Potty training Shih Tzu puppies can at times be a little difficult, but much seems to depend on the individual pup and/or whether the owner has had experience before with house training shih tzus. It’s quite understandable though why new owners get stressed and anxious about it all.

If you have heard about the reputation Shih Tzus have for being hard to house train and you are worried, rest assured that knowing what you need to do and what to expect before you get started will make the process a much easier and stress free experience.

Before You Begin

Be realistic about the time frame you set for house training. Generally, you should expect it to take about two weeks, but puppies that have already established bad habits may require training upwards of six weeks.

You need to be prepared to show a high level of commitment; so be sure you can dedicate the time to making this work. Additionally, take your new puppy to your veterinarian to rule out any health problems that need to be addressed before house training begins.

Step 1. Be Specific and Consistent

Make sure to designate a toilet area and be specific about it so you don’t confuse your puppy. Whether it will be the entire back yard or a small area in a corner of a room or the front yard, if you are not consistent about where you want your puppy to go potty your Shih Tzu will not be either.

The attitude you have about the entire process is the most important component of house training a new puppy. Always be patient and willing to accept that the occasional accident is going to happen.

If your puppy makes a mistake say a firm “no”, but don’t yell at him. Its more important, and you will get better results in the end, if you praise him every time he does the right thing.

Tell him he’s a good boy, but always wait until you are sure he is finished. You don’t want to distract him while he’s in the middle of doing his business.

Simply put, praise and affection shown as a reward are best and a simple “no” to show displeasure will help your Shih Tzu understand what you want and expect.

Step 2. Stick To A Schedule

Create and maintain a realistic schedule that you will be able to maintain. If you stick to the schedule so will your new puppy.

Also set your Shih Tzu’s feeding, bed and wake up times and stick to them as much as you possibly can to ensure success. Generally, within a few days many puppies will be able to hold on to their bladders through out the night.

Not all puppies are the same though, and a lot depends on how old they are as well, so don’t get cross or anxious if your puppy takes longer than this.

Step 3. Keep A Close Eye On Your Puppy

Supervise your Shih Tzu and know where he is at all times. This step will help you learn your new puppy’s toileting times and habits which will help to avoid accidents. If you find that you will be unable to supervise him for an extended period, section off a confined area for your puppy to go potty, and line it with papers.

Potty training Shih Tzu puppies can, if you’re lucky, be quite easy, but be prepared as most owners do find it challenging. You will see results though if you are patient, consistent, stick to your schedule and watch over your puppy as much as possible.