For some Lhasa Apso dogs, a leash is a scary thing. The fear it induces will sometimes cause a pup that refuses to move while on a leash. Other Lhasa Apsos might pull on the leash, causing choking to occur. Introducing your Lhasa Apso to a leash and the process of going on a walk is all a part of training the dog.
When and how should a Lhasa Apso puppy be introduced to the concept of leash walking? The sooner your Lhasa Apso is introduced to a leash, the easier it is for the pup to become acclimated to it. Your dog should be trained with consistency and at a steady pace, so as to avoid teaching too much too fast.
Teaching your Lhasa Apso to walk on a leash is a necessity for most owners. Learning the process of training your dog how to walk on a leash is just part of it. It is also important to know what kind of collar or harness and leash works best for you and your Lhasa Apso. Because of the safety and legal need, leash walking is key to having a healthy and happy Lhasa Apso dog.
(Also, check out answers to your related questions at the end of the article).
Leash Training
Training your Lhasa Apso to walk well on a leash is something that happens over the course of several steps. If you expect your new pup to be the perfect leash walker immediately, be prepared to lower those expectations and increase the expected training time. Training your Lhasa Apso to do anything requires time and patience. Leash training is no exception.
Begin leash training your Lhasa Apso puppy with an introduction to the necessary tools: a harness or collar and a leash. If your pup is unused to wearing a collar, be sure to put it on them snuggly, but not loose. You should be able to fit 2 fingers inside the collar but not slip it over their head without unbuckling it. Many dogs unused to a collar require some coercion with treats and love.
If the collar seems to irritate your Lhasa Apso, check the fit around his or her neck once more. If it seems to be a good fit, it may require some time for your dog to get used to the unfamiliar feeling. You might try taking the collar off for 20 minutes, then replacing it around your puppy’s neck while offering a treat. Over time, your dog will not notice that he or she is wearing one.
Once your dog is comfortable with a collar, you may try a harness if desired. If you will not be using a harness, move on to introducing the leash. Many owners like having a command so that the Lhasa Apso knows it is time to go for a walk. In order to instill a command, be sure to say it numerous times while leashing your dog. Consistency in the word or command is key to your Lhasa Apso learning what he or she should do.
For instance, you might say, “leash” or “walk” as you attach the leash to the collar or harness. Also, provide a treat so that your Lhasa Apso will associate the leash with positivity. Doing this will not only help your Lhasa Apso to love the leash, but it will also encourage the dog to come to you when you say the command prior to the walk. You can also use a cue sound, such as clicking your tongue or snapping.
Once the leash is attached, see how your dog responds while you’re still inside. Being outside means that there are eye catching things, such as birds or squirrels, that a Lhasa Apso might try to run towards. Inside of your home, there are less distractions. Try walking through your home while your pup is leashed and see what happens.
As you walk through your home, repeat the chosen command to get your Lhasa Apso to come with you. Reward with treats often. Once the puppy seems to understand the concept and walks without tugging, you can try taking your Lhasa Apso outside.
Once outside, be sure to pay explicit attention to your dog. You should be able to tell when he or she is distracted by looking for signals that indicate that your pup’s head is elsewhere. If you notice your Lhasa Apso intently watching a squirrel or if you heard another dog bark nearby, your pup is likely about to lunge or tug on the leash.
In order to prevent your dog from pulling, redirect his or her attention. Click your tongue or make a noise that reminds the puppy to follow you. You might even use the command for him or her to come. If your pup follows, be sure to reward immediately with a treat.
It is also important to remember to keep walks short at first. You are much more likely to have a less distracted dog if the walk is 10 minutes and not 30 right off the bat. You can begin extending the walks as you and your Lhasa Apso get more experience. Avoid advancing the training too quickly, as your dog can relapse in progress. Like with human children, puppies will have a better attention span as they age, so be realistic in your expectations.
Most dogs, including your Lhasa Apso, will pull when first learning to leash walk. In order to correct pulling, refrain from tugging your pup back to you. Instead, become completely still. Do not move until your Lhasa Apso is back at your side. Once he or she has stopped pulling and is standing beside you, resume your walk.
Barking is common in Lhasa Apso dogs, especially when the pup sees something unfamiliar, like another dog or stranger. Preventing or stopping the bark during a walk is as simple as redirecting the puppy’s attention. Although a Lhasa Apso was bred as an alert dog, the bark can be corrected by placing yourself between your dog and the thing that they are barking at. Once the attention has been directed to you, give your pup a treat to occupy them until what they have perceived as a threat has passed.
Barking can also occur if your Lhasa Apso is not getting enough exercise. Although walks are to be kept short while leash training, multiple walks per day can help them to get plenty of exercise and tone down the barking. When you and your Lhasa Apso are at the point where walks can be half an hour, it is possible you will notice a difference in the amount of barking during the walk – and maybe even at home.
It might seem that in a leash walking training session, you are giving your Lhasa Apso a lot of treats. While this might be true, it is recommended to use training treats so that he or she is not getting too much caloric intake. The treats given should also decrease in number as your pup becomes more acclimated to the leash and the activity becomes more familiar.
