Shih Tzu Potty Training Age: Are Shih Tzus Easy to Potty Train?

shih tzu potty training age: you should know

Shih Tzu puppies are incredibly adorable, but one mistake most new owners make is thinking these puppies are like most other breeds regarding training and not waiting for the right Shih Tzu potty training age.

How to potty train a shih tzu
Shih Tzu potty training ages vary from dog to dog.

Shih Tzus are extremely eager to please their owner and can be heartbroken when they think they have failed. So, when training your puppy, you must offer lots of encouragement and positive reinforcement with little to no negative feedback.

Are Shih Tzu puppies easy to potty train? The answer is no. Their small bladders make them prone to accidents, so anyone wanting to own a Shih Tzu should be patient, loving, caring, and understanding.

Shih Tzu Potty Training Age

Another aspect of training Shih Tzu puppies is their inability to control their bladder until they are 10 to 12 weeks old, at this point, they become Shih Tzu potty-training age.

Until then, attempting to potty train your pet will only create anxiety in your pet and frustration in you. Cover the floor area they live in with newspaper or potty training pads and spend lots of time playing with them.

It will mean a fair amount of cleanup until they are ready to learn, but if you wait until they are ready, they will learn quickly!

shih tzu potty training book
Learn all about Shih Tzu potty training age in this award-winning book

Putting them on a feeding schedule can help control when they need to go. After 12 weeks, you should find that they will defecate first thing in the morning and then again right after eating their morning meal.

You may also find they want to urinate within minutes of drinking water. Being aware of this can save you frustration in caring for your puppy.

If you need to leave your Shih Tzu unattended, put up a child safety gate. This will allow them to see more than just their room and keep them from getting into trouble.

Never allow your puppy free rein of the house until they are at least a year old. They are very curious and can be highly destructive by chewing on table legs, shoes, or the carpet.

This is not acting out of frustration; it is just their natural character. Like a baby likes to put things in its mouth, Shih Tzu chews on things.

Shih Tzu potty training age
Finding the right Shih Tzu potty training age is important

If you catch your puppy doing something you don’t want them to do, just startle them with a loud noise. Eventually, with training, you can cure your puppy’s desire to chew, but that takes time.

Although Shih Tzu puppies are relatively comfortable in crates, they may whimper the first few nights.

This is not because of the crate but because their siblings are lonely. Putting a warm water bottle and a ticking clock in their crate with them should help.

It is no secret that most puppies will have issues getting accustomed to housetraining or potty training. Shih Tzus, more so than most larger breeds, have difficulty adapting to potty training because they have small bladders.

Nevertheless, one way to help your Shih Tzu puppy is to use the simple yet effective crate training method. This method is highly effective, but you must show a lot of patience and positive reinforcement. Shih Tzus are susceptible dogs and do not do well with harsh treatment.

When will a shih tzu be fully potty trained

Treating your puppy harshly while potty training can cause Shih Tzu potty training regression, which can cause them to forget everything they learned up to that point. Shih Tzu ownership is not for everyone.

Few people will wait for the proper Shih Tzu potty training age. Therefore, they lose patience with the puppy and subject it to harsh handling. This behavior is a surefire way to destroy your puppy’s confidence and its love and trust for you.

Your Shih Tzu housebreaking problems will go away if you take your time and shower your little puppy with praise, love, and plenty of treats. These dogs want to do nothing but please you. Therefore, if you are patient with them, they will reward you when they are correctly potty trained. However, it is still crucial that you pay attention to the right Shih Tzu potty training age.

DISCLAIMER: The information on shihtzudoginformation.com is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only. The content is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have regarding your dog’s health or medical condition.

References

  1. American Kennel Club (AKC) – https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-potty-train-a-shih-tzu-puppy
  2. PetMD – https://www.petmd.com/dog/puppycenter/training/evr_dg_potty_training_your_puppy
  3. VCA Animal Hospitals – https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/house-training-your-puppy
  4. The Humane Society of the United States – https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-house-train-your-dog-or-puppy
  5. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) – https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/house-training-your-dog

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