Tag Archives: Shih Tzu Day

Shih Tzu Day 205: Shih Tzu Improvements

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shih tzu memories are secure

It has been quite a month. A computer crash and backup hard drive problem at the same time caused me to lose all my data. Although professionals told me I couldn’t get it back, persistency and lots of computer research led me to do just that. Yesterday, I got to the point where I had even recovered my DayOne files, where I kept my Shih Tzu journal. I am so happy to get back a few lost weeks that I hadn’t transferred to my blog yet. I also recovered ALL of my videos. I was heartbroken that I thought I had lost all those firsts with the shih tzus. I was kicking myself for not having put any up on my site or on YouTube, because I hadn’t yet figured how to edit them. Now everything gets backed up on a backup drive and elsewhere!

attitude adjustment

One of the biggest things I have noticed over the past few weeks is Nigel’s changed attitude. He still gets rambunctious and still has to be corrected, but ever since I brought the “dog house” inside and put him in it when he was picking on the girls, he has not been nearly as possessive of things and doesn’t bully them to where it is unbearable.

Another improvement has been in the “tinkle” department. I got tired of putting the small carpet I put under their two training pads in the washer and dryer, because I could always smell the rubber backing, and it was too hard to wash it by hand. Instead I have been using an old dish drying mat as the base and putting one pad on top of it. For the most part, they are hitting the mark, although I do have to clean up the hardwood floor in the morning, because of whichever dog seems to squat on the edge. The best part is at least they seem to be really trying! I am not sure, but it seems like Flower might be waiting to go outside in the morning.

shih tzu amnesia

Flower and Dottie seem to develop amnesia every morning. I have been coming downstairs at 6 but John usually doesn’t come down until 7. When the dogs hear his footsteps on the stairs, they act like he is an intruder and bark like crazy, throwing in a growl here and there, even when they see who he is. But there is hope. He can now come up to them and pet them and assure them that he is not an intruder, and they do stop barking.

Shih Tzu Day 202: Shih Tzu Lost in Time

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Hello everyone! It is impossible to think that it is January 17. I know I haven’t written a word all year, except to say that I had a computer malfunction. I won’t talk about it very much, except to mention that it has been a nightmare, but things are finally getting back to normal.

As for the shih tzu sisters, and Nigel, however, we grow to love them more every day! The winter months have slowed us down, practically into hibernation. Of course, they rouse periodically from sleeping to seek out food or treats. This afternoon is typical. As I type on my computer, wondering where the time went, Dottie snores beside me. Nigel is lying on the other side, not snoring, so I can’t tell if he is asleep. Flower goes back and forth between the couch and Shih Tzu Central, where she is right now. Checking on the dogs made me realize that Candy has been outside for probably an hour.

Dottie and Flower have taken a cue from Nigel, and now know how to “knock.” Dottie frantically tapes her front paws on the sliding glass door. Flower does too, but when she is really impatient, she backs up and jumps at the door, hitting it with her front paws and then doing it again. Candy, however, sits on the porch until someone realizes she is waiting. Half the time, even when you do notice she is missing, when we go to let her in, she runs back out into the yard. Strange child, that one.

More soon, both forward and backward in time.

Shih Tzu Day 150: Nov. 26

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I was so tired last night that I went to bed at 8. I still could not force myself to get up very early. I got out of bed a little after 6:30 and fed the shih tzus. Flower didn’t finish the food right away, because she kept running to the end of the back yard to bark at either the neighbor’s dog, a cat or a squirrel. She was also barking at the shed, so maybe there was a snake under it.

Later, Flower jumped up by Dottie and me and sat with us for a while. She had been spending more time than usual at shih tzu Central, but I think she is less stressed now. Candy kept dive bombing John’s legs today and rubbing against them. I am really glad that she is taking to him.

Shih Tzu Day 140: Nov. 16 (Catch Up)

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welcome committee

I heard the pitter patter of the feet of the welcome committee in the hall a little after 5:30. I wasn’t sleeping, however. I brought my laptop up last night and had been working on it since 3:30, doing some catch up. I stayed in bed a little, because I am trying to train them to eat closer to 6:30, but I got up a little after 6, since Dottie’s whining was getting louder.

I opened the door before I started getting their bowls together and Flower and Candy went out. They stood at the door and growled at me for their food. They are so cute to have vicious growls. After they ate, Nigel and Flower had a face off in the dining room, while Candy rested on the porch.

wild ones

A bunch of wild ones today. Candy barked and I opened the door to see if she wanted in; Flower and Nigel flew out, had a quick round, flew in the door and then flew back out. Candy stayed outside, but just watched their carousing. When Nigel and Flower came in, they tore around the living room and dining room for a while.

After that, the wild boy came up to me and started growling, and, at the same time, sneezing at me. How many dogs sneeze when they get agitated?  I couldn’t tell what he wanted. He just kept staring at me with those red, devil eyes.

Boots and Barkley

Boots and Barkley bully sticks are more of a hit than Cadet. Flower and Nigel inhaled theirs. Dottie enjoyed hers for quite a while, making loud, weird noises as she gnawed away. John called her an old lady, and Flower was looking at her like, “Wow, yours must have really been good!” I would still like to find a good bully stick that comes in a value package!

couch buddies

Flower and Dottie sat on the couch for a while. Flower doesn’t seem to care anymore if the Man is on the couch. Maybe they are getting more used to him because when he is home and up, he gives out the treats, following the advice of dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.

Candy the kitty dog

I call Candy our “kitty dog.” She acts as much like a cat as a dog. She pounces on things and bats them around with her front paws like cats do. She also really reminds me of the Persian cat, Goo Goo Doll, that we had years ago.

four on a couch

While John and I watched the X Factor, Nigel lay between us and Dottie on my side. Candy wandered up and looked around at everyone, so I lifted her up. Then Flower jumped up, resulting in all four shih tzus on the couch with us, which is very uncommon. Dottie must have thought it was too crowded and jumped down, but I moved Candy to dad’s lap and Dottie came back up. I would love it if all four of them sat with us more often.