Shurbeez Potty training methods...
At Shurbeez Shih Tzu we have tried just about every kind of potty training method over the years. We have started using litter box training combined with a potty pad tray for our puppies, and have found that it makes the potty training process much easier on pups and their new families. **You can find more information about the products I use at the bottom of the New Puppy Info. and Product We Love pages.
We begin potty training at three weeks old, or as soon as we notice they are beginning to walk around and relieve themselves without help from mom. We begin by placing puppies into the potty area as soon as they wake up, it is normal for them to want to relieve their bowels as soon as they are awake. Puppy's natural instincts tell them that there should be a place away from where they sleep to relieve themselves. It is not natural for them to want to eat, sleep, play and potty in the same place. We have found that offering them distinct places for each of these things makes the potty training process much easier for them and their new homes. By the time they are 6 weeks old they are having 80%-90% success, by 9 weeks they are proficient and usually 90-100% accurate.
At Shurbeez Shih Tzu we continue to develop our method of potty training as we have raised our puppies. Starting early gives our puppies the best head start possible. We have several phases of potty training that depend on how proficient they are and how much space they have been given in their 'puppy safe area'. Each litter develops in the same way, but the timing can be different. We carefully watch each litter to know when they are successful enough to be moved to the next phase. No litter of puppies is EXACTLY the same and we make small adjustments to set up our pups for success.
We begin potty training at three weeks old, or as soon as we notice they are beginning to walk around and relieve themselves without help from mom. We begin by placing puppies into the potty area as soon as they wake up, it is normal for them to want to relieve their bowels as soon as they are awake. Puppy's natural instincts tell them that there should be a place away from where they sleep to relieve themselves. It is not natural for them to want to eat, sleep, play and potty in the same place. We have found that offering them distinct places for each of these things makes the potty training process much easier for them and their new homes. By the time they are 6 weeks old they are having 80%-90% success, by 9 weeks they are proficient and usually 90-100% accurate.
At Shurbeez Shih Tzu we continue to develop our method of potty training as we have raised our puppies. Starting early gives our puppies the best head start possible. We have several phases of potty training that depend on how proficient they are and how much space they have been given in their 'puppy safe area'. Each litter develops in the same way, but the timing can be different. We carefully watch each litter to know when they are successful enough to be moved to the next phase. No litter of puppies is EXACTLY the same and we make small adjustments to set up our pups for success.
Step One
The first phase of potty training, starts at approximately three weeks old, or as soon as we notice them being able to go potty on their own.
We place a shallow amount of pressed pine & alfalfa pellets into a potty tray and place it right next to the sleeping area of the puppies, these are the only two areas they have to negotiate. By four weeks all the puppies are toddling in and out of the litter box to do their business.
Instinctually, dogs do not want to soil their 'den'. Good mommas will keep the area that their puppies live in as clean as possible. That means she cleans them up and any potty or poop that gets onto bedding is frequently licked clean or removed from the puppy's area by her. It usually takes mommas a few weeks to relinquish cleaning up of puppy areas to us.
As puppies are learning, accidents do happen, but we strive to clean them up quickly and effectively so they learn, by scent and location, that the area they can use for a toilet is limited to that one area. The puppies naturally begin using the litter box for their bathroom duties out of habit and by natural desires to keep clean. Some puppies are stubborn and don't choose the right spot, but after a few weeks usually everyone has it down pretty well. Our Mommas have been potty trained to go exclusively outside and never soil in the area their puppies are being raised.
**This is a critical phase of potty training. If a breeder does not foster the innate instinct to keep a den area clean a puppy can learn to live in filth. We work tirelessly to keep our puppy den and play areas pristine so that they can learn that the den/play area is not a place to relieve themselves.
We place a shallow amount of pressed pine & alfalfa pellets into a potty tray and place it right next to the sleeping area of the puppies, these are the only two areas they have to negotiate. By four weeks all the puppies are toddling in and out of the litter box to do their business.
Instinctually, dogs do not want to soil their 'den'. Good mommas will keep the area that their puppies live in as clean as possible. That means she cleans them up and any potty or poop that gets onto bedding is frequently licked clean or removed from the puppy's area by her. It usually takes mommas a few weeks to relinquish cleaning up of puppy areas to us.
As puppies are learning, accidents do happen, but we strive to clean them up quickly and effectively so they learn, by scent and location, that the area they can use for a toilet is limited to that one area. The puppies naturally begin using the litter box for their bathroom duties out of habit and by natural desires to keep clean. Some puppies are stubborn and don't choose the right spot, but after a few weeks usually everyone has it down pretty well. Our Mommas have been potty trained to go exclusively outside and never soil in the area their puppies are being raised.
