My First 30 Days With My Shih Tzu Puppy: What I Learned As A First-Time Owner

There are some days in life that you remember because something extraordinary happens. Then there are days that seem ordinary at the time but quietly change your routine forever.

The day Alex came home was one of those days.

For weeks, I had been preparing for his arrival. I watched YouTube videos about Shih Tzus, read countless articles, compared puppy foods, and made several trips to the pet store. By the time I brought him home, I genuinely believed I was ready.

Looking back now, I don’t think anyone can ever be completely prepared for their first puppy.

Not because it’s difficult, but because every puppy has a personality of their own, and every new pet parent goes through a learning curve that no article can fully explain.

If you’ve recently brought home a Shih Tzu puppy, or you’re about to, I hope sharing my first 30 days with Alex helps you feel a little more confident than I did.

The House Was Ready, But I Wasn’t

Before Alex arrived, I focused on preparing the house.

His bed was in place.

His food bowls were ready.

I had bought toys, grooming supplies, treats, and everything I thought a puppy would need.

What I hadn’t prepared for was how much my own routine would change.

During those first few days, I found myself checking on Alex more often than I checked my phone. If he was asleep, I wanted to make sure he was comfortable. If he was awake, I wondered whether he needed food, water, or simply wanted someone nearby.

Looking back, I probably spent more time observing him than he spent observing me.

One thing I quickly realized was that becoming a pet parent isn’t just about caring for a puppy. It’s also about learning a completely new rhythm of life. If you’re still planning to get a Shih Tzu, you might enjoy reading What I Wish I Knew Before Getting My First Shih Tzu, where I share the lessons I wish someone had told me before Alex came home.

The First Week Was About Getting to Know Each Other

I had imagined that the first week would be full of training sessions and structured routines.

Instead, it became a week of observation.

Alex explored every corner of the house with the curiosity only a puppy can have. He would stop to sniff furniture, stare at objects that had probably never been interesting to anyone else, and occasionally sit quietly as if he was trying to understand where he had arrived.

Watching him made me realize that everything around him was completely new.

Rather than rushing into training, I decided to let him settle in and feel safe. Looking back, I’m glad I did.

Trust comes before training.

I Overthought Every Meal

If there’s one thing I worried about more than anything else during those first 30 days, it was food.

Every meal felt like a small test.

If Alex finished everything in his bowl, I felt relieved.

If he left even a few pieces behind, I immediately started wondering whether he didn’t like the food or whether something was wrong.

It sounds a little funny now, but I know many first-time pet owners go through the same thing.

Eventually, I learned that one missed mouthful doesn’t tell the whole story. What matters is your puppy’s overall appetite, energy levels, growth, and general health over time.

That change in mindset helped me relax and enjoy mealtimes instead of treating them as daily assessments. I share Alex’s current feeding routine and the lessons I learned in What Alex Eats in a Day: Feeding a Growing Shih Tzu.

Puppies Sleep More Than I Expected

Before becoming a dog owner, I imagined puppies spending most of their day running around the house.

Alex certainly had his playful moments, but he also slept far more than I expected.

There were afternoons when the house became completely quiet, and I’d find him asleep in his favourite spot without a care in the world.

At first, I wondered if that was normal.

A quick conversation with our veterinarian reassured me that growing puppies need a surprising amount of sleep to support healthy development.

That was one of my earliest lessons in separating genuine concerns from perfectly normal puppy behaviour.

Our First Veterinary Visits Gave Me Confidence

I still remember walking into the veterinary clinic with a list of questions saved on my phone.

I wanted to know if Alex’s weight was appropriate.

I wanted to understand his vaccination schedule.

I wanted to make sure I wasn’t overlooking anything important.

The appointments themselves weren’t stressful.

If anything, they were reassuring.

Every visit helped me feel a little more confident because I was learning directly from someone who could assess Alex’s health rather than relying on random advice online.

Those conversations also reminded me that asking questions isn’t a sign of inexperience. It’s part of being a responsible pet owner. I’ll be sharing Alex’s complete vaccination timeline and everything I learned during those visits in My Shih Tzu Vaccination Journey.

I Stopped Chasing the Perfect Routine

During the first week, I kept trying to create the “perfect” daily schedule.

The perfect feeding time.

The perfect nap schedule.

The perfect training routine.

It didn’t take long to realise that Alex hadn’t read any of the schedules I had imagined.

Some days flowed exactly as planned.

Other days didn’t.

Instead of forcing a routine immediately, I learned to build one gradually around Alex’s natural habits.

That approach worked much better for both of us.

Small Wins Felt Like Big Achievements

One thing I never expected was how satisfying the smallest moments would become.

A successful potty break.

Responding to his name.

Walking confidently around the house.

Eating well.

Settling down for a nap after playtime.

None of those moments would seem remarkable to someone else.

To me, they felt like milestones.

Those small victories reminded me that raising a puppy isn’t about one big breakthrough. It’s about hundreds of little improvements that slowly build confidence for both the owner and the dog.

The Biggest Lesson From the First Month

If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice before bringing Alex home, it would be this:

Stop trying to be a perfect pet parent.

Be a present one.

You’ll make mistakes.

You’ll ask questions.

You’ll second-guess yourself.

That’s part of the journey.

The goal isn’t to know everything on day one.

The goal is to pay attention, keep learning, and enjoy the experience of growing alongside your puppy.

That’s exactly what happened during my first 30 days with Alex.

Final Thoughts

The first month with a Shih Tzu puppy isn’t about having everything figured out.

It’s about getting to know each other.

Some days will feel easy.

Others will leave you searching Google late at night because your puppy behaved differently than expected.

That’s normal.

Every experienced dog owner was once a beginner, and every confident pet parent started with questions.

Looking back now, I’m grateful I didn’t have all the answers.

Learning alongside Alex has been one of the most rewarding parts of becoming a dog owner, and those first 30 days laid the foundation for everything we’ve experienced since.

If you’ve recently welcomed a Shih Tzu puppy into your family, I’d love to know how your first month has been. What surprised you the most? Share your experience in the comments—your story might help another first-time pet parent who is going through exactly the same stage.

Raju

Pet Care & Dog Training Expert – PetInfoGuide Pet care writer sharing expert dog training tips, puppy guides, cat care advice, and practical pet health information for responsible pet owners.

PetInfoGuide Editorial Team provides well-researched and practical pet care advice based on trusted sources and real-world experience. Our goal is to help pet owners make informed decisions about their pets’ health, nutrition, and daily care.