A Guide to Shih Tzu House and Training

Shih Tzus are adaptable dogs that thrive in small living spaces, but they still require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They need daily walks and playtime to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Shih Tzus are intelligent dogs that can learn quickly with positive reinforcement training. They respond well to treats and praise, making them a joy to train.

To establish a strong bond with your Shih Tzu, spend quality time with them each day, engaging in activities that stimulate their minds and bodies. This can be as simple as playing fetch or going for a short walk.

Adaptability and Training is key when it comes to living with a Shih Tzu in a house. Shih Tzus are known for their strong will and independent nature, which can make training a challenge.

They thrive on routine and consistency, so establishing a regular daily schedule is essential. This can include set times for feeding, exercise, and play.

Worth a look: How to Train Shih Tzu

Housebreaking is a crucial part of Shih Tzu training, and they can learn to use a litter box or puppy pads if you're away from home. Consistency and patience are vital when teaching your Shih Tzu to use these tools.

Positive reinforcement training methods work best for Shih Tzus, who respond well to treats and praise. Avoid punishing or scolding your Shih Tzu, as this can lead to fear and mistrust.

Shih Tzus are intelligent dogs and can learn to perform tricks and commands with practice and patience. They're also known to be good at learning to walk on a leash and ride in a car.

To create a comfortable shih tzu house, you'll want to restrict the area where your puppy can roam. Small rooms with toddler gates work well when you're not interacting with your puppy.

You can use a small exercise pen or block off a room like a laundry room or bathroom. This will give your puppy a safe space to play and relax.

In this area, make sure to provide everything your puppy needs, such as a bed, potty pads, toys, and dishes for water and food.

Recommended read: Puppy Shih Tzu Poodle

Deciding on a location for your puppy's bathroom is a crucial step in house training. Most people choose to go outdoors, but it's also possible to use puppy pads or a dog litter box indoors.

Puppy pads can be a lifesaver for dogs that don't like going outside in the rain or extreme cold. Some dogs even hate going out during thunderstorms or in freezing rain.

Consistency is key, so choose one location and stick to it. Deciding to go outdoors but providing a pad indoors can send a confusing message to your dog and make house training more difficult.

Using an enclosure is a great way to house train your Shih Tzu, especially when you can't supervise them.

You'll need to restrict the area where your puppy is allowed to go, so a small room with a toddler gate is perfect for this.

Small exercise pens or blocking off a laundry room or bathroom can also work well.

This enclosed space should be furnished with a bed, potty pads, toys, and dishes for water and food.

Your puppy should have access to everything they need within close proximity to potty pads in case they need to go.

By doing this, you'll be able to keep an eye on your puppy's progress and make training easier.

Puppies have very small bladders and when they have to go, they have to go right away. This is especially true for small breeds like Shih Tzus.

A puppy's bladder size is a major factor in their ability to hold their urine, and it's something to keep in mind when house training them. They just can't hold it in for long periods of time.

Puppies don't understand what to do when it comes to house training at first, and it's not until later that they catch on and start taking responsibility for their accidents.