Hello, My name is Bev. I have a 4 month old shi tzu that I'm trying to potty train. I take her out every morning at 6:30am, bring her back in then feed her about 8:30 for 15 mins. than take her back out in to the grass so she can go she will not go I have tried newpapering the bathroom, with the gate and she just jumps over that. I tried taking her with me over friends house and she will not go over there but the minute that we get back to the house she with go the carpet where she has gone before. Please help Me.

***Edited By: sassie on 7/18/2006 5:01:11 AM***
Reason: b/c no one is responding

first, be patient with people responding.. you posted this at 430am my time and I'm getting ready for work at that time of morning, this is a discussion forum not a chat room so it may take 12 to 24 hours to get some responses.

Regarding the housetraining... since she's jumping the gate, I suggest you get a dog crate to keep her in when you can't supervise her. IMHO it's absolutely the best way to housetrain.

Take her outside on a leash, and keep her outside until she goes potty. If she doesn't go, take her in, put her in to the crate for 20-30 minutes, then take her outside immediately again (pick her up so she doesnt' have an opportunity to go on the floor). When she does go potty make a big deal, tell her she's a good girl, praise, give her a super special treat, take the leash off and let her run around for a play time. Only give her special treats when she goes potty outside.

When she is inside, it's all about supervision. If you cant' keep an eye on her put her in the crate. She cannot be allowed to go to any other section of the house without you, child gates again should be used. You should be keeping enough of a close eye on her to prevent her from jumping the gates, or retrieve her immediately if she does jump them. If worst comes to worst put a leash on her and keep her on the leash in the house so she's never more than 6 feet from you.

If she does go potty in the house and you catch her in the act, say "No!" sharply, and take her outside immediately, even if she is still going pottty. Keep her outside until she goes, then again praise and treat.

If she goes in the house and you don't actually see her go, like you aren't paying atteniton and you look at her and she's just walked awya from a wet spot on the floor.. its too late to correct her. Just clean it up and smack yourself in the head with a rolled up newspaper and vow to keep a closer eye on her next time. ALways use enzymatic cleaners like Natures Miracle to clean up these potty spots, they will get the smell out of the carpet better, and this is a good thing as dogs tend to want to go potty in the places they've already gone (like your carpet).

Ideal times to take her outside are in the morning immediatley after waking up, after meals, after play sessions and after naps.

This one is easy and has more to do with you being consistant and following through.
Technically the puppy is simply going where he went before because he has the opportunity.
Get a crate and leave the puppy in the crate (or a small pen) or you takeing him/her out in the yard to go. Thats it, no other choices. Never allow the puppy to roam the house, a puppy can not make the right choices about where to go to the bathroom.
Learning to go in a certain spot is about habits and behavioral Modification. They aren't thinking that this spot is the right spot. They see their bathroom spot more about, thats where I went before, and even that spot is special because this lady gave me a special cookie for going in that spot.
If you hold out long enough, and not allow the puppy to roam the house and make his own habits, he will eventually have to go outside (or in his crate if you don't take him out enough)
And hopefully you will be ready to mark the area he goes to the bathroom with a yummy treat, and repeat everyday.
Puppies need weeks to have habits firmly implanted in the old noodle, they have the mentality of a small child.
Set aside 6 weeks of constant habit work of constantly going outside.
NEVER Scold a puppy for going in the house, unless you want to roll up a newspaper and hit yourself for not getting him outside, don't blame the puppy.He will never know the reason for you hitting or yelling at him.That would be like yelling at a 1 or 2 year old child for peeing on the carpet, because you didn't put a diaper on or tiolet trained the child.
Learn to recognise when the puppy may need to go, as soon as he wakes up, after he plays a bit, after he drinks and eats. If it helps, fit the puppy with a bell, so you'll hear when the puppy gets up, or is moveing.
Take the puppy (if immunizations have been started)to a place where he is sure to smell other dogs that have gone to the bathroom.
Put some of the puppies poop out in the backyard in the place you want him to go.
Always keep the puppy on a leash in the beginning to lead him to where you want him to go.
Walk the dog, for longer then 10 minutes, walking stimulates the bowels, and have treats ready for these occasions. If the puppy goes to the bathroom in the right spot, make an a** out of yourself to reward the puppy, the neighbours should be looking at you like your nutz, but the puppy will remember the reward for sure.
And, keep the dog on a strict schedule, take him out often, have patients and expect the odd accident, but do your best to plan ahead to avoid them.
I will just say I am jealous to peieces and would love the opportunity to housetrain a puppy, all my dogs have been adults, so enjoy it and have a sense of humor about it.