Shih Tzu puppies are adorable from day one, but if you’re planning to bring one home, or you’ve already fallen in love with one, you might be wondering what their early growth stages look like. From tiny newborns to confident companions, each stage of their development is full of big changes (and yes, plenty of cuteness).
Here’s a clear breakdown of what you can expect during each phase of your Shih Tzu pup’s early life.
Newborn to 2 Weeks: The Neonatal Stage
At birth, Shih Tzu puppies are blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mom. This is a quiet time where their main jobs are eating, sleeping, and staying warm. They start to gain weight quickly, doubling in size within the first week, and you’ll see them begin to wiggle around more each day.
This is also when breeders (like us!) begin introducing early neurological stimulation (ENS) and early scent introduction (ESI), both of which are important for long-term resilience and adaptability.
2 to 4 Weeks: Eyes Open and Wobbly Legs
By the end of the second week, their eyes begin to open, and they start reacting to sound. You’ll notice your puppy becoming more aware of their littermates and surroundings. They’ll begin to explore a little more, though they’re still wobbly and need lots of sleep.
During this phase, we continue gentle handling and start exposure to different sounds and textures. It’s all about building trust and confidence through calm, structured experiences.
4 to 8 Weeks: The Curiosity Phase
This is where things get fun. Shih Tzu puppies become little explorers. Their personalities start to peek through as they learn how to play, communicate, and build basic social skills. They learn bite inhibition through play with their littermates and start to show early signs of their individual temperament.
At Divine Pups, we introduce structured curriculum activities at this stage. That includes crate conditioning, potty area introduction, noise desensitization, and playful obstacle courses that encourage motor skill development. Socialization is everything in this phase, and the foundation laid here is key for future confidence.
8 to 12 Weeks: The Transitional Stage
By 8 weeks, Shih Tzu puppies are ready for their first vaccinations and will often begin preparing to go to their forever homes. They’re still learning a lot, how to be alone for short periods, how to handle change, and how to build trust with people outside of their breeder.
This is also the phase where we perform temperament testing. Each puppy is evaluated for what are known as stable traits (traits that can not be changed or trained in/out of your pup) and adjustable traits (things that can be trained into/out of your pup) so they can be matched with the right home, not just any home. Because a good match makes all the difference.
To learn more about these traits, click here.
3 to 6 Months: Puppyhood in Full Swing
Shih Tzus continue to grow quickly during this time. You’ll likely see their biggest size jumps before they hit six months. This is also when teething happens, so they’ll need appropriate chew toys and patience as they learn what’s off-limits.
Training, structure, and socialization should continue during this time. Shih Tzus are intelligent and eager to please, especially when training is fun and consistent. They’ll begin showing more independence but still need your guidance to grow into calm, well-rounded adults.
6 to 12 Months: Maturity Begins
By now, your Shih Tzu is starting to look like a “real dog” rather than a tiny puffball. While most reach their full height and weight by 9 to 12 months, emotional maturity takes a bit longer. Their personalities are well-formed by now, but they’ll continue learning how to navigate new environments, strangers, and experiences with your help.
Some pups go through a “teenage” phase around 6 to 9 months, where they test boundaries a little more. Stay calm, stay consistent, and stick to your training routine. It passes.
Final Thoughts
Raising a Shih Tzu puppy is one of life’s sweetest adventures. From sleepy newborns to confident, curious companions, each growth stage brings something special. When you know what to expect, you can show up with confidence for your puppy and enjoy the process of watching them grow into the dog they were meant to be.
And if you’re ready to meet the Shih Tzu that’s meant for you, check out our Ready Pups and Nursery. We’d be honored to match you with your next best friend.
