A Lhasa Apso is not just another 'fluffy
dog', so please do not consider one if that is what you are looking
fore! Although it looks like the most beautiful fluffy puppy
one could imagine, it is a highly astute and intelligent little
dog, right from puppy hood and needs to be treated firmly and strongly
like the intelligent dog it is.
Train your Lhasa puppy, just as you would
train any other dog.
LHASA APSOS ARE NOT STUBBORN DOGS. THE TIBETANS DO
NOT CALL THEM STUBBORN AND I DO NOT CALL MINE STUBBORN! Any
dog of any breed that is not trained from a very small pup will
not do what its owner wants it to do - the same applies to Lhasa
Apsos. What is "cute" at 3, 4 and 6 months, becomes
unruly and out of control behaviour at 12 months!
How easy it is to neglect the training of a dog and then
turn around and say it is "stubborn" or it has "attitude".
I have cared for Lhasa Apsos that expect nothing but being
pandered to and I have also cared for dogs of big breeds with the
same problem - ALL are simply LACK OF TRAINING!
My Lhasas are trained to "sit and
wait" for their food, "come" to the call,
walk correctly on the leash, obey the commands "back"
(from the door) and "down" (if they try to
jump up when I don't want them to) and "lie down",
if I do not want them to bark. Naturally they are all house
trained from eight weeks of age. These
simple commands are essential in any dog and a Lhasa is no exception.
Tugse (aka Millie) taking a break and smiling for the camera!
Lhasas bond so strongly with their family
that they will do anything to please you and as a result, they are
willing to listen to and obey commands. Many Lhasas are now
being trained in Obedience work and are very easily Companion trained,
making them perfect for any family situation, from young children
to elderly people.
Lhasas do not need 'walking', they exercise themselves by
running round the garden or the house, but taking a puppy for walks
is essential for socialisation. Lhasas are not
a hyperactive dog or a 'silly' dog that runs for no reason!
They do not bark without reason either and they will guard
the home and their owner and always let you know when someone is coming.
They are full of fun and love to play with you or snuggle
up next to you on the couch. A Lhasa Apso is not a lap dog,
for it believes it has a job to do - looking after it's owners!
Even when cuddling up to you on the couch,
their ears are always alert! They are renowned in the 'dog
world' as having the most acute hearing.
A Lhasa Apso's temperament is bright and happy,
yet they will be wary of strangers, backing away, even as a young
pup. This is the most incredible trait to find in any breed
of dog and usually one that owners try and train their dogs to have.
With a Lhasa Apso it is a natural thing and should not be discouraged!
Do not force your Lhasa to be friendly with everyone, let it take
its own time and it will 'get the feel' of the new person and will
approach them when it is ready!
In the breeding of Lhasa Apsos, my main aim is to breed excellent
temperament, health and beauty of the original, Tibetan dog.
The most beautiful dog soon does not seem so, if its temperament is
not loving and loyal, as well as outward going and fun! However
it is your kindness and care that will bring out the best in your
puppy, not everything is hereditary.
If you already own a Lhasa and are
getting another one, which is common, as they are so addictive,
then make sure you integrate your new puppy into the household properly.
Give priority in pats to the older dog, letting it know that
it is still loved and secure, thus making the puppy no threat to
its life with you.
Your puppy will
makes mistakes, it will get dirty paws and it will
be mischievous - after all IT IS A
PUPPY, not an adult dog or a toy.
Your adult dog can hang on all night to go to the toilet, but your
puppy cannot. It will need to have newspaper training
and probably live its first few weeks at night in a room where it
can go on the newspaper freely. Once it is properly 'paper
trained', you can then take your last sheet of dirtied-on paper
and put it outside, showing your pup that this is where you want
it to go in future. But all puppies make 'mistakes' every
now and then, so keep on the alert, asking "do you want to
go out?" in a special tone of voice it will recognize, and
soon you will have the perfectly trained dog!
I recommend putting in a doggie door as this solves any problems
right from puppyhood. Imagine that you are the puppy and need
to go to the toilet NOW and no one is looking at you - what can
you do? A dog door solves this problem as the pup and then
older dog can come and go outside when it needs to and not have
to wait for you to answer its pleas.
Remember that
your patience, firmness and kindness will be rewarded a thousand
fold over when your pup is a mature dog.
RULE TO REMEMBER: what you would
not accept from a large dog, do not accept from a Lhasa. By
keeping this in mind, you will be firm and loving and your Lhasa
will be secure and happy! Coming on command, never jumping
on people and keeping a good, calm temperament is essential.
This applies to all dogs.
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