I have a 4 year old unspayed female Shih-tzu. She is walked every hour and she is still peeing in my room. Once I walk into the room and notice the "accident" I call her name and point to the mess. She hovers close to the ground and wagging her tail as if she knows she is in trouble. I have tried numerous ways to get her to stop. I've had the carpet cleaned, I've punished her, and I take her on long walks throughout the day. When she is walked she will refuse to go. She will find a spot and act like she is about to go and then walk away. Can anyone give any advice on my situation?? Thanks B.

The mess and the act are two different things to the dog. You're yelling at for the mess, not the act. She sees the mess and knows it's bad. That's it. You're going to have to catch her in the act. I don't mean going sniper mode and hide out in your room and jump out yelling "NO." As funny as that would be [for me to see] I don't think that would be the best line of action.

I use a conjunction of puppy pads and outside potty time. It makes my day less stressful. How long is she walked? Personally I would stay outside with her on one of her walks 'till she pottied. It's cold down here, so I'd suggest bundling up and getting a sweater for the dog. After she pottied, praise her lots. She should get the hint. If you're going for the potty pad/outside combo, put a layer of pads down. I say layer because after two or three pees pick it up and it'll have her potty scent and she'll be attracted to that area.

Don't keep her unsupervised on carpet areas. She's obviously not potty trained, and that will obviously lead to unwanted messes.

EDIT: I'd also like to say that if your dog is unspayed, I suggest getting it spayed. I've never heard of anything with behavior problems for females, but for other dogs. Breeding a dog when there are so many other unwanted dogs out there is, imo, bad. You don't want accidental puppies. I'm not sure about the cancer stuff because she's had well over one heat cycle, but I'm sure it will have a health benefit. Do other unwanted dogs/puppies a favour, and get her fixed before more puppies are made.

First of all, get her spayed. That will solve at least 50% of your problems right there. Don't ever call her name when trying to disipline her. Her name should ONLY be used to call her. Exactly how do you walk her? Do you get her excited to go? If you do... don't! A walk isn't play time.

Don't ask her "c'mon do you wanna go for a walk?" in an excited voice. Make sure she is calm before you go, and then simpy put her leash on and just go. A walk isn't time to sniff around, or explore. The purpose of a walk is to move at a fast pace, in order to drain her pent up energy.

When you catch her going pee in the house, don't get angry. Stay very calm, and take her outside. You really have to watch her, and if she starts putting her nose to the ground or walks around in circles, grab her before it happens and take her out. You need to be consistent with this every time, until she learns that going pee in the house is not acceptable.

Getting mad at her for doing it, or having frustrated energy will do you no good. Just stay calm and lead her like you would a child. It might take her several times to understand what you mean, but just keep on repeating that. She needs to learn what is expected of her, and she actually looks to you to tell her how to behave.

Good luck, and please have her spayed. It will help a great deal with training in all areas, and she will have less health problems, such as developing cancer. It also means less vet bills, and she will be happier and be with you longer. :)

Q I have a female zu and she's 1 year and 5 month old she goes out on a walk about 8 o clock in the morning and she gets put in the garden at 7 am. We then take her for a walk she does wee's and poo's. She then comes into the house goes up stairs and then wee's on the floor or poo's :S and its like she's just ben for a walk I don't get it... help please.

A just a quick idea for peope who have zu's I have just put tinfoil down on the floor in my bedroom where my male dog wee's against my bed post the tin foil on their is on their now and wrapped around the post and he hasn't done it since and get a washing tablet and mix that in with some water to make a paste because where the dogs pee and you clean it up with tissue or or bleach the pee smell is still on the floor so do that and it makes it go away and she or he won't do it again.

Please help me about my question that I have posted.