My daughter just bought a Lhasa Apso that is 4 months old. ...

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Question by Les
Submitted on 7/9/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Lhasa Apsos Breed-FAQ
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My daughter just bought a Lhasa Apso that is 4 months old. The man that she bought the dog from must not have ever played with this dog. The day after my daughter brought her home we had to take her to the groomer because her hair was so matted.. Anyway this dog is scared to death.. It hides and at first wouldn't even let you look at her. Now it has been 1 week and I can tell she is getting more at ease with us but.. Any sudden movements and this dog goes nuts... I have to take her outside in the back yard on a leash because we don't know if we will be able to catch her if we let her out without one. Anyway, I guess my main question is.. Will this dog ever be a normal dog?

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 7/16/2003
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Bad previous owner! Bad previous owner! It will take much time, but the dog is young. Most important is not to push her to interact with you. Tiki gave a good answer, I'm going to expand on it because I've been through it. When the dog cowers, do not give it attention, that is reinforcing the behaviour. Sit, put a treat on the floor near you and ignore the dog. When it makes a movement toward the treat, praise it but do not make eye contact. When it picks up the treat, praise it again. Slowly the dog will learn to trust that you will not hit it when it approaches you. Next is to pick up the treat as the dog comes closer. Call it in a calm voice, but do not make eye contact. When the dog takes the treat, praise it again. Next is to hold the treat and call the dog. Praise it when it takes the treat. Look at the dog but do not make eye contact until you are able to reach down and pet the dog without it flinching. If it dribbles a little urine, do not make a big deal, that is a normal thing for a lower member of the pack to do, especially when nervous. Eye contact is dominance, she must be secure and trusting of you before you can exhibit dominance without her getting scared again. Work more with the dog, she will outgrow submissive urination as she gains confidence that you are pleased with her. Give her a command such as SIT, when she obeys praise her and call her to you, that way she already knows that you are happy with her. Staying on leash outside is a good idea, consider a retractable so that she can go a ways away. Start calling her back, and give just the slightest pressure on the leash to retract. If she balks, stop, ignore that and call again. Eventually you will be able to retract as she comes back, and then she will come on her own. Only when she consistently and happily comes when called should you consider removing the leash. She has been abused, obviously. Her life will be wonderful from now on, it will take her some time to come to believe that. Thank you for caring about her so much as to ask the right questions, I wish all pet owners did the same.

Answer by Tanisha
Submitted on 2/21/2004
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I had a dog like that. She was so scared of everyone when I got her. I spent all day with her talking, or trying to give treats. She started getting interested in me and by the end of the day she would follow me around some. I was young at the time and befriended her so she decided that all kids were nice so she trusted them. Them she decided that all females were good(I am female you see). But you could not get her within a square mile of my dad or any males no matter how nice they tried to be. I don't even remember how it happened but today she loves everyone and isn't afraid of anything. She will love anyone and I think dogs that have been treated like that in the beginning will make the best pets because you were their first friend and they will love you forever for it. When they start to trust you and give you that innocent look that says "you are my owner and I'll trust you through anything" it makes your heart swell with pride and is such a rewarding experience!!!

Answer by LAURA
Submitted on 12/7/2005
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I GOT A 2 YR OLD LHASA TZU LAST SUMMER AND HE WAS HORRIFIED TOO, IT TOOK ABOUT A WEEK AND HE DECIDED HE LOVED ME NOW HE FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE AND WAITS FOR ME TO GET HOME EVERYDAY TO PLAY AND CUDDLE IF YOU SHOW THEM LOTS OF LOVE THEY WILL GET USED TO YOU AND LOVE YOU BACK, NOW ON THE OTHER HAND HE DOESN'T WANNA BE AROUND MY FIANCE' AT ALL AND MY FIANCE LOVES HIM TO DEATH HE TREATS HIM JUST LIKE OUR LITTLE KID HE'S STILL SCARED BUT GETTING BETTER WE THINK HIS PREVIOUS OWNERS ABUSED HIM, BECAUSE OF THE POOR CONDITIONS HE LIVED OUTSIDE IN A CAGE WITH OTHER RANDOM DOGS AND EVERY TIME HE HAS AN ACCIDENT HE GOES AND LAYS ON HIS BED AND CRIES BECAUSE HE'S SCARED HE'S GOING TO GET BEATEN AND WE'VE NEVER HIT HIM AND NEVER WOULD. SO THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE PROBABLY MEAN TO YOUR PUPPY TOO AND IT WILL GET BETTER WITH TIME, MINE, BUBBA ALREADY HAS.

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Answer by tiki
Submitted on 7/10/2003
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the previous owner must have neglected and obviously somebody has abused the poor thing. The dog can be normal considering its young age but it will take time and a lot of love and positive attention. at first do not raise your voice or hand to it only show it love and kindness then when it has become used to you and knows it can trust you then you can begin "normal" training.

Answer by Debbie
Submitted on 8/29/2003
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Over 2 months ago we bought a Lhasa apso that was in pet stores-we gave him lots of love and attention-I am still going with him outside but it took a few weeks to adjust to his new surroundings-yours will do fine-it takes time and patience.

Answer by Blobbs
Submitted on 9/22/2003
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I have two dogs and I believe buy it a squeeky toy to play with, also consider buying a second dog as company.

Answer by Valinda
Submitted on 11/29/2003
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I bought a Lhasa Apso when he was four months old. He had been owned by a man who hadn't even house trained him. He was nervous around you and startled at every slight noise. I tried to pick him up at the start to show him I cared but he kept struggling to get away, he was frightened. What I did was just let him lie on his own and if I was walking by him just patt him on the head. Eventually he started to come to me of his own accord. Now I pick him up every day and hug him and carry him around. He now jumps up to be be lifted up for a hug and sits on top of you on the sofa! So he is just they way we wanted him now and yours will be too!! Goodluck.

Answer by adopted a pet
Submitted on 2/3/2004
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Response - Bad previous owner We have agreed to take a 2 1/2 year old dog into our home. It's obviously been with a bad owner and is very very shy. We have to pet her in slow motion. She's very timid and backs away, almost jolts her head back if we move in to pet her too quickly. We must move very slow to her...do you think she could become a confident dog?

Answer by Maigan
Submitted on 2/21/2005
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hi. i just bought a 3 moth old Lhasa apso dog yesterday. i have been looking online but i can't find what is good for her to eat. my main question is what kind of treats are best for her?

Answer by frank van tatenhove
Submitted on 4/26/2007
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sometimes Lhasas have bad behavior through wrong breeding, you can find lots of info at my website http://www.el-minjas.com/ use the site index and select genetics

Answer by Leti
Submitted on 5/3/2007
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I have a Lhasa and he is in show. Lhasa are not normal dogs they were bred to guard. My dog came from a loving home and is in a loving home but is scared of strangers. You have to socialize a lhasa gradualy by taking him with you every where you go.

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