Feeding
Feed your new puppy three times a day
Offer ¼ cup to start with. If your puppy is still hungry, by all means, feed him more. Havanese are usually self-regulators. Only leave the food down for 20 minutes then take him out, try not to come in until he has pooped. It is more work now but will pay off for the rest of his life
We never recommend food from the supermarket or big box stores. We also do not recommend grain-free food. Yes, dogs are carnivores, but they eat meat from animals that eat grain, i.e., chipmunks.
There are many excellent foods on the market today. We have tried many and found that our Havies seem to enjoy Purina Pro Plan small breed/puppy. After one year, we switch to adult food—just a note to say that this is not the Purina you can buy at the supermarket. If you already have a dog, we find it much easier to have everybody eating the same dinner. If you are going to change from one food to the next, do it slowly over nine days.
Any good dog food with the word COMPLETE on it is just that. It is wholly nutritious, and nothing needs to be added. You don't need to buy into vitamin programs that are reoccurring schemes and line the pockets of breeders.
A quick word about treats, a small amount goes a long way. My brother Lody loves the Blue Buffalo training treats, and I like Stewart's freeze-dried chicken breast or livers. If you are trying to teach your puppy something that requires a "High value treat," That usually is something out of your refrigerator, small pieces of chicken, a little tiny bit of cheese, etc. My dogs love watermelon, and many Havanese enjoy baby carrots.
Coat & Grooming
I keep hearing new Havanese owners say, “my puppy’s hair doesn’t mat” haha! Well, wait for their first birthday; they will become one massive hairball on that exact day. This is when their undercoat comes in. I have tried EVERYTHING. So here is what works, and no, I don’t own the company.
The Mane Tame by Pride and Groom is a coat saver. You can not buy this on Amazon, only at Pride and Groom ($20). Lots of products have a similar name. Never wash them before getting all the knots out.
Havanese do not need haircuts in hot weather to keep them cool. Their coats are designed to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
The tools I use: A flea comb to get into the corners of their eyes, a comb with wide teeth on one end and closer teeth on the other end, a mini mat splitter, and a slicker brush.
Remember collars tend to rub and create mats.
Yes, they can see through all that hair! Just try and sneak a spoonful of ice cream without their noticing.
One Typical Havanese’s Color Transformation
Cosmo: newborn to 4 years
Gracie - One of our Beautiful Chocolates
Gracie is a wonderful example of how puppies change their coat. She is also a perfect puppy to see how CHOCOLATE Havies’ eyes differ from the standard of black nose > black eyes. Chocolates can have grey, green, yellow, and brown eyes and various colors in-between.
The Car
Yes, you do need to restrain your dog in the car, in a crate, in a booster seat, or even a seatbelt made for your dog (it clips into your car’s seatbelt).
I’ve recently been told by another breeder when she has a puppy that gets car sick, and some do, they give the dog a bone or Kong stuffed with something delicious; it helps take their minds off things!
Also, start with a few minutes and gradually add to the trip.
Always keep a small supply of pee pads in your car just in case.
If I find that my dog(s) are getting car sick it is helpful to move them to the front seat and have cool air directly on them. Bonus if they can see out the window! This works best for me.
Try to avoid rest stops even if your dog is fully vaccinated. (You never know what yahoo has stopped before you with their unvaccinated coonhound on his way to visit his cousin in the backwoods to hunt raccoons with his unvaccinated puppy mill dogs, I know this sounds harsh, but you don't want to lose your new precious puppy to Parvovirus or distemper.)
Find a nice quiet exit to get off the highway and walk your dog there if you are traveling.
Flying
It would be best to have an airline-approved soft crate for your dog.
The container with your dog combined must weigh under 20 lbs and your dog must be able to stand-up and turn around.
Make a reservation in advance. Only five dogs are allowed in the cabin at a time. What will you do if you are #6?
NEVER EVER use the dog rest rooms at the airport. You don’t know who was there before you.
Potty Training
My number one favorite helper for potty training is samivy.com/housebreaking
Please print it out and put it on your refrigerator.
Housebreaking is all about CONSISTENCY!
If you see your puppy straining to poop, please check for “poop plugs.” Your puppy may poop and sit on it, creating a little seal on its bottoms. Wash thoroughly with warm water. NEVER use scissors.
If your puppy has soft stools, chicken and rice are a go-to.
Pumpkin (unsweetened) is magic – it helps with diarrhea and constipation. If your puppy develops the charming habit of eating poop, add a small spoonful of unsweetened pumpkin to their regular diet; Just a few weeks and magic!
Timing Bathroom Breaks:
Always take your puppy out first thing in the morning, Immediately after meals, right after naps, playtime, and just before bedtime.
If he starts whining, circling, or sniffing around, pick him up and take him outside immediately.
If you are having problems reading his behavior, take him outside every hour during the day for a while. You can increase the time as he gets older.
