Potty training is a fundamental and essential skill you will need to teach your Shih Tzu. It is probably one of your biggest challenges as a fur parent. Knowing how to do it will help you to navigate the process confidently.
How Often Do Shih Tzu Need to Go to the Bathroom?
On average, Shih Tzu must pee three to four times a day. They poop around two to three times daily. You must take them to their potty area more frequently if they are puppies. This is also true if they drink or eat more or have gastrointestinal issues.
How Often Should You Take a Shih Tzu Puppy Out to Pee?
Puppies have smaller bladders. If your Shih Tzu is younger than three months, you must take them out to pee every one to two hours. Older than that, they might be able to hold for another hour.
How Often Do Shih Tzu Need to Pee?
Shih Tzu need to urinate every three to four hours. Should they drink more, they would need to relieve themselves more often.
How Long Can Shih Tzu Pee at Night?
At night during their bedtime, your Shih Tzu can go for eight to ten hours without the need to pee. However, ensure that you can take them out upon waking up.
How Often Do Shih Tzu Puppies Pee?
Shih Tzu puppies can hold their bladders for around an hour every month of their age. You will need to take your one-month-old pup to the potty every hour. On the other hand, your three-month-old might be able to hold it within three hours.
How Often Do Shih Tzu Puppies Pee at Night?
Your Shih Tzu puppy can wait for every month of their age before peeing. If you are training your one-month-old pup, you must take them every hour, even in the middle of the night.
How Long Can a Shih Tzu Go Without Peeing?
Adult Shih Tzu have better bladder control. They can go much longer without needing to take a potty break. During the day, your adult Shih Tzu can go between six and eight hours without needing to go outside.
How Long Can Shih Tzu Hold Their Pee at Night?
While sleeping at night, your Shih Tzu can hold their bladders for eight to ten hours. Ensure that they go to the bathroom before they go to bed. Take them again once they wake up.
How Long Can Shih Tzu Puppies Hold Their Pee?
Very young Shih Tzu can hold their pee for around one hour for every month of their age. You might need to take your two-month-old puppy to the potty every two hours.
Why Does My Shih Tzu Pee So Much?
Other than drinking too much, your Shih Tzu’s frequent urination may be signaling a health issue. It can indicate a bladder infection, diabetes, kidney, or liver disease. Visit the vet soon to address the problem.
Why Is My Shih Tzu Not Peeing?
Your Shih Tzu is drinking a lot of liquids, but you notice it is not peeing enough. There might be an obstruction in their bladder or urethra, which leads to urinary retention.
Consult with your vet to address possible health problems. Some of these are bladder stones, urethral plugs, blood clots, urethral stricture (narrowing), or even tumors.
Why Do Shih Tzu Pee in the House?
If your Shih Tzu constantly pees inside the house, it can be one of two things:
- Territorial Marking: You’ll know that your pet is making its mark when it lightly sprays its pee. They typically do it in the same spots as furniture or furniture legs. They do not have bowel movement concerns.
- Toileting Need: Your Shih Tzu might be emptying their bladder for bathroom needs. It means that they have not been fully house-trained. Hence, they make puddles of pee on the floor. They may also have pooping accidents.
Why Do Shih Tzu Pee When Excited?
Excitement urination is observed both in puppies and older dogs. It is also called submissive urination. Usually, it happens when your Shih Tzu feels excited, scared, anxious, or shy. Sometimes, it also means that your dog recognizes your dominance as its owner.
How Do I Stop My Shih Tzu From Peeing?
You can stop your Shih Tzu from peeing by housebreaking it early on. If you have done so but it keeps on peeing inside your home, the following tips may help:
- Observe Your Pet’s Behavior: Take note of your Shih Tzu’s activities. Watch out when they go potty regarding the time they eat, drink, and sleep. You will learn about how short or long they can hold their bladder. Based on this, you can adjust your potty schedule to fit their rhythm.
