| House training is one of the most important elements | | | | puppy will begin to exhibit a preferred place to |
| of creating a well trained shih tzu and trusted family | | | | eliminate. After this preferred spot has been |
| member. Problems with house training and similar | | | | established, the area that is papered should be slowly |
| issues are the number one reason that dogs are | | | | diminished. The first papers to be removed should be |
| surrendered to shelters, so properly house training your | | | | those that are furthest away from the "toilet". |
| shih tzu can literally save his or her life. | | | | Eventually, the owner will have to lay down only a few |
| House training a shih tzu puppy does not need to be | | | | papers. If the shih tzu puppy ever misses those |
| difficult, but it is important to take the process seriously, | | | | papers, it means that the papered area has been |
| plan ahead and take things slowly. Some shih tzu will | | | | reduced too much and too soon. |
| be easier to house break than others, so it important | | | | After the shih tzu puppy is reliability doing its business |
| to work with your shih tzu. Rushing the process can | | | | only on the papers that have been left, the papers can |
| be counterproductive and cause you to have to start | | | | be slowly and gradually moved to a location of your |
| all over again. | | | | choice. The papers should be moved only gradually, as |
| When it comes to house training a new shih tzu puppy, | | | | little as an inch a day. If the shih tzu puppy misses the |
| it is important to know what to expect. Unless the | | | | papers, again it means that they have been moved |
| owner is able to supervise the shih tzu puppy round | | | | too soon and too far. In this case it will be necessary |
| the clock, it is difficult to complete the house training | | | | to go back a few steps and start over. It is important |
| process until the shih tzu is at least six months old. It is | | | | not to become discouraged. The shih tzu puppy will |
| important to know this ahead of time so you can be | | | | eventually understand the concept, and you will be able |
| prepared. Young shih tzu puppies have bodies that are | | | | to choose your shih tzu's toilet area and move on to |
| constantly changing and growing, and shih tzu puppies | | | | the next step. |
| younger than six months often have not developed | | | | House training when the owner is home |
| the bowel and bladder control they will need to be | | | | Obviously the more time you can spend with your shih |
| properly house trained. | | | | tzu puppy the faster the house training will go. The |
| When the owner is not at home, the shih tzu puppy | | | | objective should be to take the shih tzu puppy to the |
| should be confined to a small room and the entire floor | | | | toilet area every time he needs to do his business. In |
| should be covered with paper. Of course it is important | | | | most cases this will be either every 45 minutes, right |
| to puppy-proof the room, that is removing any items | | | | after each play session, after he first wakes up or |
| on which the shih tzu puppy could be injured. In the | | | | right after he eats or drinks. It is important to provide |
| beginning, the shih tzu puppy will most likely eliminate | | | | effusive praise for the puppy when he eliminates in the |
| anywhere within the room. In addition, the shih tzu | | | | established toilet area. |
| puppy will probably play with the papers, chew them, | | | | As the shih tzu puppy becomes more used to using |
| etc. This is perfectly normal and should not be grounds | | | | his toilet area, and as he develops improved bladder |
| for punishment or distress. Cleaning up each day | | | | and bowel control, he will be able to begin spending |
| should simply be part of the routine of living with a new | | | | more and more time outside his den with his owner in |
| shih tzu puppy. Simply clean up the soiled papers and | | | | the rest of the home. It is important to begin this |
| put down new ones each day. | | | | process by allowing the shih tzu puppy access to one |
| Time for paper training | | | | room at a time. It is also important to allow the shih tzu |
| During the time that the shih tzu puppy is confined in its | | | | puppy in the extra room only when he can be |
| little den, it will begin to develop the habit of eliminating | | | | supervised. When you must leave the room, be sure |
| on paper. After a little time has passed, the shih tzu | | | | to put the shih tzu puppy back in his den. |