How to House Train a Shih Tzu in Just a Few Steps
Many of you have different terminology for potty training your dog. When we say house train a Shih Tzu, we are referring to housebreaking, house training, crate training, and potty training — basically all mean the same thing but might have different meanings to different people. I call it crate training because that is the easiest. As with all training that we do, we believe in positive, gentle approaches that do not include harsh punishment.
House training or housebreaking, a new puppy is by far the most important time investment that you can make in your new family member. A well trained and potty trained puppy becomes a true family member and a beloved and trusted companion. So many dog owners get frustrated right away and end up getting rid of the dog because they don’t know what to do. I realize this can be frustrating but it isn’t the dog’s fault. Remember once I dog does something three times they will understand if rewarded properly.
It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy’s previous living conditions are another predictor. You may find that you need to help your puppy break old habits in order to establish more desirable ones.
Finding The Right Words To Use When House Training Your Shih Tzu
It is important with any training to have words to use that the puppy will understand. Just as we teach the word, “sit,” we also need to use a word command for elimination.
Decide ahead of time what that word will be. Remember you will be using this word or phrase in public, so make sure what you decide to say will be comfortable to you. I like to say, go pee-pee and poop-poop, but with my little girl Shih Tzu, I call it tee-tee instead of pee-pee.
My brother uses the words “go potty” maybe because he has a larger dog. Whatever words you use, stay consistent.
When Should You Begin House Training a Puppy
Experts recommend that you begin house training your puppy when he is between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. At that point, he has enough control of his bladder and bowel movements to learn to hold it.
Simple Steps For Housetraining Your Shih Tzu
What we have done is find a plastic kennel that is smallest enough for your puppy to be comfortable but not to go pee or poop in the corner. They do not like to go in their own area. Experts recommend confining the puppy to a defined space, whether that means in a crate, in a room, or on a leash. As your puppy learns that he needs to go outside to do his business, you can gradually give him more freedom to roam about the house.
Prior to starting the house training:
- Keep the puppy on a regular feeding schedule and take away his food between meals.
- Take puppy out to eliminate first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, always take him outside after meals or when he wakes from a nap. Make sure he goes out the last thing at night and before he’s left alone.
- Take the puppy to the same spot each time to do his business. His scent will prompt him to go.
- Stay with him outside, at least until he’s house trained.
- When your puppy eliminates outside, praise him or give him a treat. A walk around the neighborhood is a nice reward.
Watch For Obvious Signs
For house training or housebreaking to be successful, the single most important thing that a new owner must learn to do is observe their puppy. This does not sound very hard; after all, what is more, charming to watch than a new puppy!
Puppies display telltale signs that they are interested in eliminating. To house train a Shih Tzu, you need to pick up on their body language.
- Sniffing
- Circling
- Squatting
With that said how many puppies get into trouble for leaving little surprises all over the house, chewing their owner’s shoes, or eating interesting things found in the cat’s litter box?
Observation is so important—simply being around the puppy is not enough. Puppies are very good at telling us things and that is what we need to notice in order to train. Since we can’t watch a puppy 24/7, we have some options that include confinement and crate training.
Using a Crate to House Train Your Shih Tzu
A crate can be a good idea for house training your puppy, at least in the short term. It will allow you to keep an eye on him for signs he needs to go and teach him to hold it until you open the crate and let him outside. Most crates have one or two doors that can be used by your puppy to enter or leave. There are many uses of crates. If trained properly they will use their crate as a safe haven and eventually you can remove the door.
Crates can be used for any of these:
- Transport carrier in a car, plane or other vehicles
- Can be used in a hotel room
- Can be used as a “doghouse” or security den for a dog
- Can be used to protect a puppy from dangerous household items such as poisonous plants, electrical cords, medicines, etc.
- Can reduce anxiety and assist with separation anxiety when you are away from home
- To House Train, a Shih Tzu, most people will opt for the Crate Training Method.
- Most puppies learn to love their crate and look at it as their safe home.
Here are a few guidelines for using a crate:
- Make sure it is large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not big enough for him to use a corner as a bathroom.
- If you are using the crate for more than two hours at a time, make sure the puppy has fresh water, preferably in a dispenser you can attach to the crate.
- If you can’t be home during the house training period, make sure somebody else gives him a break in the middle of the day for the first 8 months.
- Don’t use a crate if a puppy is eliminating in it. Eliminating in the crate could have several meanings: he may have brought bad habits from the shelter or pet store where he lived before; he may not be getting outside enough; the crate may be too big, or he may be too young to hold it in.
Puppy House Training Setbacks
Accidents are common in puppies up to a year old. The reasons for accidents range from incomplete house training to a change in the puppy’s environment.
When your puppy does have an accident, keep on training. Then if it still doesn’t seem to be working, consult a veterinarian to rule out a medical issue.
Do’s and Don’ts in Potty Training Your Puppy
Keep the following do’s and don’ts in mind while housetraining your puppy:
- Punishing your puppy for having an accident is a definite no-no. It teaches your puppy to fear you.
- If you catch your puppy in the act, clap loudly so he knows he’s done something unacceptable. Then take him outside by calling him or taking him gently by the collar. When he’s finished, praise him or give him a small treat.
- If you found the evidence but didn’t see the act, don’t react angrily by yelling or rubbing his nose in it. Puppies aren’t intellectually capable of connecting your anger with their accident.
- Staying outside longer with puppy may help to curb accidents. He may need extra time to explore.
- Clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleanser rather than an ammonia-based cleaner to minimize odors that might attract the puppy back to the same spot.
Another option is to place the crate in a tiny room or block off a section of a room with a wire pen called an exercise pen or X-pen. The door to the crate remains open and the puppy can go in and out as needed. There is room within a small x-pen to place food and water dishes, a crate and a section of the newspaper.
A crate is a wonderful tool if not abused to house train a Shih Tzu. The puppy learns that it is their special place and will gladly go into it to sleep or nap. Children should be cautioned to avoid disturbing the puppy when he is in his crate. Never corner your pet in their crate to give it medicine, groom, punish, or anything else that would create an association in the pup’s mind between distress and its crate. It has to remain a safe, tranquil place that belongs to the pup and the pup alone.
