Waldrop’s Sassy Shih Tzu’s

02/20/2025

ATTENTION NEW PUPPY OWNERS…….
As puppies head to their new homes I wanted to touch base on common issues that breeders come across with new owners.
REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS-
You see the breeders’ pictures and videos and the pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed, happy, playful. All looks amazing and you bring your puppy home.
Then reality hits. The puppy may cry in the enclosure for the first few nights making you tired and agitated. The happy social puppy is refusing to greet the half dozen overly excited friends you invited over or the overly excited playful children you have at home. The puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Many are wondering how did my perfect puppy turn into a nightmare.
So let’s discuss realistic expectations of when a puppy goes home.
-First of all the puppy has been in the breeders home since birth. They had their mother and littermates. They had their routine, were taught expectations and were completely in their comfort zone.
Now suddenly they are taken to a totally new environment. Picture yourself being dropped into an unknown country, in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language, sounds, smells, temperature, animals and people.
Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, possibly deciding to have a party with people you don't know, and ask you to do jobs you have no idea about. Overwhelming to say the least.
This is what every puppy goes through when going to their new home. Stress manifests in different forms from not eating, reluctancy to play, and greeting people. Being apprehensive at the vet’s office or as strangers reach for them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can occur due to puppy stress.
So what can you as a new owner do to help your little one acclimate?

Most puppies take 3-4 weeks to acclimate to their new home. Repeat after me THREE to FOUR WEEKS sometimes even Longer! Not a 1-2 days. I can’t stress this enough about how much time is needed for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!

PLEASE limit guests during the first two weeks. We understand you are excited to show off your new baby but they need time to adjust. Plan on waiting 1-2 weeks before inviting people over.
Ask guests to remove their shoes before entering the home to prevent germs from spreading to your new vulnerable puppy.

Ask guests to sit on the floor/ground and wait until the puppy approaches them. NO squealing and grabbing the puppy, as this is very frightening to them.

- Set up a good routine, well thought out. Do not start anything that you do not want to continue as dogs are smart. No people food should be offered if you ever want to enjoy a meal again.

Restrict the puppy to a small area of the house. This not only reduces them being overwhelmed but also allows you to watch them.

Don’t expect an 8-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Instead work at home with a leash where they are comfortable. Let them drag the leash, use treats to encourage them to walk with you.

Understand that your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic. They will need to establish who the leader of the pack is in order to feel safe and understand the hierarchy of the family unit.

Train your puppy with tiny training treats. This not only helps you two to bond. but the puppy learns to look to you for direction and input.

Children can be big stressors to tiny fragile puppies. Please keep an eye on children around the puppy at all times. The children may need to learn how fragile the puppy is and how scared it may be.

BE PATIENT. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight.
Outings should be planned after the puppy has received ALL vaccinations and then only at the puppy’s speed. So while you might imagine a fun walk around the lake in reality your puppy might only be able to handle walking a short distance that day. It may be curious and energetic and may become overwhelmed. Watch the puppy for cues on how to proceed.

Always supervise on a leash if outside, lest a vulcher bird or stray dog is watching to attack.

Remember if the puppy was wonderful at the breeder’s house but now is struggling, you as the owner need to help the puppy adjust which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations, and give the puppy positive feedback and happy experiences. Each puppy is an individual, so don’t compare your current puppy to past pets and judge their behavior based on how another dog handled things. Lastly, try to see thing’s from a puppy’s perspective and adjust situations accordingly.
Love your puppy and they will love you 100 times more in return.

01/28/2025

12/26/2024

The purchase of a well bred purebred did not sentence another dog to death.

The purchase of a well bred purebred did not cause an increase in the number of dogs in shelter.

Someone wanting a dog with a predictable temperament from healthy lineage did not cause another dog to not get adopted.

Someone's meticulous research and support of only the most responsible of breeders is not the problem. It is not what you should be mad at. It is not what you should be pushing the blame onto.

I am not the one who brought these dogs into the world irresponsibly and left them in a shelter. Responsible breeders are not the ones who put dogs into shelters either.

It is my home, my life, and my choice of what kind of dog to bring into it. Maybe I needed a working dog, a sport dog, or simply a companion puppy to raise of a breed I enjoy. No matter the reason, the choice to support a reputable breeder did not send a shelter dog to its death.

A breeder who DNA’s, temperament tests, studies pedigrees, proves a dog worthy of being bred, and only breeds when doing so is of benefit to the breed is not contributing to the number of homeless dogs.

The number of homeless dogs in the world is a problem, but it is not a problem exacerbated by reputable breeders and those who purchase from them.

Your neighbor down the street who refuses to contain his unaltered dogs IS contributing to the problem.

Your friend who impulse bought a dog at PetLand IS contributing to the problem.

That guy on Craigslist pumping out the trendiest designer mix as fast as he can IS contributing to the problem.

Your relative who just HAS to let their dog have one litter “so she can experience motherhood” or because “she’s just so sweet” IS contributing to the problem.

A reputable breeder offers their lifelong support. A reputable breeder would never allow their dogs to end up in a shelter to begin with. A reputable breeder makes it a contractual obligation to return dogs they have produced back to them should you find yourself unable of keeping it.

