Shih Tzu Potty Training Information

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. If it uses the area then praise it but do not punish the Shih Tzu if it makes a mess, as it will not understand. They will not soil their living area so if you do this right it should work.

The other method is to choose a section of one room in the house and fence that area off as the Shih Tzu dog’s living area. Then follow the same directions as the crate. It is important to not leave the Shih Tzu confined for too long as it will get confused and any housebreaking you have done will get undone quick.
If you feel like your dog understands the boundaries of Shih Tzu potty training with the living area where you have it then it is time to move the living area around the house. The dog will begin to understand that the inside of the house is a living area and the outside is for the toilet area. Remember that the Shih Tzu will not soil in its living area if you are tending to it properly, so all of the pressure is on you to make the dog understand.

One thing a Shih Tzu does not understand, or respond to, is punishment. If you punish them for making a mess you could set the whole process back to square one. Instead if they make a mess just clean it up and move their living area back to where you started and then start the slow process of moving out again. Shih Tzu dogs like to live life on their own terms so you will just have to be patient.

You can find helpful steps in Shih Tzu training in this article. You can use this article along with dog training books to get your desired results.

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