Favorite Toys
Small soft toys with squeakers, NEVER plastic or thin rubber. They may be small, but their teeth are mighty! Also, Split Elk Antlers and Everlasting Himalayan Yak Milk Bones (expensive but last a long while). It’s my treat when I need peace. Then I remove them for another time.
Continued Solalization
Your puppy needs to be exposed to lots of situations and all different kinds of stimuli.
Noise, cars, trucks, children of all sizes, shops, time at an outdoor café, etc.
On the other hand, they must be able to be on their own.
Start slowly, leave for a few minutes, and gradually increase it.
Sleep Training
Be prepared to hate me for the first three days. Your puppy will scream and cry when you put him into his crate for the night; may I translate that for you?... "Who do you think you are and why am I in here? I am a big dog now". If you take them out, you are setting a precedent. Let them cry themselves to sleep. I find it's easier on them if they can sleep in your room to start so they can see you. Also, they will have to go out to pee in the middle of the night. The clue to this is usually whimpering; they are too small to hold their pee all night. Remember, this is not the time to engage with them! No eye contact, just business.
Training
I highly recommend reaching out to Sarah Hodgson, author of Puppies for Dummies, 4th Edition and Modern Dog Parenting. She’s also a loving mom to one of our Havanese Flys, meet Peek-a-boo on her very helpful Instagram @sarahsayspets! Consider Sarah’s one-on-one training or Imprinting program! Sarah can be reached at info@SarahHodgson.com.
Cleaning
My favorite tip for new families!
Buy Nature’s Miracle in the red bottle, a Swiffer, and Swiffer Wet Pads in the blue box.
Pour off the water from the pads and replace it with Nature’s Miracle.
Mistakes
If your puppy does make a mistake, don’t punish them or yell at them. They won’t learn anything from that except being afraid to go to the bathroom. It can create all sorts of unusual potty-training problems.
Calmly move the puppy where they can’t see you clean up the mess. After you clean up using a washcloth or paper towel, use a pet-safe cleaning product to remove all traces of odor from the area. If your puppy can smell any odor, they will think it’s okay to use that spot again. This is where Nature’s Miracle is a must.
If your puppy keeps using the same spot, you haven’t gotten the odor out, and they think it’s okay to use. Don’t yell, clean!
Some Additional Things You Should Know
Leptospirosis is a virus that can kill your dog. But The vaccine can be problematic. This is a conversation between you and your vet. If you decide it is right for you and your dog, please request that your vet treats with Benadryl before the vaccine.
The Fear Period
There are two, the first is around 8-12 weeks. It is crucial that your dog goes out with you here, there, and everywhere to meet strangers, cars + trucks, dogs, children, and the soccer term to make them strong and confident. Do not force your dog into anything - small patient steps. The vets can be intimidating, before you go for your first official visit, drop in and let them meet the staff. Go again and let them sit on the exam table and give them treats - slow and steady.
Other Important Notes
Havies can never have enough beds.
Remember, if they can’t jump on it, they shouldn’t jump off it
Electric fences will keep your dog in but won’t keep predators out.
Yes, again, food in poop out!
Food down for 20 minutes, then take it away.
Outside within 15 minutes and do not come in until they have pooped. The time you spend doing this now will save your sanity later.
No matter how well your dog is bred or how many vaccinations you get, your dog may still get hurt or sick. Pet insurance is a good thing.
Ask your vet which insurance they work best with.
An exercise pen is a must in my house. Put their crate or bed, toys, water, and a pee-pad in it, and your Houdini will be safe when you don’t have eyes on them.
Chewy.com or Amazon have much better prices than local or big box stores.
Do not buy your flea and tick meds from Walmart, BJ’s, tractor supply, or Costco. These medicines can be toxic; get them from your vet ONLY.
Read this article by Lucy Laing from Dailymail.com and learn how the Havanese breed has been discovered as the “best breed for reducing anxiety.”
To quote from the text, “A spokeswoman for the Kennel Club, Heidi Ancell-Day, said: ‘All the puppies produced calming effects. Many people nowadays have stressful jobs, and whether it’s working in or outside the city, those stress levels can be reduced by interacting with puppies. ‘The Havanese had the most productive results and seemed to have the most calming effect. It’s a lovely dog breed and has won many admirers with its long silky hair and cuddly size. It has the nickname the Velcro Dog because it sticks so closely to its owner’s side.’”
Whether you are an experienced dog owner or this is your very first puppy here are your two best resources:
You may call me or Lody any time and as many times as you need.
Behavioralist and author Sarah Hodgson offers virtual and in-person training. She also has a ton of blogs, e-books, and videos which are incredibly helpful. I have been a breeder for 15 years and I still refer to her book Puppies for Dummies all the time!
A question owners always ask me “can my puppy who has only had his first shots be around other dogs?”. The answer is simple: if the other dog is up to date with their vaccines then yes. "What about walking my puppy in the city?”. Yes, but do not let them have close contact with strangers’ dogs, and clean their feed with a wet wipe when they come home.
Remember NOT to snatch your puppy up or make a fuss when approaching other dogs. As you do NOT want to instill fear of other dogs.
