Havanese Forum banner

Getting puppy soon!

2K views 27 replies 13 participants last post by  31818 
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

I did a ton of research in finding a great breeder, and it looks like I'm finally getting a Havanese pup next month! I'm very excited! I've always wanted a Havanese. I'm a bit familiar with dog behavior and training in general, but I'm here for specific resources on how to prevent separation anxiety, the prey diet and for grooming tips. I'm also here to just talk about our cute dogs! lol

Happy to be here!
-karidyne
 
#8 · (Edited)
Welcome and congrats-
Best article for separation anxiety avoidance training is linked below - and I am still thankful I read it here before bringing my pup home.
I followed it to the letter and set aside 3 entire days immediately upon bringing her home. Best thing I have done for all of us!
Got my daughter on board to make sure she followed the advice and proper steps as well.
Getting back into the room BEFORE they cry at first , instead of waiting for them to stop is key.
Sometimes that starts out at just a few seconds.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/i...on-Anxiety-Behaviors_5374-1.html?s=ShareASale

My Lil Girly never barks when we have to leave her alone in her ex-pen weather it is to shower or working.
If I add a 2nd Hav I will be sure to invest the time into this training again.

Loads of great info in the archives for grooming tools and things to purchase- but in a nutshell ...

Grooming tips...
comb down to the skin- get all mats out prior to bathing and use a good conditioning spray on the dry coat- get pup used to being handled including paws, face and teeth/mouth.
Also get pup used to the tools you will use including nail trimmers & tooth brush combs , brushes, etc. Even if you just do one nail. or touch the nail with the trimmer without cutting and treat. Be patient and continue on each day to go a little further. It pays off in the long run.

My pup growled at first grooming her back end. My daughter helped out by sitting next to us and if I even got one stroke of the comb without a growl
we went crazy with treats and praise. It did not take long for her to realize good things come from being relaxed while being groomed and she now enjoys
grooming as bonding time and will lay on her side while I work on combing all the layers. She especially LOVES getting on my lap for "chin"... she was conditioned to lay her chin down
on my lap or chest to get her face/head/eyes groomed and top knot put on. She loving looks up at me while I stroke the hair on her head and face with conditioner coated hands. When she needs a break she playfully jumps into my arms and lays on my chest... it is seriously the cutest thing and melts my heart every time!
 
#14 ·
Welcome! Long Haired Grooming tip #1 MAT REMOVAL: remember a puppy tends to react to a brush as something that is attacking him. It is important for you to be as gentle and understanding as you can. When the hair grows long, once the "puppy coat" comes out, the hair mats less easily, but daily brushing is a must for long coats. If you cut mats out, you are just creating more short hair for long hair to mat with. Better to gently pull mats apart coming from all angles with your fingers until it is loose. Then light brushing as if you are brushing feathers. Brush the mat the same way as you pulled with your fingers, coming from outside and from all angles lightly. It's amazing how easily a mat will untangle if you DON'T "tighten" it first by brushing from skin to end of hair straight down, and you catch it before it gets big and tight. Clean hair stays free of mats longer.

Tux used to bite at my hand when I tried to pull mats. I got so I would use that as a gauge to know when I was pulling too hard and would ease up, or move to another place on his body. Eventually his fear of feeling his hair being brushed dissipated and he pretty much lies down while I work. I let him move around and change positions. Grooming tables seem too confining and boring. Tux enjoys his time with me brushing him. It took a year to have him really relax, but it's nice now.

He eats frozen Primal: Beef, Lamb, Duck, Chicken, rotated. When we cut up strawberries or bananas, he gets teeny weeny pieces but has to perform tricks for treats. Never had a digestive issue YET....knock on wood.
 
#15 ·
Glad that works for you and Tux! But many if not most people with Havanese in long coats find that the only way to get completely to the skin in by usung a good quality comb. Brushes have a tendency to go over the surface, without getting down to the skin. I prefer to groom on a table or other grooming surface. All my dogs are trained to it, gently and with lots of treats, and accept the table without difficulty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Heather's
#16 ·
Thanks Karen. I do use a "table" (the bathroom countertop), but no kind of restraint. What kind of comb do you find works best? I have not tried one, only the Chris Christensen brush. I am able to get to the skin with the brush, but have to do it by lifting thin lines of hair at a time. His hair is so long and full, by the time I finish he looks like a hot air balloon.
 
