Our Favorite Puppy Products

This is one of my favorite puppy pens, and one I personally use and recommend!

I love these pens because they're sturdy, lightweight, and so easy to clean. The plastic panels won't rust, and the built-in door makes it easy for your puppy to come and go without having to lift them over the sides.

They're great for giving your puppy a safe little space of their own, whether you're setting up a sleeping area, a potty-training area, or just somewhere for them to play when you can't keep your eyes on them.

Another thing I really like is that you can add extra panels if you want to give your puppy more room as they grow.

After raising Shih Tzus since 2001, I've tried plenty of different puppy setups, and these are definitely one of my favorites! ❤️

 One of the things I love about the IRIS puppy playpens is that you can make them bigger without having to buy an entirely new pen!

These extra panels are perfect if you want to give your puppy a little more room to play, stretch out, or have a separate potty area. They're made to connect right to the original IRIS playpen, and they're super easy to put together.

I especially like having the flexibility to change the size of a puppy's space as they grow. They're lightweight, sturdy, and easy to wipe down, which is always a plus when you have puppies! ❤️

Just make sure you're ordering the 24-inch panels to match the playpen I recommend above!

 This is another great option for setting up a safe, comfortable space for your new puppy!

What I really like about this style of playpen is how much room it gives your puppy to move around. You can arrange the panels in different shapes to fit your space, and there's plenty of room for a cozy bed, toys, and a separate potty area.

The built-in walk-through gate is especially convenient, and the metal panels are sturdy and easy to assemble. You can also add or remove panels to adjust the size of the pen.

I always recommend having a designated puppy area, especially during those first few months. It gives your puppy a safe place to play and relax when you can't supervise them directly, while also helping establish a potty-training routine.

I recommend the 24-inch height for Shih Tzu puppies. Just remember to place a protective mat underneath when using it indoors to protect your floors! ❤️

 These are a great addition to your puppy's playpen, especially during those early stages of potty training!

I recommend putting a waterproof mat underneath your puppy's playpen to help protect your floors from accidents, spills, and little puppy messes. These mats are soft, absorbent, and have a waterproof backing to help keep moisture from soaking through.

One of the best things about these is that they're machine washable and reusable, so you don't have to keep throwing them away. They also have a nonslip backing to help keep them in place.

They come in lots of different sizes, so you can choose the one that works best for your puppy's playpen or whatever area you're setting up. I recommend getting one that's slightly larger than your pen to help protect the flooring around the edges, too!

I especially like that they come in a two-pack. That way, you can have one in use while the other is being washed.

My tip: Even if you're using a separate potty area inside your puppy's pen, I still recommend protecting the flooring underneath. Puppies have accidents, and it's always better to be prepared! ❤️

 This is one of the exercise pens I recommend most often, especially if you don't have a fenced yard or have a really large yard where you don't want your puppy wandering off!

When you're potty training a puppy, having a designated outdoor potty area can make life so much easier. These pens allow you to create a smaller, secure space where your puppy can focus on doing their business instead of getting distracted exploring the entire yard.

One of my favorite things about these pens is that you can actually purchase multiple sets and connect them together to make a much larger enclosed area! This is especially nice as your puppy grows and you want to give them more room to run around and play.

They're lightweight, easy to set up, and fold flat for storage. You can also arrange them in different shapes to fit your yard.

After raising Shih Tzus since 2001, I've learned that consistency is one of the biggest keys to successful potty training. Having a designated potty area makes it much easier to establish a routine.

My tip: Take your puppy out to the same designated area after waking up, eating, and playing. Give lots of praise when they go potty in the right spot! ❤️

Just remember, these pens are meant to be used with supervision, especially outdoors. They're not a substitute for a fully secured yard or protection from other animals.

 I love this style of playpen for Shih Tzu puppies! The clear panels allow your puppy to see everything going on around them while still having a safe, comfortable space of their own.

Unlike traditional wire pens, the smooth acrylic panels don't have bars for puppies to climb or get their little paws caught in. I also like that you can easily keep an eye on your puppy without having to look through metal bars.

The panels snap together without tools, and you can arrange them in different configurations to fit your space. The bottom suction cups help keep the pen from sliding around on smooth floors.

A few features I really like:

• Clear panels so your puppy can see you.
• Smooth sides that discourage climbing.
• Easy assembly without tools.
• Multiple setup configurations.
• A nice, clean look that blends into your home.

Size: 60.6" L × 40.9" W × 24" H

This is a great option for creating a designated puppy area with room for a bed, toys, and a potty spot. It's especially handy during those early months when your puppy is still learning the household routine!

I really like this potty tray for Shih Tzu puppies! One of the biggest reasons I recommend it is that it keeps puppies from being able to chew up their potty pads! Anyone who has raised puppies knows how much they love to shred those things!

The potty pad goes underneath the top grate, so urine can drain through while keeping your puppy's paws from standing directly in a wet pad. It also keeps the pad securely out of reach.

