Crate Training – Shih-Tzu Housebreaking Tips
Crate training is a popular method for house training Shih-Tzus and any puppy for that matter. There are several considerations that you should first make, however.
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Crate training is by far one of the most popular methods of house training, as it is more than that. Crate training also trains the puppy to be calm in a crate so that you can travel with your Shih-Tzu as well. Many trainers do not even consider another form of house training, as there are many downfalls to paper training and puppy pads. One is that the puppy learns that he must use the bathroom on paper and it's hard to make the switch to going outdoors.
When selecting a crate, especially in the situation where your Shih-Tzu is going to grow to be much larger than he is now and at a very fast rate, you do want to purchase a crate that is going to fit the adult dog. For a Shih-Tzu, you're not going to need a very large crate, but you do have to keep in mind that your Shih-Tzu puppy will grow. This also means that your puppy is going to have a lot of space at his current size. What you may need to do is to block off a part of the crate with boxes or a divider of some kind. This is because the puppy will have a lot of extra room and may use the bathroom in the crate because he can get away from it. This is not something you want your Shih-Tzu to learn to do.
The theory behind crate training is that your dog is a den animal and has natural instincts to not use the bathroom in the den. In the wild, wolves do not use the bathroom in the den; they go outside to do this. The same is true with your dog. Crate training uses those natural instincts and the dog, in turn, learns bladder control by being in the crate. At the same time, you will teach the puppy an elimination command and an elimination spot for when you take him out to use the bathroom.
Your Shih-Tzu needs to spend as much time in the crate as possible. He will only come out to eat, exercise and use the bathroom. There are three things that will cause your puppy to need to use the bathroom and these are:
- Eating
- Sleeping
- Playing
These are also the three things that your Shih-Tzu will do the most of in his life. Now, some puppies readily accept the crate and others don't. Those that don't may throw a huge, barking, howling fit about being in the crate. However, this is okay; you're going to completely ignore that behavior. Do not even tell the puppy to be quiet. This behavior will resolve itself as the puppy stays in the crate. When he is having that fit, you do not want to give attention to his negative behaviors. This also means that he has to calm down before you allow him to come out of the crate.
When you take your Shih-Tzu out, take him directly to where you want him to do his business. Give him a command, such as "Go Potty" and then praise him when he does so. Then take him back to his crate. Do the same process every time he comes out of his crate. When you take him to eat, let him eat and then put him back in his crate. About fifteen minutes later, take him out to use the bathroom. When you let him out to play, only do so under supervision. When it has been about forty-five minutes, put the puppy back in his crate, wait about five minutes and then take him out to use the bathroom. Perform this same process over and over.
Eventually, the puppy will learn bladder control and will also eliminate on command. As your Shih-Tzu gets older, you will let him have more and more supervised playtime and not-so supervised playtime. As he gets older, he will become more dependable. Some dogs may only need a couple of weeks of this, while other dogs may need several months. Whatever you do, give the dog a consistent schedule at all times. Soon, your Shih-Tzu will be able to be trusted and will even begin to sit by the back door when he needs to go out.
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Crate Training Helpful Tips
- Don't provide your Shih-Tzu with too much bedding. Too much bedding allows the dog to have an accident in his blanket or towel and then cover it up.
- If your Shih-Tzu does have an accident in his crate, clean it up thoroughly before putting the puppy back in it. Clean the crate with something that is not ammonia based, as ammonia smells like urine and will encourage the dog to have an accident.
- Always have a consistent schedule of eating, sleeping and playing.
- Do not use the crate as an area of confinement, but as a tool in training.
- Small puppies should be allowed to eliminate every one to two hours to avoid accidents in the crate. Give the puppy the command and then three to five minutes to produce, if he does nothing return him to the crate.
- If your Shih-Tzu has a fit about being in the crate – completely ignore it! This behavior will become extinct over time.
- Only allow your Shih-Tzu to run unsupervised through the house if they have already eliminated and then only allow them about forty-five minutes before going outside to eliminate.
- Crate training is very effective when your Shih-Tzu sees his crate as his "house." When they are old enough to play around the house, they may go back to sleep in their crate or when they are seeking a safe place.
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dcp511 said:
To the point and an excellent article.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:40 am
kempozone said:
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October 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Donnieboy said:
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October 12th, 2009 at 11:32 am