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Very SHY Havanese

4K views 13 replies 12 participants last post by  Lilysmom 
#1 ·
My husband and I got our first Havanese almost three weeks ago. She is so sweet and loves us as much as we love her. My question I hope someone can answer for me is: Are Havanese typically shy? Our Stella has no interest in meeting anyone - human or canine. She shakes when she meets new people. I've tried to introduce her to my sisters and my kids but she just freaks out. I want to wait until she gets all her shots before I take her out in the big world. She is 10 weeks old now. Any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
I don't think the Havanese are typically shy. I always think of them as bouncy, outgoing dogs who LOVE everyone!

Have you read these books?

http://www.dogstardaily.com/files/BEFORE You Get Your Puppy.pdf

https://www.dogstardaily.com/files/downloads/AFTER_You_Get_Your_Puppy.pdf

Here is one excerpt from the second book . . .

From the very first day you get your puppy, the clock is ticking.
And time flies! By eight weeks of age, your puppy's Critical
Period of Socialization is already waning and within a month,
his most impressionable learning period will start to close.
There is so much to teach, and nearly everything needs to be
taught right away.


They will give you good ideas for socializing your dog. Be sure to enroll her in a puppy class if you can. I take Shama to small breed puppy play time at our local Petco for a half hour every Saturday. Maybe there is something like that near you?

It would be good of you to help her overcome her shyness now while she is still younger than 12 weeks old . . .

Good luck!

(Photo please!)
 
#3 ·
I agree, you cannot keep puppy locked away because of vaccinations, you will lose that precious socialization time. You can allow puppy to meet dogs and people now as long as the environment is controlled. Don't go to dog parks and other places where disease could be brought home, do it carefully, but do it. This really is critical for a well adjusted dog.
 
#4 ·
When I got my havanese he was 11weeks old and bouncy playful and happy at the breeders house and when I brung him home too but as soon as we went out in public he was shaking and scared of other ppl
He is now 6 months old and I take him somewhere at least every other day he like ppl more and not shaking when we go out still not as bouncy as he is at home but much much better I also signed him up for 2 puppy classes the 5th week of class I noticed how much more comfortable he was he acts like he does at home at both classes now
He use to shake and back away from everyone now he goes right up to people to get pet
everyone except small kids he's still a little nervous around them
Being shy isn't a havanese trait but I do think any dog that hasn't been well socialized can get nervous I think my Breeder did socialize sprocket at her house but didn't take him anywhere that's y he was nervous everywhere except home just take him out with u lots have him meet tons of ppl
Have your sisters kids play the name game with your puppy sit in a circle with treats and one call his name he gets a treat sprocket loved that at first he wasn't comfortable and took him a min to come but then he realized everyone had treats by the end he was running to them all just to c if they had one
My sister has 5 kids the 3 yr old is the only one he's nervous around now she wild so I can understand lol



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#5 ·
#6 ·
Join a puppy class. Go slow with people. Bring treats, and let other people give them to your pup, or if she makes a move towards them, give a treat. Don't coddle her or reward her for shying away, but respect her speed at meeting new people. My Lola was afraid of most women when i got her. It took a few months of consistently working with her. She now associates women with good things, and will actually jump up on the bench at the dog park next to a woman, waiting for pets and hoping for treats.
 
#7 ·
Thank you all for the very helpful replies. We went to our second puppy class yesterday and I didn't hover or over-protect her and dang if she didn't do well. I think it helped that there was another small puppy there for her to feel comfortable with. Shamamama, that's a great idea for small puppy play time. I'll check with PetSmart here. I've always had lab or shepherd cross dogs so this tiny little fur baby is something new for me. And as soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll attach a pic of her 🐶
 
#8 ·
Thank you all for the very helpful replies. We went to our second puppy class yesterday and I didn't hover or over-protect her and dang if she didn't do well. I think it helped that there was another small puppy there for her to feel comfortable with. Shamamama, that's a great idea for small puppy play time. I'll check with PetSmart here. I've always had lab or shepherd cross dogs so this tiny little fur baby is something new for me. And as soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll attach a pic of her 🐶
While I TOTALLY agree with Dave and the others who have said you need to start socializing her NOW, Petsmart and other big box pet stores are NOT a safe place fro un vaccinated puppies. So put off that particular activity until after she is protected.
 
#10 ·
YES, ours was shy at first. Shaking, tail between her legs, comes around behind us when confronted, etc. That has now changed into not being afraid of the biggest dogs around.!!!
Ours has a great 'sense' for who or what she likes, a gut feel so to speak. Walks up to some humans with no fear, and others it appears she has a sense of 'I don't like that person or dog, etc'.
Interestingly enough, usually we agree with her assessment....lol.
Socializing is important, but be safe first and protect her via vaccinations etc.
 
#12 ·
Socializing is important, but be safe first and protect her via vaccinations etc.
Waiting until vaccinations are complete to socialize has a much higher likelihood of being detrimental than responsibly socializing a puppy during its most important socialization window. Waiting can often mean an older puppy/adult dog that is fearful when it comes to new things and situations :)
 
#11 ·
Mongo Bongo, like most pups, gets a lot of attention from people who want to play with him. That joy and exuberance that humans display ... crouching down, saying "oh how cute", with arms extended to pet his head .... used to freak him out. Loud noises and abrupt movements also made him become defensive. Our own behavior... being very protective, nervous, etc. ... was felt by him and made him feel more apprehensive.

The advice given so far is right on. Relax and he'll feel more relaxed. Walk up to people and shake their hand or even hug them, if you know them, so she sees the person is a friend. These little bouncy Havanese are really smart and will understand that the environment is safe. Positive experiences reinforce that "all is well" and she will come around.
 
#14 ·
My Lily is a shy Havanese I'm finding out. She is 16 weeks now and I'm learning a lot from this site. She shook the first week we got her and is hesitant around new people. She won't go up to them yet , but I just keep exposing her to people and have them give her treats. She definitely will go up to people on her leash better when they don't force themselves towards her and bend down and are smaller framed. She loves small kids. I was given some good advice on my thread. " Lily growled at the vet " recently that I am starting to use and we are starting a puppy class tonight. Jana and Lily.
 
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