How to Train a Shih Tzu to Pee on a Pad

Hello Dee, I recommend using the Exercise Pen method from the article I have linked below. It mentions using a doggie litter box, but if you will cover the entire floor of the exercise pen with pee pads, then gradually remove the extra ones one at a time once pup is pooping on them well, you can follow the rest of the methods training tips. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 2, 2022

Hello Ariadna, How long since you brought pup home? Where is pup currently sleeping? It typically takes about two weeks for most pups to adjust completely to sleeping alone and not waking you for attention; however, you can help that adjustment be as smooth as possible by doing the following. 1. When pup cries but doesn't have to go potty (like after you return them to the crate when they just went potty outside or if they are sleeping in an exercise pen with pee pad access) be consistent about ignoring the crying until they go back to sleep. The more consistent you are, the quicker the overall process tends to take even if it's hard to do for the first couple weeks. Since it sounds like the goal is indoor potty training, I would set up an exercise with pee pads over 75% of the floor of the pen and a non-absorbent bed like www.primopads.com or k9ballistic taking up the remaining 25 % of the area. Once pup is going on the pads consistently, then gradually take extra pads away, one pad at a time. If you are open to it, I actually recommend using disposable real grass pads over pee pads for indoor potty training. Those tend to be more easily accepted by dogs, are consistent with pup being taken potty outside when needed, are less confusing than pee pads for the dog since pee pads are made out of fabric like carpet and rugs too, and the smell of the grass pad can encourage going potty there. www.freshpatch.com www.doggielawn.com www.porchpotty.com Also, on amazon 2. When pup does truly need to go potty if going potty outside (when it's been at least 3 hours since pup last peed), take pup to go potty outside on a leash to keep pup focused and things calmer. Don't give treats, food, play, or much attention during these trips - boring and sleepy is the goal, then right back to bed after. This helps pup learn to only wake when they truly need to go potty and be able to put themselves back to sleep - helping them start sleeping longer stretches sooner and not ask to go out unless they actually need to potty. Pup will generally need 1-2 potty trips at night if going potty outside even after trained for a couple months though due to a small bladder. If sleeping in an exercise pen with pee pad or grass pad access, pup will probably cry after waking up to go on the pad, until they learn to settle themselves back to sleep. Don't give attention when pup is safe and have what they need for pottying though, or pup will continue waking for attention. Expect pup to wake a couple of times a night and probably cry for thirty minutes after each time - as pup improves, if you are consistent about not rewarding that crying with attention, the length of time pup cries should decrease more and more until pup is waking less and not crying when going back to sleep. 3. Practice the Surprise method from the article I have linked below to help pup get used to exercise pen or crate time during the day too - so that there is less crying at night due to pup adjusting to being alone. This part is extremely important and the main difference between what you are probably already doing. The method mentions a crate but this can be done with an exercise pen too for indoor potty training. Surprise method - only give treats during daytime practice, not at night though: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate 5. Finally, don't let pup be loose at night while sleeping, due to accidents, chewing dangers, and the fact that pup will be able to constantly wake you up in a way that will require you responding - like climbing on top of you or destroying things. Use an exercise pen or crate at this age. For training pee pads, check out the exercise pen method from the article I have linked below. This can be used with most indoor potties, such as a pee pad, real grass pad, or doggie litter box. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy For the stairs, check out the Baby Steps method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-go-up-stairs Also, check out the Slow and Steady Method found in this article for the stairs: https://wagwalking.com/training/use-stairs Because of pup's size, pup may physically not be able to navigate your stairs yet. You may have to carry pup for a bit or modifying the stairs with a ramp or mini stairs added to the full size steps until pup grows some. In the meantime, you can find lower stairs or create lower stairs yourself to practice building pup's confidence with stairs in general so pup will be willing to climb the stairs as soon as they are physically large enough. Even with my retriever puppy, stairs were hard when they were very young, and a Shih Tzu is considerably smaller than a retriever! Once pup developed some muscles, coordination, and grew, they could manage. Things that work on developing those muscles, like small climbs, help pup develop coordination for climbing, and pup growing a bit should help. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 8, 2022