potty training.

Question
I have a six year old shi-tzu and when he was young he would always go to the door to go to be let outside to use the bathroom. Now he goes on the floor and it is ruining the carpet. Is there a way to teach him not to without hitting and screaming. That is what my mom does and it seems wrong to me.

Answer
Jordan, you are absolutely right that hitting and screaming at the dog is wrong. In fact, that is probably contributing to the problem.

Have you taken the dog to the vet to rule out a bladder or urinary tract infection, bladder or kidney stones, or other medical reason for him to suddenly start pottying on the carpet? If not, I would do that before anything else.

If he checks out okay at the vet's, then you may want to consider going back to square one with him, and treating him like you would a brand new puppy. In other words, pretend like he was never house broken to begin with, and start over with him to 'remind' him of what he is supposed to be doing.  

My guess is that there is some medical reason for his actions, however, since it has just begun and he is 6 years old.