Training: Lhasa Apsos can have a stubborn, independent nature, so they can be somewhat challenging to train. They do not respond well to shouting and punishment, and can even become aggressive towards their owner if they are reprimanded too harshly. Praise and rewards work best with this breed. If you take the time to build a strong bond with your Lhasa, you should see excellent results if you persist in your training while setting and enforcing firm boundaries for your pet. Lhasa Apsos can be difficult to housebreak, so crate training may be the best approach. As with many other breeds, it is essential to begin training and socializing a Lhasa Apso while it is young. If rules are not established and enforced, a Lhasa Apso will attempt to wrest dominance away from their owner. This breed can be quite mischievous, so patience and a firm hand are essential.
Barking: Many of the instincts that the Lhasa Apso possesses can be traced back to its work as a guardian of Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Lhasa Apsos would bark to alert monks to any intruder that had managed to evade the sentries at the gates of the temple. The breed has strong protective, territorial instincts that must be tempered through training and socialization. If a Lhasa Apso is not trained properly, it can become loud and dangerous towards strangers.
Though they are small, Lhasa Apsos often exhibit a desire to be the dominant dog in interactions with other canines. It can be quite comical to see a Lhasa pushing around an older, meeker creature, but it can also lead to difficulties. It is imperative to expose your Lhasa Apso to many different dogs and people as it grows, so it can be comfortable in different situations. Even a well trained and socialized Lhasa Apso can still be a bit reserved around strangers.
Temperament & Behavior: The behavior of most Lhasa Apsos does not always seem to match their size. It has been said that when a Lhasa looks in the mirror, it sees a lion, and this bears out in some of their habits and actions. Lhasa Apsos can be confident, aloof, and stubborn. They can endure being left alone better than many breeds, and they do not always enjoy obeying commands. Lhasa Apsos are calmer and have a more regal deportment than many of the excitable smaller breeds, but they definitely have a playful side. They can take a bit longer to mature than other breeds, and can exhibit a puppyish exuberance around family for most of their life. Lhasa Apsos are intelligent and affectionate; if their owner is firm and caring, they should have no trouble developing into a treasured companion.
Behavior with Kids: Lhasa Apsos are not particularly tolerant of mishandling, and can snap or bite at children who bother them. They are best suited for families with older children.
Protection: Because of their small size, Lhasa Apsos will not be able to intimidate or stop a threat, but you can be sure that they will bark to alert you to any danger, and will fearlessly challenge an intruder.