#20 ·
Two of mine are fine without restraint on the table... the two girls. In fact, Panda lies on one side, then gets up and lies on her other side as I groom her. :) Kodi is a wiggle worm, and needs to be in a grooming loop, or I'd never be able to do a through job.

I, and a lot of othe eHavanese people I know prefer the CC Buttercombs for combing out our Havanese.
 
#17 ·
I always use the slicker over the whole body first. Then comb to the skin, although our groomer doesn't think I do a very good job. 😬 I use the same technique as you Molly, but with a CC buttercomb. Sunday Scout's getting a short puppy cut so it going to be much easier on my boy.
 
#18 ·
I always use the slicker over the whole body first. Then comb to the skin, although our groomer doesn't think I do a very good job. 😬 I use the same technique as you Molly, but with a CC buttercomb. Sunday Scout's getting a short puppy cut so it going to be much easier on my boy.
Definitely want to see pics!

I kept Lola in long coat for just a few weeks shy of two years. I was sad to cut it, but her undercoat was just too much, and she's so much happier in a puppy cut.
 
#19 ·
I'm so very sad to have to cut his coat, but it will be the best for him. Unfortunately he ruptured his cruciate ligament and is scheduled for surgery Monday morning. 😢 The surgeon said it wasn't necessary, but he will have one completely hairless leg. Hopefully he will only have to stay overnight. It is going to be a difficult eight weeks keeping him quiet! Our groomer said it will be much easier on him and help to keep him mat free. It is so upsetting!!! Lola looks darling in her puppy cut. 😊
 
#21 ·
I'm so very sad to have to cut his coat, but it will be the best for him. Unfortunately he ruptured his cruciate ligament and is scheduled for surgery Monday morning. 😢 The surgeon said it wasn't necessary, but he will have one completely hairless leg. Hopefully he will only have to stay overnight. It is going to be a difficult eight weeks keeping him quiet! Our groomer said it will be much easier on him and help to keep him mat free. It is so upsetting!!! Lola looks darling in her puppy cut. 😊
Oh, poor Scout! And poor you having to keep him quiet through his recovery! :(
 
#22 ·
I feel terrible because Truffles will be outside the ex-pen. Hoping Scout will stay quiet. Sure glad we never took the Richell ex-pens apart. There are so many screws! We'll bring one downstairs so he can be with us. Yesterday I bought him a memory foam bed which is firmer and he likes it. He's been on Carpofen and doesn't seem to be in any pain now. This week the orthopedic surgeon was booked so he's going in 7:30AM Monday. I'm planning on camping out at the hospital all day and night! My husband just took him in the car to the park so he can sit and look out window. He loves the park. 😢
 
#28 ·
I feel terrible because Truffles will be outside the ex-pen. Hoping Scout will stay quiet. Sure glad we never took the Richell ex-pens apart. There are so many screws! We'll bring one downstairs so he can be with us. Yesterday I bought him a memory foam bed which is firmer and he likes it. He's been on Carpofen and doesn't seem to be in any pain now. This week the orthopedic surgeon was booked so he's going in 7:30AM Monday. I'm planning on camping out at the hospital all day and night! My husband just took him in the car to the park so he can sit and look out window. He loves the park. 😢
Heather, please start a separate thread on this so we can keep track of Scout. We are like family here!

Ricky's Popi
 
#23 ·
:(. It's such a common injury in dogs. (And expensive!) The good news is that they usually recover really well, and go back to enjoying life to the fullest!
 
#24 ·
I have been taking him to different vets that last few weeks and they all said he was ok. 🤔 The groomer was here last Monday and said to take him to specialty hospital because they have a critical care doctor 24 hrs/day. She called and asked if the orthopedic surgeon was there, but she was scheduled to leave. I rushed Scout down there and fortunately the surgeon was running late and able to see him. I'm so worried, but she said he would be just fine after surgery. My three week vacation starts in June so I can be at home with him. Unfortunately we had to cancel our vacation. 🙁
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top