Caring for a Rescued, Adopted Shih Tzu

Overview

If you're the owner of a rescued or adopted Shih Tzu, you might be curious about whether there are specific care recommendations unique to adopted dogs. Additionally, if you're considering adopting a Shih Tzu and unsure where to start, this article aims to guide you. We will explore:

What type of care a Shih Tzu will most likely receive while at a shelter
What you can expect in regard to behavior that a rescued Shih Tzu may display
Detailed tips to provide excellent care for an adopted dog including feeding, grooming, setting up the right environment and more
Where to find a Shih Tzu to adopt

The experiences that a dog will have at his former home and then at the shelter that he ends up at will vary from dog to dog.

However, in most cases the main element will be that the Shih Tzu did not receive proper care for at least some of the time.

Some shelters will handle the initial care and then a rescue group will have a member foster the dog until a permanent home is found.

With others, the Shih Tzu will remain in the shelter, waiting to be adopted. Some will have time limits before euthanizing animals.

And others will be no-kill shelters that scramble together resources to provide care no matter how long the dog must remain.

With most rescue dogs, care given at the shelter will include:

Caring for a Rescued Shih Tzu: What to Expect

When a Shih Tzu arrives at a shelter, their experiences can vary widely. Often, these dogs have faced neglect, but the care they receive afterward can make a significant difference. Here's an overview of what happens to a Shih Tzu in a shelter and the care they might receive:

Initial Assessment and Care

Shelter vs. Foster Care: Some Shih Tzus are cared for in shelters, while others are placed with rescue groups or foster homes until a permanent home is found. Conditions and policies, such as euthanasia practices, vary between facilities.

Essential Care Components

Coat Maintenance: A common issue for Shih Tzus is their neglected coats, which can become matted and knotted. Shelters and foster homes often need to shave the dogs to remove these tangles, leaving them with very short hair, sometimes even shorter than a puppy cut.
Skin Health: Neglected coats can lead to skin issues due to the pull from knots and matting. After a coat is trimmed down, it's not uncommon for a Shih Tzu to have sore spots or skin irritation that requires attention and possibly medical treatment for infections.
Nutritional Rehabilitation: Many Shih Tzus arrive at shelters undernourished. The journey to a healthy weight starts in the shelter but typically needs to continue with the new owner, requiring careful and gradual feeding adjustments.

Medical Care

Vaccinations: The absence of vaccination records means that shelters usually opt to revaccinate for diseases like distemper, parvo, and rabies to ensure the dog's safety and that of others.
Spaying/Neutering: This is often done at the shelter unless resources are limited, in which case the new owner may be required to have the procedure done under a spay/neuter contract.
Additional Treatments: Most rescued Shih Tzus will be treated for fleas, dewormed, tested for heartworm, and microchipped as part of their rehabilitation and preparation for adoption.

In Summary:

The care a rescued Shih Tzu receives at a shelter or through a foster system is crucial for their recovery and preparation for a new home. From addressing coat and skin issues to ensuring they are medically fit and properly nourished, each step is vital for their well-being. Adopting a rescued Shih Tzu comes with the responsibility to continue the care and rehabilitation process, contributing to their journey towards a healthy and happy life.

The Personality and Behavior of a Rescued, Adopted Shih Tzu Dog

Shih Tzu with sweet personality, holding flower in his mouth

Rescued Shih Tzu dogs come from diverse backgrounds, each carrying a unique history that often involves some form of neglect or lack of affection. Rescues may come from previous owners who, despite their initial intentions, found the responsibilities of pet care too overwhelming, from backyard breeders, puppy mills and other types of situations. But, no matter their origin, there are some things that many have in common. And understanding these experiences is important for new pet parents to provide the care and patience these dogs need.

Emotional Trauma and Its Effects:

A significant number of rescued dogs have suffered emotional trauma including:

Confinement: Many dogs that find their way into shelters have endured long periods in tiny crates or have never experienced the outdoors, lacking the simple joy of walking on grass.
Emotional Neglect: Others have never known what it feels like to be cared for, played with or loved, coming from environments like backyard breeding operations.
Health Neglect: Beyond emotional neglect, many rescued dogs have not received proper veterinary care. This lack of health maintenance can manifest in untreated illnesses, chronic conditions, or undiagnosed diseases, requiring immediate and sometimes extensive medical attention once they are rescued. Many shelters (and usually SPCA facilities) will have a dog evaluated and then are candid about their medical needs.

