How to Train a Shih Tzu - (Potty Training & Crate Training)

The Shih Tzu which literally means 'Little Lion'  are known for their small size and hypoallergenic   coats. These toy dogs are very affectionate  and have charming personalities. They are known   for their stubborn nature, which makes their  training a challenging task. However, they are   also smart and trainable, and can be trained  easily by using a correct training approach. Potty training is a long and difficult task  and you need to start it as soon as possible   an early start provides more chances of success  because puppies learn faster and easier it is a   time when they haven't developed any bad habits  and it is a lot easier to control their stubborn   nature so the ideal time for potty training is the  day she arrives in your home usually when she is   around 8 weeks old don't train her if she is less  than eight weeks old foreign the designation of a   bathroom spot for your puppy is very necessary and  it is the first step of the potty training process   in fact it is something you need to do even  before bringing home a new puppy introduce her   to the designated spot from day one and she will  subconsciously associate with the spot for Shih   Tzu puppies you can choose either an indoor or  outdoor bathroom spot the outdoor spot is always   the preferred option you can allocate a specific  area of your yard to their bathroom it would be a   corner or a side area this spot should be easily  and quickly accessible it should be suitable for   all weathers and you should not have different  spots for Summers and Winters stick to one proper   location and don't change it because your puppy  will have a hard time adjusting to new spots like   toddlers young puppies just do it anywhere and  they don't know that there is a specific spot for   the bathroom it is your responsibility to teach  them and make them used to the designated spot a consistent routine or schedule is very  convenient and it makes life easier for   both of you young puppies adjust easily to  habits and routines that is why you need to   make a daily schedule for your puppy which  includes regular times for eating sleeping   playing and potty breaks the decisive role is  played by a regular feeding schedule feed them   at the same time every day and that will ensure  they eliminate it on a schedule Shih Tzu puppies   naturally respond well to habits and routines  and they have an easy time adjusting to them a   consistent schedule is a key for the success  of the training there are some recommended   times for the schedule around 10 to 15 minutes  after a meal they usually feel an urge for the   bathroom they need to be taken to the designated  spot right after waking up and before bedtime   if they wake up from a nap take them to the  bathroom they also need a potty break after   a walk or playing session Shih Tzu are toy dogs  and they have very small bladders which means a   limb limited holding capacity and frequent  urge for the bathroom young puppies need   potty breaks every hour or two they may also  need a potty break in the middle of the night foreign dogs cannot tell verbally but they  surely give you some signs whenever they   have an urge for the bathroom there could be a  lot of warning signals which could be physical   or verbal and you should be able to read them  sniffing around the floor is one of the first   signs and that means your puppy is finding a  suitable or an old spot for the bathroom and   in this search of a suitable potty spot sometimes  they walk around in circles which is another potty   sign sometimes they give verbal signs like they  whine whimper or bark at you and the door which   means they want you to take them to the bathroom  spot sometimes they show some restlessness and   do squatting and if she lifts the legs she is  about to defecate you cannot ignore these signs   when you receive these warning signals act  promptly by taking them to the designated spy potty accidents are bound to happen in the  beginning these mistakes happen only because   of two main reasons first young puppies don't  have control of their bladders and they literally   cannot hold it for a long time that is why they  just do it anywhere whenever Nature Calls the   second main reason is that they are not used to  the designated spot and they need time to fully   grasp the concept of a dedicated bathroom  spot if you want to reduce potty accidents   give them frequent potty breaks you need to be  cooperative these are early stages of training   and a young puppy could hardly be blamed for an  indoor accident in some cases accidents happen   because of medical issues like bladder infections  you don't need to normalize indoor accidents   and whenever you come across it immediately  interrupted and carry them to the designated   spot when you interrupt the process they will  understand that it is not okay to eliminate   inside however do not scold or punish your puppy  that is cruel and counterproductive one accident   can lead to another be because if you don't clean  the potty spot completely your puppy will be drawn   back to the same spot by the smell of it and  they will consider it as their marked territory   so to wash it up completely you not only need to  get rid of the stain but the odor as well which   attracts the puppy back to the same spot you  cannot remove enzymes and odor with a normal   cleaner you have to use an enzymatic cleaner  that eliminates every trace of the potty spot according to the American Kennel Club crates are  an important house training tool this strategy   works on the principle of their cleaning Instinct  