Small dog syndrome is a “condition” that owners of smaller dog breeds must look out for and guard against. It can result in a number of behaviors that make your dog difficult to control and manage. They may become angry quickly, pick fights with other dogs, be and be unkind to children and strangers. They may also refuse to listen but instead insist that you listen and obey them. The Lhasa Aspo dog can exhibit small dog syndrome behavior if not trained properly.

Small dog syndrome is a result of human behavior, not necessarily the dogs.  It is also not ingrained in a particular breed.  When not handled correctly, these types of small dogs will mistakenly begin to believe that they are the leader of the pack in the home and not vice versa. As a result, they don’t respond well to their owner’s commands. They also begin to view people that they don’t know suspiciously. They begin to be aggressive toward children.  They may also become easily agitated around other dogs and be inclined to fight.

Another symptom of small dog syndrome is that these dogs do not like to be left alone.  Subsequently, they may act out when their owners leave the home or are about to. When owners do not properly train their dogs, don’t show leadership and place limits on their dog, these negative behaviors associated with small dog syndrome can begin to develop. The good news is that they can be reversed. If you begin to train your dog and take the lead, you can eliminate these negative behaviors.

Pet owners, either dogs or a puppy would definitely do anything to keep their pets in pink of health at all times. However, some illnesses and health concerns may keep on showing up on their pets every now and then. While you can avoid most diseases, issues like dog ticks are just one of the few that may inflict your dog at least once in its lifetime.

If you enjoy a hiking trip with your dog every now and then, you have to realize that you are risking its health to dog ticks. Dog ticks are usually obtained in the woods and open fields, especially as you go into certain places where the trees are high and insects are many. If you happen to go to a spot where dark fleas lurk around, then your dog might go home with ticks that could make it utterly uncomfortable.

Ticks are large fleas that are dark to light gray in color. These things attach themselves to animals or to humans. And once a certain amount of blood is sucked out of your pet’s body, they grow bigger in size. A lot of people mistake them as regular insects but they aren’t.
They are more closely related to spiders and like them ticks have several legs too. An adult tick has eight legs to be exact. Ticks are the common name that people use to refer to the small rabbit arachnids that belongs to the superfamily Ixodoidea constituting Acarina. Ticks are ectoparasites, which mean that they are external parasites.

Certain species of ticks are likely to attack dogs and cats. However, humans can be infected with them too. But while ticks can irritate humans, they still prefer dogs to be their host. Wood ticks and brown dog ticks are good examples of the ones that can be highly troublesome for dogs. Wood ticks infest dogs as they go deep into the woods or fields. On the other hand, brown dog ticks are the type that can build populations during the colder climates. They can be carried indoors by your pets but they rarely thrive inside covered areas.

Ticks can bring about a number of diseases that can propose major concerns to your dog’s health. One perfect example is Ehrlichiosis. This disease can cause fever, lethargy, lameness or even bleeding tendencies on your pet. The disease is known to be spread by the brown dog tick. Once the species land in the dog’s body, it will act like a parasite and kill the cells of the dog.

These species can endanger the life of your pet. As such, pet owners take every precaution to avoid ticks from coming in contact with your dog. If you still like to take your dog for a hike, make sure that you follow safety procedures so as not to take dog ticks home. Talk to the vet about what should be done when going out on nature trips with your pet. And if ever your dog became infected with dog ticks, make sure that you provide it with the necessary care and treatment.

A friendly website enthusiast and dog fanatic wrote this fabulous review on Frontline product and we felt that is was imperative to share:

We began using Frontline Plus for Dogs.  Applied once a month from a disposable squeeze applicator it proved just as effective at controlling fleas as Revolution for about 25% less.  Keep in mind, we’re still talking about more than $45.00 for a 6-month supply.  What ever became of $1.99 Flea Collars?  Use them for 3 months then throw them away.

“No”, laughed my young Vet, “that’s obsolete technology”.  I don’t know, it used to work for our dogs, curious.  Perhaps what she really meant was that it’s obsolete marketing and economics?

