Shih Tzus need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger dogs, and they respond best to a consistent schedule paired with when ready reward
Shih Tzus are small dogs with small bladders, which means they cannot hold urine for as long as larger breeds. A young Shih Tzu puppy may need to go outside every two to three hours during the day, and once at night until around four to six months old. Adult Shih Tzus typically need four to five outdoor breaks daily. The breed is also stubborn and can be distracted easily, so potty training requires patience and a routine you can actually stick to — missing days or changing the schedule will set you back weeks.
The core method is straightforward: take your dog out at the same times each day, reward heavily when they go in the right place, and confine them to a small space (a crate or pen) when you cannot watch them. Shih Tzus naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so confinement works with their instinct rather than against it. Most Shih Tzus can be reliably housetrained by six to eight months old if you start at eight weeks and stay consistent.
Key Takeaways
- Take your Shih Tzu outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, before bedtime, and every two to three hours in between until they are at least four months old.
- Reward with treats and praise when ready after your dog finishes going outside — wait even thirty seconds and the connection is lost.
- Use a crate or small pen to confine your dog when you cannot supervise, because Shih Tzus will not soil their sleeping space if given no other choice.
- Expect setbacks during teething (around four months) and when your dog is stressed or sick, and return to a stricter schedule without frustration.
- Never punish accidents after the fact; punishment teaches fear of you, not bladder control, and will make training take longer.
Set a bathroom schedule and stick to it
Write down the times you take your Shih Tzu outside and do it the same way every day. The schedule should include: first thing after waking (even if it is 6 a.m.), within fifteen minutes after eating, within fifteen minutes after drinking water, after playtime, after naps, and before bed. For a young puppy, this often means six to eight trips outside daily.
The reason for this precision is that Shih Tzus on a schedule develop a predictable digestive rhythm. Once your dog's body knows that food goes in at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., the urge to go outside will follow at roughly the same times. A dog on an erratic schedule has no rhythm to work with and will have more accidents. If your work schedule makes frequent breaks impossible, consider hiring a dog walker or asking a neighbor to let your puppy out midday — the cost is worth the training progress.
As your Shih Tzu gets older and can hold their bladder longer, you can gradually space out the breaks. Most adult Shih Tzus do well with breaks at 7 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m., though some owners find four breaks sufficient once the dog is past one year old.
Reward when ready and use high-value treats
The moment your Shih Tzu finishes urinating or defecating outside, give a treat and praise enthusiastically. Use treats your dog loves more than regular kibble — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or commercial training treats work well. The treat must arrive within two to three seconds of the behavior, or your dog will not connect the reward to going outside.
Many owners make the mistake of waiting until they come back inside to reward, or of giving the same treat every time so the dog loses interest. Vary the treats and always reward outside, before you step back through the door. Some trainers also use a specific word like "go potty" or "outside" consistently before each trip, so the dog learns to associate the word with the action.
Once your Shih Tzu is reliably going outside for several weeks, you can begin to phase out treats and rely more on praise. Even then, occasional surprise rewards will keep the behavior strong. Never stop praising — that costs nothing and reinforces the habit.
Use a crate to prevent accidents indoors
A crate should be just large enough for your Shih Tzu to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Too large, and the dog will use one corner as a bathroom and sleep in another. The crate becomes your dog's den, a space they naturally want to keep clean. When you cannot watch your puppy — during work, while cooking, or at night — the crate keeps them from wandering off and having an accident in a corner you will not find for hours.
Introduce the crate gradually by leaving the door open, tossing treats inside, and letting your dog explore at their own pace. Never force your dog in or use the crate as punishment. Once your Shih Tzu is comfortable, close the door for short periods while you are nearby. A puppy can typically hold their bladder for one hour per month of age, plus one — so a three-month-old puppy can hold it for about four hours. Do not leave your dog crated longer than this, or you are setting them up to fail.
When you let your dog out of the crate, go directly outside. Your dog will almost always need to go when ready after waking or being confined, so this is a may provide opportunity to reward outdoor bathroom use.
