[krandall]

I think the x pen setup is a great idea, however I also feel it is important for dogs to learn to like being in a crate. You never know when they may need to be crated...either at the vet or if they are injured and must be confined. Anyway, I just want to throw this out there because I feel this is important and is NOT punishment for a dog. My dogs love their crates and lounge there happily on their own free will.

I agree with this completely. But I also feel that if a dog is going to be confined for several hours during the day, especially if they are crated over night, it is kinder for them to be confined in an ex-pen, so they have some more room to move around.

 

[mudpuppymama]

I agree with this completely. But I also feel that if a dog is going to be confined for several hours during the day, especially if they are crated over night, it is kinder for them to be confined in an ex-pen, so they have some more room to move around.

Yes I agree. I am talking about getting them to love their crate in addition to the expen. Also trying to dispel the myth that crates are cruel. The expen definitely has many advantages, however I have known a few people who feel that crates are cruel. Leaving a dog for excessively long periods on a regular basis is cruel no matter what they are in.

 

[Johanna]

I think the x pen setup is a great idea, however I also feel it is important for dogs to learn to like being in a crate. You never know when they may need to be crated...either at the vet or if they are injured and must be confined. Anyway, I just want to throw this out there because I feel this is important and is NOT punishment for a dog. My dogs love their crates and lounge there happily on their own free will.

Yes, crates are also important. My initial setup included a crate attached to his x-pen. I put a cover over the crate area and we called it his little man cave. He would nap there. We also had a crate in our bedroom for night time. I eventually removed the crates because he no longer needs them except for travel but all of my dogs will happily go into crates if they need to.

 

[mudpuppymama]

Yes, crates are also important. My initial setup included a crate attached to his x-pen. I put a cover over the crate area and we called it his little man cave. He would nap there. We also had a crate in our bedroom for night time. I eventually removed the crates because he no longer needs them except for travel but all of my dogs will happily go into crates if they need to.

That is awesome. When Mia hurt her back and had to be crated for 8 weeks I was very happy that she loved her crate. Otherwise, it could have been very stressful for her. And a sick or injured dog does not need additional stress. I think this reason alone is enough to make sure a dog does not mind being crated.

 

[Beny’s Mom]

I agree about getting them used to a crate. I just don’t like having them crated for hours and hours every day, except when absolutely necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

There is more freedom of movement in a large pen. An entire workday is too long to be crated. I’ve known people who did that. I know that most people have busy lives and have to work, but if other arrangements cannot be made, it is cruel to rely on just crating. If that is the only option while away at work, then the timing for a pet may not be right.

 

[mudpuppymama]

I agree about getting them used to a crate. I just don’t like having them crated for hours and hours every day, except when absolutely necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

There is more freedom of movement in a large pen. An entire workday is too long to be crated. I’ve known people who did that. I know that most people have busy lives and have to work, but if other arrangements cannot be made, it is cruel to rely on just crating. If that is the only option while away at work, then the timing for a pet may not be right.

I agree. My point is that IMO a dog should not be left alone regularly for hours on end period, crate or ex-pen. An emergency or rare circumstance is one thing. However, doing this frequently is not good and efforts should be made to have some sort of sitter. I was talking about crate training for health reasons mainly. Some dogs sleep in their owners beds and are never crated, even at night.

 

[krandall]

Yes I agree. I am talking about getting them to love their crate in addition to the expen. Also trying to dispel the myth that crates are cruel. The expen definitely has many advantages, however I have known a few people who feel that crates are cruel. Leaving a dog for excessively long periods on a regular basis is cruel no matter what they are in.

Agree completely!!!

 

[Mtk Ii]

Dear all,

We are planning to get a Bichon Havanese (we were considering poodle but we fall in love with Havaneses)

However, as a working couple, we have concerns about leaving the puppy alone.
Our plan is to take turns staying at home so that the puppy is never left alone.
Despite this, we would appreciate any recommendations on how to train the puppy to stay alone for short periods of time.
We do not plan on leaving the puppy alone for extended periods, but it is possible that we may need to be away for a few hours at times.

How do you manage similar situations?

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how to deal with separation anxiety.

Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽

You have to live your life, but the beauty of a Havanese is that they love to be as close to you as possible, all of the time. Our Bunker cried like a baby when we left, it was so heart wrenching that we had to get a second one, which was the best decision of our lives. It made everything so much easier. You think two would be twice the work, but the joy they bring each other and us is way beyond any inconvenience at all, even when we walk them.
If you have one and you leave for a few hours it most certainly won't kill them, but be prepared for your baby to cry hard and PLEASE don't put him or her in a box, that is additional torture on the little pup. On the occasion that you have to be gone all day, just know that for a Havanese nothing could be worse, they love you so much. Marty

 

[Mtk Ii]

Good stuff in this post. I agree completely that two dogs is not the answer. I also think that assuming that your dog "might" have separation anxiety is a mistake. separation anxiety, while real, is not common. It is a DISORDER. Proper training (such as I laid out) prevents it. A dog who is going to have the DISORDER, is going to have it one way or another, and proper training OR another dog probably is not going to solve the problem, though the training might help, where another dog will not.

I also agree that there are limits on how long a companion dog should be left alone. I would not put a hard and fast limit of 4 hours on it, BUT there are some caveats on that. First, my dogs are litter box trained. So they have an appropriate place to potty in the house. Second, I leave them for longer periods of time EXTREMELY infrequently, and usually only in an emergency. BUT, they have survived quite nicely when it has been necessary, with access to water, their potty box, and a few toys, for up to 10-12 hours. (when my husband was in the hospital with a heart attack) As MPM suggested, if I need to be out of the house for longer than 4 hours, and I know about it ahead of time, I will arrange for someone to come in and let them out and visit with them once or twice during the day, depending on how long I will be gone.

