Housebreaking Training for Two

• My husband and I have just acquired two (2) 8-week old Shih Tzu male puppies. My question is this: How do you successfully potty-train the two of them at the same time? Can this be done, or do we have to do something unconventional, or what exactly, in order to achieve success here? We are potty-training them to use the pads. Not sure if we want to train them to go outside or not. If we did both, wouldn't this just confuse them? Is it "either or" here? Thanks. I'll wait to hear back from you.

Laurie T.

Expert Answer

Hi Laurie,

First of all, hats off to you for taking on two puppies at once. Double the trouble, double the fun!

Now, down to business. It is completely possible to train both of your boys together. They will actually help reinforce each other, because one going in the yard will inspire the other to leave his mark too. And yes, I highly recommend potty training both your boys to do their business outside.

Potty training pads, commonly known as Wee Wee Pads are a terrific product if you live in a high rise apartment and walking your dog isn't always feasable. But boys will be boys, and though my own Shih Tzu studs never actually lifted their legs, they did like to mark their territory around the yard. You definitely do not want your boys to think of the interior of your home as their 'territory', so it's best to train them to potty outside.

That being said, the key to potty training success is consistency. Get up and take them out early in the morning and then about once an hour for the first day or so. Pick a one word command such as 'potty' and repeat it over and over so your puppies associate the word with the deed. Once they get it, you will be able to stretch the amount of time between trips to something more reasonable. Keep your training methods positive, and you should achieve potty training success very soon.

Thanks for your question,

Kelly