HAVANTICS HAVANESE
Commited to raising healthy happy additions to your family!
New Home & Adjustment
Your puppy will need a bit of time to adjust to his new environment. Understand the puppy has been removed from his mother and his brothers and sisters and his home and his pack.It is a HUGEadjustment. By instinct they will be defensive (even if it is not visible) until they adjust use care, understanding and gentleness.
This stage of a puppy’s life is akin to a human Toddler. Do not assume the pup can handle all the adjustments in an instant; he will adjust, but give him time. I like to tell my new owners imagine a child being put in a crate, transferred to an island, removed from his family and suddenly is surrounded by a group of new people they had never seen before. This would be stressful and would call for a needed time of adjustment. This may take as long as a few weeks.
Some of this may sound redundant, but I am stressing that the new home and adjustment is critical, and You are in control.You need Patience, Care and Understanding. The first few days should be a CALM environment. Work hard to keep STRESS AWAY and allow time for the puppy to adjust.
RULES:
1. Patience, calm, no shouting, no roughhousing, speak gentle and be gentle. The first 24 hours he may be sweet, shy, aloof, scared, skittish or all of these. This is all new to him and he is just trying to adjust.
2. No welcome parties!!! Your extended family, neighbors and friends will have plenty of time to meet the pup after he has had time to adjust.
3. Let the puppy approach everyone on his own, a treat or piece of kibble can be used, avoid giving a treat and then rapidly trying to pet the pup as he may be wary of your fast moving arm. Slow and gentle arm and hand movements avoid scaring the pup amid all else that is going on in his adjustment.
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4. If there are children in the home manage the interactions the first few days. They should be introduced gently and do not allow them to crowd or chase after the puppy, the best method is to have the child lie quietly on the floor with a treat let the puppy come and “check out” the child. Do not allow the child to try and grab or pet the pup until the puppy is ready. As the puppy gets used to the children he will adjust fine, but do not put him in a defensive situation by crowding or rushing him.
5. Your puppy will feel more comfortable if you are on the floor with him instead of towering above. Puppies like to nestle and will curl up in your lap, but give them time the first week.
6. Make sure he has his own space, puppy pen and/or crate where he can get away from the hubbub. If he growls and tries to get away from someone he is stressing out and needs to go to his space to calm down.
7. If he has an accident or chews on something don’t correct him the first couple of days. He is too disoriented to retain anything, so you will only succeed in frightening him.
8. The first week he may cry at night, if possible keep him near your bedside for the first week. Until the pup is old enough do not let them sleep in your bed they can fall off and get hurt.
9. The pup will have time to bond to you, but the first few days they are absorbed in their own confusion of adjustment.
10. You are structuring his first days so that he feels safe.
11. If you have other pets talk to me I can give you some pointers that may help the adjustment.
The pup can experience some diarrhea in the first few days. Should any diarrhea become excessive and/or bloody contact your veterinarian immediately as he can prescribe necessary medication to stop the diarrhea. Stress induced diarrhea (or any excessive diarrhea) should be treated immediately as this can lead to dehydration. In addition to changes in environment, there is a change in water and you may choose to change food. All of these factors contribute to a typical adjustment period.
Be aware that as your puppy adjusts often they will want to be close to you all the time as the adjustment proceeds.Use care as when they are underfoot they can be easily stepped on or tripped over.
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Leash Training
Your puppy has not been trained to walk on a leash. Leash training will take a bit of time and you must use patience. I live in a rural area and the pups have not been exposed to City Traffic. So expect them to be scared of traffic/cars.
DO NOT USE AN EXTENDABLE LEASH FOR TRAINING YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE PUPPY WITH ONE AND THE PUPPY COULD MOVE OFF THE SIDEWALK AND INTO TRAFFIC.
Training
Havanese are easily trained and consistency is the key. You puppy has been “potty-trained” on puppy training pads which are available from any pet store. These are “doggie-scented” pads which helps direct the dog to the right place. If you choose to continue to use these pads in “potty-training” it is suggested you obtain the solid plastic frames. These frames hold the pads in place. The ones that have the rigid frames tend to be the best, as it holds the pad in place and discourages the puppy from chewing on the paper edges. If you should choose this method of training, the training pads are moved from the inside to the outside as the puppy matures and eventually the pads may be done away with. There is also a “training-scent” you can buy from a pet store and place on newspapers which will accomplish the same objective. He may not always be 100% perfect in using training pads as nature may call unexpectedly. Be patient and praise him when he uses the pad.
