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Puppies

Feeding and Going Outside

For puppies it is best to feed on a schedule so you can better potty train. Three times about six hours apart is one rule that can work. Feed high quality food. The puppy will normally want to go potty within an hour after he has eaten.

Doggie doors are great to have if your environment permits. However the puppy or dog will need to learn how to go through the door. Use a treat to encourage the pup to go through the door. You will need to do this in both directions and it will take some patience.

If you do not have a doggie door, your puppy or dog will need to go outside after his night's sleep and when he has eaten. A sign to look for is when the puppy sniffs the floor. The rule of thumb is to take the puppy out first thing in the morning. Yes, your coffee will wait. Remember sniffing and circling are indications the puppy needs to go potty.

Carry a treat in your pocket or morning robe and reward the puppy after he has done his business. Always praise the puppy for doing the right thing. Don't forget you should be praising him for his correct behavior. If you simply "let him out" you will not be there to reinforce the behavior.

Some owners use piddle pads for puppy training. Piddle pads can be purchased from a pet store and have a scent that will encourage the puppy to use the pad. These can be used for training and the pad eventually moved outdoors. There is a word of caution, however. You need to put a piece of plastic under the piddle pads in the house. If the piddle soaks through the pad and wets the carpet or floor, the scent will remain. Even without the piddle pad the puppy or dog will smell the old scent and is apt to piddle in the same spot without the pad being there.

There are some old wives' tales I want to dismiss. If a puppy has an accident in the house, don't rub his nose in the mess. Yelling "no" or screaming "bad dog" or "bad puppy" will not serve you well. If you can catch him in the act, use the term "outside" and if he is in the middle of his business, take him outside to finish.

I try and tell owners that you need to watch your puppy. When he starts to sniff or circle those are signs you need to take. Some puppies will bark or move toward the door and paw at the door. I have owners who have put a bell on or near the door and the pup will "ring the bell" when he wants out. Keep in mind you are the trainer, but you also need patience.

Here is the sobering fact: A puppy 14 to 20 weeks of age will need 8 to 10 potty breaks a day. If you want to minimize the number of accidents, take the puppy out often.

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Crates and Playpens

A crate is recommended for the puppy's home. The crate will become his welcome place to sleep as he gets older. Generally the rate should be just large enough for the adult dog to stand up and turn around in.

It is NOT wise to use a crate for punishment. You are trying to create a secure place for your Havanese, and if you use the crate for punishment sessions, you will defeat the purpose.

It is unwise to feed or provide treats before bedtime. This will lessen the puppy needing to go potty during the night.

Another option is a puppy playpen. The puppy playpen is larger and can be a place to keep the puppy when you do not have that time to supervise him. The playpen should have water and some safe toys, and a bed or mat. It is not recommended that the puppy be left in the playpen for extended periods.

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New Home - Keep Things Calm

I cannot stress enough that it is important to keep stress out of the new environment for your puppy as much as you can. This is especially true the first few days. Avoid welcome parties, keep the neighbors and friends away for a few days. There will be plenty of time for introductions.

What is so important is that you provide an environment for your new Havanese puppy where he feels safe and secure. If you do not do this he is apt to exhibit behaviors that are self protective and not great for either you or he.

Provide his space. The area where he has water, his blanket or mat and his crate. Speak softly. DO NOT CORRECT for any mistakes at this point. The puppy is disoriented and will need a bit of time to adjust to his new environment.

Often it is best to just keep him in his room for the first day and observe. As they become interested and adjust you can respond. Get at their level. Down on the floor, use patience and calmness as the puppy adjusts.

No Nipping

When your pet is a puppy, always discourage nipping. If the pup nips you, grab the scruff of the neck firmly but do not cause pain. Say "no." You do not want to encourage a pet to bite. Biting is a natural part of the dog's world but this behavior is not part of the people world.

Other Pets in Your Home

Acceptance of other animals in your household is best done when the puppy is still young. Meetings generally go well but definitely should be supervised. This is also true at feeding times when there is a natural instinct to protect food. You do not want your puppy or dog to be bitten during a feeding time.

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Puppy Stages

Weeks 8-12

Socialize and introduce toys. Start leash training and correct mischievous behavior. During this stage discourage any "food guarding" as this behavior can be more difficult to correct as the dog becomes older. "Training" is best stated after the puppy is older than 12 weeks. Before that they are really too young.

Weeks 12-16

Keep control as this is a stage where the puppy is becoming more curious and more demanding of his freedom. This is the great stage to begin to teach commands such as sit, stay and down. Leash training can begin now. Training during the stages up to the "teen" stage requires patience and time. Havanese are smart and learn quickly, especially if you are attentive during these stages.

Weeks 16-14

Here is the adolescent age of a puppy. Your pup can gain more freedom in your home, but you define the areas where he is allowed. This is the excellent stage for him to go to obedience school where both you and your puppy can finalize leash walking, and work on the various commands. Do not encourage tug-of-war. Use treats and your voice in training. The goal is to get your puppy to have confidence in your directions.

6-9 months is puberty.

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