Shih Tzus are harder to potty train than most breeds, but consistency works

Shih Tzus have a reputation for being stubborn about potty training, and that reputation is earned. They are small dogs with small bladders, which means they need to go out more often than larger breeds. But the real challenge is their independent streak — they were bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty and tend to do what they want, not what you want. A Shih Tzu will understand what you are asking. They straightforward may not care.

That said, potty training a Shih Tzu is possible. It takes longer than training a Golden Retriever or a Labrador, and it requires you to be more consistent and patient. Most Shih Tzus can be reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months old if you start early and stick to a routine. Some take longer — up to a year is not unusual. The difference between success and failure usually comes down to whether you are willing to take them out on a schedule and reward them every single time they go in the right place.

Key Takeaways

  • Shih Tzus have small bladders and need to go outside more frequently than larger breeds, typically every 2 to 3 hours during the day.
  • Their independent temperament means they understand commands but may ignore them, so consistency and reward matter more than with other breeds.
  • Crate training works well for Shih Tzus because they naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, which reinforces the habit of holding it.
  • Accidents will happen for months — expect setbacks and do not punish them, as fear makes training harder, not easier.
  • Most Shih Tzus reach reliable housetrain status between 4 and 6 months, though some take up to a year or longer.

Why Shih Tzus are slower to train than other breeds

The Shih Tzu breed was developed to be a lap dog and companion, not a working dog that takes direction. This history shows up in their behavior. They are intelligent enough to understand "go outside to potty," but they lack the drive to please that makes training a Border Collie or a Spaniel straightforward. A Shih Tzu will weigh whether going outside right now serves their interests, and if they would rather nap, they may straightforward ignore you.

Their size compounds the problem. A Shih Tzu weighs 9 to 16 pounds and has a bladder to match. They cannot hold urine as long as a 50-pound dog can. A puppy under 4 months old may need to go out every 1 to 2 hours during the day, and once at night. An adult Shih Tzu can usually wait 4 to 6 hours, but many owners find their dogs prefer to go out every 3 to 4 hours. If you work a full day and cannot come home at lunch, you will either need a dog walker or a longer timeline for training.

Shih Tzus also have a higher rate of submissive urination and excitement urination than some other breeds. This means they may leak a little when they greet you, when they are nervous, or when they are playing. This is not a housetrain failure — it is a separate behavior that usually improves as the dog matures and gains confidence. It can take until 6 months to a year for this to stop completely.

The schedule that works best for Shih Tzu puppies

A Shih Tzu puppy needs to go outside at predictable times. The most reliable schedule is: first thing in the morning, after every meal (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after playtime, after naps, and before bedtime. If your puppy is under 3 months old, add a midday trip and a trip in the late afternoon. Write down the times and stick to them for at least the first 8 to 12 weeks.

Take your puppy to the same spot every time. The scent of their own urine and feces will trigger the urge to go, which speeds up the process. Stay outside with them — do not just open the door and hope. When they go in the right place, reward them when ready with a high-value treat (small pieces of chicken, cheese, or a toy they love) and praise. The reward has to come within seconds, or the puppy will not connect it to the behavior.

At night, a Shih Tzu puppy under 4 months old will almost certainly need a bathroom break. Many owners find it easier to keep the puppy in a crate next to the bed, take them out once during the night, and then take them out first thing in the morning. By 4 to 5 months, most Shih Tzus can sleep through the night without an accident, though some take longer.

Crate training makes potty training faster

Crate training and potty training go hand in hand for Shih Tzus. Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep, so a properly sized crate (big enough to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so big they can potty in one corner and sleep in another) becomes a powerful tool. When your Shih Tzu is in the crate, they are motivated to hold it. When you let them out, they are motivated to go when ready.

The crate should never be used as punishment. It should be a safe, comfortable place where your dog wants to be. Leave the door open during the day so they can go in and out freely. Use treats and praise to build a positive association. Once your puppy is comfortable in the crate, you can use it during times you cannot watch them — when you are cooking, showering, or briefly leaving the house. Every time you let them out of the crate, take them directly outside.

Do not leave a puppy in a crate for longer than they can hold their bladder. A general rule is one hour per month of age, plus one. A 3-month-old puppy can hold it for about 4 hours. A 4-month-old can hold it for about 5 hours. If you crate them longer than that, they will have an accident in the crate, which teaches them that the crate is not a safe place and undermines the whole system.

