Rehoming Your Shih Tzu Dog:  
How to Find a New Home for Your Tzu

Rehoming Your Shih Tzu Dog by Karol King  |Updated 06-14-2022

It is never easy to say goodbye to a loved family pet, but unfortunately, there are times when it becomes necessary. 

Your life changes and your dog can no longer be a part of it.  Perhaps a child develops a severe allergy, or your work schedule changes dramatically leaving little time for a dog.

There are many reasons why we end up needing to rehome our dogs, and while the task is not fun, it can be accomplished easier than you think.

Rehoming Statistics

1.5 million shelter pets are euthanized every year in the US; this has declined by 2.6 million since the year 2006.

What’s changed since the early 2000s?

Mobile worldwide connection and information via the internet have only become more popular and readily available.

Use Online Tools to Your Advantage

This has enabled people to use online tools to find a safe and loving home for their pet, instead of merely relinquishing them to a shelter.

This is the ideal situation for any rehomed pet, but it’s even more critical for high-demands breeds like the Shih Tzu.

Rehoming Your Shih Tzu Dog: Marketing Your Dog Online

‘Marketing’ your dog sounds awful; it’s really not what it seems, but rather just terminology.

Of course, your dog is precious and not just a piece of property to be owned, and that’s why you should find it the perfect new person through proper ‘marketing.’ You can apply many of the same business or campaign marketing guidelines to gain the interest of people looking for a new furry family member.

Use the wealth of information online to effectively write and communicate your goal, details about your dog, and other pertinent info that appeals to a potential new home. People need to know what makes your dog special to see if they’re right for their family.

Market your dog to reliable pet parents and supporters by posting your rehoming advertisement on reputable websites to spread the word of availability, instead of using a broad-spectrum site like Facebook or CraigsList.

Always Be Honest In Your Evaluation of Your Dog

Be totally honest in your description of your dog’s habits and personality.  Most people are not going to be turned away by little quirks, and if there are major behavioral issues, they need to know what they are getting themselves into. 

Sometimes a problem for one person is an opportunity or challenge for another.  It is always better to be forthcoming with your information even if it means that it will take a bit longer to find the best home.

Rehoming Your Shih Tzu Dog: Disclosing Information

For example, if you know your dog does not do well with other dogs, provide this information upfront. 

Likewise, there is no reason to hide the fact that your dog really doesn’t like children. If you are rehoming your Shih Tzu due to some more serious behavioral problems, (i.e. aggression, barking, separation anxiety) it is in your best interest to disclosure what you know.

All of your hard investigative work will pay off by finding the perfect family for your dog.

Rehoming Your Shih Tzu Dog: Researching a Potential Pet Parent

Finding a loving and reliable new pet parent for your dog is probably your biggest concern. After advertising on a reputable platform, there are a few more things you can do to ensure your dog isn’t being claimed into a dangerous or unstable environment.

Start by enforcing a rehoming fee. This isn’t to make a profit on your part, but to make sure that the person interested in adopting your dog sees it as necessary, and are willing to make an investment as a result. This helps to weed out individuals that aren’t serious about the commitment.

If you prefer not to go through the motions of finding a home, a breed specific rescue organization might be your next best bet.  They will do all the work for you, fostering your dog, finding a new home, and investigating perspective new dog parents. 

There may or may not be a fee for this service but it is usually nominal, and if you are unsure how to find the best new owners this is another option.

Another critical component is getting to know the potential new owner, to ensure you’re rehoming to a safe and caring place.

Running a full background check is costly and challenging, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use your online access and savvy investigative skills to check out new people.

Have interested parties fill out an adoption application, including their first and last name, address, and at least two valid contact numbers. Use these online social networks and other tools to verify their information.

You can also ask for the name of their veterinarian for a reference check also.

Request information about family structure such as the number and ages of the children if any, and other pets that reside in the home.  Another big question concerns the experience level of the new owners. 

Are they familiar with the breed and all it’s needs or is this the first Shih Tzu they’ve ever owned?  Ask them to tell you what prompted them to choose a Shih Tzu dog.

Questions to Ask Prospective New Owners

Here are a couple of questions to ask anyone interested in your dog.  Their answers can become enlightening.

• Have they ever owned or carried for a dog?  A Shih Tzu?
• What is their family makeup, children, other pets, others living in the household?
• Does everyone agree that they want a dog?
• Who will be the primary caretaker of the dog? 
• How long will the dog be left alone in the home while others work or go to school?

Rehoming Your Shih Tzu Dog to Someone You Feel Will Provide the Best Home

There are many ways to get to know the person you are considering for your dog.  You could invite them to your home or plan to visit their home. 

The latter is the preferred method because you can see for yourself, where your dog will live and how the new owner will react to your dog.

Please, No Rash Decisions

As a last bit of advice to your endeavors, never make an on-the-spot or rash decision. Meet the person or people, spend some time talking to them, and tell them you’ll be in touch so that you have time to think things over.

Rehoming your dog shouldn’t be taken lightly. Dedicate a lot of time and effort to ensure your dog is well taken care of; your dog would do the same for you!

After the Transfer, Then What?

You may want to agree to stay in touch, at least initially so you can check up and see that all is going well.  Make yourself available for questions the new owners may have.

Remember that this process is difficult and often painful for you, but it is equally tough for your dog.  It will take time for your dog to grieve and heal in their new home. 

If you’ve made a good decision about the new owners, this process should go swiftly, and your Shih Tzu will adapt quickly to their new home.  If this happens, it is a win-win situation for everyone.

About Janice

Janice is the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu. Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, she served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu.

When not writing, reading, or researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, her husband, and her family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Small Dog Place and Smart-Knit-Crocheting.