The pet I struggled most with in the past to train, was a shih tzu. But he turned out to be the best dog EVER. He just took a while longer than I'd hoped to train.
Once I did the crate training, he propelled along rapidly!!! The advice about a too large crate is pretty true. If given a huge room to roam inside, they will "go" inside. I purchased a kennel that would be adequate for sleeping and for when I was out, for when he'd be full sized. It gave him some extra space when he was a small pup. I put blankets inside to avoid the bit of extra room becoming a potty spot and had no problems.
In the long run, what worked for my dog was:
- He slept each night in the crate with the door shut. I woke through the night for a potty break until he was well trained. He did cry for a while at night until he adjusted. I learned to ignore it for his own sake and the long term value of him adjusting to the crate. He learned to LOVE that crate. After a couple months, if I was up later than normal, he would go climb in his crate and whimper until I said goodnight and closed it for the night hahaha
- Because I'm home quite alot and not out all day working, it was a challenge to get him to be okay in the crate during daytime hours. It was so rare he would cry his poor head off. So I got advice from a good dog trainer, and began to crate him even when I was home, for short periods, during the day. I believe I started with 30 minutes, then moved to 60 minutes. He became content to be there during daytime, allowing me to know he was happy when I was out. His crate became a safe place for him. I called it his "Bed". Go to bed, time for bed, etc.
- I never put him in the crate for being naughty. I didn't want a negative association.
- Because he'd been paper trained when I got him, I did leave paper right at the door to outside initially. It was up to me to be sure to watch him. If he went to that paper, before he could get to business, I'd say something in a jolting tone (to distract him). Things like Potty, etc. I'd then scoop him up quickly and bring him outside without delay. I reserved treats the first few months for when he'd go outside and come in with success. If he didnt' pee or poop outside, no treat. When he did, a praise and a treat. He caught on quick.
I found that before using the crate technique, he was simply not learning well. He'd mess in the house, get into things he shouldn't. The crate became his security blanket, which is the goal crate use is meant for. Smaller dogs tend to be jittery if they don't know what they are meant to be doing. I found that without a structure, he struggled to be a good dog, while instinct for chewing, messing etc was overwhelming for him.
Because I wasn't wanting a guard dog, I didn't want him barking. Some smaller breeds can be very yappy. I also live in an apartment, and didn't want upset neighbors, or barking habits while I was out and he was home alone. I would give a sharp sounding NO when he'd bark for no good reason. I never let him leap on visitors from day one, and I trained him to not bark at doorbells, knocks, the kids coming into a room, etc. I would have loved to have a dark bark only in danger situations, but the result would have been him barking at ALOT of different stimulants. Because he wasn't permitted barking from day one, it was an easier thing to train into him than potty, chewing stuff etc.
He was trained fully in a few months. He didnt' chew stuff, bark, mess in the house. He was a terrific pet with a wonderfully quirky personality. He was also alot of fun with his hair and LOVED to be brushed. The longer he got, the more time it takes though. They mat quite quickly. Especially take care of his ear hair as they are a breed very prone to ear problems. Keeping the ear hair trimmed, while maintaining a bit of it to protect from irritants, is a balance you'll learn quickly
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Enjoy your new pooch!!!! I was seperated for about 9 months a couple of years back, during which time I had a MS flare that stopped me walking in my home, let alone outdoors. Poor guy had a really hard time and it wasnt' fair for him. Since I didn't have anyone to help, I did right by him in finding him a new home. I have never gotten over losing him
. Ironically S/O and I got back together within about 2 months. I wish I'd toughed it out. I've been looking online for ads to purchase another. I absolutly fell in love with the breed. They become true loyal friends.
