I have a 9 week old, 2.5 lb. Shih Tzu that I am currently...

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Answer by Jeri
Submitted on 2/11/2004
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I too, have a shih tzu but was able to start housebreaking in the summer (it took a full year for him to be totally housebroken). I do want to say something about the "puppy pads", we have a cocker(4th one) who was started out by the breeder on these pads. I think when they are little like that it imprints in them to "potty" on something that resembles a pad while indoors. She is almost two and cannot be left alone. If she get on the couch or finds a pile of clothes in the floor or anything soft and cushy she will pee on it. This is the only dog we have ever owned that used puppy pads. My advise to you is to stay away from them. I also live Michigan and know the extreme coldness, but think a real quick trip outside would be fine for your pup.

Answer by purplepisces82
Submitted on 4/27/2004
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I have a 10 weak old Shih Tzu I have owned now for nearly two weeks. Since i'vehad him, I have been taking him outside/crate triaining. He was getting it about 50% of the time, but would not cooperate with my roommates when i wasn't home. Yesterday, on a whim, I purchased the purina second nature litter box system. Now, all of a sudden, he let's me know that he wants to go outside when he has to relieve himself! amazing! I spend all this money on litter and a box, and now he is trained to go outside. When I was trying to get him to go in his box, he became really frutrated and would dart toward the door that leads outside. Just goes to show you how rigid shih tzus can be, and how important it is for us to be consistent--whatever we decide to do.

Answer by heg97
Submitted on 5/16/2004
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I live in Moscow, Russia, and got my male shih-tzu at 10 months. He had never "gone" outside until that point. It took him about a year to understand the pattern. I keep his hair long and put a full legged insulated jump suit and also put bag balm on his paws (often the salt on the sidewalks cracks and irritates his paws) and wash his paws immediately when we return home. If it is below 10 degrees celcius, I carry him to his favorite spot (good to establish this before winter) and he does his business and I wrap him up in my scarf. When we travel, I do limit his outdoor exposure and tuck him under my jacket. Snow banks in particular - which he loves to play in, seem to really make him cold faster, so we stick to the shoveled areas without ice whenever possible. The unfortunate thing is it takes 10 minutes getting dress and about 1 minute outside. The puppy pads never worked for me - I think it encouraged him to pee in the house even more.

Answer by NYShihtzu lover
Submitted on 3/15/2005
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I have a 17 month old shih-tzu male and a new 12 week old female shih-tzu. Here's my experience: My Max - I got when he was 5 months old & I thought it was going to be really hard to get him trained because he was use to being in a cage 24/7 - I must say within a week he caught on really quick and now he holds it up to 12 hours - unless he's not feeling well and has to go really bad - then he'll #2 on the rug by the front door - only happened 4 times in 17 months, so its obvious he couldn't hold it. Now for the little female I just got - She's 12 weeks and weighs a little over 2 lbs. She pees on everything. I've been using the puppy pads, but she'll also go on the rug if your not watching her, so I don't' know if their that effective. I just want her to be able to go while I'm out of the house - Anyone have any suggestions on training a tiny dog - I'm hoping she'll grow alot more, but the vet says we'll have to see -she may stay in the 5-6 pound range.

Answer by valor
Submitted on 12/24/2005
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I have 2 shih tzus; potty training is really all about being consistent and taking the dogs out on a schedule, and when they are puppies, it's especially important to almost predict when they need to go (both of mine have learned to ask to go out, but it took some time). Give them the opportunity to GO and when they need to, they'll catch on (outside). PRAISE and PRAISE and PRAISE when they do go outside.Make a BIG deal. I think that perhaps what your vet was trying to say is that the shih tzu breed (and many small dogs) get cold very fast,and get hot(summer) very fast. you can take them out on a leash, stay with them, do for short periods of time (5-10 mins.?) depending on weather. A coat/sweater is really the best for them to keep them warm in winter.Mine dont really like the clothing, and would rather run out (fenced yard off our deck) and run back in as soon as they go. they DO like to run around and play in the snow, but that depends on the dog, and how much they enjoy it and also the temps. Mine still prefer NOT to go outside in the heavy rain. one will hold it til the cows come home, and then she'll ask to go out (by going to the door) and be VERY quick about it. the other prefers papers (she was paper trained) in rainstorms. Also, when they go out in the snow, because they are so low to the ground, if the snow is the type they sink in (and even sometimes when they are just out running and playing in the snow), I keep a towel handy by the door and dry them off as much as possible when they come in because sometimes they get little snow balls stuck to their fur that can keep them cold...If they really need it, I use the blow dryer to help dry them off to warm up faster so they dont sit around wet