Okay, so we briefly made an unfortunate switch to BioSpot Spot On.  It was effective and it was inexpensive, but with each monthly application Brandy showed increased sensitivity to the medication (Permethrin) and started exhibiting side effects.

So, we’re back to using Frontline Plus.  Over the last few months it has proven itself once again to be a safe, effective and readily available flea preventative.  Only its price prevents me from giving it a 5th star.  Brandy appreciates it and she assures me that if she had an income she would gladly pay for my Zocor.  We recommend it.

The Lhasa Apso does not need an extraordinary amount of care but they do need to be groomed. While cutting the dog’s coat is not necessary (unless one wants to), they will need to be brushed every day. This is done to make sure that their coat does not get matted. This is especially true when their coat is full. You can trim their coat if you wish but this is not required. If you are not up for a daily brushing, you may want to reconsider buying this breed of dog and instead, choose one that is more low maintenance.

When you deem it necessary, dry shampoo your dog. It is important that you check their feet to be sure that nothing is stuck in them or that they are not matted. This can cause problems with their mobility and may also lead to infection if they get injured and you are not aware of it.

It is important for you to keep their eyes clean. This is also true for their ears. Their ears are prone to tear. Therefore, make sure that you give them extra care and attention.

The Lhasa Apso is a very versatile as it concerns living conditions. They do well in a number of different settings and environments. Because they are a small dog, they do fine in both apartments and homes. Even if you have no backyard, as may be the case if you live in an apartment, or only have a very small lawn, Lhasa Apsos will do fine because they are very excitable and will get plenty of exercise indoors. They are also content to stay inside. 

The Lhasa Apso does needs to be walked every day of possible. If there are some days that you are not able to walk your dog, playing with them may be a sufficient amount of exercise. However, this won’t totally satisfy their natural need to be able to walk and run around in an open space. Therefore, you should be sure that they are walked on a regular basis.

If you do not walk them enough, you may begin experiencing behavioral problems with them. They may begin to get snappy, grouchy and may not obey you as well. To avoid this, make sure that they are able to get outside on a pretty consistent basis, stretch their legs and enjoy the fresh air.

Ticks are something that dogs often suffer from. Because most enjoy the outdoors, they are susceptible to ticks. These parasites enjoy latching onto dogs and feed off of their blood and are eager to do so. Therefore, it is very important that you take special care to prevent, watch for and/or recognize dog ticks. There are several ways to do this. If you can try to keep your dog away from the types of places that ticks like to hang out. This includes the woods and open fields. However, if this is not possible, check your dog for ticks if you know that he or she has been running through these areas. If you find a tick, you need to remove it as soon as possible.

Before, you are able to pull the tick away from your dog’s skin, it is important that you get adept at recognizing dog ticks. They look like fleas and are dark in color, many times grayish in tone. After you determine that you are dealing with a tick, you need to locate all of them on your dog’s skin. There are a number of ways to accomplish this. One way that is recommended is to stun the tick, get it to release its’ bite and then pull it. Try spraying it with a little bit of alcohol. This will usually do the trick. Once it loosens up, take it off of your dog. It is important that you were gloves while you do this. Also, make sure that you don’t use any sharp objects to dislodge the tick. Because the tick’s blood is poisonous, if your dog has any open wounds or cuts, then these spots can get infected by the tick’s blood. Take a thorough and careful look at your dog’s coat so that you are positive that you have all of the ticks.

Place all of the ticks that you find in a jar of alcohol. When you have removed them all, p lace them in this jar and then flush them down the toilet.

Once you remove the tick, it is important to treat any cuts with antiseptic to ensure that these spots do not get infected. If you notice that your dog is having symptoms commonly associated with tick infestation, it is important to take then to the doctor so that they can be treated as soon as possible.

No dog owner wants to have to deal with ticks but they are nearly impossible to avoid. Dog owners must not only treat dog ticks but attempt to be proactive. This involves checking their dog’s coat and skin for parasites such as ticks. Ticks love to feast on dog’s blood. If you are not familiar about ticks, how to prevent and treat them, then your dog is at risk for a number of health issues. There are a few different types of dog tick treatments that are effective in getting rid of these parasites. If a tick has gone unnoticed, then it may be necessary to use a more aggressive dog tick treatment plan.