- Positive Reinforcement Helps: Praise your dog when it goes potty outside. Do it as soon as possible. You may also offer playtime, treats, or belly rubs. These reinforce their success and encourage them to do it again. Gradually wean these extra treats.
- Stay Close With Your Dog: While potty training, you must keep your Shih Tzu near you. Doing this allows you to catch an accident and quickly rush them outside to finish. When they are done, reward them. Doing this will make them associate going out with a good thing.
- Place Your Dog in a Confined Space: Toileting accidents are more likely to happen when they are alone. It is best to place them in the area where they’re allowed to go. Leave them in a dog crate, pen, or small bedroom when you go out.
- Give the Young and Old Special Consideration: Puppies and older dogs may have more accidents. You will need to bring them outside more frequently. Puppies have small bladders, while senior dogs can no longer hold their bladders as long as they did.
- Address Emotional Issues: Some accidents root in anxiety, nervousness, or too much excitement. Identify the triggers and make respective changes. For example, your canine gets excessively happy when you’re back from outside. Try giving it a short greeting or ignoring it the next time you go through the door.
- Consider Spaying or Neutering: Marking their territory is common among unneutered male dogs. Spaying and neutering may lessen the urge for your Shih Tzu to make marks inside your home.
- Treat a Medical Condition: Sudden accidents can be a warning sign of an underlying illness. Other signs can be frequent urination and whimpering while peeing. Visit the vet and address the problem.
How Often Should a Shih Tzu Poop?
Shih Tzu need to poop about two to three times per day. If puppies have heavy meals or diarrhea, they might need to go more often.
How Long Can a Shih Tzu Go Without Pooping?
Some Shih Tzu move their bowels after each meal. Some need to go based on how heavy or light their daily meals are.
Skipping to poop for a day is not a cause for concern. But if your dog does not go to the bathroom after 48 to 72 hours, it’s time to visit your vet.
Why Does My Shih Tzu Poop So Much?
Your Shih Tzu will poop so much from overeating or eating unhealthy food. If they have been munching on something that is not meant for them, they may develop stomach issues. Avoid giving them table scraps.
On the other hand, if you have ruled its food intake out, it might be stress. It might be from a change in their routine or environment. Address these emotional issues appropriately.
Why Does My Shih Tzu Fart So Much?
Brachycephalic breeds like the Shih Tzu have short noses. This makes them prone to swallowing a lot of air when they eat or drink. As they digest, they will expel this swallowed air by farting.
Why Does My Shih Tzu Roll in Poop?
Rolling in the poop is a typical dog behavior. A reason for rolling in their feces is self-marketing. A dog’s scent glands or anal glands contain a substance of their “identity.”
When chemically processed, their excretion lets other dogs know about them. Information about their gender, level of interest, health status, and mood are embedded in it.
If your pet has intense mating urges, rolling in their poop is a way to advertise themselves. For them, it is a more appealing means. By doing it, they spread their scent all over their entire body.
Sometimes, dogs roll in another dog’s feces. They do this because they want to mask their scent. This behavior is linked to a canine instinct. They might be hiding from a potential prey or predator by veiling their scent.
Another reason is that they aim to mark the excrement with their scent. This is another way for them to mark and claim their territory.
How Do I Get My Shih Tzu to Poop?
If your Shih Tzu has limited bowel movements, it might suffer from constipation. The following suggestions may help your pet:
- Increase Your Shih Tzu’s Hydration: Water is crucial to soften the stool so it can pass faster. Adding chicken stock to your dog’s water for flavor and mixing wet and dry food is helpful.
- Add Fiber to Their Diet: Fiber also increases water in the stool. Furthermore, it stimulates intestinal motility promoting bowel movement.
- Continue Your Pet’s Exercise Routine: Ensure that your Shih Tzu has enough movement activities. Being active stimulates their bowel movement and helps their stool pass easily. If necessary, you may increase their walks and exercises.
