Shih Tzus are famously stubborn about potty training. Here's the honest guide: what works, what doesn't, and how long it really takes for this breed.
The Shih Tzu was bred to be a companion to Chinese royalty — independent, self-assured, and never asked to comply with anything they disagreed with. This heritage shows up directly in potty training.
The other factor is size. At 9–16 lbs as adults and often under 4 lbs as puppies, their bladder capacity is genuinely tiny. Combine a small bladder with a stubborn personality and weather sensitivity, and you have one of the harder toy breeds to train.
Indoor training as backup. Many owners use a combination of outdoor training plus an indoor option (pee pad or grass mat) for bad weather. This is pragmatic, not defeat.
Never punish. Shih Tzus are sensitive to your emotional state. Harsh reactions cause them to hide future accidents. Silently clean up and move on.
Consistent spot outside. The residual scent from previous successful trips acts as a cue that triggers the behavior faster.
Umbilical leash when unsupervised. Keep them tethered to you when you''re home and can''t directly watch them.
Keep the genital area trimmed or in a "sanitary clip" during training months. Long coats make it harder to see when they squat — a key signal to head outside.
| Age | Meals/Day | Daily Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 4 | 0.25–0.5 cups |
| 3–6 months | 4 | 0.5–0.75 cups |
| 6–12 months | 3 | 0.5–1 cup |
| 1+ year | 2–3 | 0.5–1 cup |