**This is a critical phase of potty training. If a breeder does not foster the innate instinct to keep a den area clean a puppy can learn to live in filth. We work tirelessly to keep our puppy den and play areas pristine so that they can learn that the den/play area is not a place to relieve themselves.
Step Two
In the second phase of litter box training we give the puppies a bit more space. We use an exercise pen with a crate/den/bed, toys, and potty box. This area grows as they become better and better at being successful at their potty training. The area starts at approximately 2x4 feet and grows as they get bigger and become more proficient at using the potty area. A 4x4 or 2x6 foot area is perfect for a single puppy at 12 weeks. This size works very well and many of our families replicate this set up in their own home for a smooth transition. All of the supplies needed to set up this 'puppy safe area' are listed in detail on the Products We Love page, and at the end of the New Puppy Info. page..
Step Three
As puppies get older and better able to make it to the potty box their space gets bigger. If there are occasional messes we clean them up as quickly as we can using Nature's Miracle to enzymatically destroy the smell so it doesn't become a habit in that one spot, or any spot other than the designated potty area.
We work very hard to keep our puppy areas clean. It is not uncommon to clean up bedding and potty areas 20 times (or more) a day at the beginning. We do this happily to help puppies be successful at learning sanitary habits!
We work very hard to keep our puppy areas clean. It is not uncommon to clean up bedding and potty areas 20 times (or more) a day at the beginning. We do this happily to help puppies be successful at learning sanitary habits!
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Does my puppy come potty trained?!
I wish I could answer YES! The truth is no, your puppy comes litter box/tray trained.
You will be an important part of the success of finishing the potty training of your puppy. I will not fill your minds with promises, instead, we will discuss realistic expectations.
What you get from me is a good foundation that you will build on. In your 'puppy safe area', if you have done things correctly, your puppy will use the litter box. I can not stress enough the importance of getting the right equipment to begin with. This is true whether you want to train your puppy to continue with the use of the litter box or to go potty outside only.
Your puppy will NOT be ready for unsupervised freedom in the house. He/She will only be 9-12 weeks old and will not be like an adult cat that you can show where the litter box is and then they will go find it every time they have to go. You will need to supervise your puppy and when you see signs they have to go potty take him/her to use their litter box, tray, or outside. (this means that until you feel your puppy is 100% potty trained they need 100% supervision when not in the 'puppy safe area')
Some signs a puppy has to go potty include: turning circles, seeming frantic to find something, and sniffing - And...sometimes there's just no warning. If you are holding a puppy and they have to go potty, they might get squirmy.
It is good to choose a command word to use when you are prompting your puppy to go potty. I use "good potty" with an excited, praising voice, often accompanied by a tiny treat.
Shih Tzu are stubborn, and/or sometimes your puppy will be so busy they don't want to take the time to go potty. Be consistent, place them back in the potty area and wait for a successful attempt. If they don't go, you can use your crate or "puppy safe area" to put them in and wait 10 minutes and try again.
Praise is always best for any training. If you scold more than a firm 'no' when accidents happen then you are setting your puppy up for a traumatic experience. I have had many new puppy parents ask me why their puppy won't go potty outside but then comes right into the house and runs to a hiding spot and then makes a mess. This can be from being scolded or punished for going potty in front of you. If you freak out when an accident happens your puppy learns that it is not safe to eliminate in front of you, inside or outside. They will hide and try to find somewhere they feel safe to take care of their natural bodily functions. If you find a mess please do not rub your puppy's face into the mess or get angry. They don't have any idea why you are mad and you're setting yourself up as a person who is unpredictable in your puppy's eyes.
You can expect your puppy to have to use the bathroom after waking in the morning, after a nap, during and after playing, and a few minutes after eating or drinking. I would wait until you see your little one use the box in their 'puppy safe area' and then bring them out for their playtime directly after. If you are using a crate or 'puppy safe area' you can begin to establish the rule that every time we get out of the crate or area we go potty first before we play. Then you have the task of being 100% consistent and that everyone in your home does the same thing too!
I cannot stress enough the fact that in the beginning every second of supervision counts! If you cannot be watching your puppy every second or you find your puppy darting into the next room to go potty on the floor - then you'll find more success if you put a harness and leash on your puppy and keep him/her tethered to you or in their 'puppy safe area'.
Successful potty training is all about helping your puppy be successful. So, observe, plan, be consistent, and help your puppy be successful.
You will be an important part of the success of finishing the potty training of your puppy. I will not fill your minds with promises, instead, we will discuss realistic expectations.
What you get from me is a good foundation that you will build on. In your 'puppy safe area', if you have done things correctly, your puppy will use the litter box. I can not stress enough the importance of getting the right equipment to begin with. This is true whether you want to train your puppy to continue with the use of the litter box or to go potty outside only.
