If you have welcomed a new Shichon puppy into your home, the first step you'll need to take is housebreaking him. With the right techniques, it is very easy to potty train a Shichon puppy. This breed is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise, and will respond best to positive reinforcement training methods. Since it is a smaller dog, he will need to be taken out more frequently and will require a gentle touch during the training period.
Things You'll Need
- Pet training pads
- Dog crate
Instructions
Keep a regular schedule and stress consistency. Shichon's respond best to a routine and housebreaking will be easier if you set up a schedule that allows her to go out every two hours for the first few weeks. As she gets older, you can begin to space this out over longer periods.
Use puppy training pads to potty train a Shichon puppy in the beginning. These are available at most pet supply stores. The pads contain an attractant which will encourage your puppy to use them. Shichons do well with these training pads, and some breeders also recommend using litter boxes during the early stages of housebreaking. By minimizing any chance of elimination on your floors, you won't have to deal with accidents down the road.
Place the puppy training pad by the door. Since it is not easy for a puppy to keep from having an accident, you will be encouraging him to go to the door, and from there, it's just one more step to get him to go outside.
Transition the puppy from the training pads to going outside. You can do this by moving the pad to your porch or stoop directly outside your door. Once she has mastered this, you can remove the pad.
Stay consistent, and you should be able to completely potty train a Shichon puppy within a period of two weeks. Until the puppy reaches maturity, he may have accidents or forget his training. Reward him for going outside; this method of positive reinforcement will help him get back on track.