Intelligence is not always a great boon. My new puppy is very intelligent. Chauncey had premium food, but hers is supposed to be better. Whether it is that, or genetic, I don't know, but she is a handful.
Shih-tzus are not known for being easy to housebreak. In fact, that is not even a word to use around them. They are extraordinarily sensitive. They are house trained, if the spirit moves them, which it is bound to eventually. Eventually being the operative word. Yell at them, or abuse them and they are traumatized. However, they are dogs and they do need a pack leader.
I am determined to be that leader, but I need to be smarter, cagier, more creative. I am already perseverant and patient, or they would be outside dogs by now.
I spend my time trying to watch them as closely as possible and trying to come up with intricate and unique plans to make potty training a success.
They spend their time, I am convinced, improving their climbing, jumping and crawling skills so that the moment I look away they appear in places that should require tele-transporters to get there. No amount of watching, or tempting them can make them do it when I am in the room. I have a system of plastic fence sections that can be used in an almost infinite number of ways. I think I have used them all. Some keep Gabrielle away from the electrical cords that she finds fascinating. The rest seem to just be a waste of time.
Chauncey, who was a nice, civilized gent until Gabby came has had his moments lately. I think he and I have finally come to the agreement that he will once more continue to use his potty pad and he will not dig up the living room furniture.
God knew what he was doing when he made them, especially as puppies, cute, comical and adorable, because He knows they need all the help they can get if they are going to survive.
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