I have a shih tzu puppy and I am having a hard time housebreaking her. What's the secret?

Answer 1

I have now house trained many dogs in my lifetime and couldn't BELIEVE how much EASIER they are to "potty train" than kids! Absolutely, THE best way to housebreak a puppy, in my experience, is to buy a "crate" available at pet stores everywhere. Make sure you get one that can be adjusted to your puppy's growth, as it may come in handy later on. What you do is keep the puppy in the cage with it adjusted for size so that she has just enough room to turn around in it. KEEP her in that crate AT ALL times, but periodically take her out of it and IMMEDIATELY carry her outdoors to where you want her to do her business. After she finishes her business, praise her, "Good dog", give her treats, pet her, play with her, etc., for a short time only (maybe 10 minutes). Then, put her BACK in her cage. Repeat this routine many times throughout the day. Make sure you have a bowl of water ATTACHED to the inside of her crate - they sell water bowls that attach to the crate (otherwise the puppy will knock over the water bowl and you don't want that). The "secret" behind this method is that NO DOG will "mess" where it sleeps. And, the "trick" is to not allow her any more space in the crate than she absolutely needs, otherwise, if she can "mess" in one corner and move to the other corner, it probably won't work. Plus, ALWAYS carry her outside immediately upon taking her from her cage. I found this method is usually successful within a matter of just a few days. Oh, and, usually, if you buy the "crate" new from a pet store, it COMES with specific instructions, detailing EXACTLY how to "crate train" your puppy. It's important that you follow the instructions and introduce them to it correctly. (basically, you "lure" the puppy into the crate by throwing some treats in, rather than forcing her into it. And, leave the door open the first time or two. Early on, you should not just put her in and then leave the room or she may develop a negative reaction to being put in the crate). If done correctly, they actually LIKE being in the crate because they feel secure (you might want to put something soft in there for her to lay on). Once crate trained, a dog will never mind going in their cage. My two adult dogs ROUTINELY go in there all the time, on their own. Because I followed the directions for HOW to "crate train" them, they do not view it as a punishment at all. In fact, it's their preferred place to sleep, even when the door is left open. And, whenever I WANT them in their crate, all I have to do is say "crate", and, in they go, with no resistance.

Answer 2

try putting newspaper in a corner[that is if you can't take her outside to pee all the time!!]as you know puppies pee 500 times a day!!!they also sell special mats just for this..i put newspaper in a corner then slowly moved it towards the door,then right outside the door ,then outside..worked for me[i trained 8 dogs!!!]if they did it anywhere else i'd yell "NO" good luck!!!

Answer 3

Many toy breeds can take up to 1 year to be fully housebroken, so if she's still a puppy, you haven't lost the battle yet.

It all comes down to establishing a routine that insures your dog's success. Start by bringing her outside every 30 minutes, and praise her whenever she does her business outdoors. If she doesn't seem to be going every 30 minutes, move it to 1 hour, then 1.5, etc. Puppies have small bladders, so if you're not letting her out often enough, she simply can't hold it any longer.

Another important factor is using a pen or crate- don't let a small puppy have the run of the house if she's not housebroken! Dogs don't like to use the bathroom in 'their' space, ie, a crate, and will avoid it if at all possible. If she has the run of the house, she's free to use the bathroom far away from her space, but still inside.

Also, make sure she's on a strict feeding schedule. Meals should be portioned (check the dog food bag for the amount you should be feeding her by age and weight, and split that into either 2 or 3 meals- never let her have an endless bowl of food on the floor!) and fed at the same times every day. Make sure to take her outside within 15-30 minutes of meals, as she will most likely need to go. Also, make sure her last meal is 3-4 hours before bedtime, and take away water 2-3 hours before bed- this will help her last through the night without any accidents. Make sure she gets one last potty run right before bed.

If you're consistent in your routines, she will catch on eventually. Every dog is different, but she will learn. Good luck!

Answer 4

You basically have to train yourself to take the dog out every so often and then use a key word like "hurry" or "go potty" and then praise them when they do their business. For sure, put them out a little while after they eat and drink and after they wake up from a nap or whatever. It just takes time, consistency and a lot of hard work on your part.

Answer 5

consistency, confinement when you can't keep watch on her 100%, and patience. It's easier to train them when you can block them off from any areas that are out of your site so they have less of a chance for accidents. My male Shih-tzu wasn't totally trustworthy in the house until he was 6 mo. old, my female on the other hand, learnt to use a litter-box and I could give her free run of the house by the time she was 4 mo. old.

Take the pup out as soon as she wakes up from a nap, soon after eating or drinking and after any play session. Watch for circling, if you catch her in the act of peeing or pooping inside tell her no and scoop her up, immediately take her outside and when she finishes going out there praise her. If you find a mess after the fact (if you didn't see her do it) you can't punish her for it because she won't put 2 and 2 together to know why she is being punished, in this case just remove her from the room and clean up the mess. I've heard that it is best not to have the dog see you clean up their messes on the carpet or else they may think that this is where they are supposed to go and will continue to mess on the carpet.

Answer 6

There is NO secret. Some dogs are naturally easy to train, and some are very hard headed, and almost refuse to be trained to do anything.

Answer 7

make sure she knows you mean business. Don't play outside (fetch, walks, etc) until she's housebroken. whenever she's circling or sniffing or acting like she has to do her duty, pick her up and put her outside on the grass. she'll want to go inside and do it in there but don't let her. be patient, keep placing her on the grass. repeat phrases like "do your stuff!" and "you can do it!" be encouraging yet firm. soon enough she'll have no choice but to relieve herself, and when she finally does, have a party! (literally) throw your hands up in the air and jump around congratulating her. say things like "good doggy!" and "i knew you could do it!!" don't forget the treat. you'll feel silly, but this is a big deal for your little puppy. when she sees that this is what you wanted her to do, she'll start to remember to do her business outside.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

crate train her...and when you take her outside,take her to the same spot everytime and stand there till she goes

Answer 9

If your dogs acting up it probly just wants your attention and wants to play

Answer 10

Shhhh........Consistency and patients......shhhhh!