How Do I Train My Lap Dog To Be A Lap Dog?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
We had a Maltese who passed away at the age of ten very suddenly. Our Maltese would always want to sit on our laps, that’s where he was happiest or at the very least pressed up against our legs on the couch. Since our Maltese passed away we bought a Havanese puppy who’s now 11months old, he’s the best little dog & follows me around the house & won’t let me out of his sight but he’s not comfortable sitting on my lap or even on the couch next to me, he’s always on the floor wherever I am, how can I train him to sit on my lap or next to me on the couch? He always jumps off & lays on the floor? I bought my Mum a Havanese which is almost two years old now & he’s the perfect lap dog, like a rag doll permanently on Mums lap! Is it something that will come with age or is it something I should start working on now?
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You can try using food treats as a reward for having him sit or lie next to you on the sofa . ‘Sit-and-stay’ training can also help encourage him to stay in one place next to you. Having him in your lap for a pleasurable grooming session may well convince him that your lap is where he wants to be more often. Sometimes pups of adolesent age – the age your boy is now – are more inclined to be a little bolshy and more interested in being independent – you often find that dogs become calmer with age and learn to appreciate a warm lap to sit in.
However, some dogs just aren’t lap dogs – I’ve had Chihuahuas who are quite content to spend hours in a lap or curled up in bed, and others who’re tough as nails, fiesty and totally independent.
If your lap dog is already a lap dog why ask any questions?
you could try thr treat system but in all honesty some “lap dogs” just prefer the floor.every dog has a different personality. my yorkie could spend hours beside me on the couch but sometimes he likes to jump off to the floor!try rewarding him when he comes on the couch with you and see if that works….may take a little time!:) try finding if he likes his belly rubbed or something like that….my yorkie jumps up with me and goes belly up cuz he knows he’ll get his belly rubbed then!lol! he would lay in poo if he knew i’d scratch his belly!ha!ha! hope that helps!