Remember, when leash training your Lhasa Apso, be sure to take things slow. Use commands and cue sounds to redirect actions, in addition to positive reinforcement via treats and petting. Pay attention to your pup and help them to focus on the task at hand. Keep training sessions short and expand the session length over time. With consistency and time, you will have a fully trained leashed Lhasa Apso.
Buying the Proper Collar or Harness
If you are a first time Lhasa Apso owner, it can be confusing with all of the options on the market for leashes, collars, and harnesses. So, which options are best for your Lhasa Apso? It is important to consider ability, size, activity level, and the dog’s experience with other leashes and collars before purchasing just any set.
Think about your Lhasa Apso’s experience in other training areas. Does he or she seem to pick things up quickly, or are you struggling with basic puppy training concepts? If you seem to have a well-behaved and able pup, a standard collar and leash is the system that you will want to start out with. While this option is the most basic of all collars and leashes, it allows you to maintain control by keeping your dog by your side or behind you. It will also keep your Lhasa Apso safe and contained to a small area.
For a Lhasa Apso that pulls, you might consider a martingale collar. This type of collar has two loops, one of which goes around the dog’s neck, the other is attached to the leash. When the dog pulls, the loop around his or her neck tightens, but it stops before it is able to choke the pup. This is a great collar for dogs in training, but it should not be left on any dog unsupervised.
If your Lhasa Apso will be left alone with a collar on or stays in a crate often, the safest collar choice is a breakaway collar. A breakaway collar is one that will quickly unfasten if it gets caught, preventing your Lhasa Apso from choking. Many breakaway collars have two rings to clip the leash to so that it does not breakaway while on a walk.
Given that the Lhasa Apso breed does not usually exceed 18 pounds, it is highly unlikely that a choker, pinch collar, or similar style collar will be necessary. Chokers can also cause harm to a dog’s trachea, so they are not recommended by most veterinarians. Small dogs generally do better with a harness. Lhasa Apso dogs typically have a harder time breathing during physical activity because of their shorter nose. Keeping pressure off of their throats helps them to breathe better.
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While a back-clip harness does allow better breathing, it also tends to encourage pulling. Since this harness causes no uncomfortable sensation while tugging on the leash, a dog prone to pulling is likely to do it more in a harness. If your Lhasa Apso is not adequately trained in leash walking, it is not advised to skip ahead to a back-clip harness.
A front-clip harness offers the benefits of a back-clip harness and allows the owner to better lead the pup. It also helps to prevent pulling, as the dog is generally walking behind the owner. Leading your Lhasa Apso also helps to establish a pack leader, as dogs have a pack mentality. By having the dog follow you in a front-clip harness, you are establishing dominance.
With the variety of collars available, there is sure to be one that works for your Lhasa Apso. Consider the behavior that you have witnessed and what might work best for the dog. If it is clear that the purchased collar is not the one for your pup, move on to a different style that might work better for their behavior and temperament. Buying a collar that your Lhasa Apso will keep on ensures their safety and that they can be returned to you if they go missing. Be sure to attach identifying tags to your Lhasa Apso’s chosen collar to maximize safety.
Choosing the Right Leash
Safety also comes with choosing the perfect leash for your Lhasa Apso dog. The available leashes are made to serve all kinds and breeds of dogs, from the smallest to the largest and the most well behaved to those that need additional training. In order to find the best leash for your Lhasa Apso, consider what you know about your little friend.
A standard leash is one of the most common options. While each standard leash might have a different feature, the main feature is the same. Some might have a reflective strip or a more comfortable handle, but the main feature is it is straight and has a handle. With a small dog like a Lhasa Apso, a standard leash intended for smaller dogs generally works just fine. It should also be approximately 6 feet long so that control can be maintained, but the dog can have additional space to walk if needed.
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Another leash is a retractable leash. While these are very popular with new dog owners, it can be more difficult to train your Lhasa Apso if they are given so much freedom on the 20-foot lead. The leash typically comes wrapped up in a hard plastic handle. It has a button to lock the movement, so while you are able to shorten the leash to the appropriate length for your Lhasa Apso, it does cost more than a standard leash.
By purchasing the correct leash for your Lhasa Apso, leash training will be made much easier. Since training can be a bit more taxing with a stubborn breed like a Lhasa Apso, it is recommended to take the easiest route to accomplish said training. With leashes being legally required in many areas, ensuring that you have a trained pup is key to getting them the necessary exercise.
Related Questions
Are Lhasa Apsos good dogs for the dog park? Since dog parks allow a variety of dogs to be enclosed in an area without leashes, it is important that your Lhasa Apso has had exposure to other dogs prior to a visit to a heavily populated dog park. Lhasa Apso dogs can become acclimated to other dogs, but they must have exposure starting in small increments.
Can a Lhasa Apso be trained as a service dog? Yes! With time, consistency, and patience, your Lhasa Apso can become a service dog. Lhasa Apsos are best utilized as hearing assistance dogs.