dogs are naturally tempted to separate their   sleeping area from the bedroom and they want their  sleeping area to be clean so when you put your dog   in a small enclosed space of a crate and make it  their sleeping and dining area they are naturally   inclined to keep it clean they don't want the  smell or mess inside their sleeping quarters and   therefore whenever they have an urge they hold  it and go to the designated bathroom spot this   strategy works perfectly and the crate has proven  to Be an Effective tool for potty training a dog this Choice depends upon your personal  preferences and living conditions Shih   Tzu makes excellent apartment dogs and if you  are living in an apartment you can use indoor   Arrangements which works perfectly for these  little dogs they are small dogs and produce   a small mess which is relatively easy to clean  you can use dog litter boxes or puppy pads for   these toy dogs while indoor Arrangements work  perfectly and outdoor space is always an ideal   choice because you will be saved from the smell  and potty accidents are relatively Less in case   of an outdoor space however you need to choose one  specific place for the bathroom whether indoor or   outdoor you cannot have both at the same time  because that will disturb the training process you need to use a command for the bathroom  it could be a word like bathroom toilet   Etc use a simple and clear command  without making it longer it should   be a distinct command and everyone in  the family should use the same command so oftentimes their holding ability is  determined by their age and there is   a generic formula for that according to the  Humane Society of the US a puppy can control   their bladder one hour for every month of age so  if your puppy is two months old they can hold it   for about two hours the American Kennel Club  also acknowledges this month-to-hour formula   but says that the timings could be different  for different puppies shiitsu are toy dogs   and they have very small bladders which means  a limited capacity to hold it and that is why   they need frequent potty breaks this generic  rule of months to hours should not be strictly   applied to them they should be given frequent  potty breaks their small bladders and bowel   muscles will become more prone to infections if  they are constantly holding it for longer times potty training a shitsu is indeed a difficult  task it is not just their stubborn nature but   also their small bladders which make the potty  training difficult and challenging it could take   four to six months and in some cases it could take  up to eight months it is not their fault the potty   training is the most difficult part of the whole  training process however the time duration varies   depending upon the temperament and experiences  of an individual puppy it also depends upon the   effort and dedication from the owner's side if  you remain consistent they could be trained easily foreign before we dive into crate training a  general question arises is crate training required   or not according to the American Kennel Club crate  training gives dogs a sense of security and safety   it is vitally important for puppies adults and  Senior Dogs it is like a shelter and a useful   training tool that has been recommended by vets  trainers and breeders the Humane Society of the   United States considers the crate as an important  tool in preventing chewing issues and for house   training it is a safe way for the transportation  of a dog it provides a comfortable quiet and safe   place however it is not a magical solution and  can become a disaster if used incorrectly crate   training a shitsu has also been recommended by  the American Shih Tzu Club regardless of all of   its benefits and recommendations it is still  a choice and not a mandatory thing for dogs a crate is like a shelter and a sanctuary for  a dog it is their personal bedroom and a safe   haven moreover it is the place to leave your dog  whenever you have to go outside for a short time according to the American Kennel Club crate  ranks high is a potty training tool since the   crate is a bedroom for dogs they naturally  want it to be clean and don't eliminate   inside of it thus it works as a quick and  effective method for potty training a dog crates are a big help in traveling you can  easily transport your dog in a vehicle and   the crate keeps them safe during travel  many airlines want you to put your dog   in an airline approved crate many hotels  also demand to keep your dog in a crate the interior of the crate should be a nice  comfortable and appealing place for your   puppy their crate should also be extra cozy and  have all the basic necessities the most important   thing in a crate is the bedding space shitsu may  be a royal breed but they don't demand a luxurious   bid instead they want a comfortable bed people  use towels or blankets for the bedding space but   it is preferred to use a purpose made bed for dogs  there are a lot of options in the market like dog   beds or crate mats Shih Tzu puppies chew a lot  and you need to buy a chew proof bed the second   most important thing is their toys and treats  you need to spread their toys and treats all   over the crate provide interactive toys to keep  them entertained and busy in the crate you can   use some treat releasing toys and fill them with  treats like peanut butter puzzle toys also work   best for a crate in short the overall appearance  of the crate should be more like a den the crate   should have proper ventilation lighting and a  view you can drape a blanket over the sides to   create enough darkness when you leave