Worked perfectly for us, cured our serious separation anxiety problem immediately. M

 

[mudpuppymama]

Worked perfectly for us, cured our serious separation anxiety problem immediately. M

I wonder if your dog had true separation anxiety. Getting somewhat upset when you leave is normal.

 

[krandall]

Worked perfectly for us, cured our serious separation anxiety problem immediately. M

You were lucky. It backfires more often than not.

 

[GrannaK]

Dear all,

We are planning to get a Bichon Havanese (we were considering poodle but we fall in love with Havaneses)

However, as a working couple, we have concerns about leaving the puppy alone.
Our plan is to take turns staying at home so that the puppy is never left alone.
Despite this, we would appreciate any recommendations on how to train the puppy to stay alone for short periods of time.
We do not plan on leaving the puppy alone for extended periods, but it is possible that we may need to be away for a few hours at times.

How do you manage similar situations?

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how to deal with separation anxiety.

Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽

Keep pup in secure surroundings. First play with pup to tire him. He will sleep while you are away. If puppy has had all his shots take him for a walk before you leave. When you leave say …”I’ll be back!” I kept Bully Sticks for chewing. Keeps puppy busy. Around 3 years mine gave up Bully sticks.
You did not ask but many puppy’s fear thunderstorms. I took my puppy outside with toys and played with him during a thunderstorm….while under our patio roof. He grumbled barked and calmly while playing I told him it’s just noise and continued to play. It worked instantly.
When pups bark, say thank you…if they continue with deeper voice say thank you. They will usually grumble to please you and then quit 🙂.
Bigger dogs may have issues with barking (not my little one)…lastly tell dog either No in deep voice or “leave it”….no need for Havanese and their cousin Bischon. They are pleasers and once you say “thank you” they stop barking.

 

[mudpuppymama]

You were lucky. It backfires more often than not.

Agreed. Getting a second dog to fix the first one is definitely risky! Sort of like getting a second dog to fix a picky eater. Getting a second dog for the right reasons is good. Otherwise, not!

 

[MomOfRuntu]

I may be too late to give you my advice but here goes. Our little girl havenese is now 7 years old and we were very careful while we built her security with all things.
1. Runtu was 11 weeks old, very happy playing alone as a puppy. Not like her other sisters.
2. We bought a large enough crate for her to sit straight and with space to turn around, but not to large . Really create a den for her, secure safe space.
3. Put Runtu in crate every day, while we were home and she got use to going there on her own and actually loved her crate for calmness and security, which she did on her own.
4. We started leaving her for an hour on Sunday, went to 2 hours on Thursday and then the longest we have left her alone was 4 hours on the following Sunday.
5. She was calm in the beginning of test and just as calm when left 4 hours.
6. She adapted fast and content. This was all done 6 months after we received her.
7. Now, 7 years later she is just as content as she was when we taught her this was her safe space and only hers.
8. We do not leave toys in anymore, but we did leave her puppy with a heart beat when she was 6 months old. But needed to be safe so made sure she could not rip the batteries out while alone.
9. She is the only dog we own now, no sisters or brothers. She listens to the TV while we are gone with low sound and the tone of tv was consistent, calm voices. It was the news channel which she liked.
10. Her crate always faced a partial window she could look out and always some light.

Never had a problem , took it slow and help her along with loneliness, she slept most of the time and again never fearful, today she goes in and out of her crate at will, goes there to have a good nap and be safe, comes out to give us a kiss and loves still looking out windows. It also helped that we always took her for walks 30 minutes to do her business and smell as much as she could.

 

[MomOfRuntu]

PS: we bought our little Runtu to be with us, not to be alone…. So we take her with us every where, but when we can’t we only at the most leave her for 4 hours, we don’t believe you should get a pet if you don’t plan to be with them as much as you would a child…. Okay please hold all the bad comments, that is what we believe , our choic and our opinion only.

 

[Beny’s Mom]

MomofRuntu,
AGREE 100% with you.

 

[mudpuppymama]

PS: we bought our little Runtu to be with us, not to be alone…. So we take her with us every where, but when we can’t we only at the most leave her for 4 hours, we don’t believe you should get a pet if you don’t plan to be with them as much as you would a child…. Okay please hold all the bad comments, that is what we believe , our choic and our opinion only.

I cannot imagine anyone disagreeing with this! I know I got my dogs so I could be with them. In fact, I waited until I was 55 years old to get a dog because that was when I got a job working from home.

 

[NotAMuggle]

I cannot imagine anyone disagreeing with this! I know I got my dogs so I could be with them. In fact, I waited until I was 55 years old to get a dog because that was when I got a job working from home.

I agree! I wanted a dog my whole life, but was never allowed as a kid. Even when i moved out after college in my 20s I waited because i knew i wasn't in a life-stage ideal for a dog. Working long hours in the office, happy hours, co-worker events, etc…it wouldnt be fair to a dog let alone a companion breed.

Once i became fully/permanently remote during COVID, i decided i could finally make my dream a reality. I am 32 now but way more of a homebody than when i was 22! I also looove taking my dog to the countless dog friendly places in the city ( we actually just got back from letting her run on the beach in coney island and then going to a brewery with her).

I leave her everyday for about 45 minutes to go to the gym downstairs in our building and maybe 4-6 hours once a week for something like dinner and a movie or a yankee game or something. My dog is my adventure buddy and i want her on my adventures with me when i can help it!

 

[MomOfRuntu]

Glad to know I am not alone with this feeling. 🥰
Thank goodness for all the humans who take the time to love and be with their animals. I believe until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

I created this image a while ago to express my feelings of the connection we have with animals.

 

[Beny’s Mom]

Beautiful!