How to Make a Lhasa Apso Listen

The Lhasa Apso is a beautiful dog breed that is known for its stubborn nature. Although these dogs can make great pets, the owner must understand how to work with them to train them correctly. Some Lhasa Apso owners may find that their dogs tend to ignore commands or simply won't pay attention. These dogs must be taught how to listen to ensure that they can learn and follow through with other commands, which is vital to the dog's safety and the owner's bond with the animal.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Establish yourself as the pack leader. This means that you are the one who gives or denies your dog permission to do things. A Lhasa Apso may believe that he is the alpha or leader in your household, and this could cause him to ignore your commands. You must teach the dog that the people are in charge. To show that you are alpha, you can do things such as make your dog heel when you walk him, eat your meals before the dog gets his, and make your dog work for treats instead of getting them for free. Soon he will learn you are the one in charge.

    • 2

      Take your dog on a walk each day. Going for a walk ensures that the Lhasa Apso gets enough exercise, but it is also good for his mental health. A well-exercised dog is more likely to have good behavior.

    • 3

      Use simple, one-word commands when training your Lhasa Apso. You might try saying her name to get her attention, and then giving a command such as "sit." If you make things too complicated, your dog will be less likely to listen to what you are saying. Don't overwhelm your dog with commands that are too difficult for her to decipher.

    • 4

      Give your dog treats and praise when he obeys a command that you give him. By reinforcing proper behavior, you will find that your Lhasa Apso becomes more apt to listen to you and follow through with commands. Eventually, as your dog begins to respond to you reliably, you can taper off giving treats.