For apartment dwellers there is a doggie litter box that is available. Check with your local pet store if you are interested in this option.
If you find that your pup seems to want to chew on anything you do not want him to, there is a product available from pet stores called “Stay off Training Aid”. This is a spray that helps keep pets away from areas inside and outside your home.
If there are areas of your home you do not wish your puppy to go, use a baby gate or simply keep the door closed to keep the pup out of these areas.
If you should have an office chair which is on wheels, use care, as the nature of the Havanese is that they want to be close to you. As such it is common for them to curl up under such chairs and there is a risk of hurting the puppy and dog when you move the chair about. The wheels and can easily injure the puppy and adult dog.
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Discipline
Havanese will try hard to please you, but your dog is still a puppy. Your puppy will make mistakes in house training, and he will do things that you do not want him to continue. Remember he still is a puppy. The most effective training technique for a Havanese tends to be a brisk loud “no” with a clap of the hands. The clapping sound will get his attention and the clap of the hands should interrupt the behavior you want to change. NEVER HIT YOURDOG WITH YOUR HAND. If you hit your pup or your dog with your hand he will quickly learn to avoid your hand. In severe cases, dog training books suggest you can use a newspaper…but NEVER strike the dog WITH THE PAPER, instead hit the paper against your hand or a hard surface to create a loud noise.
You will find that positive reinforcement, meaning praise and acknowledging good behavior is always the best way to train. When your puppy and dog do the things you want “shower them with praise”.
You will find the Havanese is a VERY sensitive dog. They can sense your feelings and if you over-discipline your Havanese, you run the risk of changing a naturally out-going and festive dog into one that may become shy and reclusive.
Ear Care
Havanese are long-haired and “flop-eared” dogs. As such they have a deep ear canal in which hair grows. This must be kept clean or your dog will develop ear infections. Make sure you always have your veterinarian check the dog’s ears. The hair in the ear will need to be plucked and the ear canal kept clean. There are products you can get from a pet store both in powder and liquid that is veterinarian approved for ear maintenance. An indication of ear infections is when a puppy or dog frequently scratches their ear(s) and the ear(s) have an unpleasant odor.
Pads and Nails
As you puppy gets older you will need to keep the hair clipped which grows between his pads. If not it will become uncomfortable for your pet to walk. More importantly it can adversely affect their carriage and gate…and cause discomfort in their joints. Ask your veterinarian how to do this if you are unsure. Nails need to be clipped on a regular basis. A groomer or your veterinarian can show you how to do this at home.
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Crate Training
Many in dog circles recommend crate training. Crate training means basically that the dog is placed in a crate for sleeping and/or when you are away. This decision is up to the individual owners. Your pup has not been individually crate trained at this point since he has been with his mother and his brothers and sisters. Many recommend crate training, as it keeps your puppy safe when you are away from home and it does become his natural place to sleep as he becomes older. This will be your decision and you may want to consult friends or you veterinarian for additional information and insights.
Grooming
If you keep your dog in its natural long coat, it will need to be groomed on a regular basis. If this is not done the coat will become matted and tangled and virtually impossible to comb/brush. The reason for this is that the hair is like silk, and once tangled and matted it is extremely difficult to correct. You should secure a brush and comb that is made for long haired dogs. My dogs get brushed at least three times a week at the minimum. You can clip your dog into a short cut. Normally owners clip the body, but leave the face and the tail hair longer. Some owners use an overall “puppy-cut” similar to the “puppy-cut” found on poodles. Grooming and cuts are at your discretion.
It is best to start grooming early with your puppy so they become used to the process. Some Havanese don’t mind, others are more resistant. This is an area where you must be firm, so they get used to the process.
Bathing
Havanese have hair, not fur, as do most dogs. Thus you will not have the “doggie-odor” problem. But dogs will be dogs, and there will be times when it is bath time, and dogs should be bathed on a regular, but not too often, basis. Most Havanese do not mind getting a bath. There are many good shampoo products on the market and what you like will become your choice. I suggest you choose a shampoo that will not dry out the skin. You can use a hair dryer…ON THE WARM SETTING NOT HOT… to help dry your dog. You should brush the dog as you are fluffing and drying the dog. In most cases, it will take a bit of time for the puppy to get used to bathing. Don’t allow your puppy or dog to get chilled after their bath.
