Havanese Training – Simple, Easy and Effective Guide

Havanese Training – Are Havanese Easy to Train? Yes, Havanese dogs are easy to train, and they have a very …

how to train a havanese

Havanese Training – Are Havanese Easy to Train?

Yes, Havanese dogs are easy to train, and they have a very willing, cooperative nature.

They want to please.

Some people opt for the crate method to work with their Havanese. This is really a personal preference, but training your Havanese for a crate will also help if you plan on travelling, especially on a plane.

Although some people have suggested that Havanese are slightly more difficult to potty train in the puppy phase, many of the Havanese owners that I know have not said this. It really comes down to owner capabilities and consistancy.

You need to be consistent.

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What You Can Expect Training Your Havanese Dog

We all love fluffy, good-spirited Havanese.

Maybe you’ve seen them trotting happily alongside their owners in the park, or maybe your friend has an adorable Havanese dog at home who just seems like a tiny bundle of furry fun, and you’re wondering to yourself, are Havanese easy to train?

Before you make a firm commitment to raising a Havanese dog, you definitely want to know how easy they are to train. Little dogs have a notorious reputation as yippers, and nobody wants a yippy, uncontrollable dog in their home.

The good news is that the Havanese breed (one of the toy dog breeds) is extremely intelligent, which makes training 100% possible. This is one of the big reasons Havanese are sweeping the nation by storm; people love how trainable these dogs are.

Of course, there are many things that can contribute to the speed and ease of training one of these cute pups, such as personality, background, family tree, health, and general temperament – some dogs are just born antisocial rebels – but all things considered, these dogs are exceptionally quick to catch on.

Havanese go back over 300 years, originating from the island of Cuba way back when, and so there is a whole load of information about the dogs as a breed, including temperaments and ability to be trained. These pups are well-documented, and most breeders can easily train their Havanese to not only obey their commands but also to do tricks!

Because Havanese dogs are people pleasers, which is a rare trait in many dogs (asides from the Labrador Retriever), you are going to have an easy time training your puppy by showing gratitude when the Havanese responds positively to your commands.

This could be because Havanese were never bred to be work mutts, and spent most of their first hundred or so years of existence being patted and praised in return for treats by the royalty of Cuba. In any case, these dogs love to please, and you can use this to your advantage for training them.

How Long Does It Take to Housetrain a Havanese?

We’ve established that Havanese dogs are adorable, loving, and eager to please, especially their dog owners. They are also incredibly intelligent. And yes, they are relatively easy to train when compared to other dogs.

But how long does it take? How Long for Havanese pups?

Well, that depends on your dog training methods and the personality of your dog.

If you are training your puppy from a young age, just a few months old, you are going to have a fairly well-behaved dog by the time they reach adulthood. Keep in mind that training for potty time can take anywhere from six to eight months to stick firmly in their little doggie brains, and so the earlier the better.

As for the exact timeline from untrained to trained, there really isn’t one. The best you can do is reinforce positive habits every day, praise your puppy when it behaves accordingly, and the training will come with time. It’s all about consistency.

When training your Havanese, keep in mind that dogs don’t have the same ability to focus as we do. Your dog isn’t about to sit down and study for a test for six hours. A puppy has an even shorter attention span, and so it is recommended to train them only for one or two minutes at a time, maybe three or four times a day. For an adult, you can try twenty-minute training sessions. 

Havanese Puppy in Suitcase
Havanese dog in raindeer outfit - Training a Havanese

Want To Own A
Well-Trained, Obedient, Healthy, Fully Housebroken,
Disciplined & Happy Pet Havanese?

Introducing Hands-off Havanese Training Secrets and Information With Fast, Effective Results That Save Hours Of Your Time Every Week!!

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The Perfect Training

Pretty incredible how this course really helps you get your dog to the next level. Some many simple things, but profound when applied. Really helped us with simple everyday things.

Are Havanese Dogs Easy to Potty Train?

This falls into the same house as whether Havanese are easy to train. The answer is yes. You can train your Havanese to go use the toilet in the right place. However, this is a trickier job than training your pup not to dig holes in your carpet.

