Lhasa apsos are typically intelligent, playful, and fun. The best way to train them is with positive reinforcement, such as giving them yummy treats for the behavior you want. Many owners swear that the clownish Lhasa loves to play tricks, and grins afterward, but this little guy also has dignity. Lhasa apsos were bred in Tibetan temples, and have the regal bearing of their noble ancestry. They need to be socialized and trained to be good pets despite their high self-esteem and sometimes independent nature.
Many Lhasa apso owners train their dogs for agility competitions, because of their playfulness and exuberance. The dogs have well-muscled hindquarters that allowed their ancestors to run through the mountains of Tibet, and they are good at jumping, leaping, spinning and changing course. Agility courses often contain a row of poles that the dog can run around, going one half-circle around each pole until they reach the end of a row. Another part of the course might be a tunnel to run through, or a teeter-totter. For a dog with the Lhasa apso抯 clownish nature, this can be fun.
Another fun thing that Lhasa apsos excel at is dancing with their humans. Both the dog and the human can learn to walk or run together or go to the left or right upon a signal. The dog can jump over the person抯 leg or arm, perform tricks such as sitting up or waving, or jump onto the person抯 back for a dance finish. Freestyle dancing includes music, and songs with a fast beat suit the Lhasa apso抯 frisky nature.
When choosing a Lhasa apso puppy, watch him or her interact with littermates. The puppy who is too aggressive, or who runs away acting frightened, could turn into an aggressive adult or one who is hard to socialize. Dogs who feel that they are high on the totem pole of their litters might take the same attitude when you get them home, and bite when do not get there own way. Puppies who act shy might grow up to be fear biters, dogs who bite when they are frightened by strangers or even family members. It抯 often best to pick the Lhasa apso puppy who plays well with its littermates, and then take it off by itself to see how it will act with just you, since that is how things will be at your home. The puppy who plays only with its littermates might want to play with you when they are not around.
Getting a mature Lhasa apso can be a good idea, because his or her personality is already formed, and you will be able to see what it is like as an adult.
If you are not able to be around your Lhasa apso during the day, be sure to provide chew toys and other fun things for him or her to play with, since this is a basically active, fun-loving dog.
