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Lhasa Apso Video

Dear fellow Lhasa Apso lover,

Probably of the the most challenging aspects of working with nipping and biting in the Lhasa Apso is that it quite often starts when the Lhasa Apso is a puppy.

The behavior, when the puppy is small, is often considered pretty cute.

A tiny Lhasa Apso puppy growling ferociously or chasing and nipping may appear to be almost comical but once the Lhasa Apso is full grown, the nipping is no longer funny and the cute growling has turned taking the dog out in public into an embarrassing and stressful event.

Controlling a dog’s aggressive behavior is challenging for most people. It is further complicated by the fact that some dogs are more dominant than their owners, or a least more dominant than some family members.

Thankfully even young children can be taught to properly respond to aggressive behaviors with the family pet and the dog will quickly learn to change their negative behavior into something more positive and acceptable.

Why Do Dog’s Nip and Bite Then?

Well, that a great question.

Dogs nip and bite for a variety of reasons.

In interactions between dogs nipping and biting is a way to for one dog or puppy to indicate they don’t like what is going on.

It is a way for puppies and dogs to say “Stop” to each other.

As dogs mature they may nip for other reasons including demanding attention, avoiding something they don’t want to do, or becoming excited or frightened.

Each type of nipping and biting will require a different type of correction and understanding why your dog is nipping is a starting point.

Think about the times that your dog has nipped, then answer the following questions:

1. What was your Lhasa Apso doing at the time ?
2. What was I doing (or the person that was nipped)?
3. Was the dog in a new environment or with new people?
4. How did I respond to the nipping?
5. How did the Lhasa Apso respond?
6. What happened after the dog nipped?

Biting for Attention or in Play

Dogs and puppies may have learned that biting or nipping gets them attention or that is all part of a game.

Some owners may try to pay additional attention to a dog that nips to keep it from nipping or biting them again. In this situation the dog has trained the human, not the other way around.

Depending on how long the dog or puppy has engaged in biting or nipping, the corrective training may be very short or it may take a bit longer.

Usually attention and play type biting is more prevalent with puppies that are learning how to interact with humans.

How Do You Go About Stopping The Nipping Then?

To play nipping & biting follow these guidelines:

* Give a sharp, high pitched “Ouch”, “Stop” or “Ow” then “No Bite” in a lower tone, without yelling at or verbally intimidating the dog or puppy

* Ileave the puppy or dog alone immediately, don’t speak to them or touch them.

* If your Lhasa Apso continues to try to bite after you give the verbal “No Bite” try putting a few pennies or marbles in a clean tin can. Shake the can at your Lhasa Apso immediately after the “No Bite” command. This will usually startle the dog or puppy and will reinforce the verbal instruction.

* If the bite or nip occurred during a game immediately stop the game and do not continue until the dog is calm and in control.

* When they are calm, immediately provide attention and praise.

Most Lhasa Apsos will respond to this training when they realize that they get attention and fun when they are not biting or are practicing what dog trainers call “bite inhibition”.

Biting For Fear or Anxiety

If your Lhasa Apso bites or nips when in new places or when new people are present it is likely a nervous or fearful dog.

How to stop your Lhasa Apso from biting that is behaving aggressively out of fear is very different from the technique used for the attention seeking or nipping dog.

Dogs that are nervous or fearful need extra socialization, not isolation or being ignored.

Ideally socialization should mostly occur in the first few months of a puppy’s life and continue throughout the dog’s life.

Lhasa Apsos that are kept isolated from other dogs, animals, people and new environments are naturally more fearful and self-protective when they are exposed to new experiences.

For the most success with lhasa apso; it is suggested you take the time to do a little online research.

A dog’s natural defense is to bite or run so when you are out with your dog on a leash the only option the dog has to protect itself is to bite.

One of the best ways to work with a dog that bites from fear or anxiety is to take him or her to an obedience class.

It is very important that you speak to the trainer ahead of time and follow the instructions that the trainer provides for bringing your dog into the class.

Try taking your dog to as many new places as possible, but watch for signs that they are becoming agitated or fearful. Nervous behaviors such as the following should be monitored:

* Tail low or tucked between the back legs
* Whining or growling
* Pacing
* Excessive panting

When your Lhasa Apso starts exhibiting these symptoms immediately remove him or her from the environment and place him/her somewhere comfortable such as the vehicle or their crate.

Praise them and pay special attention to them as they gradually become more comfortable in new situations. You may also wish to consider one of the halter type leads that attach over the muzzle area to prevent any possibility of biting during the socialization period.

The key is to work with the dog’s level of trust and comfort and gradually extend your time out as the dog becomes more confident and socialized.

I hope this brief outline introduction to Managing Nipping and Biting has been helpful to you.