The reason potty training is such an ordeal for Havanese dogs, or for any small breed of dog, is because they have itty-bitty bladders. That’s not to say this is an impossible task, because it’s not. Potty training will just take a bit more diligence from you as the dog parent.

It may be important to note that Havanese don’t only have small bladders. Their stomachs are smaller too, which means they drink and eat more frequently than some other dogs, and therefore use the toilet a lot more. This is going to cause some accidents during your potty-training adventure.

how to potty train a havanese

But don’t fret and don’t stress. Let’s talk about some more dog training methods.

To quicken the process and make life easier (and less embarrassing) for your Havanese, be sure to make it crystal clear which spot they are supposed to go outside and which spot is acceptable in their training crate. It’s recommended to use doggie pads. Also, give them oodles of praise and positive reinforcement every time they go to the bathroom in the right place.

Getting to know your pup is also important. This way you can see when they need to go and avoid an unintentional accident.

All in all, these puppies are very easy to train for potty time. Just stick with the steps, power through the accidents, and your dog will be telling you when it’s time to do its business in no time at all, likely no longer than eight months. 

How To Crate Train A Havanese?

Crate training can be one of the more difficult things for a dog owner to accomplish. Our little dog wasn’t a challenge, and in fact, even prefers the crate when travelling in the car. Usually, crate training comes after a dog has been potty trained, but you can definitely work on both at the same time. You can also crate-train an adult Havanese if you need to. Young puppies are generally the best for this, but this breed will respond really well to training sessions as an adult. House training can become a thing again if you move or relocate. House training can also be accomplished if you rescue a dog.

Crate training a Havanese can take a few weeks, and you should be ready for that kind of timeline. You need to be patient with all things dog training.

Havanese Training - Crate Training
Nessie the Havanese getting trained

Introduce your Dog to the Crate

If your dog has never experienced the crate before you will need to introduce them to it and let them explore it. Put it in a safe place like the living room and let them smell it out. Put a soft blanket or even their bed into it so they associate with the crate. You can also use treats to get them to go into the crate if they are not going in all on their own (some do). Encourage your dog and be positive.

You can also throw their favourite toy in. the crate and the dog will go and get it.

This process may take a few days to get them comfortable with the crate. You need time for this training method.

Feed Your Dog Meals in the Crate

You can start by feeding them around the crate, but often it will be easiest if you just put the food in the back of the crate. You can try closing the door and locking them in to see how that goes. If they whine, need to wait until they stop and then let them out so they don’t associate whining with getting out of the crate. you may need to work at this and do different time intervals in the crate.

Practise With Longer Periods

If your dog is taking to the crate pretty well then you can try longer periods of time and see how it goes. Call them over to the crate and give them a treat and then command them to go into the crate. Be consistent and use the same word each time. Praise them when they enter the crate. Close the door and sit quietly for about 10 minutes to see how things go. Gradually increase the amount of time spent in the crate and always reward them for good behaviour.

you can also leave them in the crate while you are out of the house, or at night. It may take a couple of weeks to get to this point, but it might also happen really quickly. Most of the dogs we have worked with actually come to really enjoy their crate and think of it as their safe place. When we take Nessie on the plane with us in the crate she loves it because she knows she is going somewhere.

Overnight crating can be a struggle to get to without whining. You can always just leave them there and they will eventually get over it. We do recommend trying longer periods first because you want them to not hate being in the crate.

Havanese Training Secrets

Puppy jumping on green grass
Nessie looking at the camera

While the Havanese are indeed easy to train, there are still some secret tips that can help you speed the process and make training more comfortable for everyone.

The first thing you should remember is that the Havanese is way too adorable – never let its cuteness get the upper hand. Be firm in your commands and keep your training strict. This is the only way to ensure your Havanese puppy grows into a dog with good behaviour traits. 

Some other secrets are to keep your Havanese social, to use obedience training and puppy kindergarten, to include your Havanese in competitive training (they excel at this form of training), to stimulate them mentally with interesting dog toys, incorporating them in the training, and to only utilize positive reinforcement training. Never punish or seriously discipline your dog for bad behaviour, especially not physically. 

