House training for a Lhasa Apso generally occurs in three stages. Making your way through the stages can be time-consuming and requires patience. In order to best train your Lhasa Apso, knowing what to expect next is key.
What are the house training stages for your Lhasa Apso? The first stage is when the dog will “go” whenever and wherever. At the second stage, he or she has learned to relieve themselves in the proper area as long as a person is around to let them outside. The last stage is when a Lhasa Apso is housebroken and only has accidents when not let out for several hours.
(Also, check out answers to your related questions at the end of the article).
Each stage requires continued training so that the dog completely understands what is expected of him or her. Knowing when the stages are moving too quickly is key to avoiding any backtracking. House training a Lhasa Apso requires patience and sometimes several months. Giving your pup the time necessary will make for a more ingrained habit of going outside to relieve themselves.
House Training Stage One
The first stage of house training is the point at which your Lhasa Apso knows nothing about where or when they should “go.” Much like infancy in humans, the urge to urinate comes and it is immediately relieved. There is no waiting period or desire to “hold it.” The first step in training your Lhasa Apso is to instill that desire and overall understanding.
Crate training is said to be the most effective method for house training a Lhasa Apso. Begin with a crate slightly larger than your dog. With a Lhasa Apso most commonly weighing around 15 pounds, there is no need for a crate made to house a 50-pound dog. The extra room may tempt a Lhasa Apso to urinate or defecate in the crate. Most dogs do not enjoy a mess in their bed, so a crate made for their size is a deterrent for accidents.
Once you have the proper crate, be sure to introduce it to your Lhasa Apso in a positive manner. With the use of toys, treats, and blankets, your pup should see the crate as an inviting and safe space. Use treats as a way to get the Lhasa Apso comfortable with being in the crate by giving one after the pup is inside with the door shut. Leave him or her in the crate for ten to twenty minutes and then take the puppy outside for a potty break.
After a potty break, return the pup to the crate for a bit longer, working up to an hour at a time. Your Lhasa Apso will begin to adjust to longer stints as time goes on. Be sure to take your dog outside between each crate session.
When outside, use the command that you wish you teach your Lhasa Apso. For instance, say, “Go potty,” or, “Eliminate.” When your pup begins to urinate or defecate, state the command again so that he or she might associate the term with the action.
When your pup is out of their crate and in the home, be sure to keep eyes on him or her at all times. Be on the lookout for signs that an accident is imminent. These signs often include circling, sniffing, whining, or barking. If any of these signs are seen, the puppy must be taken outside immediately.
In the event of an accident, avoid getting angry or punishing the Lhasa Apso. The breed is stubborn and does not tend to bode well when it comes to being yelled at, struck, or having their nose rubbed in the mess. Instead, clap once so as to startle the pup. Doing so will help your dog to understand that his or her actions should not be repeated. Clean the area with a quality pet odor remover and cleaner so that the Lhasa Apso puppy will not confuse the area with a potty spot.
When your Lhasa Apso does relieve themselves outside in the designated area, be sure to offer treats and praise. Being vocal with your pup is encouraged, as dogs tend to understand the tone of voice. Excitement and happiness are times that Lhasa Apso dogs feel encouraged by.
Avoid giving your Lhasa Apso free roam of the house when in the first stage. This gives the pup the opportunity to have accidents without anyone around to correct the action by taking him or her out immediately. This leaves an accident unteachable, which often can deter progress.
Although this stage may last months – sometimes 6 or more – you will slowly begin seeing signs of moving towards stage two. Fewer accidents or the dog intentionally signaling he or she needs to go out are signs of progress in house training. Sticking with consistent training will ensure the second stage comes relatively quickly.
House Training Stage Two
The second stage is, obviously, the next step to having a house trained Lhasa Apso. It occurs when your pup no longer has accidents in the house as long as there is someone available to let them go out to the usual potty area.
There are a variety of ways in which your Lhasa Apso might signal his or her need to eliminate. Some whine or bark at their owners. Others scratch at the door they generally use to go out. Dogs can even be trained to ring a bell. No matter which version of notification your Lhasa Apso uses, it is important to pay attention to the signal. Ignoring it or trying to wait a few more minutes might cause a regression.
Going back to stage one is the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish. In addition to letting your Lhasa Apso outside when prompted, it is important to avoid leaving your pup alone for more than 8 hours. In fact, 8 hours is usually the maximum amount of time your dog should be left alone.
If you plan to be gone for more than a couple of hours, be sure to leave drinking water for your Lhasa Apso. The best option is a bottle that attaches to the side of the crate. While a bowl of water inside the crate can also work, there is a good chance that your Lhasa Apso will spill the water before getting the chance to drink it all.
Since you will be leaving water for your dog while you are gone, it is important to ensure that he or she goes outside to relieve themselves prior to being enclosed in the crate. Drinking water on a full bladder is asking for an accident while you’re gone.