One way that some pet owners deal with ticks is to use natural herbs. These may include baths, creams, powders, soaps and oils that are made from natural products.

Another option is to use chemical based formulas. These can often be found and purchased at your local grocery, drug or pet store. You may also be able to buy them from your vet.  These are the brands that many people are already familiar with. One note of caution about these, they tend to smell very strongly and therefore you may have to bath your dog after you apply these types of dog tick treatments.

If you find that your dog’s health is looking like it is taking a turn for the worse, it is important that you visit your vet as soon as possible. Don’t try to figure it out and treat it yourself. Generally, if you find ticks on your dog’s skin earlier enough, a topical medication may be enough to deal with the situation. However, it is not always. If the condition advances, your dog could be in trouble. They may require antibiotics or other oral medications. If your dog is not properly treated, dog tick related complications can even cause death.

It is for this reason that you take the time and learn all that you can about dog ticks. Make sure that you are educated on what makes your dog most susceptible, how to look for ticks and then how to treat them. It is also important to learn what symptoms to look out for which will help you determine if the disease has advanced and what steps you need to take if this becomes the case.

The Lhasa Apso is a friendly dog that is smart, assertive and excitable. They can potentially make great pets if you take time to care of them and  show strong leadership. Once they are trained properly, they take direction very well. They are devoted pets and are very affectionate. However, when they are left to their own devices, they can be moody and even a little snarky. They may fight with other dogs and be unfriendly towards children and adults that they do not know. If you are not able or wiling to take the time to train them yourself or pay someone to do it, you will likely have your hands full. This is true of any dog breed.

When training the Aspo the most effective methods are those that are motivational in nature. Don’t hit them or talk harshly to them. They are not pushovers and will not respond well.

Besides being a cuddly dog with lots of energy, they also can hear very well. Therefore, they are able to alert you if something if someone is approaching your home. It is for this reason that they make good watch dogs.

If you are an individual or family that travels quite a bit, you will find little difficulty when transporting the Lhasa Aspo dog, as they are great travelers. This is something to keep in mind. If you require a dog that is fit for travel, the Lhasa Aspo is a good pick.

The Lhasa Apso’s coat will generally hang from its’ head into its’ eyes. The beard and mustache are usually dark but of course this will depend on the color of your Lhasa Apso’s coat. These dog’s coats come in all different of colors and shades from cream to multi-color, to slate.

The muzzle is on this type of dog is typically not long, but is not short either. It would be considered medium length. This type of dog has eyes that are small, dark and are seated deep into their head.  The ears and neck are hairy and the tail is fluffy and hangs toward its’ back.

Overall, this is a very cute, fun dog that has a lot of energy. They can be very attentive and affectionate. They also hear very well and make good watch dogs. If they are trained well then they do a good job around other dogs and children. However, they can be suspicious of people in general.

The Lhasa Apso dog can develop skin problems due to parasites. They may also have trouble with their kidneys and hips. When you notice these types of problems, be sure to take them to the veterinarian so that they can be treated. Look for parasites or signs of them on a regular basis. Also, be sure to treat their coats in order to prevent these problems.

The Lhasa Apso has a long, double coat that is straight, heavy and hard. This dog’s coat hangs from its’ entire body all the way down to the floor in some cases. It is very similar in appearance to the Old English sheepdog, though as a smaller version.  The Lhasa Apso’s coat comes in different colors and patterns. You may find them in slate, smoke, black and white, brown, cream and gold. This dog’s coat may even change colors as they get older.

Proper care must be taken to ensure that the Lhasa Apso’s long hair does not get tangled or matted. It is best to brush it once a day and to dry shampoo the dog as necessary. The coat is hard, it is not soft and silky like some dogs, therefore, it is mandated that you keep it maintained as it will more difficult to manage the longer that you wait. Even though the Lhasa is a hairy dog, it does not shed a great deal. This means less clean up then other dogs that shed seemingly unmercifully.

Parasites are another risk. Because the coat is so full, parasites can easily make their way into the coat unnoticed. Make sure that you check your dog on a regular basis, so that they do not develop skin diseases.