[jessluvschanks]

Hi. My husband and I just recently purchased a dog (4 month old Shih Tzu ) and I was wondering if anyone has any potty training tips? He goes in the house all the time. When i see him sniff around I take him outside and once in a great while he'll go outside, but he usually goes all the time indoors. I say no, thats bad and open the door and say outside. I never trained a dog before so i am very clueless. Any help? Any ideas? Thanks for the help.

[gords_babygirl]

Here's what I was told...and like you, I'm CRAZY new to this...When you see him sniffing around dash him outside...wait...after he goes praise like crazy and offer a SMALL treat.Keep an aluminum can handy, with some dried beans inside with the top covered (so that the beans don't shake out) and if you catch him in the act give the can a shake...the point of this is that the sudden sound will make puppy stop peeing momentarily while he tries to figure out what the noise was (the point is NOT to scare the bejeezus outta the puppy) as soon as he hears it and stops, scoop quick and again, dash outside, wait again...after he goes...again, lavish praise. (and treat if desired...get the really small training treats, they're maybe the size of a piece of kibble) Don't rub his nose in it, don't slap him, or do any of those other "old" methods...they teach the dog not that they need to pee outside, but that they need to pee where they can't be caught...which means he won't go potty where you can catch him...meaning potentially discovering OLD pee stains long afterwards, because he's hidden himself away to "do the deed". Another thing that I've heard working is puppy training pads...teach puppy to go on the pad, then gradually move the pad towards, and then finally out the door (and in the spot you want him to go) he'll associate the scent with where he's gone before and will go there again.