Fleas-Ticks and Heartworm Medicine
Such treatments are essential to keep your pet healthy. Talk to your vet to determine which trade name products are most effective for your region of the country. Be wary of “off-brand” and “discount” treatments as there have been reports of some fatal side-effects. Especially in toy breeds. Your vet will know the reputable products that work well in any given region of the country
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Puppy Mischief
Havanese are curious as puppies. One of the areas of danger is electric cords. Keep a watchful eye on electrical cord, computer cords and wires. Havanese sometimes tend to have an interest both shoestrings and electric cords. Keep a watchful eye on your puppy, they can be very quick at making discoveries that could harm or be fatal to them. Shredding paper is another fun activity for a Havanese. Be sure to keep important papers, books and other material out of the puppy’s reach. Also wicker furniture tends to be an attraction. Part of this is a natural part of “teething”; however chew toys are the preferred way to help remedy this natural trait. Here again a training aid such as Hartz “Stay off Training Aid” may help you keep your puppy away from areas and items you do not want him near.
High Places
No one knows why, but Havanese seem to like high places. Many Havanese owners have found their dogs sitting on their dining table or finding some other high place to sit and observe. A sofa or table next to a window is often a favorite spot. Low shelves on coffee and sofa tables are also often favorite spots. Havanese love to sit on your lap or snuggle up on a favorite chair or sofa. Where they are allowed to go will be part of your training program.
Food & Water
Food selection is your choice. However, many suggest you select a good dog food and stay with it. I have found that my dogs seem to prefer commercial foods that are chicken and rice based as opposed to those that are lamb and rice based. There are some sites on the web that analyze and compare commercial dog food if you are interested. These sites can be informative and “eye-opening”. Unfortunately many commercial dog foods (some which are highly marketed) contain fillers, some contain animal by-products and some contain products that dogs simply can not digest. Most veterinarians recommend a dry food as it is better for healthy gums and teeth for dogs. I give my dogs a portion of canned food in the morning and dry food for the rest of the day. In that respect I allow my dogs to “free-feed” meaning that there is always dry food for them if they become hungry. Remember that dry “kibble” will make dogs drink more water. Some individuals recommend regular feedings. Feeding approaches are an individual preference. Most owners and veterinarians do not recommend table scraps. Although I must admit that my dogs do get treats, however it is in great moderation.
If you use dry feed, keep in mind it should be kept fresh. Keep such food stored properly and observe the expiration dates. Look at those dates before you buy the food as some pet stores do not rotate their inventory properly.
I do not feed my dogs vitamins. The reason is that good commercial dog foods are nutritiously balanced with vitamins. If you want to use a vitamin supplement I suggest you discuss this with your vet.
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If you should observe your puppy or dog eating grass, this is nature’s way of helping them settle an upset stomach. If such behavior should persist you should discuss this with your vet.
Keep fresh water available for your pet at all times. Change water daily and keep water bowels clean. Needless to say, keep any dog dishes and bowels clean.
Teeth
It is recommended that you brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. Pet stores have a brush and toothpaste made for dogs. This does not have to be excessive, but it will help to keep “bad-breath” from developing in your dog.
Regular teeth cleaning at your vet is recommended.
“Tug-of-war” with toys can be harmful to your dogs teeth. Such “play” is not recommended.
Toys & Play
What pet toys are “good” is an area where there is some controversy among dog owners. Thus what type of toys you choose is up to you. Plush toys should be kept clean, i.e. washed on a regular basis. Rawhide toys can help teething, but you must be sure to discard rawhide when it gets small and could present a choking threat. There is not universal agreement on the benefits of rawhide toys. Here again you may want to discuss this issue with your vet. I have toys for my dogs and puppies, but I keep them clean and discard any rawhide that becomes small or becomes dirty.
Havanese and many dogs will attempt to dislodge the squeaker from toys that contain a squeaker, and this also poses a choking threat. Toys made of vinyl are not recommended as these can be shredded by many dogs and thus the shredded parts become a choking menace. Once again, pulling and “tug-of war” play is not recommended as this activity can put undue stress on your dog’s teeth.