7 month shih tzu potty problems?

Question

We have a 7 month old Shih Tzu, who we got almost 1 1/2 months ago, however as long as we have had him we have been having a problem of pottying in the house. He will go out when DH takes him at 10pm, comes in and goes to bed until 7 or 730 am without going out. Then my husband takes him to the basement with him until noon and he might go out once during that time.

The problem is during that time he is closed in a smaller office with my husband, but when he comes up stairs he is in the living room and we take him out every hour or so and he still pees on the floor. He goes when he is outside too. Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to get him to go outside all the time and do it all at once. My friends tell me he should be able to hold it for at least 3 hours and he does not wait longer then a hour or so, but it only happens during the day. Thanks

Answer 1

Shih Tzu are very smart but can be extremely stubborn. My female shih tzu kept having accidents until she was about 1 1/2 years old. You need to be very strict and keep a schedule. Crate training works well. You can also try puppy diapers. Most puppies won't pee in the diapers because they like to stay clean. First try keeping the diaper on for about 3 hours then take it off and bring the puppy outside. Gradually increase the time to 4, 5, 6, 7 hours... Try Simple Solution's Disposable Diapers for Dogs (not the pads that you attach to a fabric undergarment)
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032890&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441811251&bmUID=1155065081969

There's a great book called 'Metrodogs' that teaches you how to train your dog, it's an excellent book. Please be patient with your puppy and don't give up on him. I never thought mine would learn but now she's so used to it that she only needs to go out 3 times.

Dogs are creatures of habit. YOU create the habit, at this point your puppy's habit is to pee every hour.

Good luck!!

Answer 2

I have a shih tzu also .I heard getting them neautered will help.I have had the same problem .finally i made a wrap with a maxi pad in it that i put around waist and velcro it shut.so incase he has an accident it will be absorbed by the pad and not the carpet.also dogs hate to potty on themselves so this will help to train him. just make sure he always has a fresh pad .

Answer 3

Do you have carpet on the floor? There may be urine trapped in the carpet pad and he smells it. This will trigger him to go on that spot. If so then you need to steam clean your carpet to remove what only the dog can smell.