Answer by Natalia
Submitted on 1/23/2006
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Puppy pads can be useful in training if you use them properly. The pad is put down in a spot inside for the pup until it is 8-12 weeks old. I would not suggest using them inside for more than 2 weeks. After that time, place the pee pad outside when you can take the pup out, and inside when you can't. Then use the pads only outside, and then discontinue them all together. I have to agree somewhat with Jeri though. The pee pad does resemble other things, like floor mats, and your dog may become confused, but not if you use the pee pads correctly. On a personal note, my husband and I who each work 60 hours or more a week have used pee pads for our pups and adult dogs. We placed the pee pads in an under-the-bed storage bin (2x as big as a kitty litter pan), and then eventually replaced the pads with regular newspaper. They are indoor and outdoor trained.

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Question by AJDOG
Submitted on 12/2/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Shih Tzus Breed-FAQ
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I have a 9 week old, 2.5 lb. Shih Tzu that I am currently training on puppy pads. The vet said she is too small to go outside in the winter (we live in Michigan). Is this true? Now that she is starting to use the puppy pads, how do I get her to start going outside once winter is over?

Answer by shortstuff
Submitted on 12/19/2003
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I also live in Michigan and was told the same thing. I take my puppy out when it is a warmer day and stay out with him. I take him out were he is not in the wind and also have a sweater for him. He only stays out for a few minutes and when he does go potty I praise him.

Answer by Tito
Submitted on 1/29/2004
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What are puppy pads and is there anything on the internet about them?

Answer by taylor
Submitted on 4/20/2004
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well i have a shih tzu she is about 10 months when she was a puppy we used puppy pads but when we left the house she wouldnt use the puppy pads still from this day she doesnt use the puppy pads so my answer to you was to not use puppy pads because they dont work there just a waist of money potty train them out side

Answer by N.Dakota
Submitted on 5/6/2004
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You guys haven't seen cold until you've been here. My little pup has no problems going potty outside when the wind chill is -40 as long as you teach them from the get go. Whoever the vet is that told you that is a FREAKING quack!!

Answer by osha
Submitted on 12/13/2004
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Hi, I have a 2 month old shih-tzu and I'm trying to potty train him but it just isn't working.... Is it too too early to start potty training????? I need help!!

Answer by taz
Submitted on 1/3/2005
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i live in pa. and its cold here to i have a 4 month old shih tzu and i also have a pom that is 11 months and they go outside and i dont use nothing they have sweeters on them a little cold isnt going to hurt anyone and expecilly a dog or a puppy and that means they will hurry to go to the bathroom if its cold outside

Answer by ice-cube
Submitted on 10/16/2005
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who wants to be love

Answer by sai sai
Submitted on 10/19/2005
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hey yo guys and girls,i have a female shiht-zu myself. and puppy pads aren't that great at all. they do convince your dog to use the restroom whenever and wherever. they are a waist of money and you should have the time to take your dog out when you get home from work or school, or if your even at the mall. but if you don't have time to take your dog out, then you shouldn't even have one! try to potty train your dog when you first get it. take it out every two or three hours. how would you like it if you had to hold you pee for a long time????

Answer by jrwwsewmaw
Submitted on 1/27/2006
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We just got a shih tzu and have been liter box training her. After only a week she uses it faithfully. This way she doesn't have to go outside to do her business. It's kinda like having a cat, all u have to do is scoop! No more wet, muddy, or smelly dog. We did this with another shih tzu and we had her for approx. 16 years.

Answer by Tracy
Submitted on 3/27/2006
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I have two mini schnauzers and they both are puppy pad trained and do wonderful. It took them about 4 weeks to be TOTALLY broke. They never go anyway except on their puppy pads. I love them because you don't have to clean your lawn or worry about your dogs having to go out in the weather.

Answer by cutegirl
Submitted on 4/3/2006
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I have a poochin & I have trained her to go outside & on puppy pads. The puppy pads are wonderful!! She will go to the door when she has to go out. Also, sometimes she will walk over to her pup pad & pee. I leave a pad out everyday. It is the one scented like grass. My dog is very smart though & it has taken her 2 weeks to learn to go outside & on pads, BUT she still has accidents every once in a while. The pup pads come highly recommended!

Answer by Fustrated
Submitted on 5/5/2006
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I have a question. I have a 8 week old Shih Tzu who will not go potty outside no matter how long I am out there with here. Any suggestions.

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