Clean accidents thoroughly to remove scent
If your Shih Tzu has an accident indoors, clean the spot with an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet urine, not regular household cleaners. Enzymatic cleaners break down the uric acid that dogs smell, which regular cleaners leave behind. If your dog can still smell their own urine in a spot, they are more likely to go there again.
Products like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie are widely available and work on carpet, tile, and wood. Follow the product instructions — most require you to saturate the area and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Vinegar and baking soda can work in a pinch, but enzymatic cleaners are more reliable.
Do not punish your dog for accidents. Punishment after the fact teaches your dog to fear you when you discover an accident, not to avoid having accidents. Your dog cannot connect a punishment that happens hours later to the behavior that caused it. If you catch your dog in the act, you can interrupt calmly ("outside, now") and take them out, then reward if they finish outside. Otherwise, clean and move on.
Recognize common setbacks and adjust
Teething around four months old often causes a temporary increase in accidents because your dog is uncomfortable and distracted. During this period, return to a more frequent outdoor schedule and be patient — this phase usually passes within a few weeks. Similarly, stress from moving, a new pet, or a change in routine can cause regression. Go back to basics: more frequent breaks, more rewards, and stricter crate use until your dog settles.
Illness and medication changes can also affect bladder control. If your Shih Tzu suddenly has more accidents after being reliably housetrained, a vet visit is worth the cost to rule out urinary tract infections or other health issues. Some medications increase thirst and urination, so your vet can advise whether a schedule adjustment is needed.
Shih Tzus can also be stubborn about going outside in bad weather. If your dog refuses to go out in rain or snow, you may need to create a covered outdoor area or accept that some days will have more accidents. Some owners train their dogs to use an indoor potty pad as a backup during extreme weather, though this can confuse the training if not done carefully.
Transition from puppy pads to outdoor-only bathroom habits
If you start with puppy pads indoors, you will eventually need to move your dog away from them. The risk is that your Shih Tzu learns that going indoors is acceptable, which makes the transition harder. If you use pads, place them near the door you use to go outside, and gradually move them closer to the door over weeks. Once your dog is consistently using the pad by the door, remove it and take your dog directly outside instead.
A better approach for most owners is to skip pads entirely and go straight to outdoor training, even if it means more frequent accidents in the first few weeks. The training period is shorter overall because you are not teaching two different behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to potty train a Shih Tzu?
Most Shih Tzus can be reliably housetrained by six to eight months old if you start at eight weeks and maintain a consistent schedule. Some take longer, especially if training is inconsistent or the dog is particularly stubborn. Setbacks are normal and do not mean you have failed — they mean you need to return to a stricter routine temporarily.
Can adult Shih Tzus be potty trained if they were not trained as puppies?
Yes, but it takes longer — usually several months instead of a few. Adult dogs have stronger habits, but they also have better bladder control, which makes the process more manageable. Use the same method: a strict schedule, when ready rewards, and crate confinement when unsupervised. Patience and consistency matter more with an adult dog than with a puppy.
What should I do if my Shih Tzu refuses to go outside in cold or rainy weather?
Some Shih Tzus are sensitive to weather because of their long coat and small size. Create a covered outdoor area, use a dog raincoat, or accept that you may need to take more frequent short trips outside. Some owners also train a designated indoor spot as a backup, though this can slow progress toward fully outdoor training.
Is crate training cruel?
No, when done correctly. Dogs naturally seek enclosed spaces for security, and a properly sized crate becomes your dog's safe den. The key is introducing it gradually and never using it as punishment. Your dog should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, and should never be crated longer than they can hold their bladder.
Why does my Shih Tzu have accidents even though we go outside regularly?
Common causes are incomplete bladder emptying (some dogs need a few minutes to fully go), medical issues like urinary tract infections, anxiety, or a schedule that is still too infrequent for your dog's age. A vet can rule out health problems. If the dog is healthy, try extending outdoor time to give them more opportunity to fully empty, and increase the frequency of breaks temporarily.