6 Training Tips for Havanese Dog Owners
Havanese dogs may be tiny, but they bring a big personality into your home. From my experience, you should understand early on that their cute behavior can be misleading. These little dogs learn quickly, and you need to guide them in the right direction from the beginning so their playful charm doesn’t turn into habits that are harder to manage later.
1. Start Training ASAP (Like, Right Now)
When you bring a Havanese puppy home, you should start teaching basic commands immediately because their learning window opens fast. I’ve seen many owners delay training, and those early days matter more than most people realize. You need to focus on simple cues like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” and stay consistent so your puppy knows what you expect. Even if their innocent little face tempts you to skip a session, you should remind yourself that early structure sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Positive Reinforcement Is the Way to Go
You should rely on praise, rewards, and gentle encouragement, because Havanese respond much better to positivity than correction. In my experience, this breed shuts down with harsh tones, so you need to use treats, happy energy, and verbal praise to build confidence. When you make good behavior feel rewarding, your Havanese will want to repeat it, and training becomes smoother for both of you.
3. Socialization Is a Must
If you want your Havanese to grow into a confident and friendly adult, you should introduce them to new people, places, and dogs early. You need to expose them to different environments so they don’t become overly dependent or timid later. I’ve worked with many small-breed dogs, and the ones who lacked early socialization struggled far more with new situations. Proper exposure now saves you from anxiety-driven behavior later on.
4. Potty Training Requires Patience (and a Schedule)
Potty training a small dog always requires extra patience, and you should be ready for a lot of routine. You need to take your Havanese out frequently and stick to a schedule because these little dogs can’t hold it for long. From experience, I can tell you that crate training and consistent praise make a huge difference. When you reward them immediately for going in the right spot, they learn faster and accidents decrease over time.
5. Keep Training Sessions Short and Sweet
You should keep your lessons short because Havanese lose focus quickly. I always tell owners that multiple small sessions are far more effective than long hours of drilling commands. You need to mix different activities, switch up what you’re practicing, and end each session on a positive note. This keeps your dog excited about learning instead of bored or overwhelmed.
6. Stay Consistent, Even When It’s Hard
Consistency is something you should never skip, especially with a smart breed like the Havanese. They quickly notice loopholes and use them to their advantage. Everyone in your home needs to follow the same rules, or your dog will feel confused. Based on years of helping owners with small-breed behavior issues, I can confidently say that consistent expectations are what truly make training stick long-term.
Final Thoughts of Training Tips for Havanese Dog Owners
From experience, I can say that training a Havanese rewards your effort in the best way. You should stay patient, keep your practice sessions enjoyable, and use plenty of positive reinforcement. When you commit to consistency and learn to appreciate their individual personality, you end up with a loving and well-behaved companion who brings joy into your home every day.