- Control Your Canine’s Healthy Weight: Being overweight can cause constipation. Regulating your pup’s intake does not only help your Shih Tzu to stay in shape. Ensuring they are eating healthy meals will make their intestinal transit faster.
- Give Laxatives: If all else fails, you may try giving laxatives. Olive oil, lactulose, or canned pumpkin help soften the stool. Start by giving them one to two small tablespoons at each meal.
Are Shih Tzu Easy to Potty Train?
Potty training a Shih Tzu is no different than training other dogs. With consistency and positive reinforcement, toilet training your Shih Tzu can be easy.
Are Male or Female Shih Tzu Easier to Potty Train?
To say that female dogs are easier to potty train is a myth. There are no differences between housebreaking a male and female Shih Tzu. If you keep at your program, both genders can acquire potty training skills in a few weeks.
At What Age Should a Shih Tzu Be Potty Trained?
Start training your Shih Tzu puppies as early as you take them home. They can be potty trained as young as eight weeks old.
How Long Does It Take to Potty Train a Shih Tzu?
If you are diligent, consistent, and positive, your Shih Tzu can be housebroken in two to four months. If you are training an older dog, they might have incontinence issues. These may interfere with your program.
How Long Does It Take to Potty Train a Shih Tzu Puppy?
Work on your housebreaking program every day and follow all the guidelines. If you do these, your Shih Tzu puppy will be fully potty trained between two and four months.
How Do You Potty Train a Shih Tzu?
To initiate your Shih Tzu’s potty training, decide where you need them to go to do their business.
If it is outdoors, you will need a leash and harness or collar. On the other hand, if it’s indoors, prepare your potty pads or litter box ahead of time. Don’t forget the treats to reward good behaviors.
Take it to its potty area whenever you go outside with your Shih Tzu. Do not let him play in the area. Give your command, such as “Go potty,” and wait patiently.
An adult Shih Tzu can hold his bladder for three to four hours. Bring them to their potty space within this period. Refrain from making them wait any longer to go.
When your Shih Tzu wakes from sleep, take it to its potty spot to encourage it to do business. Again, do not play in this area. Your pet can sniff around before going potty. When done, go elsewhere for play.
Take your Shih Tzu to his toileting space after each meal. Do not give attention or allow your pet to play. Remember that it is not the place to play.
Give a treat each time your Shih Tzu goes to his special place for toileting. At the start, your pup might go outside but not in their particular area. Still, hand it a treat but try to lead it to the specific spot.
Consistency is key to success. If there is an accident inside the house, redirect your dog and take it outside to its particular spot. However, do not give a treat. Avoid scolding your canine for accidents. Instead, try to catch it and take it to its potty space.
The same method works if you choose a toileting site inside the house. Line your dog’s potty spot with pee pads, litter box, or indoor grass. Ensure you consistently get your Shih Tzu to this area on time before accidents. Watch out for the signs and treat them for succeeding.
Ensure to keep their potty area clean. Just like how humans keep their toilets clean, your pet’s potty space must also be clean.
How to Potty Train a Shih Tzu Puppy
It will take more work to housebreak your Shih Tzu puppy. Since they have small bladders, they can only hold them for a short time.
Know the signs and respond quickly to bathroom attempts. It will help to keep your puppy close to you as often as possible. If they try to pee or poo, call their attention by clapping once loudly and giving a firm ‘Oh!’ (not ‘No’). Doing this will cause them to pause.
Go outside the house with your puppy on a leash and harness if you can. Also, get your treats ready. You can carry them if they are already dribbling pee.
Repeatedly say the command words in a confident and relaxed tone. You can say “Go potty” or “Let’s pee/poo.” Do this as you go to your Shih Tzu’s potty area, and your puppy is doing its business.
Be patient. Stay in the area for around 15 minutes. Sometimes, the puppies will sniff around while finding the perfect spot. Doing this allows them to relax their bowel and bladder muscles.
