Feb
20
Anybody ever crate train an older miniature dog (like a Shihtzu) with success? How did you do it?
ByMy Shihtzu is 4 years old and not completely housetrained. She likes to urinate on rugs and there are spots throughout the house that I am currently treating with Urine-Off. We do take her outside twice a day and she almost always ‘goes potty.’
Now I wish I had crate trained her when she was little so I can better control her accidents as well as have her sleep in it at night instead of by the bed.
Help! Is it too late to crate train her?
8 Comments
February 20th, 2011 at 11:32 PM
First of all you need to let her out way more than twice a day. Espically in the summer months when they consume more water. Please don’t lock her up because you are too lazy to take her outside.
February 20th, 2011 at 11:50 PM
I wouldn’t think so. If I were trying to do this, I would buy a crate to fit her, put it on the floor with a towel or blanket inside and leave the door open. Give her a few days to sniff around it and possible take a peek inside it. Then, take either one of her favorite toys or a favorite food treat and place it as far back into the crate as you can (while she’s looking) and close the door. When she shows interest in trying to get at her toy or treat, open the door, let her in, then close the door behind her and let her enjoy her toy or treat for a while. Lengthen out the amount of time she stays in the crate each time and eventually I would think she’d find the crate an acceptable place to stay while you’re away. It should also help to completely housebreak her faster.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:16 AM
I would be pissing all over too if I only got to go twice a day.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:00 AM
First of all use vinegar and not urine off. Apple cider works the best to deter and clean up accidents. Even though she is four you can still crate train her. She also need to go out more than twice a day.
Keep a crate and don’t pen her in the kitchen or any other room. Only use the crate when you are unable to watch her but make sure the crate is of the proper size. Crates should just be big enough to allow the dog to stand up, stretch and turn around in. Dogs will not relieve themselves in the area they are sleeping unless they absolutely cannot hold it. Also there should not be anything left in the crate that he can chew such as stuffed animals or blankets. If he does happen to have an accident in the crate these will retain moisture and the mess will be harder for you to clean.
When he is inside and out of the crate you can tether her to you, so that you can watch her closely. This also teaches her to be on a lead and at the same time she can be with you. If you don’t want to tether her then when she’s not crated you have to watch her like a hawk, not only in case she relieves herself, but for her own safety. She will chew things she shouldn’t that can be very dangerous. Many dogs have been electrocuted because of chewing through power cords.
To house train her. Take her outside every hour. Tell her “Outside” in an exuberant and happy voice. Take her to where you want her to go, put the lead on her a tell her “Go Pee” watch her and when she goes praise her profusely. Something like ” Good Girl, Go Pee” and make sure you pet her at the same time. Take her back inside, into the crate, tethered or just watching her. She will have accidents and (You have to catch her in the act) when she does, show her what she did and say in a stern low voice “No potty”. It’s not what you are saying that gets her attention it’s how you say it. Take her outside as above and say ” Go Pee”. She likely won’t because she just went in the house. Stay outside for a few minutes and bring her back in. If training is consistent it should take no longer than 10-14 days. After she starts getting the idea you need to teach her how to get your attention when she needs to go out.
February 21st, 2011 at 1:25 AM
its never too late to crate train…you just have to keep in mind that the crate will be the dog’s safe place that you’re not allowed to go in…but i wouldn’t suggest crate training in this case….the dog is obviously not getting outside enough….i have two dogs and both are crate trained but i don’t use the crate everyday…i only use the crate if i’ll be gone for an extended period of time and have no to get to the dogs….is there anyway you can get your dog outside more often? think about it…how often do you go to the bathroom during the day?
February 21st, 2011 at 2:07 AM
No, it’s not too late to crate train her. I did animal resuce, and crate trained lots of dogs who weren’t crate trained prior. Get a wire crate, they’re a bit less confining psychologically, and they allow air to get in. Put the crate in your bedroom- it’ll give her more security to sleep where you are- and she’ll start to feel like it’s her den, and if she barks tell her ‘no, calm down’. Don’t let her get nutzo, if she panics- make her lay down in the crate. Some people even tap the side of the crate when they say ‘no’ in order to let them know that they’re not supposed to bark in the crate. I donno about that- you can decide for yourself on that one. Use stuffed kongs and nylabones or other toys in the crate when she’s calm, or as motivation to go in.
And, you do need to let her out more than twice a day, especially if she’s going every time you take her out and still going in the house.
Good luck.
February 21st, 2011 at 2:28 AM
I used the site below for crate training, and it helped IMMENSELY. Good luck.
February 21st, 2011 at 2:41 AM
First off, she definitely needs more than two walks a day. Small breeds need out even more than larger breed dogs.
As far as crate training, sonofstar gave you excellent advice on the proper way to crate train. The only difference I did was not to shut the door the first time the dog went in after the treat. It is important that she is aloud to go in and out of the crate freely many times before you actually close the door the first time. Then you can start gradually building time she spends locked in the crate.