How to Potty Train a Lhasa Apso
Medium difficulty iconMedium
Time icon3-6 Months
General training category iconGeneral
Introduction

As you may have already discovered, the Lhasa Apso is one of the most fun-loving and mischievous breeds around. Because of this, it is important that you start training your pup as soon as possible. You can actually start training him at 8 to 12 weeks of age. Because of your pup's curious and mischievous nature, you need to socialize him and start obedience training as early as the day you bring him home. This will make it much easier for you to successfully train your Lhasa Apso pup that your house is not his personal toilet and that he needs to hold on until he is taken outside. 

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Defining Tasks

The task at hand is simply to teach your pup that the only place he is allowed to go do his business is outside in the yard. Moreover, you can train your pup to go in one specific area of your lawn, helping to keep his mess all in one spot. Bear in mind, when you take your Lhasa Apso pup outside, the only thing he is likely to be interested in at such as young age is running around, playing, and doing anything except going potty. However, you should never scold or punish your Lhasa Apso when he has an accident in the house--these little guys don't like being yelled at and intimidating any dog into compliance is counterproductive in the long run. 

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Getting Started

One of the most important aspects of potty training your pup falls on you. You need to keep a very close eye on your dog so that you can start picking up the signs he gives indicating he needs to go outside. These may include going to the door, sniffing at the carpet or floor, whining, squatting, and lifting his leg--among others. This can help you pick up on the fact he needs to go and could save you from any number of accidents. You also need a few "training" supplies.

  • Treats – To give as rewards.
  • A leash – To walk your pup outside to his "bathroom".
  • Crate – For those times when you aren't available to watch him.

Along with these, you need the time to spend training your pup and the patience to see the training through to a successful conclusion. You might also want to stock up on extra cleaning supplies for the inevitable messes your pup is bound to leave until he gets this whole potty training thing down pat. 

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The Potty Spot Method

Most Recommended

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Find a spot

The first part of potty training your Lhasa Apso is to choose a spot in the yard for him to use as his potty. This is important as, not only will it help him to understand what is expected of him in this spot, but it will help contain his mess to one area, making cleanup easier.

2

Introduce your pup

Time to put your pup on his leash, give him the cue "Outside" and take him out to the area you have marked out. Keep him there until he goes potty or for 15 minutes, whichever comes first.

3

If he goes

If he goes potty, be sure to praise him and give him a tasty treat. If not, take him back into the house for a little while (keeping a good eye on him) and then try again. It could simply be that he didn't need to go the first time. Be sure to praise him and give him a treat when he finally goes.

4

Create a routine

Your pup will learn to go potty outside far more quickly if you set up a schedule whereby you take him out every 30 minutes at first. This helps him associate the timing with getting to go potty.

5

Move on out

The rest is all about continuing to work with your pup until he finally starts to let you know when he needs to go out and no longer leaves you little puddles and piles to clean up.

The Puppy Potty Smell Method

Effective

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Pick up some spray

Your local pet store sells puppy potty spray that is designed to make whatever you spray it on attract your dog and help him to feel like he needs to mark his territory. Of course, he does this by peeing and pooping.

2

Choose your spot

Pick a spot in your yard that is going to become your pup's permanent potty. Spray liberally with the potty spray.

3

Walkies time

Let's go for a walk! Put his leash on and as you go out the door, introduce the cue "Go outside?" in a questioning tone. You are trying to get him used to hearing you ask if he wants to go outside as his cue to go potty. Take him out to the marked area and let him sniff around.

4

When he goes

Keep him out there for around 15 minutes. If he goes potty, be sure to praise him and give him a treat. If he doesn’t go, no big deal. Take him back in the house and try again in another 15 minutes.

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The rest

The rest is all about extending the time between when you take him out, being persistent, and of course, praising your pup when he gets it right.

The On the Clock Method

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Gather your supplies

You are going to need a crate, your pup's leash, and a pocket full of treats.