them  inside the crate remove the collar or tags   from your puppy as those could prove harmful  if they get stuck in the crate installing a   dog camera around the crate will help you a lot  to keep an eye on your puppy while you're away foreign for the first time it could be a bit  challenging in the beginning puppies don't know   about this new enclosed space so give them an  opportunity to explore the crate on their own   puppies are naturally curious and if you have  properly decorated the interior with comfortable   bedding toys and treats she will definitely go  inside to check them out when she enters inside   don't close the door instead give her more  treats let her explore the crate and become   comfortable with it in the first few days and  first few attempts you need to be cooperative   and don't rush the process the best strategy  is to do everything slowly and gradually for   example keep them in the crate for a short time  in the beginning and then gradually increase it   similarly in the beginning don't close the door  but do it only in the later attempts introduce him   to the crate after a playing or exercise session  because when they are exhausted they would want   to take some rest in the comfortable space of  the crate on the other hand if they are active   they will naturally want to go outside and play  when you leave them alone in the crate and go   outside of the room they usually whine cry or  bark this is because they want you to get them   out of the crate don't respond to their whining  until they settle down you don't have to reward   their whining by taking them out of the crate  because if you do so she will learn that making   a noise in the crate takes her out of it and she  will repeat that every time you put her back in your puppy needs to have a positive association  with the crate because that will ensure a smooth   training process from a puppy's perspective the  crate should be a place of comfort and enjoyment   and to achieve this goal you will need to do a  few things make a comfortable bed space fill the   crate with her favorite toys and treats make  sure their first few experiences in the crate   are positive make the crate their dining area  and they will naturally love the place when you   are around keep the door open and don't lock  them inside do not use the crate as a cage   or prison instead it should be more like their  den or bedroom in short do everything to make   the crate an exciting and fun place for your  dog on the other hand there are some things   that will result in a negative experience with  the crate never use the crate as a punishment   tool Don't force them inside the crate don't rush  the training process instead do it gradually you   should not use the crate as a solitary confinement  by leaving them inside for long periods of time thank you you need to pick a good spot for placing  the crate because if a puppy dislikes the location   of the crate she will naturally hate the crate  the main rule about the crate placing area is   that it should be a place where your dog could  feel connected to the family and feel the vibe   of a household this could be a location like a  family room kitchen or a bedroom if you place the   crate at an abandoned or lonely place they will  ultimately hate going inside of the crate only   because of its location Shih Tzu are highly social  and even while they are inside the crate they want   to be part of the family since they are small  dogs their crate is also small and can be placed   at any suitable place at night keep the crate in  your bedroom or close to that this ideal location   should be a safe and secure place away from direct  sunlight fire and electricity appliances however   on the other hand it should not be kept at a  busy place which has loud noises and activities always use a command for the crate  this could be words like crate kennel   Etc use the same command  consistently and don't change it the size is very important and you need to  choose a crate of the right size it should   not be too large or too small a large crate for  these little dogs will make them use one corner of   it for sleeping and another for the bathroom Shih  Tzu are small dogs and they only need enough space   in the crate to stand up turn around and lay down  freely Shih Tzu are toy dogs and they need a crate   that is made for toy sized breeds you need to buy  a crate for their adult size because puppies don't   have a constant size they are growing fast and you  can use dividers to adjust their size until they   reach their full size according to AKC an adult  Shih Tzu is around 10 inches tall and weighs   around 9 to 16 pounds there are a lot of crates  available in the market wire crate is a popular   choice it is convertible and comes with adjustable  divider panels they offer maximum visibility and   ventilation wood crates are stylish and luxurious  they are the best option if you don't move the   crate a lot plastic or fabric crates are deal for  traveling purposes whether that is by car or by   air they are according to the safety standards  of different airlines and our iata approved foreign their time in the crate should be as  limited as possible and you need to keep them   in the crate only for the required time according  to the Humane Society of the United States puppies   under six months of age should not stay in a  crate for more than three or four hours at a   time Shih Tzu are small dogs and they have tiny  bladders which they are unable to control in the   first few months they need around four to six  months to get control of their bladders so if   you leave them in the