Shih Tzus take longer to housetrain than most breeds

Shih Tzus are notoriously difficult to potty train. They have small bladders, independent temperaments, and a stubborn streak that makes them less motivated by praise than other breeds. Most Shih Tzus take four to six months of consistent training to reach reliability indoors, and some take a full year. This is not a reflection of your effort — it is the breed's nature. Expect accidents well into month three or four, even with a solid routine.

The core method is the same as with any dog: establish a schedule, take your Shih Tzu outside frequently, reward outdoor elimination when ready, and confine them when you cannot watch them. What changes with this breed is patience, frequency, and the acceptance that regression happens. A Shih Tzu may housetrain, then backslide for weeks, then housetrain again. This is normal for the breed.

Key Takeaways

  • Shih Tzus need to go outside at least six to eight times per day when young, including when ready after waking, eating, playing, and before bed.
  • Reward outdoor elimination within seconds with high-value treats (small pieces of chicken or cheese work better than kibble) and enthusiastic praise.
  • Confine your Shih Tzu to a crate or small pen when unsupervised, because they will not naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area and will learn faster with limited space.
  • Accidents happen for months — clean them with enzymatic cleaner to remove scent, never punish after the fact, and expect setbacks even after weeks of success.
  • Shih Tzus respond poorly to harsh correction, so focus on preventing accidents and rewarding outdoor success rather than reacting to mistakes indoors.

Set a strict outdoor schedule from day one

Take your Shih Tzu outside at the same times every day. Puppies and young dogs need to go out at least six to eight times daily: first thing in the morning, after each meal (usually 15 to 30 minutes after eating), after playtime, after naps, and before bed. Adult Shih Tzus (over one year old) can manage four to six outings per day, but consistency matters more than the exact number.

Write down the schedule and stick to it. Your Shih Tzu's bladder will adapt to the rhythm. If you take them out at 7 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m., their body will learn to hold urine between those times. Skipping a scheduled outing or going out at random times teaches them nothing and resets progress.

Take them to the same spot outside every time. The scent of previous eliminations cues them that this is the bathroom. If you rotate locations, they have no signal and will be slower to understand what is expected.

Reward outdoor elimination when ready and generously

The moment your Shih Tzu finishes urinating or defecating outside, give a treat and praise. "Yes! Good potty!" works. The reward must come within two to three seconds — any longer and the dog does not connect the treat to the behavior. Use high-value treats: small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or hot dog. Kibble is not rewarding enough for a Shih Tzu.

Praise matters less to Shih Tzus than to other breeds, so do not rely on it alone. The treat is the primary motivator. Some owners find that a specific phrase — "go potty" — said before the dog eliminates helps them learn the cue, but this takes weeks to establish and is not essential.

Do not reward indoors. If your Shih Tzu eliminates in the house, there is no treat, no praise, and ideally no reaction from you at all. Clean it up with enzymatic cleaner (Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie are common brands) and move on. Shih Tzus do not understand punishment after the fact, and scolding them hours later teaches them nothing except to fear you.

Confine your Shih Tzu when you cannot supervise

Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. A crate or small pen forces your Shih Tzu to hold urine and stool longer, which strengthens bladder control and creates urgency to go outside. When you cannot watch them — during work, errands, or sleep — confine them to a crate or small pen with a bed on one end and a pee pad on the other (if they must go during confinement).

The crate should be large enough for your Shih Tzu to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so large that they can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another. A Shih Tzu is a small dog, so a 24-inch crate is usually sufficient for an adult. Puppies need smaller crates and larger ones as they grow.

Do not use confinement as punishment. The crate is a safe space, not a penalty box. Leave the door open when you are home so your Shih Tzu can enter and exit freely. This teaches them that the crate is a good place, not a prison.

Use pee pads strategically, not as a permanent solution

Pee pads can help during the early weeks, but they also teach your Shih Tzu that eliminating indoors is acceptable. If you use them, place them in a consistent location away from sleeping and eating areas, and transition them gradually toward the door and then outside over several weeks. Many trainers recommend skipping pee pads entirely and going straight to outdoor training, because pads create confusion about where elimination is allowed.

If you live in a high-rise apartment or cannot take your Shih Tzu outside frequently, pee pads may be necessary. In that case, place them on a washable mat to contain accidents, and reward outdoor elimination more heavily so your Shih Tzu learns that outside is the preferred location.

Manage accidents without punishment

Your Shih Tzu will have accidents. Puppies cannot hold urine for more than a few hours, and even housetrained adult Shih Tzus regress during stress, illness, or changes in routine. When an accident happens, do not yell, hit, or rub their nose in it. These responses teach fear, not bladder control.

Clean the spot when ready with enzymatic cleaner. Regular cleaners do not break down urine compounds, so your Shih Tzu will smell the old spot and eliminate there again. Enzymatic cleaners use bacteria to digest the urine and remove the scent entirely. Saturate the area, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then blot or vacuum it up.

If you catch your Shih Tzu in the act, interrupt calmly — "outside" — and take them out when ready. Reward if they finish outside. Do not scold them for starting indoors; the moment has passed and punishment will only confuse them.

Expect regression and plan for it

A Shih Tzu may housetrain for six weeks, then have daily accidents for another month. This is not failure. Regression happens when a dog is stressed (new home, new person, loud noises), ill (urinary tract infection, digestive upset), or straightforward testing boundaries. Return to the basics: increase outdoor frequency, tighten confinement, and reward outdoor success more heavily.

Medical issues can also cause regression. If your housetrained Shih Tzu suddenly has frequent accidents, a veterinarian should rule out urinary tract infection, diabetes, or other conditions. Do not assume it is a training problem.

Spaying or neutering can affect housetraining in females, who may develop incontinence months or years after surgery. This is a medical issue, not a behavioral one, and your veterinarian can discuss medication or management options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old should my Shih Tzu be before I start potty training?

Start when ready, even at eight weeks old. Young puppies cannot hold urine for long, so expect frequent accidents, but establishing a routine and rewarding outdoor elimination from day one accelerates learning. Most puppies cannot reliably hold urine for more than two to three hours until four to five months old, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

What if my Shih Tzu will not eliminate outside?

Some Shih Tzus are distracted or anxious outdoors and will not go. Stay outside longer — 10 to 15 minutes — in a quiet spot. Avoid playing or walking; stand still and wait. If they eliminate, reward when ready. If they do not, bring them inside, confine them, and try again in 30 minutes. Eventually, the need to go will override their hesitation.

Can I use punishment to speed up potty training?

No. Shih Tzus are sensitive and respond poorly to harsh correction. Punishment teaches them to fear you and to hide accidents, not to eliminate outside. Positive reinforcement — treats and praise for outdoor success — is faster and builds a better relationship with your dog.

Is my Shih Tzu housetrained if they have not had an accident in two weeks?

Not yet. Two weeks is a good sign, but Shih Tzus often regress after weeks or months of success. Most are reliably housetrained after four to six months without accidents, but some take a full year. Continue the routine, reward outdoor elimination, and stay patient.

Should I use a bell on the door so my Shih Tzu can signal when they need to go out?

This can work, but it takes additional training and is not necessary for housetraining. Teach it only after your Shih Tzu is reliably housetrained and you want to reduce accidents further. Hang a bell on the door handle, ring it before taking them outside, and reward them for touching it with their nose. Most Shih Tzus learn this in a few weeks, but it is an extra step, not a shortcut.