I talked about our new puppy, Lulu, back when we first got her in October. We already had an amazing Aussie, Jazz, who we adopted 4 years ago. The kids had been bugging us for a while for another dog - a small dog that they could pick up and carry around with them. Jazz is fabulous, but he’s a little big to be a lap dog. Not that he doesn’t try.
Lulu doing dishes.
Jazz
So, we were broken down by the kids and ended up with a Shih Tzu, a dog that is adorable but incredibly difficult to train. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize that until AFTER she was already home and part of our family. Shih Tsu’s are stubborn and prima-donnas and kind of march to the beat of their own drum. In other words, she fits right in with our family.
What I have NOT been happy with is the fact that training her to do her business outside has not come easy.
Lauryn trying to walk Lulu.
We were lucky with Jazz, he was already housebroken when we got him and there was no need to train him in that way at all. Now I find that I’m cleaning up pee and poo all day long and it’s disgusting. Hate it! That dog needs some serious training.
I was really lucky to be able to shop for Milk-Bone® Dog Treats and work out a training program for Lulu. Take a look at my entire shopping experience on Google+.
I ended up purchasing three different Milk-Bone® products and I have a training plan in place. After a lot of online research and talking with Shih Tzu breeders, we are going to try and train Lulu by rewarding her with a treat every time she pees or poos OUTSIDE. She goes, she gets a reward. When she goes in the house… no reward. We’re thinking that her desire to get rewarded (to get a treat) will be stronger than her desire to make me grab the paper towels and cleaner and go to town on the floor. We hope. I hope. Because stepping on pee in the middle of the night is just not as much fun as you think it would be.
Lulu doing what she does best: Chillin' on the floor.
I’m giving our new plan one week and then I’ll check in to see how we’re doing. Oh please… let this dog just go outside once and for all!
This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own. #iLoveMyK9 #CBias
Bobbi says
I had the HARDEST time training my last puppy! It took me at least 3-4 months to potty train him so I feel your pain. Plus he was destructive, he wore on my nerves. But it gets better, hang in there!
Cool blog!