Why I recommend it:

• Prevents puppies from chewing and shredding potty pads.
• Allows urine to drain through the grate.
• Helps keep little paws cleaner and drier.
• Removable bottom drawer makes cleanup easy.
• Washable and reusable.
• Perfect for setting up a potty area inside a puppy playpen.

Size: 20.5" L × 14.2" W × 3.1" H

I love using this type of setup for puppies because it keeps their potty area much cleaner and saves me from constantly picking up shredded potty pads!

This is one of the products I use for potty training my Shih Tzu puppies! I simply place the grid over a potty pad to create a designated potty area.

My favorite thing about this setup is that the puppies can't chew up or shred their potty pads! The urine goes through the grid onto the potty pad underneath, helping keep their little paws cleaner and drier.

Why I recommend it:

• Keeps puppies from chewing and shredding potty pads.
• Allows urine to drain through to the pad underneath.
• Helps keep little paws cleaner and drier.
• Durable vinyl-coated metal that's easy to wash.
• Great for setting up a potty area inside a puppy playpen.
• Simple and convenient for everyday cleanup.

Size: 23.25" L × 18.9" W × 1.1" H

I've found this to be a really handy way to manage potty training, especially with puppies who think potty pads are toys! Just make sure the grid is securely positioned with no exposed edges or gaps where tiny paws could get caught.

This is another great option for potty training Shih Tzu puppies! I really like potty trays that have a grate over the potty pad because they help keep puppies cleaner and prevent them from tearing up their pads.

The potty pad sits underneath the grate, allowing urine to drain through instead of having your puppy stand directly on a wet pad. Best of all, the puppies can't easily get to the potty pad to chew it up and shred it!

Why I recommend it:

• Helps prevent puppies from chewing and shredding potty pads.
• Allows urine to drain through, keeping little paws cleaner and drier.
• Removable grate makes cleaning easy.
• Helps keep potty pads securely in place.
• Includes 8 absorbent potty pads.
• Great for use inside puppy playpens or designated potty areas.

Size: 20" L × 14" W

I think having a designated potty area is especially helpful when raising Shih Tzu puppies. These types of trays make cleanup easier, keep the potty pads where they belong, and save you from constantly picking up shredded pads!

I really like this style of potty tray for Shih Tzu puppies, especially because of the raised sides! They help contain splashes and keep the potty area cleaner.

One of my favorite features is the grate that sits over the potty pad. The puppies can't get to the pad to chew it up or shred it, and urine drains through the grate onto the pad underneath. This helps keep their little paws cleaner and drier.

Why I recommend it:

• Raised sides help prevent urine from splashing onto the floor.
• Keeps puppies from chewing and shredding potty pads.
• Allows urine to drain through the grate.
• Helps keep little paws cleaner and drier.
• Removable grate makes cleaning easy.
• Includes a removable potty post for male puppies.
• Great for use inside a puppy playpen.

Size: 24.8" L × 24.8" W × 6" H

This is a nice option if you want a larger potty area for your puppy. I especially like the combination of the raised sides and protective grate because it helps contain the mess while keeping those tempting potty pads out of reach!

This is another great option for potty training Shih Tzu puppies, especially if you want to get them used to going potty on grass!

I like that this potty tray has three layers. The artificial grass sits on top of a drainage grid, with a collection tray underneath. When your puppy goes potty, the urine drains through the grass into the bottom tray instead of sitting on the surface.

Why I recommend it:

• Artificial grass helps puppies get familiar with going potty on a grass-like surface.
• Three-layer design allows urine to drain into the tray below.
• Helps keep little paws cleaner and drier.
• Reusable, so you don't have to keep buying disposable potty pads.
• The grass, drainage grid, and bottom tray separate for cleaning.
• Great for puppy playpens, apartments, patios, and balconies.

Size: 30" L × 20" W

I think this is a nice option for families who want their puppies to eventually go potty outside on real grass. It gives them a familiar surface to practice on, especially during bad weather or when you can't get outside right away.

Just remember that artificial grass potty trays need regular cleaning to prevent odors and bacteria from building up.

So Phresh Paper Dog Litter

This is another great option for potty training Shih Tzu puppies, especially if you prefer using a litter box instead of traditional potty pads!

I like that this litter is made from recycled paper and is designed to absorb moisture while helping control odors. It's also 99% dust-free, which is nice when using it indoors.

Why I recommend it:

• Made from 95% recycled paper.
• Absorbs moisture and helps control odors.
• 99% dust-free.
• Unscented, with no added fragrance.
• Great for designated indoor puppy potty areas.
• Can be used in a dog litter box or suitable puppy potty tray.

Bag Size: 18 lbs.

Paper litter is a nice alternative to disposable potty pads, especially for puppies learning to use a designated bathroom area. I recommend keeping the litter box in the same spot so your puppy learns exactly where they're supposed to go.

As with any litter, make sure your puppy isn't eating or chewing the pellets, and replace soiled litter regularly to keep the area clean.