A Helpful Resource For Shih Tzu Potty Training
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.
The crate method of Shih Tzu potty training is pretty simple it just takes time. Get a large crate and set it up with food and bedding and make the Shih Tzu comfortable in the crate. Play with it regularly but keep it locked in the crate while you are home. Every 45 minutes take it outside to use the designated toilet area.
Shower them with praise if they go in the designated toilet area. The crate is their living space and they will not soil their own space. Play with them while they are in their crate so they know it is their space. Remember that a Shih Tzu will not understand punishment they only understand praise.
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.
Once you feel like the dog is getting the hang of Shih Tzu potty training then it is time to move their living area to other parts of the house. Once they understand that they have living areas all over the house then they will not soil in the house. It takes a long time and requires a great deal of patience, so if you don’t think you are up to it then a Shih Tzu may not be for you.
Shih Tzu dogs do not understand punishment and punishing the dog for making a mess where it is not supposed to will only confuse it. If you have started to move the living area around the house and the dog starts to make a mess then return to the original living area and start over. Be patient and good luck.
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.