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Weeks one and two

During the first two weeks after you start potty training, you should set a timer and take your pup out every hour. Even if you have just taken him out recently, the idea is to get your pup to the point where he knows when it is time to go outside. If he goes potty when you take him out, praise him and give him a treat.

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Weeks three and four

During these weeks, you need to extend the time between when he goes out to one and a half hours. The idea is to get him used to holding himself until you take him outside.

4

Week four and beyond

At the end of week four, it will be time to set the timer for two hours. Make sure you continue to praise him and give him treats when he goes outside. Never punish him if he has an accident, just thoroughly clean the area so there is no trace of his scent.

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Make it happen

All that is left for you to do is keep working with your pup, cleaning up any accidents, and in time your Lhasa Apso will be fully potty trained.

Written by PB Getz

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 02/21/2018, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions and Answers

Kibo
Lhasa Apso
5 Weeks
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful

Anger and he doesn't listen the owner words

April 7, 2022

Kibo's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

1128 Dog owners recommended

Hello Alena, At five weeks of age pup is probably developmentally not ready for formal training or potty training. Pup is biting a lot at this age to learn about the world around them, so a lot of pup's biting is probably responsive, like how they would bite littermates and receive feedback from them. You can set up an exercise pen and cover the floor of the pen with disposable real grass pads on one end and a non-absorbent bed or connected crate without anything absorbent in it on the other side, to help pup get prepared for more formal potty training beginning around 8 weeks. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy www.freshpatch.com also on amazon Non-absorbent bed: www.primopads.com www.k9ballistics.com - non-absorbent crate mats Most puppies at five weeks should still be with mom and litter mates and are barely weaned from milk. Sometimes in certain rescue situations or mother dog rejection situations we have to step in an intervene early but raising a pup younger than 8 weeks is going to look different than when you bring an 8 week old pup home, as far as what they are developmentally ready for. Check out this free PDF e-book Before you Get Your Puppy, which can be downloaded at the link below. That book will cover some of what to expect at this age. You can also download After You Get Your Puppy at that link as well, which will cover more of what should be done once pup is 7-8 weeks. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads In preparation for outside potty training, you can gradually start getting pup used to a crate, but keep expectations low until pup is closer to 7 weeks. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate I would start formal crate training and outside potty training between 8-12 weeks. 8 weeks being my preference but pup will need to go out about every hour still at that age. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 7, 2022

Gracie
Lhasa Apso
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful

Potty training. She pees outside but then comes in and pees and poops inside.

Oct. 12, 2021

Gracie's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

1128 Dog owners recommended

Hello Kellie, It sounds like pup may not be finishing completely while outside. I would tell pup to Go Potty, reward with a treat when she goes, then walk her around for another ten minutes, telling her to "Go Potty" again. If pup hasn't pooped during that part of the day and has already had their meal, like breakfast, then assume pup still needs to poop after peeing. Most puppies do them separately and need to be walked more to complete pottying. It might look like "Go Potty" - walking - peeing. "Go Potty" - more walking - peeing. "Go Potty" - more walking - pooping. As pup learns the Go Potty command and gets older, they should get better at fully going and hurrying up. If pup appears to be finishing outside and still has that accident within twenty minutes of coming inside, I would speak with your vet. There may be an infection, such as a uti or parasite causing pup to need to go more often. I am not a vet. If pup is guzzling water as soon as they come inside, that might be the issue. Some puppies drink for pup. If that appears to be the case, I would give pup the opportunity to drink several times a day but then remove the water bowl between, or only put smaller amounts of water in it throughout the day. I usually give the water bowl after coming inside from pottying and with each meal and after exercising - although make pup take it a bit slow on the drinking after exercising. Finally, if pup is having an accident 45-60 minutes after coming back inside, check out the Crate Training method from the article I have linked below. Pup probably needs to be taken back outside soon or crated at the 45 minute mark, until it's been about an hour since their last potty trip. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 13, 2021


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