Shih Tzu dogs are the ultimate companion for you and your family. They are a wonderful breed that’s alive with spunk and personality. They enjoy boasting around the room and wagging their tail around like a real boss. However, Shih Tzu potty training problems will definitely test your patience and consistency. But it is worth it in the end.
Shih Tzus enjoy the friendship of the whole family, and they particularly love to get pampered by them.
Shih Tzu potty training should start as soon as you introduce your new puppy to your home. You will find that your dog is going to be a smart and talented student.
They enjoy the motivation and challenges that potty training brings. Also, relish the time you spend with your puppy.
Potty training a Shih Tzu can prove to be a challenging and time-consuming task. If you want to enjoy potty training, your fuzzy friend, then you need to know some challenges that you will face and learn how to deal with them.
Here are some of the most common Shih Tzu potty training problems.
Shih Tzu Potty Training Problems
1. Health Problems:
If your Shih has been a good student during your early potty training sessions and then suddenly starts showing bad habits like peeing anywhere, then chances are he/she has some health issues.
As stated earlier, a Shih Tzu is a very intelligent dog and hence, cannot start forgetting past training all of a sudden.
Also, Shih Tzus may sometimes suffer from a kidney problem like renal dysplasia.
This disease can result in the urge to urinate more often. If your Shih Tzu has some other atypical symptoms or habits such as loss of appetite, drinking more, or looking stressed, you need to contact the vet.
2. Coprophagia (Poop Eating):
Coprophagia is a term used to describe poop eating among dogs. Like human beings, each Shih Tzu has its reasons for their habits. Poop eating among dogs depends on each dog’s motives.
They can also eat poop, depending on their training, age, diet, or living conditions. Poop eating is a behavior that is common among various Shih Tzus.
The reason why they develop this behavior is still contentious, but many experts believe that they do this in response to harsh discipline during training.
The Shih Tzu thinks that it is being disciplined for the act itself, and not the actual reason for going in the inappropriate place. Female dogs are more likely to exhibit this behavior than their male counterparts.
Other people think that poop eating is a behavior that runs in the breed and has nothing to do with harsh punishment. Either case, you need to discourage this habit.
3. Unpredictable Potty Times:
With the little Shih Tzus, it is essential to decide on a feeding schedule to make it easier to tell the possible potty times. During potty training, you need to allow your puppy to eliminate at regular times.
Also, feeding your Shih Tzu at particular times only will help you predict the best potty times for them.
4. Making Mistakes:
Like other dogs, the Shih Tzu can make some mistakes during potty training. However, the Shih Tzu may sometimes be quite stubborn, and they might decide to go to the potty at a place where the owner wouldn’t allow them.
It takes time, patience and persistence to teach your dog where it is supposed to go when they need to eliminate. Praise your Shih Tzu when they go to the correct place, as this will help highlight the right potty habits.
Your Shih Tzu is looking to you for motivation, training, and guidance. He/she wants to know when they do the right thing.
They would like to make you happy, and therefore, you need to exercise patience to achieve your goal.
These are some Shih Tzu potty training problems that are commonly experienced by owners during training.
Always bear in mind that the Shih Tzu has confidence in you and knows that you are their best friend and, therefore, deserves your trust, kindness, and patience even when you feel overwhelmed and frustrated.
Every potty trainer experiences the same low moments. With the right mindset, however, you will reap the rewards and enjoy many pleasant moments together with your fuzzy friend.
Good luck to you and your Shih Tzu!
