10 Common Havanese Personality Problems
As with any dog, there are always personality issues, so this post looks at some common Havanese personality problems.
With adequate socialization, training, and a lot of love, you can quickly help your Havanese overcome these personality problems.
From the moment you meet Havanese, you’ll notice that they’re incredibly smart.
They love to perform and will do anything for a treat. It’s important to understand what makes them tick so you can get the most out of your little buddy.
And if there’s one thing these dogs are known for it’s their stubbornness!
Here are some common Havanese personality problems or behavior concerns you should know:
Stubbornness
Havanese are known for their stubborn personalities. They can be very determined, especially when it comes to getting what they want.
If your Havanese feels that he or she has been wronged in some way, they may become angry and refuse to forgive you until the matter is fully resolved.
This can lead to a lot of frustration on your part if you’re not careful!
Tips:
- Be patient with your Havanese
- Start training from the puppy stages.
- Invest time in obedience training
- Make sure your Havanese gets their basic needs.
Aggression
Havanese are not aggressive dogs. Aggression is a learned behavior, and it can be caused by fear, anxiety, or lack of socialization.
Some Havanese may have been bred to be aggressive because of their temperament; however, the majority of them are not.
The most common reason for aggression in this breed is dominance issues.
Tips:
- Make sure to socialize your Havanese with other pets
- Provide lots of exercise for your Havanese.
- Provide lots of mental stimulation activities.
- Use positive reinforcement
- Check with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health conditions.
Dominance issues
Dominance (or pack) behavior is defined as “a tendency for an animal to dominate other members within its group.”
In other words: if you have more than one Havanese at home—or even just one—they may fight over who gets top dog status!
This type of aggression often appears when two dogs meet for the first time but haven’t been introduced properly yet; after all this initial conflict has died down they’ll probably become best friends eventually anyway!
Tips:
- Try to discipline your Havanese when they are showing dominance.
- Try proper crate training.
- Start socializing your Havanese.
- Use counter-conditioning.
- Try desensitizing your Havanese.
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety is a common problem in Havanese dogs that can cause a variety of negative behaviors in Havanese.
It’s caused by many factors, including genetics, environment, and diet. If you have an anxious dog (or one who has been diagnosed with anxiety), he may:
- Bark excessively
- Chew objects inappropriately while alone
- Nip at people or other pets while they’re out of sight (this behavior is called “biting”)
Tips:
- You can get anti-anxiety products for your Havanese
- Never leave them alone at home for too long
- Stick to one daily routine.
- Provide lots of mental stimulation activities.
- Give your Havanese Interactive toys
Excessive Barking
Excessive barking is one of the most common pet-related problems. In fact, it’s so common that many people think that excessive barking is just part of a dog’s personality.
But as you know from experience, when your dog barks excessively it can be very frustrating for you and your family members.
It also disrupts the household’s peace and quiet—not to mention driving everyone crazy!
Havanese barking can be caused by boredom or anxiety.
If your dog barks when there isn’t anything exciting going on around him/her (like when he/she returns home after being out all day).
Then this may be an indication that something else needs attention before he/she gets fed again soon; perhaps his/her food bowl needs refilling, or his leash needs to be fixed?
If all seems fine in these areas but still no matter how much effort we put into training our dogs not to bark excessively then perhaps another problem exists somewhere else: namely with how well we understand their mindsets etc.
Destructive Behavior
Destructive behavior is a dog’s tendency to chew on things or rip them apart.
It can be caused by boredom, frustration, stress, and anxiety.
How to deal with destructive behavior in Havanese:
Havanese can be wonderful companions, but they can also be very destructive when they are not supervised properly.
If you are experiencing destructive behavior from your dog, there are a few things that you can do to help manage the situation.
First, make sure that you are providing your dog with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
This will help to keep them from becoming bored and destructive. If your dog is destructive in one area of the house, try to confine them to that area during those times.
This will help to prevent them from wrecking other parts of the house.
Keep your Havanese in a well-ventilated room where they can roam around freely but don’t have access to any electrical cords or other dangerous items that could cause injury.
If you’re going away for an extended period of time, consider getting another pet who will keep your Havanese company while you’re gone so that he doesn’t feel left out when he’s alone at home again (but make sure the new pet gets along well with everyone else).
Nipping and Biting
Nipping and biting are normal dog behaviors that your Havanese may or may not exhibit.
They are playful, yet can be excessive; however, when you see them nipping at people or other dogs, it’s best to take action immediately.
The first thing you should do is stop the behavior before it escalates into something more serious.
If your dog bites someone while playing, scold him firmly and make sure he understands that this is not acceptable behavior.
Then give him a toy to chew on instead of his owner (or any other person).
If the biting becomes more persistent over time, confine him in an area where he cannot get access to anyone else who may want some attention from him.
Potty Training Issues
Havanese are intelligent dogs, but they have a hard time learning to use a potty area.
They’re not good at holding their bladder or bowels, which can cause them to need to be taken outside several times a day.
Socialization is the process of learning how to interact with other dogs and humans in a positive way.
It’s important for puppies, but it’s also important for adult dogs who can adapt to their environment more easily if they’re exposed to new situations as older dogs.
Some Havanese are born with behavioral problems due to their genetics, which can make it very hard for owners to correct these issues at home.
If you want your Havanese puppy to grow up into a well-adjusted adult pet that has no issues when interacting with others, then socialization is something you’ll want him/her exposed to early on!
They are prone to separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common problem in Havanese, especially those that have been separated from their owners for long periods of time.
The condition causes your dog to become overly anxious and stressed when it’s left alone, which can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture or barking incessantly.
If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety symptoms but aren’t sure what they are, consult with a vet who specializes in canine behavior modification.
They may recommend medication or behavioral training sessions to help ease the discomfort caused by separation anxiety issues.
How to deal with unwanted behavior in Havanese
When it comes to dealing with unwanted behavior in Havanese, it’s important to have a plan in place.
This plan should include a set of rules that everyone in the household agrees to, as well as a system for enforcing those rules.
One key element of a successful plan is communication. Make sure everyone in the household is aware of the rules and knows how to help enforce them.
Be clear and concise when communicating your expectations, and be consistent in your implementation.
If unwanted behavior persists, it may be necessary to implement a punishment system.
This system should be fair and consistent, and should only be used as a last resort.
Here are some ways to deal with unwanted behaviors in Havanese:
- Establish house rules
- Start concise crate training sessions
- Provide lots of mental stimulation activities.
- Start obedience training sessions.
- Provide lots of exercises
- Socialize your Havanese.
- Talk to a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health concerns
Conclusion
The Havanese is a wonderful dog that can be trained to be an excellent companion, but these personality problems can cause them to be less than ideal.
If you are looking for a loving and loyal pet, the Havanese may not be the right fit for your family if you can’t deal with the issues listed on this post.
