Important things to know

When its time for your puppy to go to his/her forever homes we try to make settling easier for both them and you by providing items of comfort with moms and littermates scent. Among other items included listed below:

• Puppy Packet-  Full of information on grooming, house training, and a lot of other things. 
• Pet Insurance- We are happy to be able to provide our puppy families with FREE pet insurance for the first 30 days after bringing puppy home. Trupanion is a well known pet insurance and we all know how puppy can get into things they shouldn't or they hurt themselves easily so it is nice to know you can have up to 90% of a vet visit covered with pet insurance.  
• BAXTER & Bella- We have partnered with their amazing online puppy classes for new and experienced pet owners. They offer virtual, online videos and podcasts with helpful training tips for you to teach your new puppy!
• Dog Food- Enough puppy food for a few days. 
• Registration Papers-  AKC (American Kennel Club) limited registration for your new puppy, released after proof of spay or neuter is received.   
• Health Warranty - We guarantee your puppy to be free of any life threatening inherited genetic problems for 2 years.   
• Toys-You will receive a toy that has been played with by all puppies in the litter so your baby will not miss brothers and sisters too much.   
• Crate and Fleece Bed or blanket- If your baby is shipped.   
• Health Check- A visit to the vet to be sure your new baby is healthy.   
• Shots- Your new baby will be current on shots and will have been wormed.

We love every puppy we help bring into this world from the very moment they are in their moms tummy and until they leave our home to go in their forever families but that doesn't mean once you have your puppies home you cannot reach out to us! We want to make it very clear that you can count on us for the lifetime of your precious pup and we are are than happy to help you in any way we can! I love hearing about all my past puppies and how great of dogs they are growing to become! It makes all the sleepless nights and weeks of puppy poo cleanup worth it! 

If you're a first time puppy owner or just need a refresher on what items to purchase before bringing puppy home, I've gone through and listed essentials items first and the not so essential last. I encourage you to do your own research. You don't always have to buy designer items, puppies chew and grow out things quickly so keep that in mind. There are many stores who have great deals on pet items! 

• Puppy Food- Most important of all is their food, the food you feed them will maintain them happy and healthy and that's the most important thing. Not the fanciest collar, or the biggest doggie bed, none of that will matter if your puppy is not thriving. They will be sent home with enough food to last them a week. Do you research and if you decide to switch their food, do so gradually over a period of a week to not cause the upset stomachs and unwanted side effects.
• Collar and Name Tag- Puppies love to explore or chase objects they find fun so you'll be happy you had a name tag with your contact information if the day ever comes someone finds him! Petco and Petsmart always has some of the cutest name tags and for reasonable prices.
• Food and Water Bowls- We know puppies and dogs need bowls to eat from but some great tips to picking out a food dish for your dog is to always get container that are food safe. My favorite material is ceramic or metal bowls, they are easier to clean, don't have harmful plastic that over time get bad odors and can cause your dog to lose their appetite. Etsy and other pet stores have some really good quality bowls at a decent price.
• Grooming Tools- Shih Tzu are known for their long, straight, jaw dropping hair and their cute top knots with a bow. This requires a lot of maintenance to avoid matting and tangling. I learned that a simple metal comb and detangled spray helps maintain their mane but the most important thing is to at least comb their hair once a day. Starting from a young age helps puppies get desensitized to grooming and makes it a lot more pleasurable for both them and the groomer.
• Crate- Purchase a size that your puppy can have enough room to stand, turn and sleep. If the crate is too big puppies will tend to use a corner for potty so I recommend size 24"L x 18"W x 19"H for Shih Tzu breed. I highly recommend crating puppies when you're not able to watch them, this helps remain safe from ingesting unsafe objects or going potty in the home.
• Crate Mat- Dog beds are so cute but I always stay on the safe side and get crate matts that are chewing resistant and easily washable until puppies are a little grown. Stuffing if ingested can cause bowel obstructions and pricey trip to the vet. Pet stores sell crate mats of all prices and sizes. stick to the size that will fit the crate size. 
•  Exercise Pen- These connect very easily to crates to allow your puppies a bigger and safe place to play and sleep when you are at work, appointments or have visit over and want to keep puppy safe from being stepped on.
• Indestructible Chew Toys- This again falls under safe toys to make sure puppy doesn't ingest unwanted stuffing, plastic or glass eyes.
• Shampoo and Conditioner- Make sure to buy shampoo that is formulated to puppies. The most expensive doesn't always means the best. Do your research and test it on your puppy in a small area to make sure they do not get an allergic reaction.
• * Baby shampoo is not good for puppy, it is very drying for their sensitive skin.
• Toothbrush & Tooth Paste- Just like humans oral hygiene is very important and needs to be done daily to prevent decay and tooth infections.