As you know, one of the most exciting things that most dog lovers can imagine is bringing home  a lasa apso for the first time.

Unfortunately, this excitement often wears off quickly when the new little addition to the family begins using the house as a bathroom area.

Potty TrainingFortunately, with a bit of consideration and understanding of some of the basic principles of potty training a Lhasa Apso, it is easy and simple to teach your Lhasa Apso  this very important behavior.

There are some points to keep in mind when planning or starting your potty training routine. No matter which method you decide to use, there will be accidents. Plan for them, accept them and move on with as little fuss and negative actions or punishment towards the puppy as possible.

Usually with any puppies, accidents are due to very small bladders and bowels and poor control as their bodies develop, very similar to young human infants in fact.

Avoid Punishing Your Lhasa Apso

Avoid punishing or reprimanding your puppy for an accident, as it is likely to be more a fault of the owner for not taking the puppy to the potty area soon enough. Learn from mistakes and keep notes on when the puppy has accidents.

Try to see if there is a pattern developing that can assist you in the training, rather than become frustrated with the Lhasa Apso. Virtually every puppy wants to make his or her owner happy, and this can be used as an effective motivator in potty training even young puppies.

The Older Dog

Older Lhasa Apsos that are being housebroken or potty trained for the first time will also have accidents, until they understand what you want. Again, patience and a positive attitude will help the training process.

Remember that dogs aren’t aware of the value of antique rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, rather they tend to relieve themselves where they feel they should – usually somewhere out of the way, like behind the couch or in the corner behind the potted palm.

Is There Anything I Can Do To Help?

YES, There are many things that pet owners can do to make the process of potty training easier for their new dog or puppy.

Good planning, an understanding of the potty training method to be used, plus other factors such as high quality food, lots of exercise, attention and love can all have a bearing on the time that it takes to potty train your Lhasa Apso.

Finally, each dog  is somewhat different in personality and temperament. Some puppies and dogs seem to almost potty train themselves where others, even from the same litter, may require additional training but will soon learn what is expected.

What method Should I Use To Potty Training My Lhasa Apso?

Well, there are a few different potty training methods that can be used for a Lhasa Apso.

Deciding on the best potty training method is important and depends a lot on the age of the dog, the time that you have to interact with the dog or puppy, your living area, and what method you are most comfortable with.

Some of the potty training methods encourage your Lhasa Apso  to use an outside area to relieve themselves, whereas others focus on containing the area the puppy or dog uses inside of the house – by the use of litter boxes, potty training pads or even newspapers.

Here, we will cover one popular method, Crate Training.

CRATE TRAINING

Crate training is one of the most effective ways to potty train a Lhasa Apso as it uses the natural “denning instinct” of the dog to encourage it to keep the area that it sleeps clean and free from waste materials.

In the wild, the den is kept clean by the mother while the puppies are young. Once they get older and are able to walk, they naturally go outside of the living area or den to relieve themselves.

In houses there are no dens, and the area is simply too large for puppies to feel that this is “their spot”.

By providing a den, in the form of a crate, the puppy will learn to wait until he or she is taken outside before soiling in the crate.

Crate training requires active participation and monitoring on the part of the dog owner.

The following is an outline of how to complete a crate training routine:

* Purchase an appropriately sized crate, either plastic or wire, that is large enough for your Lhasa Apso  to stand and stretch out comfortably.

* Make sure the crate is comfortable – use soft, washable liners or dog blankets.

* Sit with your Lhasa Apso at the door of the crate. Place a small treat inside the crate. Praise the puppy for going into the crate and getting the treat. Let the puppy come out whenever he or she wants, leave the door open at this time.

* Only praise for going in the crate, ignore the puppy when he or she is coming out.

* When your Lhasa Apso walks into the crate say “Crate” or “Den” or whatever word you wish to associate with going into the crate.

* When your Lhasa Apso is staying in the crate on its own to eat the treats, close the door for a few seconds, then open it up again. Only praise when the dog goes in, never when it is exiting. Soon the dog realizes in is good, out is neutral.

* After the puppy or dog is fine with being in the crate for more than a few minutes, put a chew toy in with them to keep it occupied. Try very slowly and gradually increasing your distance away from the crate, and the time in the crate with the door closed.

* Since the puppy or dog will generally not eliminate when they are in the crate because it is their den, take them outside to eliminate when they come out of the crate.

* After feeding, crate the puppy with a chew toy. In about 10-15 minutes take the puppy out of the crate and to the designated toilet area. Do not play or interact with the puppy at this time, simply take them straight to the spot.

* If the puppy relieves itself, praise the puppy and spend some time interacting. If, after about 3-5 minutes the puppy has not toileted, return it to the crate, again without saying anything, for an additional five minutes. Repeat the process without interacting with the puppy until it goes to the bathroom. Praise and play always follow toileting while crate training.

