I think the main problem is that he is gone for most of the day. Many dogs just won't adjust to being alone a lot. He needs to seek out some professional training for the dog if he intends to keep it.

I think the main problem is that he is gone for most of the day.

IN all seriousness, that is the key.

However, if he is male - mousetraps!  He wont be peeing many places after that.

Yeah, that is a problem. She doesn't have anyone to play with, and she has no one there to keep the training going during the day. He's only gone from 7:30-4:00, but that's still a long time for a pup.




The pup is a girl, so unless her tail gets clipped...

Do some research on crate training.

I like the crate training idea. My pup Gus marks his territory everywhere so we came up with a plan: We put newspaper in several "high-hit" areas. Now here's the tip. Don't pick up the newspaper if it has remnants of urine or poop. Wipe the poop up but leave the newspaper be for at least a week. He will keep going back to that paper because he knows that's where he goes. When yopu put new paper down try to leave one smelly piece behind.

Sounds unpleasant and it works better in an apartment with balconies. We find it works and it's better than having poop all over our expensive Middle Eastern rugs! Don't forget to walk him every night too.

How old is the pup?  House breaking is pretty hard before 12 weeks.

Crate training is a great option, especially if you aren't home during the day.  Dogs don't like to mess where they sleep, so they housebreak faster when crate trained.

Shitzus are hard to train to do anything, so your friend needs to keep that in mind.  He also needs to make sure that he is using a scent remover when he cleans up floors after the pup.  If they can smell an area that they messed, they will do it again in the same place.

Best bet is to walk the pup in the morning, half an hour after she was fed and walk her until she finishes her business.  Put her in a crate, or at least contain her in a small area with toys (if in a crate, remove her color) and leave her with just water and a small area behind her bedding covered with newspaper.  As soon as he gets home, take her for a walk and spend time with her.  She'll get the hang of it after awhile.

I also suggest a can with coins in it as a housebreaking tool.  When you see the dog relieving herself inside, throw the can in the general direction (not at the pup) then grab the pup and take them outside and praise them once outside.

I was going to make the facetious comment "with a shit zookeeper", but then, I thought, nah.

Oops.

I know! I know! Here's your answere, SHE!


marriedtothesea.com

Hi All,

We had a shih tzu named Susie. She was as close to a human member of the family you could get and still have fur. She died last year at 14. Anyway, Shih Tzus are stubborn little critters, completely full of themselves. Best to be patient, do the same routine day and night, reward the "good" behavior with a verbal reward, and ignore the past-history bad behavior. If the dog is caught in the act, a sharp rebuke with an immediate out of doors and then a reward is a good idea.

We have had a lot of dogs both on our ranch and here in the city. We have rarely used a crate, although I understand they are fine.

Be well.

Sounds like my Izzy. She too will poop anywhere.

Maybe he should diaper his Izzy. Do they make doggie diapers?

Thanks for your help everyone. Things are getting better. At least, she isn't pooping directly under foot. She still pees when she's really excited... but I doubt he'll break her of that.

I'm glad things are going better. I had a Shih Tzu that I named, Brutus. Damn good looking dog. Was he keenly intelligent? No. Some dogs get looks while others get smarts; kinda like people.

I haven't seen diapers exclusively for dogs, but I betcha, Pampers, would fit the bill after some alteration. They make pads and belts exclusively for dogs. No kidding. They come in handy when it's "that time of the year". I've used regular pads before, and they worked just as well, if not better. Cheaper too.

Is it just me, or was this a funny topic? I found myself giggling from the get go. I doubt he's going to break her of peeing out of excitement, too. Laughing, sorry!

Izzy is adorable, but you're right. She's not that bright.



Are you serious? I was just kidding...



It's funny when I write about it... not funny when I have to clean my shoes. Ick. As for the peeing from excitement, I think he's going to focus on training people not to pick her up when she's happy. She always pees on new folks -- if they haven't been warned. I met her outside, and wouldn't pick her up until she did her business. Even then, I didn't hold her, because I didn't trust that she had an empty bladder.

Hope the training is going better now, AND there ARE diapers for dogs! I didn't know that until getting stuff for Goldie and Chanel. It doesn't surprise me though one little bit.