Sometimes a dog in the early part of stage two may experience a relapse if being pushed too fast. For example, if he or she refuses to urinate or defecate in the crate, but will in another area of the home that is away from you, the space the dog is free to roam is likely too large. Increase the access your Lhasa Apso has to the rest of the home incrementally. The use of baby gates and closed doors help to house train your pup a small area at a time.
Slowly expand your pup’s space. Too much too fast can cause confusion and accidents. If you expand the area and there is an accident, revert back to smaller space for several days. If there are no further accidents during that time, try providing a bit more space again.
With time, patience, and consistency, house training is possible and that next stage is on the horizon. Reaching stage three can take up to a year, especially since a Lhasa Apso dog’s ability to “hold it” improves as he or she grows out of the puppy age. Occasional accidents are normal prior to your Lhasa Apso’s first birthday.
House Training Stage Three
The final stage of a house trained Lhasa Apso is one that does not use the bathroom in the house within a reasonable time frame. If he or she can go for several hours and have no accidents, consider your pup house trained. If there is a urine spot after they have been home alone for 8+ hours, it is unreasonable to think the Lhasa Apso should have been able to hold it.
Consider how many times you need a restroom break throughout the day. How many in an 8 hour period? Your Lhasa Apso is likely to need a similar number of breaks. If you plan to be away from home for several hours, a plan should be in place so that your pup can relieve themselves in an appropriate location.
Many working Lhasa Apso owners hire a dog walker to take pups out for a walk during the day. There are numerous sources that can help you to find a trustworthy dog walker. These include apps, websites, and job sites that offer ratings and reviews from other dog owners. Prices often vary from $15 per 30-minute walk or more, depending on the area. Typically a dog walker would have a key to your home or, in a trusted area, would know where to find a hidden key.
If it is unsettling to you giving a house key to a virtual stranger, some Lhasa Apso owners ask a relative or close friend to stop by and let the dog outside. This role is often good for a college student or a non-working or retired person. It is important to be able to count on the person you want taking your Lhasa Apso outside. Leaving your pup locked up all day is unkind and not fair to him or her.
Some Lhasa Apso owners prefer to send their dog to a daycare center for pups while they work. If your Lhasa Apso has been socialized with other dogs, a doggie daycare might be the perfect option for you. If your pup has not been socialized, it may be a good idea to start a daycare in short bursts, rather than all day. Finding a good daycare for your Lhasa Apso is often reliant on reading reviews online or hearing about quality caregivers from friends and family.
Once you’ve done some research, you might want to take your Lhasa Apso for a brief visit to the daycare. Ensure there is space for your pup to be alone if desired and plenty of outside space for him or her to run and play. Many puppy parents prefer to send their Lhasa Apso to a daycare that offers a live video stream online so that they can peek in on their pup when they have a free minute.
The downside to many doggie daycare centers is the cost. If this is a concern for you, ask your employer about bringing your Lhasa Apso to work with you. If this is not an option, you might use a lunch break to head home and let your dog out. Finding the best option for you, your schedule, and your wallet is relative but possible. Remember, finding the solution is necessary to avoid any regression to a previous house training stage.
Recap of Stages
Understanding each stage can make house training your Lhasa Apso much easier in the long run. The stages are easily identifiable and indicate how close your pup is to being fully house trained. Knowing what is to be expected always helps with moving forward at an appropriate rate.
As a recap, the first stage of house training your Lhasa Apso is when there is no understanding or desire to urinate or defecate in the proper place. The pup will “go” when he or she has to and feels no remorse over the fact.
The second stage is having a dog that does not have accidents while someone is home with them or at the very least in the same room. A large portion of the second stage is continuing training at a slow pace so as to avoid reverting back to stage one. It is also expanding your pup’s reach at an appropriate pace so that they can reach stage three when the time is right.
The third stage is considered being house trained. It is important to continue letting your Lhasa Apso outside on a realistic schedule to avoid accidents after a long period of time. Reaching stage three does not mean your pup can “hold it” an unnatural amount of time. Staying in stage three requires attention to your pup’s needs.
Each of the stages must be reached prior to reaching the last stage. Skipping steps or attempting to go from stage one to stage three is a recipe for disaster. Move according to your Lhasa Apso’s time table and grasp of the concept of house training. The entire process may take up to a year, but you will have a trained pup by the end of it.
Related Questions
How do I train my Lhasa Apso to stop chewing? There are a few methods to stop your Lhasa Apso from chewing so that you might save your furniture or shoes. One of the most popular is a bitter spray that tastes bad so the dog will not chew.
How do I choose the perfect crate for my Lhasa Apso? There are a variety of styles, brands, and sizes when it comes to crates. A popular option is a small wire crate with a plastic bottom.