Crate training your Shih Tzu is a significant part of your newly acquired puppies education. Firstly, you will need to situate the crate in a safe and secure place; this will allow your dog to have some privacy.
The crate should also be in a place where you can keep an eye on her, and she should be able to see you and the family as well. Please do not put the puppy’s crate in an isolated area where she may feel lonely.
Puppy socialization much depends on exposure to a variety of smells, sounds, activities, and sights.
When you start crate training your Shih Tzu, you will need to play with your puppy so that she has the opportunity to exercise and have a bowel movement.
Put her inside the crate with a favorite toy and treat. And then close the crate door, and make sure that the house is quiet. Let her stay in the crate for no more than ten minutes.
If everything goes according to plan, she should fall fast asleep. However, if she is still awake but stays quiet, take her out after ten minutes and shower her with praise. Repeat this method and extend the time by a few minutes more over the next few days.
You Can Turn Crate Training Your Shih Tzu Into Housetraining Later On
Whenever your puppy can stay in the crate for at least 2 hours at a time, go ahead and change training time from day to evening. Later on, you use crate training your Shih Tzu as a bridge to housetraining.
At nighttime, put ample amounts of absorbent bedding inside the crate and place it in the bedroom. Therefore, you’d be able to hear your puppy if it needs to eliminate throughout the night.
Most puppies do not like to soil their sleeping quarters. If you have to take your puppy outside at night, try hard not to play with her.
Wait as long as it takes for her to do her business. Shower her with praise; then it is time to put her back into the crate for the remainder of the night.
Don’t forget that you still have to wake up as needed throughout the night and early in the morning to let your Shih Tzu do her business.
Remember, a Shih Tzu puppy has a tiny bladder that cannot hold too many fluids. Fortunately, later in life, her bladder and bowels will become more robust, and she’ll be able to control them for up to six hours; this will enable both of you to sleep a lot better.
Do not use the crate as a tool to punish your puppy. Please do not put your dog in the kennel when it misbehaves. The kennel should be a place where your puppy can go to relax, have some privacy, and be comfortable, not when she’s been a bad girl.
Remember: When you’re not crate training your Shih Tzu puppy. Do not leave the door on the crate. She can get her feet caught or pinched between the kennel and the hinged side of the swaying door if it is not detached.
Remember: If your Shih Tzu makes a lot of noise, barking, crying, or scratching at the door when she’s in her crate, ignore her.
Let at least five minutes of her being quiet pass before you let her out. If you do let her out when she is still barking, she will perceive that as a reward for barking and scratching.
Hopefully, this information helps you with crate training your Shih Tzu. Just remember that patience is your best friend.