It is understandable to be angry about the number of homeless dogs in the world, but if you take a deeper look, you will find your anger is misplaced.

If you take a deeper look, you will find reputable breeders and those of us who purchase from them are just as angry, we are just pointing fingers at the right causes.

12/16/2024

Looking for their own Christmas tree to play under. Who wouldn’t want one of these babies in their stocking this year?

11/30/2024

just had to share this

My purchase of a well bred dog did not sentence another dog to death.

My purchase of a well bred dog did not cause an increase in the number of dogs in shelter.

Me wanting a dog with a predictable temperament from healthy lineage did not cause another dog to not get adopted.

My meticulous research and support of only the most responsible of breeders is not the problem. It is not what you should be mad at. It is not what you should be pushing the blame onto.

I am not the one who brought these dogs into the world irresponsibly and left them in a shelter. Responsible breeders are not the ones who put dogs into shelters either.

It is my home, my life, and my choice of what kind of dog to bring into it. Maybe I needed a working dog, a sport dog, or simply a companion puppy to raise of a breed I enjoy. No matter the reason, my choice to support a reputable breeder did not send a shelter dog to its death.

A breeder who health tests, temperament tests, studies pedigrees, proves a dog worthy of being bred, and only breeds when doing so is of benefit to the breed is not contributing to the number of homeless dogs.

The number of homeless dogs in the world is a problem, but it is not a problem exacerbated by reputable breeders and those who purchase from them.

Your neighbor down the street who refuses to contain his unaltered dogs IS contributing to the problem.

Your friend who impulse bought a dog at PetLand IS contributing to the problem.

That guy on Craigslist pumping out the trendiest designer mix as fast as he can IS contributing to the problem.

Your old high school classmate who bought a high energy working breed without taking the time to research its needs and realize it was not a good fit for their household ahead of time IS contributing to the problem.

A reputable breeder offers their lifelong support. A reputable breeder would never allow their dogs to end up in a shelter to begin with. A reputable breeder makes it a contractual obligation to return dogs they have produced back to them should you find yourself unable of keeping it.

It is understandable to be angry about the number of homeless dogs in the world, but if you take a deeper look, you will find your anger is misplaced.

If you take a deeper look, you will find reputable breeders and those of us who purchase from them are just as angry, we are just pointing fingers at the right causes.

Research the breed prior to buying to assure it’s a right fit for your lifestyle. Not all dogs are the same.

*Share away*

11/23/2024

Dm for more information. Ready in time for Christmas!

11/23/2024

3 of these babies are still waiting to find their person.

11/09/2024

I have 3 looking for new homes. Please share. Ready just in time for the holidays!

11/07/2024

Luna and Yoshi still have this beautiful little boy. 8 weeks old December 7th.

11/07/2024

Willow and Yoshi made some beautiful babies.

11/03/2024

These babies are looking for laps to lay in. AKC Registered. Parents Embark tested. Moore, SC
5 weeks old. They are going to be on the small size. Please share

10/09/2024

Never forget your baby's breeder. I am not just a breeder. I helped bring your precious baby into this world, your gift, your precious little blessing. I was the first to hold your precious baby in my hands. I was the first to dry your baby off and kiss it's sweet little nose. I was the first human to love your baby. I was the first to see its eyes open and watch their first attempts at trying to walk. I was the first to feed your baby and wean it from it's Mommy. I was the first to play with your baby and take its sweet baby pictures. I am not just a breeder. I was your baby's first at so many things in it's beginning of life. I promise I have done everything in my power to raise your baby to be healthy, well socialized babies for your family to love forever. I make mistakes sometimes as we all do through life but I want you to know I try my very best to be a good first Mommy for your baby. I am not just a breeder. I am a FurMommy and I take a lot of pride in that job. God blesses us with the babies that we are given. These babies are so precious to me and my family. We love them, kiss them, socialize them and adore them. I am very selective of where my babies are placed. After all you are not getting a puppy, you are getting one of our family members. When you take your baby home a small piece of our heart goes with you. We work so hard caring for our babies, their health and their safety. We love what we do and as always we try to do our very best. We love updates, pics and videos. Those are important too. It helps reassure us we have chosen the best family to love our precious babies. Your baby's life begins here with us.

So please don't forget us as that precious puppy grows into a beautiful adult, because remember, while you are it's everything, it's last... We were its first.

Copied💖🐾💖🐾💖🐾

09/15/2024

These two have been honeymooning and are expecting last week of September.
Liver female (8 #)
Lavender male with green eyes (7 #)
AKC Registered and Embark clear

09/15/2024

These two have been honeymooning and are expecting 2nd week of October.
Black Dobie female (6 #)
Lavender male with green eyes (7 #)
AKC Registered and Embark clear

09/01/2024

What do you give your pregnant mommas to boost their system and help with them to increase their milk

08/26/2024

Happy National dog day to my furbabies.

08/25/2024

Nothing I love more than getting pictures of my babies. These are just a few of my babies from the last 26 years of breeding. If you have one of my babies please feel free to post a picture in the comments.

08/24/2024

Welcome “Roxie” to the family.