Avoid upset from a Shih Tzu puppy wondering off and getting lost. Learn how to prevent illness or injuries. It is always so much more heartbreaking to find out after the fact that you could have done something to prevent an illness or injury. In this article I hope to share with you some good information about basic safety measures to prevent mishaps and to help ensure your Shih Tzu puppy's safety and well-being.

Preventing Shih Tzu Puppies from Becoming Lost

Collars and Identification tags are important:

Place a collar and dog identification tag on your Shih Tzu puppy as soon after you receive him or her as is possible. There are kind people in this world who would return your Shih Tzu puppy in the case of loss if only they knew whom to call. Be sure to put your name and telephone number on the tag.

Training and Fencing is mandatory whenever possible:

Teach your Shih Tzu puppy how to ?sit? and ?stay? in the house when a door to the outside is opened. Most of the Shih Tzu I own goes out only one door in my house. This is the door that leads to a totally fenced in yard. Most of them will not go out any other door when it is opened. I did have a problem with my Little Lucy running out the front door, into the street, waddled down the street as fast as she could into the neighbors drive across the road and was confronted with their huge black Lab. She quickly turned around and came back home! But while on her journey, she was joyful and happy as could be thinking she was out on a delightful adventure that could have taken her life had the big black lab not stopped her head on.

I keep a lock on the gate to my fenced in yard.

Households with young children running in and out pose a special problem. They might just inadvertently let the Shih Tzu out. If this is the case in your household, you probably will want to install door locks that cannot be opened by the children without your helping them. You can also put baby gates in areas that lead to the outside doors if this works for you.

When you walk your Shih Tzu always keep him or her on a leash.

Keep records that can help you locate your Shih Tzu if he or she is ever lost. Keep a current photo handy and a good description of your Shih Tzu that includes distinguishing marks such as white around one eye and black around the other eye. Microchips provide good identification information for your Shih Tzu.

A common mishap with indoor pets and the Shih Tzu is poisoning from eating common houseplants. Below is a list of toxic plants:

?Aloe vera

?Boston ivy

?Caladium

?Dumbcane

?English ivy

?German ivy

?India rubber plant

?Misletoe

?Philodendron

?Potted chrysanthemum

?Weeping fig

Check with your vet for a phone number for a poison control center for pets. Keep the number posted near the phone and use it if your Shih Tzu ever eats anything you know or think might be poisonous and your vet's office is closed.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

? 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved