Tricks for Teaching a Havanese Dog

The Havanese dog is among the cutest and most social canine breeds available. Curious and spirited, the dog is the perfect companion for leisurely strolls at the park. Imagine if your dog can perform at least a few tricks. You can have a lot of fun with your dog at home or outdoors. As with most canines, there are things to consider when training a Havanese dog breed.

  1. Training Early

    • It's best to instill Havanese dog tricks at a young age. If the dog picks them up early, they will come second nature, with the dog recognizing and following your commands the moment you give them. The problem that most owners face, however, is that the Havanese is particularly difficult to train. Its sheer curiosity and over-eagerness are things that you have to hurdle, but quite manageable while it's still young.

    Use an Auditory Cue

    • Perhaps the most effective tactic is to use an auditory cue. Purchase small bells that create a pleasant tinkling sound. Place them in areas that the dog can easily reach, which signify particular actions. Your Havanese dog, for instance, can ring a bell whenever it wants to play or wants to go out.

    Getting Accustomed to the Auditory Cue

    • Initially, familiarizing the dog with the auditory cue is quite challenging. Before letting the puppy out, have it touch the bell with its paw. Do the same for the bell near the eating area before bringing out its meal and with the bell near the litter area. Things won't be easy at first, but eventually your puppy will get the hang of it.

    Reinforce Positive Actions with Rewards

    • Each time that the Havanese dog uses the bell in the right way, reward it with something that it truly adores, such as yummy dog biscuits. The dog will know that it did a great job, and pretty soon it will get used to the routine you made. You can use the same strategy for teaching it other dog tricks, such as rolling over and fetching the newspaper.