Your puppy will NOT be ready for unsupervised freedom in the house. He/She will only be 9-12 weeks old and will not be like an adult cat that you can show where the litter box is and then they will go find it every time they have to go. You will need to supervise your puppy and when you see signs they have to go potty take him/her to use their litter box, tray, or outside. (this means that until you feel your puppy is 100% potty trained they need 100% supervision when not in the 'puppy safe area')
Some signs a puppy has to go potty include: turning circles, seeming frantic to find something, and sniffing - And...sometimes there's just no warning. If you are holding a puppy and they have to go potty, they might get squirmy.
It is good to choose a command word to use when you are prompting your puppy to go potty. I use "good potty" with an excited, praising voice, often accompanied by a tiny treat.
Shih Tzu are stubborn, and/or sometimes your puppy will be so busy they don't want to take the time to go potty. Be consistent, place them back in the potty area and wait for a successful attempt. If they don't go, you can use your crate or "puppy safe area" to put them in and wait 10 minutes and try again.
Praise is always best for any training. If you scold more than a firm 'no' when accidents happen then you are setting your puppy up for a traumatic experience. I have had many new puppy parents ask me why their puppy won't go potty outside but then comes right into the house and runs to a hiding spot and then makes a mess. This can be from being scolded or punished for going potty in front of you. If you freak out when an accident happens your puppy learns that it is not safe to eliminate in front of you, inside or outside. They will hide and try to find somewhere they feel safe to take care of their natural bodily functions. If you find a mess please do not rub your puppy's face into the mess or get angry. They don't have any idea why you are mad and you're setting yourself up as a person who is unpredictable in your puppy's eyes.
You can expect your puppy to have to use the bathroom after waking in the morning, after a nap, during and after playing, and a few minutes after eating or drinking. I would wait until you see your little one use the box in their 'puppy safe area' and then bring them out for their playtime directly after. If you are using a crate or 'puppy safe area' you can begin to establish the rule that every time we get out of the crate or area we go potty first before we play. Then you have the task of being 100% consistent and that everyone in your home does the same thing too!
I cannot stress enough the fact that in the beginning every second of supervision counts! If you cannot be watching your puppy every second or you find your puppy darting into the next room to go potty on the floor - then you'll find more success if you put a harness and leash on your puppy and keep him/her tethered to you or in their 'puppy safe area'.
Successful potty training is all about helping your puppy be successful. So, observe, plan, be consistent, and help your puppy be successful.
night time
At night we suggest using a crate for your puppy to sleep in, or your 'puppy safe area' with an open crate or bed. Your puppy is used to a crate so there will be no trauma to spend time in a crate. For the first few nights be prepared to wake up early and let them out to relieve themselves in the litter box (if you choose to close them into the crate) or take them outside to potty. After they have relieved themselves it is okay to put them back in the crate/area and get a little more sleep.
**I do not suggest taking food and water away at night until they are at least 4-5 pounds and 20 weeks. Puppies smaller than that have a hard time maintaining blood sugar and their health can tank quickly if they don't have access to food and water. In my home they are used to having food and water available at all times. **if you are going to take food and water away from the puppy overnight you'll need to make sure they have a small snack right before bed. (snack, go potty, then to bed) If you find your puppy is throwing up yellow frothy bubbles in the morning, or at other times, it is most likely from an empty tummy.
When I am trying to house train a puppy that is staying here I will keep them in their 'puppy safe area' with food and water until I see that they can 'hold it' all night - consistently not waking up to potty or poop in the potty area. Then I begin putting them in the area with the older dogs in a crate all night, most make the transition very well.
The nice thing is that you do have your 'puppy safe area' set up so that you can put your puppy in there while they can't be supervised or you are at work and the litter box/tray is available to them. In the beginning I would have the litter box be the only absorbent surface other than their bed. Often when a family has experienced a problem with the litter box and their new pup it has been traced to a litter box that is too small, or tall etc... The litter box needs to be large enough for your puppy to do the potty dance :) We use a large Dog Litter Crate 24x18 crate grate and tray with pine animal bedding pellets and/or alfalfa feed pellets. It is the perfect size and what they are used to. We also use a potty pad tray when puppies a really young. See the links and pictures on our New Puppy Info. page.
**I do not suggest taking food and water away at night until they are at least 4-5 pounds and 20 weeks. Puppies smaller than that have a hard time maintaining blood sugar and their health can tank quickly if they don't have access to food and water. In my home they are used to having food and water available at all times. **if you are going to take food and water away from the puppy overnight you'll need to make sure they have a small snack right before bed. (snack, go potty, then to bed) If you find your puppy is throwing up yellow frothy bubbles in the morning, or at other times, it is most likely from an empty tummy.
When I am trying to house train a puppy that is staying here I will keep them in their 'puppy safe area' with food and water until I see that they can 'hold it' all night - consistently not waking up to potty or poop in the potty area. Then I begin putting them in the area with the older dogs in a crate all night, most make the transition very well.
