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 various 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 longer.

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

How Can 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

* Immediately leave the puppy or dog alone, don’t speak to them or touch them at all.

* 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 usually startles 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 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 more 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 pups; 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 or puppy 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 hind 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.

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 going 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 holy men and nobility. 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 Dalai Lama sent the dogs as a blessing from him 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 and their popularity grew.

Lhasa Apsos are seen as a sacred blessing and are believed to bring good luck and 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. The first Lhasa Apsos according to Australia records arrived in the 1960’s.

THE NAME

Most historiansagree that 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 Breeders.  The investment in time you make will be extremely worthwhile.

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