| Crate training is one of the most effective ways of | | | | and force it to soil its sleeping area. The crate is simply |
| house breaking shih tzu puppies or shih tzu dogs. Crate | | | | a tool, and it should not be abused by leaving the shih |
| training is very efficient, and very effective, since it | | | | tzu in it for extended periods of time. If the shih tzu is |
| uses the natural instinct of the dog to achieve the | | | | left in the crate for too long, it could set back the |
| desired result of a clean house and a well trained dog. | | | | training program by weeks if not months. |
| The concept behind crate training is that a shih tzu | | | | The shih tzu should only be confined to the crate |
| naturally strives to avoid soiling the area where it eats | | | | when you are at home. Except for nighttime, the shih |
| and sleeps. By placing the shih tzu dog in the crate, this | | | | tzu should be given the opportunity to relieve itself |
| instinct is enhanced. The shih tzu will come to see the | | | | every 45 minutes or so. Each time the shih tzu is taken |
| crate as its den, and it will try to avoid soiling its den. | | | | out, it should be put on a leash and immediately taken |
| The key to successful crate training for a shih tzu | | | | outside. Once outside the house, the shih tzu should be |
| puppy or an older shih tzu, as with other forms of dog | | | | given three to five minutes to do its business. If the shih |
| training, is to establish a good routine. This routine will | | | | tzu does not eliminate in this time period, it should be |
| enhance the ability of the shih tzu to do its business in | | | | immediately returned to the create. |
| the right place, and avoid eliminating in the wrong place. | | | | If the shih tzu does its business during the set time |
| It is important to shower the shih tzu with praise each | | | | period, it should be rewarded with praise, food, play, |
| and every time it eliminates in the established toilet | | | | affection and either an extended walk or a period of |
| area, and not to express frustration or anger when the | | | | play inside or outside the home. |
| dog makes a mistake. | | | | During the crate training period, it is important to keep a |
| It is important to confine the shih tzu or shih tzu puppy | | | | daily diary of when the dog does its business each |
| to a small part of the house, generally one puppy | | | | day. If the shih tzu is on a regular feeding schedule, the |
| proofed room, when you are not at home. The room | | | | toilet schedule should be consistent as well. Having a |
| should contain a soft bed, fresh water and some | | | | good idea of when the shih tzu needs to eliminate |
| favorite toys to prevent the shih tzu from becoming | | | | each day will be a big help during the house training |
| bored and frustrated. | | | | process. After the shih tzu has used his established |
| Crate training is different from confining the shih tzu to | | | | toilet area, you will be able to give the shih tzu free run |
| one room, however. With crate training, the shih tzu | | | | of the house to play and enjoy himself. |
| puppy or shih tzu dog is confined to a crate when | | | | Dealing with accidents during crate training |
| unsupervised. The idea is that the shih tzu will think of | | | | It is very important to not punish the shih tzu puppy or |
| this crate as its home, and not want to soil his home. | | | | shih tzu dog when it makes a mistake or has an |
| When crate training, it is important to remove the shih | | | | accident during the crate training process. If there has |
| tzu from the crate as soon as possible after returning | | | | been an accident, simply clean it up. Accidents during |
| home, and to take the shih tzu promptly to the | | | | house training mean that you have provided the shih |
| previously established toilet area. When the shih tzu | | | | tzu with unsupervised access to the house too quickly. |
| does its business in this toilet area, be sure to provide | | | | The shih tzu should not be allowed unsupervised |
| lots of praise and treats. It is important that the shih tzu | | | | access to the home until you can trust her bowel and |
| learn to associate proper toilet procedures with good | | | | bladder habits. If mistakes do occur, it is best to go |
| things like treats and toys. | | | | back to crate training. Taking a couple of steps back |
| It is important to never leave the shih tzu in its crate for | | | | will help move the house training process along, while |
| long periods of time, as this will confuse the shih tzu | | | | moving too quickly could set things back. |