crate for an extended  period of time they might end up eliminating   inside the crate another main reason for less  time in the crate is their physical and mental   stimulation requirements Shih Tzu may not be that  much active but they still need indoor play time   they are companion and lap dogs and love to sit  in the lab of owners instead of staying in the   crate crate is a temporary confinement place  and you need to keep your dog in the crate   when you cannot supervise them like when you  have to run some errands for a short time a   correct and Humane use of the crate is mandatory  a crate is a wonderful tool however it should not   be overused the crate can be a comfortable or a  miserable place and it depends upon your use of it Shih Tzu may be stubborn and crate training  could take a few weeks or months it depends   upon the temperament of an individual puppy  and his crate experience if you introduce the   crate properly and use a correct approach for  training puppies will adjust to it right away   on the other hand it is also normal for puppies  to take some time to become comfortable with the   crate make sure your puppy builds a positive  association with the crate because if they   hate it they will be reluctant to go inside  and the training process will be disturbed Shih Tzu are very smart and trainable dogs  but their training is relatively difficult   it is because of their stubborn nature and  small dog syndrome Shih Tzu are not only   stubborn but also have independent minds  and that is why sometimes they like to do   things in their own way and may not actively  follow your commands their hard train ability   is also because of their small dog syndrome  which makes them develop big attitudes and   personalities because of which sometimes they are  not willing to be cooperative and follow their   own minds however their stubborn independent  and small dog nature should not be translated   as less smart or less trainable these little  dogs are very smart and highly trainable it   is just that their trainability is relatively  difficult and takes time the best strategy to   train these toy dogs is to remain consistent  use positive reinforcement and start early foreign although you can train them by  yourself it's also a good idea to enroll   them in a kindergarten or obedience class these  classes not only provide a learning opportunity   but also a socialization experience for a puppy if  your puppy has received her mandatory vaccinations   you can enroll her in a training class when  she is about 8 to 10 weeks old these training   classes make them well-mannered dogs large dogs  could be intimidating for Shih Tzu puppies so you   need to find a training class that has almost  the same size dogs puppy training classes are   offered by local dog clubs shelters or any other  private organizations the American Kennel Club   also offers different training programs like  Star puppy and Canine Good Citizen programs an ideal training session is supposed to  have three main properties short focused   and entertaining because of their small face  and long coats Shih Tzu face issues in hot   weather so you don't need to train them in  hot conditions train them at a quiet place   with few distractions like a backyard if  they are distracted from the training you   can grab their attention by using treats  because of their shorter attention spans   it is recommended to work in multiple  short sessions instead of a long one end   of the training session on a positive  note by giving them praise and treats foreign to the American Veterinary Society for  animals behavior only reward-based training   methods should be used for dog training as it  is supported by scientific evidence aversive   methods have a damaging effect and they are not  effective the American Kennel Club says that   positive reinforcement should be the foundation of  training while the Humane Society of the U.S calls   it one of the most powerful tools this positive  reinforcement uses praise and trees to change a   dog's Behavior Shih Tzu are more likely to respond  to positive reinforcement and learn better with it   any negative reinforcement in the form of scolding  or punishment should never be used these are not   only cruel but also produce counter results your  puppy will become more stubborn if you punish them socialization is required to control  their aggression and fairness it is   vitally important for training from a  young age make them accustomed to new   sounds smells and sights a puppy needs to be  comfortable around new people pets and dogs   you can take your puppy to the market park  or a friend's house however vaccination is   mandatory before letting her mingle with  other dogs and pets the earlier you start   socialization the better it is the first few  months are the prime time for socialization these two factors are directly related to  the owner and not with the dog they are   crucial for training shih tzu dogs are known  for their stubborn nature and their training   takes time it is totally normal for this  breed to learn the training at their own   pace and take some time it is also normal to  see some setbacks in the training training   requires commitment and full dedication and  you need to have some realistic expectations   patience and consistency will help you  a lot in training them and controlling   their stubborn nature it is totally worth  the effort and is a rewarding experience

Channel: Rizwan Khan Diary

Views: 6,825

Keywords: Shih tzu, shih tzu training, potty training, crate training

Id: tNWgvMU4efM

Length: 22min 27sec (1347 seconds)

Published: Wed Apr 12 2023