Thought to bring good luck to their owners, Lhasa Apsos can be high maintenance dogs. They are loving dogs and very intelligent. Originally from Tibet, they were bred by nobles and holy men. These dogs love their owners and need to be showered in attention and affection; they can become depressed if they aren’t. However, if you give them the proper care and spend lots of time with them, they will always be happy dogs.
Lhasa Apsos have long outer coats that require daily brushings. You will need to remove the tangles in the coat and shampoo your dog often. You are also going to have to bring your little Lhasa into the vet for regular checkups. They are prone to ear and eye infections, as well as skin disorders and kidney disease. Get your Lhasa vaccinated, and give it all the proper flea/tick and heartworm medication.
You are going to have to be a little firm with your Lhasa when you give it commands. It needs to know that you are the dominant animal in this relationship. You are going to have to be very consistent in your discipline, but Lhasas respond very well to praise and affection.
Lhasas are known to be a little destructive when they are left alone, so it is best to crate your dog when you leave the house without her. Consult with your vet about the proper size and bedding for the crate. Don’t fret if you feel the crate is too small; crates aren’t supposed to be large spaces. Dogs are descended from wolves, and the wolf den is a small, comfortable space. Having a small, comfortable personal space makes a dog feel safe and secure. Doing this will also keep the Lhasa from using her crate as a bathroom. Dogs have a tendency to not use the bathroom where they sleep, so this helps with house breaking your Lhasa as well.
Training your Lhasa will make her easier to handle, as well as preventing her from tearing up the house. Like all dogs, you will need to walk your Lhasa daily, preferably more than once. You should walk your Lhasa no less than 30 minutes at a time, and change up the routes you take every now and then. Changing the routes you take challenges the Lhasa’s mind and allows her to experience new sights and most importantly new dogs to interact with.