Behavioral Indicators in Rescued Shih Tzu Dogs:

Shyness and Anxiety: It's common for rescued Shih Tzu puppies and dogs to exhibit nervous behavior. They might not immediately warm up to new environments, showing skepticism and fear even in loving homes. Adjusting to a safe and caring setting can take time, as these dogs learn to trust their new surroundings and owners.
Shadowing and Clinginess: After adjusting to their new home, rescued dogs may become extremely attached to their human, following them closely. This behavior can be challenging, especially for people who are frequently away, potentially exacerbating separation anxiety. Solutions like calming collars, dog walkers, and specialized toys can help mitigate these issues.
Fear of the Unknown: Specific fears, such as the fear of grass, other animals, or unfamiliar sounds, are not uncommon. One poignant example involves a 13-year-old rescue who was terrified of grass, having never felt it before. Patience and gentle exposure helped her overcome this fear, eventually leading to joyful play outdoors.
Social Deprivation: Dogs are social animals, and many rescued dogs suffer from a lack of socialization with both humans and other dogs. This can lead to difficulties in forming bonds and exhibiting appropriate social behaviors, making their integration into new homes challenging.
Behavioral Issues: Stemming from trauma, lack of training, or previous mistreatment, rescued dogs may exhibit a range of behavioral issues, including aggression, fear-based behaviors, or anxiety disorders. These behaviors require patient, consistent training and, in some cases, professional behavioral rehabilitation to address effectively.
Sensory Overload: The world, or even just your house, can be a scary place for an adopted dog. For those that have lived in isolation or confinement, the normal sights and sounds of everyday life can be overwhelming. Transitioning to a more stimulating environment may require a gradual acclimation period for them to adjust without undue stress. It's important to take things slow.

Recognizing these facets of emotional and physical trauma underscores the importance of a tailored approach to each rescued dog's recovery, emphasizing patience, understanding, and specialized care to help them heal and thrive in their new lives.

Important Care Tips for a Rescued or Adopted Shih Tzu:

Creating a Nurturing Environment for Your Adopted Shih Tzu:

Adopting a Shih Tzu means providing a balance between a secure, loving environment and opportunities for them to explore and adapt to their new life. The aim is to avoid overly sheltering them, which might hinder their growth and learning, while making them feel safe and loved. Let's look at some important care tips:

1. Designate a Private Space: For a dog previously confined to small spaces, your home might be overwhelming. A personal area can offer security, aid in house training, and ease separation anxiety. For this, a canine indoor playpen may work well. With this, add an orthopedic bed, stainless steel food and water bowls, interactive toys, and for those especially needing comfort, a companion toy should be part of a Shih Tzu's toy collection.

2. Gradual Introductions to New Experiences: Introduce your Shih Tzu to new people, places, and situations slowly to avoid overwhelming them. Initially, limit introductions to one person at a time and expand their world step by step, from short visits to new places to longer explorations as they become more comfortable.

3. Understand Your Dog's Personality: Each Shih Tzu has its own likes, dislikes, and fears. Time and observation will reveal what social experiences they can handle and which might be too stressful, allowing you to tailor their socialization and exposure accordingly.

4. Address Feeding Issues: Choose high-quality, breed-appropriate food free from artificial additives and fillers. Gradually work towards a healthy weight gain, distributing meals throughout the day to prevent digestive upset.

5. Exercise and Physical Health: Begin with short, gentle walks, gradually increasing duration as your Shih Tzu builds muscle and stamina. Always use a harness instead of a collar to avoid strain on their neck, especially important for brachycephalic breeds like the Shih Tzu.

6. Coat and Skin Care: Manage expectations around coat length; a long show coat may not be achievable. Focus on skin health with moisturizing balms and paw waxes, and invest in high-quality shampoos and leave-in sprays for sensitive skin.

7. House Training Challenges: Recognize that some rescued Shih Tzu dogs may never be fully house trained due to past neglect. Establish a consistent routine and designated area for bathroom breaks, and consider using belly bands or canine diapers for accidents.

Where to Find a Shih Tzu to Adopt

As you can imagine, shelters are not brimming with purebred Shih Tzu puppies. While there will be a random puppy or older Shih Tzu that is surrendered here and there, most are adopted out quickly. A particular shelter may not see a purebred Shih Tzu for a year and then a backyard breeder or puppy mill may be shut down and twenty may be brought in. In general, there will usually be more mixes than purebreds, so being open to that will help you find a sweetie-pie that needs a loving home.

The best way to find a Shih Tzu to adopt is to make yourself known to every shelter in your area that is a reasonable driving distance from your home. Visit all of them, getting to know the workers there and allowing them to get to know you. Let them know that you are looking for a Shih Tzu to adopt and are very willing to patiently wait.

Take the time to explain who you are, if you have experience with the breed, and the type of home you can offer. Stay in touch with all of the shelter facilities on a regular basis, not just calling and asking if a Shih Tzu has come in, but actively taking an interest in all of the dogs and what services the shelter offers as a whole.

You may wish to make a small donation on a monthly basis or bring in a few toys when you visit. As you become acquainted with the rescue workers, they will keep you in mind as they network and you will be first on their mind when a Shih Tzu is brought in.

Do keep in mind that you cannot be choosy in regard to age and gender and certainly not with coat color. Be ready to say 'yes' without hesitation when the call does come in; if a mill was shut down there may be a sudden influx of dogs that need re-homing.

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