After your Shih Tzu pees, wait for at least five minutes. Sometimes, they also need to poo. However, remember never to play in the area. As soon as your puppy finishes, give praise and a treat. Good dog!
How to Potty Train an Older Shih Tzu
If you’ve got a Shih Tzu who has never been house-trained or one that needs training in a new home, the method is almost the same.
It can indeed be frustrating. But if the steps are done right and consistently, you can train your older dog in a couple of weeks. Here are the steps for potty training your senior Shih Tzu.
- Set Up a Confined Space: This is where you will keep your older Shih Tzu in between potty breaks when you are not supervising them. You may use dog crates or pens or install a gate in a room.
- Take Your Dog Outside Every Hour: Bring your Shih Tzu to your designated toileting spot outside. Be patient and act like you’re bored. As soon as they go potty, praise and hand them a treat. If your pet did not relieve itself, take it back to the confinement area. Wait for around 15 minutes, then take them out again. Repeat until the dog does the deed outside.
- Don’t Rush Back Inside: Stay outdoors for some playtime after pottying. Doing this will tell your dog that proper pottying leads to fun. However, never play in your pet’s particular spot. Lead them elsewhere, away from the site.
- Play a Little Bit More: After playing for a bit outside, give another 15 minutes of play upon returning inside. Then, you can bring your Shih Tzu back to its confined space. Doing this will not give your pet the notion that toileting outside results in being gated.
- Repeat Throughout the Day: Bring your dog outside every hour. Give them treats and fun playtime after they have successfully relived themselves.
- Observe Your Dog’s Patterns: Keep track of your dog’s potty patterns. You won’t have to take them out when they probably don’t need to. It will help you learn which hour of the day your Shih Tzu most likely needs to go.
- Clean Up After Accidents: Past accidents inside the house emit an odor that calls your canine for another. Because of this, you should clean accidents thoroughly. Use a product that removes pet stains.
- Choose a Special Spot: Within their confinement space, line a spot with potty pads, indoor grass, or a litter box. If your Shih Tzu is alone longer than they can hold it, this is where they’ll go.
- Consistency Is Key: Following the routine will get your Shih Tzu to learn faster. Also, remember that accidents will happen even if you are training an older dog. Calmly respond by taking them outside. Praise them for going in the right place.
- Don’t Make Negative Reactions: Avoid scolding or yelling at them. It will only teach them to hide when they do their business. Look forward to having them master their potty skills, and you won’t have to worry anymore.
How to Potty Train a Shih Tzu in the Winter
You may have a house-trained dog or one who is starting to train. Winter can be tricky, especially if your Shih Tzu’s potty place is outdoors. Here are some helpful tips to potty train your pup in the winter.
- Be Prepared: Have everything ready. Put the leash, poop bags, and warm clothing for both of you together so you can pick them up in one go when you need them.
- Mark the Spot: Have a clear path to your dog’s potty area. Marking that special spot will help speed things along. Perhaps, the scent of the previous eliminations is the best cue for your pet. Keeping the site clear of other debris can be helpful.
- Teach Your Dog to Go Quickly: Train to take your Shih Tzu out quickly. You don’t want to stay in the cold for too long. Use your command, such as “Go potty,” and aim for your pup to go on cue. The playtime outdoors would have to be taken indoors. Don’t forget to give a treat and show affection whenever your dog goes quickly or goes on cue.
- Adjust the Schedule: Even in winter, good weather peeps at specific times during the day. Adjust your Shih Tzu’s feeding, sleeping, and walking schedules when the weather is good. You can take your pet to the potty several times during the day, especially around noon when it’s warmer. Keep in mind that meal and nap times must also be adjusted.
- Go Indoors: During winter, you can always go the indoor route. Line the designated spot with a litter box, potty pads, or indoor grass. Training your pup to do their business inside will keep both of you from the cold. Another idea is building a potty shed in the yard. It is ideal to get one if you have the time and resources.
