Most Common Havanese Training Tips Explained

In this blog post, we’ll give you some of our best Havanese training tips to help you and your furry friend succeed.

From basic commands to advanced tricks, we’ve got you covered. So grab a treat and let’s get started!

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Getting Started with Havanese Training

Here are some Havanese training tips you should know:

Crate training of a Havanese dog

Here are some general steps to follow when crate-training a Havanese dog:

Choose the right crate size for your Havanese dog. It should be big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Introduce your Havanese dog to the crate gradually. Start by placing treats and toys inside the crate and leaving the door open.

Encourage your Havanese dog to enter the crate on its own by placing treats or toys inside.
Once your Havanese dog is comfortable entering the crate, start closing the door for short periods of time while you are home.
Gradually increase the amount of time your Havanese dog spends in the crate, and start leaving the house while they are inside.

Always make sure your Havanese dog has access to water and toys while in the crate, and never use the crate as punishment.
Be patient and consistent with the training process, and reward your Havanese dog for good behavior.

Leash training of a Havanese dog

Here are the general steps for leash training a Havanese dog:

Introduce the collar or harness to the Havanese dog and let them get used to wearing it.
Add the leash and let the Havanese dog drag it around the house or yard under supervision to get used to the weight.
Begin by walking indoors or in a small, quiet space and reward the dog for walking on a loose leash without pulling.

Practice walking on a loose leash in gradually more distracting environments.
Use positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, and toys to reinforce good behavior and redirect undesirable behavior.
Be patient and consistent, as leash training can take some time and practice before your Havanese dog is reliably walking on a loose leash.

Potty training of a Havanese dog

To potty train a Havanese dog, it is important to establish a routine and schedule for taking them outside to eliminate.

Consistency is key, so try to take them out at the same times every day.

Use a specific word or phrase, such as “bathroom” or “potty,” to associate with the action of eliminating.

Supervise your Havanese dog and keep an eye on them to prevent accidents inside the house.

If you are potty training a puppy, crate training can be a helpful tool.

Be patient and understanding, as accidents are a normal part of the process.

With time and consistency, your Havanese dog should learn to eliminate outside and become fully potty-trained.

Clicker training of a Havanese dog

Here are the basic steps:

Choose a behavior you want to train your dog to do.

Get a clicker and treats.
Wait for your dog to perform the desired behavior.
Click the clicker the moment your dog performs the behavior.

Immediately give your dog a treat.
Repeat the process over several training sessions, gradually raising the criteria for the behavior.
Once your dog has learned the behavior, you can gradually phase out the treats and clicker.

Positive reinforcement training of a Havanese dog

Positive reinforcement training is a Havanese dog training method that involves rewarding desired behaviors with something the Havanese dog finds rewarding, such as treats, toys, or praise.

This method focuses on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior and is also known as R+ or force-free training.

The reward makes the Havanese dog more likely to repeat the behavior, making positive reinforcement one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing a dog’s behavior.

Basic Havanese Training Commands

Here are some basic Havanese training commands:

Sit

A Havanese can be taught to sit in a variety of ways.

One technique entails holding a treat close to the dog’s nose while gradually pulling it higher, which prompts the dog to stand and sit.

The use of a cue word, such as “sit,” in conjunction with holding a treat just in front of the dog’s nose and rewarding it with praise when it sits is another technique.

A third approach entails rewarding the Havanese with a goodie each time it sits by marking the behavior with a clicker.

While training a Havanese, it’s crucial to be patient, and consistent, and to give incentives and praise for appropriate conduct.

Stay

To train a Havanese to stay, follow these steps:

Start in a quiet space with no distractions.
Give your Havanese a verbal command to sit or lie down.

Hold your hand out in front of you with your palm facing towards your Havanese, and say “Stay.”
Reward your Havanese with a treat and praise as soon as they stay.
Slowly increase the duration that your Havanese stays in position, and gradually increase the distance between you and your dog.