The nice thing is that you do have your 'puppy safe area' set up so that you can put your puppy in there while they can't be supervised or you are at work and the litter box/tray is available to them. In the beginning I would have the litter box be the only absorbent surface other than their bed. Often when a family has experienced a problem with the litter box and their new pup it has been traced to a litter box that is too small, or tall etc... The litter box needs to be large enough for your puppy to do the potty dance :) We use a large Dog Litter Crate 24x18 crate grate and tray with pine animal bedding pellets and/or alfalfa feed pellets. It is the perfect size and what they are used to. We also use a potty pad tray when puppies a really young. See the links and pictures on our New Puppy Info. page.
Frequently asked questions
What if I don't want to continue using pellets or tray inside?
GREAT! You can start from the first day home to take your puppy outside. If you'd like we can send home a scoop of the pellets for you to place in your yard so the puppy can smell the 'potty place' scent in a specific place in your yard. Just let us know if you'd like a scoop. Otherwise you can start taking your puppy outside every time they need to go. Your puppy isn't coming home fully immunized. Make sure if you plan to potty train outside that your yard is protected from outside animals. If you frequently see wildlife in your yard, or your fence can't keep out neighborhood animals you may need to make other plans or potty training until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
GREAT! You can start from the first day home to take your puppy outside. If you'd like we can send home a scoop of the pellets for you to place in your yard so the puppy can smell the 'potty place' scent in a specific place in your yard. Just let us know if you'd like a scoop. Otherwise you can start taking your puppy outside every time they need to go. Your puppy isn't coming home fully immunized. Make sure if you plan to potty train outside that your yard is protected from outside animals. If you frequently see wildlife in your yard, or your fence can't keep out neighborhood animals you may need to make other plans or potty training until your puppy is fully vaccinated.
Should I worry about my puppy eating the pine/alfalfa pellets?
Our puppies sometimes do chew on and/or put the pellets into their mouths as they are teething. They learn to use the litter box before they are eating solid food so they don't see it as a food source though. Sometimes they mouth them when they are teething, or carry them around in their mouths to play with...but rarely do we have to worry about a puppy actually ingesting them. They do break down into sawdust when wet, so they won't choke on them but they could easily digest the particle if eaten accidentally.
However, if you begin seeing your puppy's poop filled with pine sawdust- then you should take action. We don't want the pellets to cause a blockage. You can place the pellets in a giant mesh laundry sack, cover the pellets with a metal grate, or use potty pads - just know that puppies LOVE to shred disposable potty pads and can/will ingest the cotton fibers and shreds of plastic as well...
The alfalfa pellets cannot hurt your puppy if ingested. It is meant to be horse feed - so it would be the same if your puppy ate grass. If the puppy is eating too many alfalfa pellets you can take the same measures listed above - but, also know that dogs frequently eat grass to help flush out parasites - so you can take a stool sample to your vet to get checked for worms too.
Our puppies sometimes do chew on and/or put the pellets into their mouths as they are teething. They learn to use the litter box before they are eating solid food so they don't see it as a food source though. Sometimes they mouth them when they are teething, or carry them around in their mouths to play with...but rarely do we have to worry about a puppy actually ingesting them. They do break down into sawdust when wet, so they won't choke on them but they could easily digest the particle if eaten accidentally.
However, if you begin seeing your puppy's poop filled with pine sawdust- then you should take action. We don't want the pellets to cause a blockage. You can place the pellets in a giant mesh laundry sack, cover the pellets with a metal grate, or use potty pads - just know that puppies LOVE to shred disposable potty pads and can/will ingest the cotton fibers and shreds of plastic as well...
The alfalfa pellets cannot hurt your puppy if ingested. It is meant to be horse feed - so it would be the same if your puppy ate grass. If the puppy is eating too many alfalfa pellets you can take the same measures listed above - but, also know that dogs frequently eat grass to help flush out parasites - so you can take a stool sample to your vet to get checked for worms too.
Will my puppy have a hard time transitioning to going potty outside?
That is a fair question, and one that some new puppy owners worry about. A puppy is always as successful at potty-training as his owners are at paying attention to cues and being consistent.
Your puppy has learned for its first 9-12 weeks that there is a specific place to go potty. Your job is to teach where that is. Most puppies raised with our dual litter-box/tray system have no trouble learning to go outside. They haven't experienced the traditional potty pads that equate so often to using our rugs to go potty on... but... there's always that one puppy... ;)
- Some new owners find it easiest to get some pellets and sprinkle them in the grass in the yard.
- Others have a whole litter box set-up for outside.
- Still others wish to continue to teach in the home that there is a litter box/tray set-up at all times for bad weather or apartment living, for the work day needs, or if you'd rather not (or can't) send your dogs outside.