How to Potty Train a Shih Tzu Puppy

By Homestead Acres team · October 5, 2026

Shih Tzus are smart and eager to please, but they have a reputation for taking their time with potty training. The good news is that a consistent routine works. Here is the plan we share with families taking home a new puppy.

Why Shih Tzus can take longer

Small dogs have small bladders and fast metabolisms, so a Shih Tzu puppy simply needs to go more often than a large breed. Many are also easy to distract and can be stubborn. None of this means your puppy can't learn. It means you need a schedule, patience and plenty of praise.

Expect a few months before your puppy is reliable, and expect the occasional accident even after that.

Build the schedule

Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after every meal, after every nap, after play and right before bed. A young puppy may need a break every one to two hours during the day. As a rough guide, puppies can hold it about one hour for each month of age, plus one, but every puppy is different.

Feed at regular times. A predictable schedule going in makes a predictable schedule coming out.

Pick one spot and one cue

Take your puppy to the same spot every time and use a short cue like "go potty." Stand still and stay quiet so your puppy can focus. When the puppy finishes, reward immediately with praise and a tiny treat while it's still outside. The reward has to arrive within seconds so your puppy links it to the right behavior.

Use a crate or pen

Dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. A properly sized crate, just big enough to stand and turn around in, helps your puppy learn to hold it. Never leave a young puppy in a crate longer than it can reasonably wait. When you can't watch, use the crate or a playpen. When you can, keep your puppy in sight, or on a leash tied to you, so you can notice the signs: sniffing, circling or heading for a corner.

Indoor options and pads

If you live in an apartment or have long work days, a potty pad or an indoor grass patch may be useful. Choose one approach and stay consistent, since switching back and forth confuses puppies. Many owners start on pads and then move to the outdoors, which takes a gradual shift of the pad toward the door.

What to do about accidents

Accidents happen. If you catch your puppy in the act, calmly interrupt with a gentle "oops" and take it outside. If you find the mess later, clean it up without a fuss. Scolding or rubbing a nose in it teaches a puppy to hide, not to go outside.

Use an enzyme cleaner so the smell is gone, since lingering odor invites repeat visits.

Nighttime and weather

Young puppies often need a middle-of-the-night trip. Keep it boring: no play, low light, then straight back to bed. Most puppies can sleep longer as they grow. In rain or snow, use a covered area or put on a small coat, and keep praising so your puppy doesn't decide the weather means no potty.

Signs you're making progress

Longer gaps between accidents, going to the door, and going quickly when you take your puppy to the spot are all signs of progress. Keep the schedule going well past the point it seems unnecessary. Reliability builds slowly.

If you're stuck, check for a medical problem. Frequent urination, straining or diarrhea should be reviewed by your vet.

Keep going

Be consistent, be kind and reward every success. If you have questions as your puppy settles in, call or text us. We're happy to help.

A sample daily schedule

Wake up and go straight outside. Breakfast, then outside again within 10 to 20 minutes. Play, then outside. Nap in the crate. Outside on waking. Repeat through the day with meals at regular times, and a last trip out right before bed. Write your own schedule down, put it on the fridge and have everyone in the household follow it. Consistency from every person is what speeds things up.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your puppy goes right after coming inside, you may be ending outdoor time too soon, so stay out a few more minutes. If it only goes in the house when you aren't looking, increase supervision and use the leash or crate. If accidents suddenly increase after a good stretch, go back a step and check for medical problems. If your puppy seems afraid to go in front of you, stay calm and reward quietly. Regression is normal and usually temporary.

Why patience wins

Many families feel discouraged when potty training takes longer than expected. Remember that your puppy is learning an entirely new skill, in a new place, while its bladder and bowel control are still developing. Progress isn't a straight line. There will be great days and discouraging ones. Keep your schedule, keep your sense of humor and keep rewarding. Dogs respond best to calm, predictable people.

If you've been consistent for several weeks and still have regular accidents, ask your vet to check for a urinary tract infection or other health problem. Sometimes a medical issue is hiding behind what looks like a training problem.

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