Hi Pam, did the Lhaso person who saw the dog think it was a fixable management (was going to say training :-)) issue?

Never mention the big T Sharon lol:D :D

Hi Pam, I havnt told many people this story, but I dont think its anything to be ashamed of, so Im telling it to you, to help convince your in laws that this dogs behaviour is NOT THEIR FAULT, anymore than the subject of this tale was mine. A few years ago, I had a final litter from my Australian Shepherd. She had had a previous litter , the pups had done very well indeed in the show ring and all had 101 % temprements. From her last litter we kept a red tri bitch puppy, who was pick of the litter for bitches, although there was ( at that age) a slightly superior dog puppy.
The pup that we kept had never been quite the same as he other pups in the litter. She was quieter, more reserved, and not particularly playful with the other pups, but a most stunning specimen of the breed.
As she got older she became quite shy, and would not let anyone touch her, she wasnt nasty at all, just kept herself to herself. As this was not a temprement that I wanted to show, or bred on from, I gave to a lady that lives locally to me. The lady had just lost her husband and her elderley dog, and often went for very long walks and hiking weekends which was lovely for the pup, who was now about 8 months old. It was to be a total one to one relationship which I thought would be ideal.
The lady phoned me each week, and "Roo" settled in well, and was very well behaved generally. When Roo was just 10 months old, the lady phoned me in floods of tears and said Roo had bitten her grandson. My immediate thought was.......what had the kid done to her, but how wrong I was, and I dont mind admitting it either. I went round to the house, and knocked on the door. As the door opened this snarling red ball of fur slunk across the floor towards me. I held my hand out, she sniffed it, and suddenly recognition filled her eyes, and she leapt all over me. The ladies grandson was playing in the garden ( the first bite hadnt done much damage, just brokrn the skin) he was about four years old and was sitting on the grass playing with a toy train. Roo was sitting next to me on the sofa. She suddenly jumped off the sofa, calmly walked out into the garden, and promptly bit him again!!!! I was horrified. The lady asked me if I would take Roo back. I said of course I would, but if she left the house with me, she would be taken on a one way trip to the vet. The lady was terribly upset, but agreed it was the best thing to do. It was an incredibly hard thing to do, not made any easier by the fact that all the way to the vets, she sat in the back of the car and licked my neck. My vet knows I would never ask for a dog to be pts for no good reason, but as she was only 10 months old, he said he wanted to check her first in case there was any illness or injury. There wasnt as far as he could tell. He thensaid he was going to test her temprement. He put her into the isolation room and left her in a huge walk in cage. I warned him what she was like, and he left her for ten minutes before he re entered the room. He asked me not to go in with him, as he wanted to see her true temper. As he opened the door, all hell broke loose. She got the cage wire in her teeth and tried to rip it open to get at him. Thank god she was in a cage. He advised for her to be pts straight away. As you can guess I cried buckets, especially as she was so young. This little pup had never known anything in her life other than love and affection. Lots of cuddles and kisses and playtimes. Long walks, good food, soft bed to sleep on, what more could a dog ask really? As the vet could find nothing physically wrong with her, she either had brain damage, or was just a bad un. The point of all this ramblin is this......perhaphs your in laws little dog has something similar, and they really musnt blame themselves. If the worst happens, and nothing can be done for her/him, please tell them it wasnt their doing, and it is best for her to be given sleep, and there are thousands of lovely dogs who need kind and loving homes like they are offering. I hope someone can help them, they obviously are really fond of the little tinker. Please send them my best wishes.

Thanks all ,

The woman that came did not see the dog displaying any odd behaviour so they could not say but they have been supportive and they are going to play it day by day, write things down and the see what happens.

I almost thought about taking her and trying myself as I can be a bit more firmer I think but I can't take this on as I am so busy with my 2 and my own life.

Thanks again I will keep you all posted..

Pam

Pam
how are things going now?
Anne

Hi Anne,

Thanks very much for asking. They are still plowing on with her and I think there may be a slight improvement.
The rescue woman did not visit as she is so far away and I don't think she realised just howe far apart they were when she offered to travel, but they are having verbal communication via telephone which helps. She has helped them set some groud rules and training so heres hoping. I think they have never came across such a strong willed dog and the vet did not help with some comments. ( Although giving him benifit of doubt I did not hear how he put it)

I think the plan is to have her dressed in the next few weeks and hoping this will also help although no expert in this area.

Will keep you posted.

Pam

Hi Pam,
I've just seen your postings and read all the replies - lots of good advice from most people + the usual judgemental codswallop from some posters!
I have a Lhasa and my sister has 3. What I can tell you about their general character is this: They are NOT a grumpy breed, in fact quite the opposite. They are however, hugely protective of their 'family'. This poor soul seems to be confused as to who her 'family' is. They DO bark as they are natural guard dogs ( mine even barked at me last night when I got up to go to the loo!). They can be stubborn and willful and they need to know that they are not the top dog - you are. This requires patient, kind but firm treatment - a bit like children really. She needs to know that you won't take any nonsense.
I wish you well and hope you get lots of help from the Lhasa people. They are super little dogs and if this one can be turned around - and she probably can as she is still young - you will be very glad that you persevered.

Sharon

Pam,
Glad there may be an improvement. I imagine even having support on the phone will be helping your in-laws. I can imagine her being stubborn because TT's can be stubborn :) It's not something I had come across before. You 've always got to try and be a step ahead ;)
Here's hoping things keep improving.
Dot

Thats Sharon, Dot and all,

I keep printing these off and letting them see.

Thanks

BFN

Pam

Hi Pam. You probably know! but I have a lhasa (1 year old) and agree with Sarah. (Was waiting for someone else to post about lhasas as I am new to dog ownership so wasnt sure if Barney was typical of his breed). I dont find him grumpy but he does sulk a bit if he doesnt get his own way cos he is a bit of a baby still and you have to keep reminding him he is not the absolute top dog - we are - but I love him to bits. He does bark when he hears anything strange outside (or in) but is very protective and lots of fun. Loves us all and brings me a pressie every night I come in from work. He is a bit jealous of Molly (our younger shih tzu) and is mostly jealous if he thinks I am giving her too much of my attention. I am sure things will work out when he knows his place and his family better.
Gina

Hi Gina!
Was going to suggest that Pam gets in touch with you, as you are the only other Lhasa owner I know about. Hope everything's going O.k. Love to Barney and Molly.

Sharon

Hi Sharon was waiting for you to post in case Barney was a one off :D
My two are fine. We have a trainer coming in every 3-4 weeks for help with Barney as he still keeps going for Molly if he thinks I take too much notice of her. Also she wont back down but as she is so much smaller she is going to have to learn to - comes with age I expect. After his ops I think he has got a bit jealous but now we can walk him further this is helping to tire him a bit but still cant leave them on their own. 90% of the time he is okay. He just doesnt know when to stop and tries to shake her and it is getting a bit of a nuisance keeping an eye on them all the time. Trainer is good though and I think things are on the right track.
How is your baby - fine I am sure :D Sorry waffled again :)
Gina x