Hello, Since the dog is already used to pottying outside, I would start with a larger litter box than you expect to need later, and take pup outside on leash to that box, rewarding whenever they go potty on it. Once pup will go on the litter box right away, then I would transfer the box inside to the area where you want it to remain long term (consistent location is important for training). You can also have two boxes, one inside and one outside, in case you do find you have success starting with the box inside right away, which would be ideal. I suspect you will need the outside box first to help pup adjust. A puppy usually takes around two to three months to fully train. With an adult dog it can be quicker or longer, depending a lot on how willing the dog is and how quickly they grasp the new concept. Unfortunately, there isn't an exact time. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 2, 2023

Hello, It could be that the scent of old accidents after an initial accident is leading to her going back to that same spot. I would clean any accident spots really well with a pet safe cleaner that contains enzymes. Only enzymes will fully remove the urine smell to the extent that a dog's sensitive nose needs in order to not smell it anymore and be attracted back to that same spot. Has the location of the litter box changed or did anything scary happen to her while in the litter box - which might cause her to avoid the litter box or find accessing it or remembering where it is difficult? Has your schedule changed and she is being left home alone for longer? Some dogs do well when you are home then if left home alone for longer than they are used to, learn that you aren't there to enforce the rules and will do whatever they prefer...The rug might feel like a more convenient, nicer place to go potty and you aren't there to tell her to use the box instead. When that's the case, I would use an exercise pen with access to the litter box and a non-absorbent bed for her to stay in while you are away for about two months, to reset habits. If you aren't away for longer than she can hold it for, you can also use a crate while away. If it's only the one rug she is struggling with, even removing the rug for a couple of months after cleaning it well could help reset habits as long as something like a fear of the litter box isn't also happening and needs addressing. Finally, is she due to go into heat soon, pregnant, or having to pee more than every three hours? If peeing more than usual, I would take her to your vet to check for an infection that night be causing incontinence or an overactive bladder. I am not a vet so consult with a vet about anything medical. If pregnant, that may be effecting bladder function, and the hormones from being in heat will sometimes lead to unexpected behaviors during the month surrounding - when its due to being in heat, I would confine when you can't supervise to make sure the temporary behavior doesn't become a long term habit she continues doing after hormones change again. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 20, 2022

Hello Dianne, First, pup needs to be physically restrained while in the car to help pup learn calmness, keep arousal lower by avoiding her looking out the windows so much, and keep you safer while driving. I would either crate pup in the car or use a padded car harness that can be clipped to where pup rides on the floorboard of the car if there is space for pup there, if not, the middle row seats. I would avoid pup riding in the front for your safety. The back can be used, but the middle row if an option is less likely to make pup car sick. Second, I would work on desensitizing pup to the car in general, and working on a Down-Stay in the car, and teaching the Quiet command to be able to use in the car. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Start by simply feeding beside the car while its off, then feeding treats along the runner with the door open, then inside the car with it still. For at least a couple of weeks practice the Down Stay command on the middle seats' floorboard or seats (if a row seat). Gradually move to practicing with the car in the driveway but still while on - don't turn on in the garage for gas breathing reasons. When pup is completely relaxed in the car and can do a solid down-stay, recruit a second person to drive or train, so the driver can only focus on driving. Have the person training enforce Down, while the driver simply pulls out of the driveway and back in When pup can stay relaxed during that (which will require a lot of repetition before pup relaxes then too - once pup sees that the driving is boring through repetition), then drive down the block and back. Gradually increase the distance and level of excitement as pup improves, only moving onto further distances or more exciting locations once pup can stay relaxed at the current level of training. For most dogs who are simply overly excited, this protocol alone is enough. Since your dog may also be reacting to the passing of other cars , you may find that you need professional help to go a step further with the training. For a dog who is reacting out of instinct like prey or herding, you may also need to do some low level e-collar training to interrupt the fixation on other vehicles. This is done in combination with teaching Down-Stay, desensitizing pup to the car in general, safely restraining pup during the ride, and recruiting someone to help you drive/train so the driver can focus on just driving. To do the low level e-collar training, pup would wear the e-collar around with it turned off for a few days to get them used to it, and avoid them becoming "collar wise". You would find pup's "working level" on the collar, which is the lowest stimulation or vibration level pup response to when calm. You would then practice a down stay in the car, but start using the e-collar to briefly correct pup when they tried to stand up, guiding them back into the down position with a leash, and using treats to reward pup for lying down or staying in the down position. This should be practiced calmly with the car off. As pup improves, you would gradually move through your desensitizing/down training again, this time with the e-collar for interrupting as needed. Progressing from next to the car, in the car, car on and still, car driving in driveway, in neighborhood, to a calm location, to a more exciting location, to longer trips, ect... At all points pup would be physically restrained, probably with a car harness that allowed a little movement from sitting to down position but not walking around, be required to stay Down, and be calmly rewarded for staying in a calm mindset and in the down position. This would all need to be done very gradually and often to keep pup calm enough for them to be able to learn and not get overly aroused. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Jan. 19, 2022