Shih Tzu Potty Training Advice

Shih Tzu potty training is probably one of the most frustrating things you will ever have to do as a Shih Tzu owner. Shih Tzu dogs are very elite animals that are comfortable when things are going the way they want them to go. But they are also very clean animals that prefer concrete or stone surfaces to dirt and grass as their toilet area and you can use this information to your advantage and as a way to possibly shorten the housebreaking process.

Housebreaking a Shih Tzu takes months so be prepared and remain patient. You can choose to use the crate method of housebreaking or you can set aside a small piece of your home for your Shih Tzu. Either way is fine just be sure you pick one way and stay with it because you are in for the long haul and if you change anything then you will undo all you have done.

For the crate method of Shih Tzu potty training set up a large crate as the Shih Tzu dog’s living area. Include their food and bedding and make them feel comfortable there. Close them in while you are home. They will not soil their own area so they will wait to be taken out as long as you do not keep them confined too long. Every 45 minutes take them out to the designated toilet area and show them praise if they go in that area. Shih Tzu dogs do not understand punishment so if they make a mess just clean it up and move on.

For the other method the idea is basically the same except instead of a crate you are just using a small fence inside the house to give the Shih Tzu a small living area. All the other rules apply the same as the crate. Pick a small part of a room in your house like the kitchen or some other room where you can keep an eye on your dog.

After a while it will seem that your dog is beginning to understand Shih Tzu potty training and you can move on to the next step. Start moving their living area around the house and after a while they should begin to see that inside is for living and outside is for bathroom. They are very intelligent dogs but they are also stubborn so be very patient when you are starting to move their living area around.

If your dog makes a mess then the worst thing you can do is punish it. The Shih Tzu doesn’t understand or respond to punishment. Clean up the mess and move their living area back to where it originally started and begin the process again. Remember that they like to make the rules so it will take you a while to get them to understand that they need to follow the rules you set.

Rebecca Simpson is an animal lover who owns multiple indoor pets. There is valuable information on Shih Tzu training in this article. This article can be a good supplement to dog training books.