House Training a Small Shih Tzu Puppy

by Mrs Janice Mitchell

Getting a Shih Tzu puppy who will be seven weeks old. I live on my own and I'm in my early 60s. can you please tell me will it be easier to house train my puppy if I am with him all day and how long it will take thank you very much.

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Hi, Janice Here from Miracle Shih Tzu
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First, let me congratulate you on your new puppy. Puppies bring so much joy and happiness into our lives and getting one is like getting a new family member.

Potty training is one of the first training tasks that new puppy owners tackle. Sometimes it takes quite a few repetitions for puppies to figure out what you want them to do. Luckily most catch on, but I must warn you that small breed dogs are not as easy to housebreak as their larger cousins.

If you want to be most successful, being home makes the job easier, but not everyone has the luxury of staying home all day.

Setting up a schedule and sticking with it will help speed up the process. So will confining him to a small area when you are not playing with, grooming, training, or otherwise interacting with him.

As long as a puppy or dog continues to have even an occasional accident in the house (assuming you have ruled out a medical reason for it) you will still think of yourself as in the potty training process. I normally give my dogs about 6 months to become fully trained. I know that is a long time. I also have a bulldog and she was trained completely in two weeks. That is the difference in breeds and sizes of dogs.



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"Hi, I'm Janice Jones, a former veterinary technician and Shih Tzu expert with over 40 years of experience with the breed. Through Miracle Shih Tzu, I combine my medical background and extensive breed knowledge to provide reliable, practical advice for Shih Tzu owners. My mission is to help you give your Shih Tzu the happiest, healthiest life possible through evidence-based information and real-world solutions. Whether you're new to the breed or a seasoned owner, you'll find trusted guidance here for all aspects of Shih Tzu care.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a Master's in Mental Health Counseling.