House Training your new puppy!                       

Getting them off to the best start!

 

Shih Tzu House Breaking!

 

The thought of housetraining a puppy can be completely overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be!
 
Please understand that from the time the puppeis are born they are cleaned up after their mommy, and then when they are older and mommy is not cleaning them anymore yours truly cleans up after them and I make sure their exercise pen is always clean. Puppies LOVE a clean area to sleep and play. They are not fond in messing their "area" up. As puppies grow they will want to get away from their play area (exercise pen) to potty. I recommend that when you get the puppy home, start out with a very small area (exercise pen) and make it larger as he/ she earns your trust. Eventually being trustworthy to have run of the house.

 

I take all my puppies outside to go potty, before they go home with you. For a few weeks they will get the idea that outside is for pottying and understand that grass/outside is where they go. They are praised every time they do potty outside! I don't play outside with them when they are here with me as young puppies, because I want them to first and foremost know that outside = potty. When they are older is when you can spend more time with them outdoors for playing, after they "get it".

 

THE METHOD

 

 After having house trained several puppies, I have found this method to be one of the most effective and least frustrating for pup and new owner. First I strongly suggest purchasing a kennel to be your puppies new "den". Your new puppy will spend a great deal of his time in this area for the first few months. Feed your puppy treats and chew toys in the kennel, make it comfortable and a "positive" place. You should always leave your puppy in the kennel while you are away from your home or can not keep a constant watch on the pup. Accidents happen when you cannot watch the puppy.

 

Structure and a consistent schedule along with a calm matter of fact demeanor are keys.

 

 First thing your new puppy needs is food and water. You should feed pup 2-3 times a day. Always have water available, via water bottle. (available at all pet stores).

Water bottles are strongly suggested because they keep the face dry and clean. Water bottles also discourage red yeast that will grow in a wet faced Shih Tzu.

 

After your pup is finished eating you can either play with pup or put him back in kennel. Mother nature predicts that about 5 to 25 minutes after eating your puppy will have to potty. Tell your pup " Lets go potty" in a sweet encouraging voice. Place pup on ground and say again "go potty". I say this a whole bunch of times! Your pup should understand this being that they were familiarized here before going home with you. But, now they are in a new environment, be patient and know that potty will soon arrive. The first week or two is time consuming doing this but it is very effective. Walking stimulates them to potty. After pup does his business reward him with a very pleasing voice " good girl (boy), go potty outside, good girl!"

 

After your puppy potties outside you can take pup inside to play for maybe 30 min at a time and then back in the crate or kennel. If your puppy does not eliminate outside he needs to go back in the kennel for another chance to potty outside in about 15-20 min. This will be inconvenient at first but your puppy will catch on. Your puppy needs to learn to control their bladder and bowels. By keeping them in a confined area they are detoured from eliminating and encouraged to hold it until they are out again.

 

Try to take your puppy to the same place every time. The scent acts like a trigger to make puppy go.

 

First thing in the morning pick your puppy up out of his or her crate and carry them outside to their potty place. I never let them walk outside when they are very young, they get very anxious and they will go on the floor before they get outside!!! Not until they are older do I let them walk to go outside.

 

Go outside through the same door! This way your dog will eventually GO TO THE DOOR when he/she has to go potty. I have customers who have had great success with setting up bells at the exiting door to the yard. Pup will eventually ring the bells with his or her paws when they have to go.

 

Understand your puppy will have accidents in the beginning. You must watch your pup at all times that they are out of the kennel. If you see your pup squatting to go on the floor you must act swiftly and scoop pup up, FIRMLY SAY NO!! And take pup outside. When your pup finishes his business outside you must reward pup with happy voices saying "Good girl/boy." Training could possibly take a couple months or less if you are lucky. Most pups are trained by approximately six months of age. Don't give up on pup, she/he will learn with encouragement and lots of love. I find that when I catch puppy in the act and correct him/her it is MOST effective. Shih Tzu are very intelligent dogs and respond very well to your voice tones.

 

In the beginning it is recommended that you take pup out about every hour. If you work during the day you should take pup out for potty as soon as you get home. The more consistent you are the faster your pup will learn. Consistency is your most important asset. This may not happen over night so patience is the key. Keep your pups kennel as clean as you possible can as a cleaner kennel means cleaner habits for puppy.