Practice for short periods of time, multiple times a day, to increase consistency and reinforce the behavior.
Once your Havanese has mastered the stay command, you can introduce distractions and practice in different environments to build up their ability to stay on command.

Come

Here are some basic steps to get you started:

Plan short training sessions and use treats as rewards.
Choose a recall word that doesn’t have negative associations for your Havanese.
Use a leash or long line to have physical control over your Havanese during training.

Occasionally call your Havanese when they’re not expecting it to test their attention to the command.
Use a positive tone and consistent command when calling your Havanese, and reward them with praise, treats, or playtime when they come to you.

Leave it

To train a Havanese to “leave it,” you can use the following steps:

Start by showing your Havanese a treat in your closed hand.
Say “Leave it” and wait for your Havanese to stop showing interest in your hand.
When your Havanese stops trying to get the treat, say “yes” or use a clicker to mark the behavior and give them another treat from another hand.

Repeat this process multiple times, with different objects and treats of various levels of temptation.
Gradually make the objects and treats more tempting to teach the dog to control your Havanese impulses.

Heel

Here are some general steps you can follow:

Begin by letting your Havanese walk on a loose leash beside you.
Use a clicker or say “yes” and offer a treat when your Havanese walks alongside you on a loose leash.
Gradually decrease the distance between you and your Havanese, rewarding frequently for staying by your side.

As your Havanese gets better at walking next to you, begin to add in turns and changes of direction. Reward your Havanese as it follows along.
Use the “heel” command consistently to signal when you want your Havanese to walk next to you.
Practice regularly with short training sessions, gradually increasing the duration and difficulty of the exercises.

Down

To train a Havanese to “down”, you can follow these steps:

Start with your Havanese in a sitting position.
Hold a treat in front of their nose to get their attention.

Slowly lower the treat to the ground between their front paws.
As your Havanese follows the treat, their body will naturally lower to the ground. When they are in the down position, give them the treat and praise them.
Repeat this process several times, using the command “down” as your dog moves into the down position. Be sure to praise them every time they successfully follow the command.

Gradually move away from using the treat and rely more on verbal commands and hand signals.
Practice the “down” command in different locations and situations to reinforce the behavior.

Common Havanese Training Problems and Solutions

Common Havanese training problems include obsessive digging, separation anxiety, destructive behavior, running away, ignoring commands, and climbing on the furniture.

To address these issues, it is important to establish a bathroom schedule, reward good behavior with affection, and avoid using harsh punishments.

Training commands can be divided into “do” and “don’t” categories, with positive reinforcement used to encourage desired behaviors and negative reinforcement used to discourage unwanted behaviors.

Potty training can take between 6 and 10 months, and it is important to be patient and consistent during this process.

Learn more about Havanese dog personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common Havanese training issues?

Common behavior problems include barking excessively, destructive chewing, biting, snapping, and separation anxiety.

How often should I train my Havanese?

Havanese puppies require frequent training sessions, while adult dogs will benefit from regular reinforcement and refresher courses.

What are some effective training techniques for Havanese dogs?

Positive reinforcement is a popular and effective training method that involves rewarding good behavior with treats and praise.

Is crate training effective for Havanese dogs?

Crate training can be a helpful tool for Havanese potty training, as well as keeping your dog safe and secure while at home or traveling.

How can I stop my Havanese from biting and chewing on furniture?

One method is to redirect their chewing behavior by giving them chew toys or bones to chew on and monitoring them closely to prevent destructive chewing.

Should I hire a professional dog trainer for my Havanese?

While many Havanese owners can train their dogs themselves, some may benefit from professional dog training classes or private sessions.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a trainer if you’re having difficulty with your dog’s behavior or overall training progress.

Learn more about caring for a Havanese dog.

Conclusion

Thus, teaching your Havanese may be enjoyable and gratifying for both you and your four-legged friend.

You may teach your Havanese new tricks and behaviors that will make them well-behaved and joyful companions by utilizing positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience.

Always end training sessions on a positive note and keep them brief and fun.