* At night, keep the crate in the bedroom or somewhere that you can easily hear the puppy. If he or she whines, take them to the toilet area and return them to the crate with as little interaction as possible. Just a simple “good girl” or boy will do when they toilet.

Too much praise will be seen as play, and may encourage the puppy to whine throughout the night. Don’t forget, the crate is used only until Potty Training is under control, not forever!

What Are Some Advantages of Using A Crate?

The advantages to crate training include the fact that it uses the puppies or dogs natural instincts to help with the learning process. It minimizes the dangers of messes and accidents around the house when done correctly. In addition the puppy feels secure, and they can understand what is required in a relatively short time.

What Are Some Disadvantages of Using A Crate?

Disadvantages to crate training for a lasa apso are few, but the biggest one is that it will only work if the trainer monitors the puppy closely while in the crate, and follows the attention/inattention guidelines.

Some owners may think that crate training is cruel, but this is simply not the case. Once people understand the crate is not used as a punishment but as a safe and secure place for the puppy, they change their opinion quickly.

Need Further Help ?

I hope this short outline introduction to Potty Training  and specifically CRATE  Training has been helpful to you.

Lhasa Apsos Video

The Lhasa Apso, bred and honored by the Dalai Lama, is one of the oldest of the three breeds of dogs from Tibet.

Please come along and join us on a small journey as we unravel the fascinating history of the incredible Lhasa Apso.

There are references to the Lhasa Apso breed in art and literature that goes back at least two thousand years. They were given to nobility and monks in China to protect and guard.

For many generations it was not possible to get a Lhasa Apso unless given as a gift by the Dalai Lama!

They were valued both as a good luck symbol and as a sacred animal in the Buddhist religion.

Many holy men believed that the spirits of monks who did not reach Nirvana were reincarnated into the bodies of Lhasa Apso dogs.

The strong watchful and protective nature of the Lhasa Apso, combined with their beautiful coats and loyal nature, make them a true companion dog and loving pet.

THE TIBET CONNECTION

The Lhasa Apso breed originated over two thousand years ago in the high, mountainous country of Tibet.

These small sized dogs were bred and kept in the Potala, the palace and monastery of the Dalai Lama, as well as surrounding monasteries.  The dogs were kept exclusively for nobility and holy men. Lhasa Apsos were prized for their temperament, beautiful coats, and their loyal and loving disposition.

The Lhasa Apso was not only prized as a companion dog but also as a watchdog.

The nobility valued the small dogs for their intelligence and regarded them not just as pets but more importantly as protectors and watchers for their castles and homes. They were also valued as a good luck talisman to keep evil away from the home. When the nobleman or holy man died, it was believed that his soul entered the body of the Lhasa Apso if it was not destined for Nirvana.

The Dalai Lama and other holy men carefully managed the Lhasa Apso breed, and it was not possible to buy a Lapso Apso dog in Tibet, rather they had to be received as a gift from the Dalai Lama.

This ritual began as early as 1583 in the Manchurian Dynasty and was honored up to the early 1900’s.  The dogs were sent as a blessing from the Dalai Lama to the Emperors of China and other nobility.

Lhasa Apso dogs were never given as individual dogs. The Dalai Lama presented pairs of dogs to visiting foreign diplomats and leaders. These dogs were then taken around the world where their popularity grew.

Lhasa Apsos are seen as a sacred blessing and are believed to bring luck and good fortune to the owner.

The first Lhasa Apso pair was seen in Britain in the 1920’s and the first pair in the United States was in 1935. Australia records the first Lhasa Apsos arriving in the 1960’s.

THE NAME

The majority of historians agree that the first part of the name, Lhasa, comes from the area of the Potala, near the sacred city of Lhasa.

The second part of the name, Apso, is not quite as clear. One group believes that the name is actually a misinterpretation of the word “raspo” that means goat-like. The coat of the Apso, if not groomed, begins to look like the hair found on Tibetan goats. Another group believes that the term Apso comes from the term “Abso Seng kye” that translates into “Barking Lion Sentinel Dog”.

Since the long hair of the breed does closely resemble the mane of the lion, and the strong protective instinct is there, it may be that the Apso is simply a mispronunciation of “Abso”.

Lhasa Apso dogs also have the distinctly lionish habit of pawing the ground with their front feet and taking a square stance when feeling threatened. They truly do resemble little lions and are excellent watchdogs and guardians.

The Manjuri Buddha, the God of Learning, is often presented in art and literature in the company of a Lhasa Apso, which changes into a lion when danger threatens the Manjuri Buddha.

Take the time to find out more about Lhasa Apso Puppies.  The investment in time you make will be extremely worthwhile.

That’s all on the amazing history of the Lhasa Apso.