
Why Does My Shih Tzu Breath Smell
This can be a very serious problem if not taken care of. While it is a long running joke, it is actually not normal for a canine to have stinky bad breath. There is no such thing as normal “dog breath”. When proper grooming is given, there is no reason for any offensive odors to be present. The number 1 cause for odor coming from the mouth is insufficient dental care. Long ago many people and even veterinarians thought that a dog could have clean healthy teeth by simply chewing on rawhide and other treats. We now know that this is not true.
General Health Care for Shih Tzu When it Comes to Grooming
Prep work is the foundation of all grooming. Prep work includes ear cleaning, nail trimming, trimming the pads, anal glands, and proper dental hygiene. Mastering these skills sets the professional pet stylist apart from the rest. Prep work should be done before every bathing and grooming appointment. All dogs need to have their ears checked and cleaned on a regular basis. Some need to have the hair plucked from the ear canal. This allows the ear to have proper air circulation. It is not necessary to remove all of the hair in the ear, as some serves as a barrier to foreign debris. It is imperative that you are properly trained to pull ear hair before attempting this endeavor. Proper nail care is also very important. Long, unsightly nails are uncomfortable for the dog, as well as anyone they might jump on. Long nails also compromise the shape of the foot. Trimming the pads of the foot helps give the dog good traction on different surfaces, and can minimize the amount of dirt the dog tracks into the house. It also affords the opportunity to treat and condition the paws from cracks and abrasions. Anal glands should also be checked and expressed if they are full. Some caring pet owners prefer to have the anal glands done by their veterinarian. Good dental hygiene is essential for a healthy pet as well.
