How Long Does It Take To Potty Train A Shih Tzu?

Potty training a Shih Tzu is one of the biggest challenges new owners face with this breed. Shih Tzus have a reputation for being stubborn when it comes to housebreaking, and there is some truth to that. But stubborn does not mean impossible. With the right approach and a lot of consistency, most Shih Tzus can be reliably potty trained in 4 to 8 weeks. Some may take longer, and that is perfectly normal for the breed.

How Long Does Potty Training a Shih Tzu Take?

On average, potty training a Shih Tzu takes 4 to 8 weeks of consistent effort. Some puppies catch on in as little as 2 to 3 weeks, while others may need 3 to 4 months before they are fully reliable. Several factors influence how quickly your Shih Tzu picks it up, including their age, your consistency, and the training method you use.

Puppies under 12 weeks old have very limited bladder control and physically cannot hold it for long periods. Starting potty training around 8 weeks is fine, but expect a lot of accidents at this stage. Real progress usually kicks in between 12 and 16 weeks when their bladder develops enough to hold urine for a couple of hours at a time.

Adult Shih Tzus that were never properly potty trained can also learn, but it takes more time and patience. Breaking an established habit is harder than building a new one, so expect the process to take 2 to 3 months for an adult dog.

Why Shih Tzus Are Harder to Potty Train

Shih Tzus are consistently ranked as one of the more difficult breeds to housebreak, and there are a few reasons for this. First, they are a small breed with small bladders. They simply cannot hold it as long as larger dogs, which means more frequent bathroom breaks are necessary.

Second, Shih Tzus were bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, not as working dogs. They do not have the same drive to please their owners that breeds like Labs or Golden Retrievers do. When a Shih Tzu does not see the point of doing something, they are perfectly happy to ignore you. This is not defiance. It is just their independent nature.

Third, their small size works against them in a sneaky way. A Shih Tzu can slip behind a couch or into a corner and have an accident without you ever noticing. Every undetected accident reinforces the habit of going inside, which makes training take longer.

Step by Step Potty Training Method

The most effective approach for Shih Tzus combines crate training with a strict schedule. Here is how to do it.

Set Up a Consistent Schedule

Take your Shih Tzu outside to the same spot every single time. The scent from previous visits helps them understand what they are supposed to do there. Bring them outside first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps, after play sessions, and right before bedtime. For puppies under 4 months, add a trip outside every 1 to 2 hours during the day.

Use a Crate Effectively

Dogs instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area, which makes a crate your most powerful potty training tool. The crate should be just big enough for your Shih Tzu to stand up, turn around, and lie down. If it is too big, they can use one end as a bathroom and the other as a bed, which defeats the purpose. When you cannot directly supervise your Shih Tzu, they should be in their crate.

Reward Immediately

The moment your Shih Tzu finishes going potty outside, praise them enthusiastically and give them a small, high value treat. The reward needs to happen within 2 to 3 seconds of them finishing so they connect the action with the reward. Waiting until you get back inside is too late because they will think the treat is for coming inside, not for going potty outside.

Supervise Closely Indoors

When your Shih Tzu is out of the crate, keep them in the same room as you and watch them closely. If they start sniffing in circles, squatting, or heading toward a corner, scoop them up immediately and take them outside. Catching them in the act and redirecting them outside is one of the fastest ways to teach them where to go.

Clean Accidents Properly

When accidents happen (and they will), clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet stains. Regular household cleaners do not break down the proteins in urine, and if your Shih Tzu can still smell it, they will return to that spot. Enzymatic cleaners eliminate the scent completely, which is essential for preventing repeat accidents in the same location.

Common Potty Training Mistakes to Avoid

Punishing your Shih Tzu for accidents is the biggest mistake you can make. Rubbing their nose in it, yelling, or scolding them does not teach them anything except to be afraid of you. Dogs cannot connect a punishment to something they did even a few minutes ago. All punishment does is make your dog anxious and more likely to sneak off and hide when they need to go, which makes the problem worse.

Inconsistency is the second biggest mistake. If you take them outside on weekdays but let them use pee pads on weekends, you are sending mixed signals. Pick one method and stick with it. Every exception confuses your Shih Tzu and adds time to the training process.

Giving too much freedom too soon is another common error. Just because your Shih Tzu has gone a few days without an accident does not mean they are fully trained. Gradually increase their freedom over several weeks, adding one room at a time. If accidents start again, go back to the previous level of supervision.

Indoor Potty Options for Shih Tzus

Because Shih Tzus are small and some live in apartments or homes without easy yard access, indoor potty options can be a practical solution. Puppy pee pads, artificial grass patches, and indoor dog potties all work for Shih Tzus. If you go this route, treat the indoor potty spot exactly like you would treat an outdoor spot. Take your Shih Tzu to the pad on a schedule, reward them for using it, and keep it in the same location.

Just keep in mind that training a dog to use both indoor pads and outdoor spots can be confusing for some Shih Tzus. If you can commit to outdoor only training, that is usually the cleaner option. But if your living situation makes that difficult, a consistent indoor option works perfectly fine for this breed.

When to Worry About Potty Training Progress

If your Shih Tzu is over 6 months old and still having daily accidents despite consistent training, or if a previously house trained dog suddenly starts having accidents again, see your vet. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and diabetes can all cause increased urination that looks like a training problem but is actually a medical one. Ruling out health issues first ensures you are not fighting an uphill battle against something training alone cannot fix.