What to do when accidents happen

Accidents are part of potty training any puppy, and Shih Tzus have more of them than some breeds. If you catch your puppy in the act, interrupt calmly (a straightforward "outside" works), take them outside when ready, and reward if they finish outside. Do not yell, hit, or rub their nose in it. Fear makes puppies hide to potty, which makes training much harder.

If you find an accident after the fact, clean it up and move on. Your puppy will not understand why you are upset about something that happened an hour ago. They will only learn to be afraid of you when you are angry. Use an enzymatic cleaner (one made for pet urine) to remove the scent completely. If the scent lingers, your puppy will be drawn back to that spot.

Setbacks are normal. A Shih Tzu who was doing well may regress if there is a change in routine, a move to a new house, a new person in the home, or even a change in diet. Stay consistent, go back to the frequent outdoor schedule, and the progress will usually return within a few days or weeks.

Common mistakes that slow down training

The most common mistake is an inconsistent schedule. If you take your puppy out at 7 a.m. one day and 9 a.m. the next, their bladder will not learn when to expect relief. Shih Tzus thrive on routine. Pick times that work for your life and keep to them, even on weekends.

The second mistake is rewarding too late or not at all. Your Shih Tzu will not connect a treat given five minutes after they potty to the act itself. The reward has to come within a second or two. If you are not rewarding every single successful outdoor potty for the first few months, you are making training take much longer.

A third mistake is giving too much freedom too soon. A Shih Tzu puppy should not have the run of the house until they are reliably housetrained. Use baby gates to confine them to a small area you can watch, or keep them in a crate or pen. The fewer opportunities they have to have an accident out of sight, the faster they will learn.

When to expect your Shih Tzu to be reliably housetrained

Most Shih Tzus show significant progress by 4 to 6 months old. At this point, they can usually go 4 to 6 hours without an accident during the day, and they sleep through the night. However, "reliably housetrained" does not mean never an accident. It means accidents are rare and usually happen only if the routine is disrupted or the dog is sick.

Some Shih Tzus take longer. If your dog is still having frequent accidents at 6 months, do not panic. It does not mean they are broken or that you have failed. It usually means they need more time, a stricter schedule, or more frequent outdoor breaks. A few Shih Tzus do not reach full reliability until 12 to 18 months old, especially if they are particularly stubborn or if training was inconsistent early on.

If your adult Shih Tzu suddenly starts having accidents after being housetrained, see a veterinarian. A urinary tract infection, diabetes, or other health issue could be the cause. Once medical problems are ruled out, go back to basics: more frequent outdoor breaks, more rewards, and more patience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use puppy pads to potty train a Shih Tzu?

Puppy pads can work, but they often slow down training. Your puppy learns that it is acceptable to potty indoors, which makes the transition to outdoor-only potty harder later. If you must use pads because you work long hours, place them in a designated area, take your puppy to them on schedule, and reward success. Plan to phase them out once your puppy is older and you can take them outside more often.

Why does my Shih Tzu potty in the house even though they know better?

Shih Tzus are independent and may straightforward choose to potty indoors if they find it convenient. They may also be marking territory, especially if there are other dogs in the home or if they are not spayed or neutered. may support your dog is spayed or neutered, maintain a strict outdoor schedule, and reward outdoor potty heavily. If the behavior is new, rule out a medical issue with your vet first.

Is it too late to potty train an adult Shih Tzu?

No, but it takes longer than training a puppy. Adult dogs have established habits, so retraining requires patience and consistency. Use the same methods: frequent outdoor breaks on a schedule, when ready rewards, and confinement when you cannot watch. Most adult Shih Tzus can be retrained within 2 to 4 months if you are consistent.

Do male and female Shih Tzus train differently?

Not significantly, but spayed and neutered dogs train faster than intact ones. Intact males may mark territory indoors, and intact females may have accidents during their heat cycle. Spaying or neutering usually improves housetrain success, especially in stubborn breeds like Shih Tzus.

What if my Shih Tzu refuses to potty outside in bad weather?

Many Shih Tzus dislike rain, snow, or extreme heat because of their long coat and small size. Invest in a dog raincoat or sweater, and keep outdoor trips brief. Some owners also create a covered outdoor potty area. If your dog refuses to go, bring them back inside, crate them, and try again in 15 to 20 minutes. Do not give in and let them potty inside, or they will learn that refusing works.