| A dog is considered an adolescent (teenager) | | | | if you're adopting a teenage dog, chances are |
| between the ages of 9 to 18 months. Most people | | | | they've already been trained by their previous owner. |
| tend to adopt puppies when in the market for a dog, | | | | 3) Teenage Shih Tzu's may have already been |
| but they're those that would like a dog that's not too | | | | trained by their previous owner |
| young and not too old. Therefore, the best choice | | | | It all depends on the dog's past, but in most |
| for those people is an adolescent dog. However, | | | | situations they've went through some form of |
| they're some advantages as well as disadvantages to | | | | training. You might have to do a little training just in |
| getting an adolescent dog over a puppy or a senior | | | | case you need to refresh the dog's memory. |
| dog. If you're going to bring an adolescent (teen) Shih | | | | 4) Teenage dogs bond to their owners a lot quicker |
| Tzu into your home, here are some things to | | | | A Shih Tzu adapts well to new situations and they |
| consider: | | | | love to be around people, therefore, there should be |
| 1) Adolescent Shih Tzu's can get a little defiant, but it | | | | no problem with your dog loving and adoring you |
| does not last long | | | | from the very start. It may even seem that you've |
| As your Shih Tzu gets older - around 2 years old, he | | | | known each other forever. |
| or she should become nice, sweet and calm as well | | | | 5) Teenage dogs need a lot of grooming |
| as set aside their defiant ways. This is just like when | | | | During the teenage years, dogs tend to shed their |
| you're child matures and reaches the age of 20! | | | | fur so that the adult coat can come in. Therefore, |
| 2) Teenage Shih Tzu's need training just like puppies | | | | the coat needs a lot of maintenance. Be prepared for |
| do, but they learn much faster | | | | tough and high maintenance grooming sessions. You |
| A teenage Shih Tzu may challenge you at first, but in | | | | can groom the dog yourself or you can get a |
| the end all of the training will pay off. Unlike puppies, | | | | professional to do it for you. |
| teenage dogs have better concentration. In addition, | | | | |