Shih Tzus learn fastest with a consistent schedule and small, enclosed spaces
Shih Tzu puppies can be housetrained, but they need more repetition and patience than larger breeds. Their small bladder empties every two to three hours, so you will take them outside far more often than you would a Lab or Golden Retriever. The breed is also stubborn — they do not respond well to harsh corrections — so success depends on routine, reward, and catching them before accidents happen indoors.
Start housetraining as soon as your puppy arrives home, ideally between 8 and 12 weeks old. The younger you begin, the faster the habit forms. Most Shih Tzus are reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months, though some take longer. Expect setbacks: illness, stress, or a change in routine can reset progress.
Key Takeaways
- Take your Shih Tzu puppy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after play, and before bedtime — roughly every two to three hours.
- Use a small, confined space like a crate or pen when you cannot watch the puppy, because dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep.
- Reward outdoor elimination when ready with treats and praise so the puppy connects the behavior with a positive outcome.
- Never punish accidents after the fact; the puppy will not understand the connection and may become afraid to eliminate in front of you.
- Shih Tzus respond better to consistency and patience than to correction, so establish a routine and stick to it even when progress feels slow.
Set a predictable outdoor schedule tied to daily events
Shih Tzu puppies need to go outside at the same times each day. The most reliable times are first thing in the morning, 15 to 30 minutes after eating, when ready after waking from a nap, after a play session, and right before bedtime. If you feed your puppy three times a day, you will have at least six to eight outdoor trips built into your routine.
Write down the times you take your puppy out and note whether elimination happened. After a week or two, you will see a pattern — your puppy's body will begin to anticipate the schedule. This predictability is what makes housetraining work. If you take the puppy out at random times, the process takes much longer.
During the day, if you work outside the home, hire a dog walker or ask a neighbor to let the puppy out midday. A puppy left alone for eight hours will have an accident, not because it is stubborn but because its bladder cannot hold that long. If midday relief is impossible, consider waiting until your schedule allows more flexibility before bringing a puppy home.
Use a crate or small pen to prevent accidents when you are not watching
Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep and eat. A crate — a plastic or wire enclosure just large enough for the puppy to stand, turn, and lie down — uses this instinct to your advantage. When you cannot watch the puppy, place it in the crate. Within minutes of coming out, take it directly outside.
The crate should never be so large that the puppy can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another. For a Shih Tzu, a small dog crate (24 to 30 inches long) is usually right. If the puppy has an accident in the crate, the crate is too big or the puppy was left in too long.
Do not use the crate as punishment. The puppy should view it as a safe, comfortable space. Leave the door open during the day so the puppy can nap there voluntarily. This builds a positive association and makes crate time less stressful.
Reward outdoor elimination right away with treats and praise
The moment your puppy finishes eliminating outside, give a small treat and enthusiastic praise. Use the same phrase every time — "Good potty" or "Good outside" — so the puppy learns to associate those words with the reward. This connection is what teaches the puppy where elimination is supposed to happen.
Treats should be tiny and given when ready, within seconds of the behavior. If you wait until you are back inside, the puppy will not understand what earned the reward. Use treats the puppy loves but does not get otherwise — a small piece of chicken, cheese, or a commercial training treat works well.
Praise matters as much as the treat. Shih Tzus are people-oriented and respond well to attention and affection. Some puppies will work harder for a few seconds of petting and excited talk than for food. Experiment to see what motivates your individual puppy.
Clean accidents thoroughly and never punish after the fact
When an accident happens indoors — and it will — clean it completely with an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet urine. Regular household cleaners do not break down the urine compounds, so the puppy can still smell where it went before and will return to that spot. Enzymatic cleaners are sold at pet stores and online under names like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie.
Never scold, hit, or rub the puppy's nose in an accident. Punishment after the fact teaches the puppy to fear you, not to eliminate outside. The puppy cannot connect a scolding that happens 10 minutes after an accident to the act itself. Instead, the puppy learns that you are unpredictable and scary, which can make housetraining take much longer.
If you catch the puppy in the act, a firm "No" or "Outside" and when ready taking it outside is appropriate. Reward if it finishes outside. This teaches cause and effect in the moment.
Adjust the schedule as the puppy grows and bladder control improves
A puppy's bladder capacity grows with age. At 8 weeks, a puppy can hold urine for about 2 hours. At 12 weeks, roughly 3 hours. At 4 months, about 4 hours. By 6 months, many puppies can hold it for 5 to 6 hours. As your Shih Tzu grows, you can gradually space out outdoor trips.
Watch your puppy's behavior for signs it needs to go out: sniffing, circling, whining, or scratching at the door. These signals often appear before the puppy can hold it any longer. If you see them, take the puppy outside when ready, even if it is not yet time on your schedule.
By 6 to 8 months, most Shih Tzus can go through the night without an accident if they have a final outdoor trip before bed. Some puppies are reliably housetrained by 4 months; others need 6 to 8 months. Shih Tzus are not the fastest learners in the dog world, so patience is essential.
Handle setbacks calmly and return to basics if progress stalls
Illness, a move to a new home, a new person in the household, or even a change in food can cause a housetrained puppy to have accidents again. This is normal and does not mean the puppy has forgotten. Return to the frequent outdoor schedule and crate confinement for a week or two until the puppy settles.
If your puppy is having frequent accidents after 5 or 6 months of consistent training, consult a veterinarian to rule out a urinary tract infection or other medical issue. Some puppies also have a harder time with housetraining due to temperament or genetics. In those cases, extending the timeline and maintaining absolute consistency is the only solution.
Do not compare your puppy's progress to another dog's. Shih Tzus vary widely in how quickly they housetrain. Some are reliable by 4 months; others need 8 months or more. Consistency and patience will get you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I take a Shih Tzu puppy outside?
Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, 15 to 30 minutes after each meal, after naps, after play, and before bedtime. This usually means 6 to 8 trips a day for a young puppy. As the puppy grows and bladder control improves, you can reduce the frequency.
Can I use puppy pads instead of taking the puppy outside?
Puppy pads teach the puppy that indoor elimination is acceptable, which can confuse the housetraining process. Most trainers recommend skipping pads and taking the puppy outside instead. If you must use pads due to your schedule, place them near the door and gradually move them closer to the outside exit over time.
What should I do if my puppy has an accident at night?
Nighttime accidents are normal in young puppies. Limit water intake an hour or two before bed, take the puppy out right before sleep, and use a crate at night so the puppy is motivated not to soil its sleeping space. Most puppies can sleep through the night without accidents by 4 to 6 months old.
Why is my Shih Tzu still having accidents after three months of training?
Shih Tzus can be slower to housetrain than other breeds. Check that you are taking the puppy out frequently enough, using a crate when unsupervised, and rewarding outdoor elimination consistently. If accidents continue despite a solid routine, ask your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue.
Is it too late to housetrain an adult Shih Tzu?
No. Adult dogs can learn housetraining at any age, though it may take longer if the dog has spent months or years eliminating indoors. Use the same schedule, crate, and reward system. An adult dog's larger bladder capacity means fewer outdoor trips, which can actually make the process faster than with a puppy.