Crate training is not only important to the process of housebreaking. Having your Shih Tzu familiar with her crate can help with vet trips, road trips, and other incidents where your Shih Tzu may need to be temporarily confined.  Pick a small dog crate for your shih tzu. You only need enough room for your Shih Tzu to sit, stand, and turn around. Crates should also have ventilation on all four sides. It's not a bad idea to keep the crate somewhere in your home where you hang out frequently. That way, your Shih Tzu can occasionally go in her crate while still feeling like part of the family.  Going in the crate should be thought of as a treat rather than a punishment. Keep a water dish, food, toys, and treats in the crate. Make sure any toys and dog safe and big enough that your Shih Tzu will not swallow them.  Keep your Shih Tzu in the crate when you sleep, go out, or when you're occupied with a household chore that prevents you from watching her. Do this until your Shih Tzu is housebroken and you know she will not have accidents indoors.  It is important not to treat the crate as a "cage" or "prison" and to keep use to a minimum. If necessary, when you are home keep the dog on a lead so you can keep an eye on him and take him outside to toilet as soon as you spot signs of him wanting to toilet. While most owners prefer their pets eliminate outside, as Shih Tzus are smaller pets many apartment dwellers own them. If you don't have easy access to the street or a yard, you may want your Shih Tzu to eliminate inside on newspaper or padding.  Paper training's main pro is convenience. For people who have difficulty taking a dog outside for whatever reason, whether a busy schedule or a physical problems, paper training can be an alternative option. In addition to padding and newspaper, dog litter boxes are sold in many pet stores.  Paper training's main drawback is that it creates odor and might not be the best option for your dog. Shih Tzu are high energy and crave the outdoors.  Whichever route you go with, it's important to be consistent. Shih Tzus may get confused if they're told they can sometimes use a pad but are sometimes expected to go outside. Shih Tzus need a strict schedule for training, so you'll need to pick one option or the other. When you first begin housebreaking your Shih Tzu, you'll need to stick to a strict walking schedule to make sure your pet doesn't eliminate inside.  Sniffing, circling, or squatting are signs a Shih Tzu is ready to eliminate. If you notice these behaviors, either take your dog outside immediately or direct her to the proper place in the house.  When you first begin housebreaking a Shih Tzu, you'll need to take her out every one and a half to two hours or every 20-30 minutes for a puppy. You should take her out when you wake up, before you go to bed, and after she eats or drinks.  Praise your Shih Tzu immediately after she eliminates outside or in the proper place in your home. Shih Tzus generally respond better to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement, so praise for success will go farther than scolding for mistakes. Shih Tzu are notoriously difficult to house break. It may take as long as eight months before a Shih Tzu fully understands where it's appropriate to eliminate. Do not be discouraged. Even if you're still having accidents after a few months, be persistent and strict about your training schedule. Eventually, your Shih Tzu should understand and obey the rules.

Summary: Crate train your Shih Tzu. Decide whether you want your dog to go inside or outside. Make a walk schedule. Be patient.


After unplugging the hot tub, coil the power cord. If your tub has a storage compartment for the cord, open it and place the cord inside. If the cord detaches from the tub, disconnect it and store it in a safe place until you unload the tub at the new location. For many models, you’ll use a Phillips head screwdriver to open the access panel. After opening the panel, you should find a drainage spout. Thread a garden hose onto the spout, then place the other end of the hose where you want the water to drain.  Drain the water into the street or a gutter instead of your lawn or garden. Your plants won’t like chlorinated water. Drainage procedures vary by model, so double check your owner’s manual. Turn the valve and wait for the water to drain, which can take at least 30 minutes. After draining the water, dry the tub thoroughly with a towel. Once you’ve drained and dried the tub, remove the hose and close the access panel. Replace the access panel’s screws so you don’t lose them during the moving process. If your hot tub has a removable cover, take it off and transport it separately. There’s a good chance it’ll get damaged if you leave it on during the move. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions about removing your hot tub’s cover. You’ll likely need to unscrew its hinges, so be sure to keep the screws in a safe place until you reinstall it.
Summary: Disconnect the tub from the electrical outlet. Open the drain access panel and attach a hose to the spout. Open the valve and drain the water. Remove the cover.