How to Potty Train a Shih Tzu
Potty training a dog of any breed can be difficult. There are many different ideas on what it takes, or how to do it. However, most these ideas do not work. Keeping in mind that the Shih Tzu is a small breed dog, and that it is a Shih Tzu, can determine the best way to train your puppy the correct way. Teaching a Shih Tzu when and where to go to the bathroom can be harder then with any other breed. Their bladders are smaller and more finicky and they may need to go out more frequently, which means that accidents will be more common. However, the crate method works the best.
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As with any dog, you will need patience to help you deal with potty training. Every dog learns at their own speed and every dog can have different levels of set backs. Cage training is considered to be cruel to some people, however, it is far more cruel to force a puppy to sit in a bathroom or a designated room by themselves. Dogs are social animals and need the company of other animals or of their people. They will also begin to view the bathroom area as punishment.
The kennel or cage should only be used when you are not going to be able to watch the your pet for long periods of time. Remember that when a puppy has to go to the bathroom, it has to go right then. There is no waiting and no holding on. However, a dog will not go to the bathroom in the same area that they sleep in. Keeping their kennel adjusted so that they have enough room to stand up in, lay down in, and turn around in will keep them from being able to go to the bathroom in the kennel. This should be a temporary state for teaching your dog how to “hold it.”
Another benefit of kennel training is that the dog can still see you through the kennel and will not feel alone. With a Shih Tzu puppy, the kennel should be just a little bit larger then the dog itself. You will want to make sure that there is some sort of carpet under the kennel to insulate, as well as a blanket in the kennel for comfort and insulation. While you are away, you will want to put the puppy in the kennel with some food and water as well as some chew toys to keep the dog entertained. Getting an adult potty trained is a lot more difficult. Kennel training is still the best way to train them, but it can take longer. Making sure that animal is walked regularly and knows the good place to go to the bathroom and the bad place to go is very important. Any accident can cause a set back. Stress can also play an important factor in the learning process for potty training, especially in adult Shih Tzu’s. If they feel overwhelmed by a situation, they can easily have an accident in the house, and the training will have to begin from the start.
