Shih-Tzu

[canadaone]

Hi
My shih-tzu is eighteen weeks now, and STILL leaving presents for me on the floor. I did weeks worth of taking him out every four hours, and rewarding every time I got results. Still presents. I tried a week when he was in a crate or on leash strictly, then let him out for three hours and- present. So I put him back into a routine of strictly in the crate or on leash for another week. Let him out for four hours and- not only was there a present on the floor, but he had the sheer nerve to pee right in front of me on the floor- which of course received NO NO NO! I am ready to tear my hair out at the roots I am so fustrated. I have heard that shih-tzu can be harder to housetrain, and that males, especially at this point unaltered males can be more difficult, but this is ridiculous! And yes, I sprayed every place he has done the dirty deed with that stuff that takes the smell out. Suggestions, please!

[Zoom]

Four hours might be a bit much to expect out of a small breed. Try taking him out more often and see what happens. Then keep him leashed or crated when you aren't directly right there, because he obviously can't be trusted out alone.

[Ilyena]

At 18 weeks I was still taking my dog out at least every 1½ hours and I was never letting him out of my sight unless he was crated or someone else was supervising. This was by the way a pup who hadn't had any accidents inside since he was 9 weeks old because he was just never given the chance to have accidents. 4 hours is in my opinion way too much to ask of a young puppy. Keep him leashed to you at all times or crated when you can't watch him and take him out every hour until he learns what is expected of him. Make sure you food reward him every time he goes outside and he should catch on, even though it might take a while since he's already been getting accustomed to going inside.

Your anger at this puppy is palpable in your post.

Puppies make mistakes, leave presents, and in general make mischief and messes while they are growing up. It is just part of being a puppy.

Your puppy needs more supervision so that he does not have accidents when you are not aware, and you need to continue the rewarding all outdoor elimination.

[bubbatd]

I understand the reason for crating in many cases , but must say I never did and all my dogs got potty trained early on . But then , I was a stay at home Mommy .

[Punkygirl0101]

I agree, you are definitely not taking him outside enough! I would recommend every hour, puppies bladders (Especially small breeds) are very small, and they cannot hold in their urine for very long.

And when he is outside of the crate, he needs to be supervised at all times!! The reason he is doing it, is because you leave him the opportunity to. If you were watching him the entire time he was out of the crate for 4 1/2 hours, then you would see the warning signs that he needs to go, or is about to go, and could rush him outside immediately.

[Maxy24]

He should never be out of sight, leash him and hold on to that leash at all times. If you leave or sleep he goes in the crate. He can't leave present if you interrupt him before it all comes out. Also watch very carefully for signs he's ready to bust. Any restlessness should be payed attention to, if he seems more distracted than usual during a training lesson he may have to go. I would take him every two hours.

[PixieSticksandTricks]

I do agree that your not taking your puppy out enough. I am also wondering if your puppy is on a feed schedule and how much you give to your pup at a time to eat and drink. I have a 10 week old Lab puppy I have only had him for four days and he still hasent had an accident. He gets three small meals a (soon to be cut down to two). Just enough food to satisfy him no more than that. After he eats he usually plays and falls right to sleep. I then take him out after his nap and he will do his business no problem. He also gets three walks up and down the street (after meals) a day.

I would say I take him out about every two hours for right now. Like I said he hasent had one accident yet.

I do also agree with with keeping him crated when your not in the room. I am not crate training my Lab. But I did crate train both my Cocker Spaniel and my moms. Also it may be a good idea to keep a leash on the pup so he/she won't be out of your sight. And if you see the pup sniffing like it wants to "go" then you simply grab the leash and go.

I also wanted to say. I house trained TWO Cocker Spaniels. One puppy and one adult who lived outside her whole life until I got her. Cocker Spaniels are known for being difficult to house train. So if I can house train them you can house train your pup.

I know you mentioned you have sprayed where ever your dog as pee'd. Have you tried "Natures Miracle"?. I have never seen any spray that gets rid of pet odor like that stuff.

Good Luck and stick with it .

[MyHorseMyRules]

I took Raja out every hour, and I took her out about 30-45 minutes after she ate or drank water. She was crated at night but other than that, she was either leashed to me or in my direct sight every second. If I watched a movie, she was up on the couch with me and the movie was paused a couple times to take her out. I recommend NEVER letting her out of your sight and continue praising for outdoor elimination. And by praising, I mean do the happy dance and make it seem like your puppy just did the most amazing thing in the entire world. And though I know it's hard, don't get too frustrated. He's a puppy.