I have a 1 year old Shih-tzu…he's my pal!

He is very friendly and he always makes me smile…I just love him to pieces!

However, the little rascal keeps 'doing his do' all over in my apartment and my housemates are getting really tired of it!

I don't want to make him live outside, he should be inside where he belongs….does anyone know a simple yet effective technique on how to potty train my shih tzu? Thanks!

Answer:

House training your shih tzu is simple if you follow a few basic rules.

Remember that puppies younger than 10 to 12 weeks have little control.

Accidents will always happen when teaching puppies to be clean in the house.

Be kind and patient, and be sure to really reward all outdoor pottying.

Always remember that your shih tzue will do what works for them and what they get rewarded for.

Make outdoor pottying work really well for your shih tzu puppy.

1) The puppy must have NO time unsupervised in your home. NONE. If you are not directly watching the puppy, it should be in the crate, or outside in a safe area. You MUST watch the puppy at ALL times when loose in the house. Use baby gates, crates, or tie the leash to your belt.

2) The puppy should sleep inside the crate by your bedside. This way you can hear if the puppy should happen to need to go out during the night.

3) You must go WITH the puppy outside for ALL trips for elimination. You must have treats with you. When the puppy is urinating, say "GO PEE PEE" in a nice praise tone of voice the entire time. When she is finished, pop the treat into her mouth at once, and praise praise praise. This should be something she gets at no other time, like tiny pieces of string cheese or boiled chicken. Same for defecation. Say "GO POOP" while she is going, and food reward and praise afterwards. You must observe and reward ALL outdoor potty time.

4) Keep a schedule. Feed at the same time, and walk outside at the same times. Your pup needs at least 4 trips outdoors each day, and 5 is probably better. Pup needs to go out at wake up time, lunch time, 4-5 PM, after dinner or any other meals, and before bed. Younger puppies may need to go out much more often.

5) Use a key word each time you go out. I say "Let's go out!!" in a happy tone of voice each time I'm opening the door to go out with the dog.

6) If you catch the puppy IN THE ACT of eliminating in your house, CLAP YOUR HANDS, say AH AH, OUTSIDE!! And immediately rush her outside. If she finishes there, do your usual food reward and praise.

The keys to getting your dog reliably housetrained are:

SUPERVISION: NO loose time in the house if you are not watching

REWARDS: ALL outdoor elimination MUST be observed and rewarded. If you only do this ONE thing, your puppy will get housetrained.

PATIENCE: Anger and punishment have no place in dog training. Elimination is a natural and pleasurable experience for your dog. You can teach her to not soil your house, but punishment will NOT help. It will only teach the dog to hide when she needs to eliminate.

If you have applied these techniques carefully for 4 weeks and you are still finding spots or piles after the fact, it's time for stronger measures. Roll up a newspaper and fasten both ends with a rubber band. Keep it handy. The very next time you find a spot of a pile that the dog has left behind, whip out that newspaper, and hit YOURSELF over the head firmly several times as you repeat "I FORGOT TO WATCH MY PUPPY".

Works every time.
This article copyright 2004/2007, RedyreRottweilers. Free for unlimited distribution as long as copyright info remains intact.

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Shih Tzus are the ultimate family companion dog. They are a small toy breed but are full of spunk and character.

They love to strut around the house, head held high and tail wagging like they own the place!

Housetraining or Potty Training your Shih Tzu means that you are training your puppy to urinate/defecate outdoors.

Remember that your shih tzu really wants to please you and will try its hardest to do just that.

Your puppy will learn faster if you use positive praise and affection.

When you are unable to be home (or unable to pay 100% attention to the pup) never give your puppy full access of the house before they are one year of age. They are still too immature at this time of their life.

Confining them while you are away or busy (in a room with child safety gate) is the safe choice as well as the best and easiest way to do your Shih Tzu potty training.

Never put your Shih Tzu puppy in a carrying crate during the day. The crate is just too small. A puppy can not be expected to control their bladder for an extended period until 12 weeks of age.

For potty training your Shih Tzu it is often recommended that you use a crate.

However, many new Shih Tzu owners will choose to section off an area for their puppy or may use a bathroom as a space. As this may work for some puppies I will assure you it will not work for all.

Shih Tzu puppies need a place to retreat to where they will feel safe. If this is not provided you will find that they are likely to misbehave.

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