| Shih tzu house training is a tedious, challenging and yet | | | | will only confuse him. Just clean up the mess with a |
| necessary task. For a new pup, house training should | | | | cleaner that removes urine stain and odor. |
| start at the earliest age. If you are bringing home an | | | | 4. House training a shih tzu puppy to go outside and on |
| untrained adult dog, potty training should begin as soon | | | | paper |
| as it arrives at your household. | | | | Choose either to train your puppy to eliminate outdoor |
| It is better to equip yourself with some knowledge | | | | or on paper(indoor). Don't try to do both at the same |
| about shih tzu house training even before the puppy | | | | time. You'll only confuse your puppy and he'll take |
| arrives. Otherwise, you could end up making | | | | longer to become fully house trained. |
| unnecessary mistakes that may prevent your dog | | | | 5. Not using a crate or cage |
| from being properly house trained. | | | | Crate training is an essential part of shih tzu house |
| Here are 7 common mistakes (you want to avoid!) | | | | training. Allowing your puppy to roam freely in the |
| that most pet owners make when house training a | | | | house before he is potty trained is a recipe for |
| shih tzu. | | | | disaster. If you are house training your puppy to go |
| 1. Not using positive reinforcement | | | | outside or you are not able to keep a constant eye on |
| Puppies respond best to praises and rewards rather | | | | him, a crate is useful for limiting his access to the |
| than yelling and punishment. When your dog has | | | | house. The rational for crate training is that dogs do |
| relieved himself, praise, pet or give him a treat. | | | | not like to relieve themselves where they sleep. |
| 2. Not spending enough time with your puppy | | | | 6. Not knowing the warning signs your dog needs to |
| Puppies take at least 4 months to develop full control | | | | go potty |
| of their bladders and bowels. You should be around | | | | Watch out for signs such as sniffing in circles or |
| the house as much as possible during the initial few | | | | heading off to a corner of a room. |
| months of house training to teach, supervise and | | | | 7. Not taking your puppy out frequently enough |
| correct your pup. Never leave your pup in a crate for | | | | Puppies need to be taken out frequently at regular |
| long hours. If you are working full time, ask someone | | | | intervals during the day. Small breed dogs and puppies |
| reliable to let your puppy out for potty and to keep an | | | | have small bladders and bowels. They are not able to |
| eye on him in the house. | | | | hold themselves for too long and need to go potty |
| 3. Scolding your puppy for eliminating in the house | | | | often. Be sure to take your dog outside after each |
| If you catch your puppy in the act, firmly say "No" to | | | | meal, upon waking up and before bedtime. |
| interrupt him. Pick him up and bring him to his potty | | | | There are bound to be accidents in the house, so don't |
| area to eliminate. Once he's done, praise and reward | | | | freak out. It's part of the learning process for your |
| him. | | | | puppy. Remember, house training a shih tzu requires |
| Should you find 'accidents' in the house, it's too late to | | | | consistency, patience and dedication. Don't expect him |
| correct him. No point telling him off at this point as you | | | | to be full house trained overnight. |