Training Your Havanese on a Leash

The Havanese breed is known for being intelligent, friendly, and adaptable – making it an ideal companion for many dog enthusiasts. However, like any breed, it’s essential for Havanese owners to properly leash train their dogs from an early age to ensure their safety and establish a secure bond between dog and owner.

Leash training is a crucial aspect of responsible dog ownership, as it teaches your Havanese to walk calmly and confidently by your side. It reinforces valuable behaviors and obedience, allowing you to both safely navigate urban areas and enjoy outdoor activities together. Tailoring your approach to the specific traits of the Havanese breed is vital; doing so guarantees a more rewarding training experience.

Check out our guide on Havanese Leash Training

Training Your Havanese Not to Bark

Havanese dogs, like all breeds, bark for various reasons. It is essential to understand that barking is a natural form of communication for them. Some common reasons for barking include fear, anxiety, and isolation.

When your Havanese is experiencing any of these emotional states, their barking may intensify.

Training your Havanese not to bark comes with various benefits. First, it allows you to establish a well-mannered relationship with your dog, making living together more enjoyable for both of you. Additionally, constant barking can become a nuisance not only for you but also for your neighbors. Teaching your Havanese to minimize barking enables you to maintain a harmonious environment.

Moreover, training helps to reduce your dog’s stress levels by providing them with mental stimulation and a sense of purpose. This also enables your Havanese to be more socially adaptable, especially when encountering new environments or people.

Check out our guide on Havanese Bark Training

Books For Training Your Havanese Dog

Just like dogs, peoples lean in different ways, some like video, some like books and some need hands on.

We have compiled a list of the best books for training Havanese dogs, providing you with the necessary knowledge and techniques to ensure a well-behaved and happy pet.

Check out our Guide to the Best Havanese Dog Training Books

Havanese Breed Training FAQ

What About Litter Box Training?

Yes, you can train a Havanese to use a litter box, but this might be a whole other discussion. The idea of trying to litter box train your Havanese is a good one but would need more explanation. Suffice it to say it can be done, but you may need someone to help you with the process.

You can also train a Havanese not to get into your cat’s litter box. Dog owners need this because dogs can get sick if they eat litter.

Will Neutering the Dog Help?

If you haven’t already gotten your dog neutered, you definitely want to consider it. If your dog is showing signs of disobedience and aggression, neutering can help.

How to Stay Organized and Include the Whole Family.

We love organization and of course, we need to keep ourselves on track. There are habit trackers and calendars that we can use to keep our puppy training schedule intact. We may also want to include out kids, and we found these cute little kids routine charts from Beyond Measure that fit the bill perfectly. They are cute, and can help kids stay motivated and help with your training efforts.

Want To Own A
Well-Trained, Obedient, Healthy, Fully Housebroken,
Disciplined & Happy Pet Havanese?

Introducing Hands-off Havanese Training Secrets and Information With Fast, Effective Results That Save Hours Of Your Time Every Week!!

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Training Your Havanese to Listen to You

Why Won’t My Havanese Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time Havanese owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

  • Do you use cookies, collars, head halters or clickers to make your Havanese listen to your commands?
  • Do you have to raise your voice every time you want your Havanese to listen to you?
  • Does your Havanese always come or sit on command – anytime and anywhere you want him to?

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere Havanese trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your Havanese with this free mini course.

Get Your Havanese To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the “ALPHA dog” of your family. Your Havanese must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DO’s and DONT’s that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

  • Always go out or come in through the door first – remember you are the leader;
  • Always eat first – give your Havanese something to eat only after you’ve finished your meal;
  • Don’t circle around your Havanese when he is lying on the floor – make your Havanese move out of your way instead;
  • Don’t let your Havanese set the rules – pay attention to him when you think fit and not whenever he demands;
  • Don’t permit your Havanese to sleep with you in your bed – demarcate his sleeping area clearly.

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your Havanese and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your Havanese does not learn to “listen”, all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your Havanese know his name? Does your Havanese look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Havanese Training. If your Havanese doesn’t respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your Havanese recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your Havanese’s name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name untill he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once you’re sure that your Havanese has learnt to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that Havaneses respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your Havanese better with this free mini course.

Related Article – Best Harness for Havanese

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