[Thumper]

Hello all!

I'd like to introduce myself and say that this forum has a wealth of information so far. I have purchased my first havanese, after researching breeds extensively and she will be home in mid-March! I'm VERY excited, and I look forward to getting to know you all better.

I do have one question, I will probably be taking her to work with me and have considered training her to use potty pads in the office, BUT train her to go potty outside at home. Would this be too confusing to her? Or would the different location make it possible to housebreak her ONE way, and OFFICE-break her the other way? It would be more difficult for me to take her outside at the office, but since I'm self employed, I'd rather take her to work with me than leave her alone.

I only work about 2 days a week.

Thanks!!
Kara

 

[irnfit]

Hi, Kara, and welcome. You will love all the info you get on this site. Everyone is eager to help.
I am also self-employed, and take my Havs to work when I have to. Kodi is 15 mos and will sometimes use the pee pads at home, but mostly goes outside. When we are at work, he will hold it until we leave (I only work about 4hrs). Shelby is almost 5 mos and still not completely housetrained, so we use pee pads at home and at work. They love being out in the yard so much, even in this cold weather, I think by summer, they might stop using the pee pads.

I think they are a great help and I don't think they are confused by them. Everyone potty trains differently - you have to do what is best for you and your dog.

Good luck with your puppy - they are a joy!

 

[dboudreau]

Welcome to the forum Kara. It is so exciting to get a new puppy. Good luck and post lots of pictures.

 

[Missy]

Hi Kara, welcome, can't wait to see pictures of you new little girl.

Most people say training them to do both is confusing. But I have had success with an indoor potty area and also outside with Jasper. We have a new puppy Cash now and we will see if he gets it as well. But I do think having different rules for different locations may be confusing. We found that by having an indoor potty area and using that almost exclusively at first (5 months or so ) that it get's ingrained as an ok place to go. (this also helps out if they have to go and you're late or it's raining or cold) I also took Jas to work with me and he had to be coaxed to the pads, where at home he knew where to go by himself. Once we started trying to get him to go ourside- at first it was pretty funny--- we would be playing outside and he would paw on the door to go "IN" and go to the bathroom. I know every dog is different, but we found that once, we started walking Jasper out regularly-- that is what he preffered (and it comes naturally because of all the other doggy scents out there) and usually will hold it til we get home to walk him. But sometimes (and especially now with the new puppy Cash- he will go in his room to potty) We're expecting some rebellion when we introduce Cash to the same potty room--- which is an enclosed area in our garage that Jas accesses through a doggy door.

I was convinced to go this way by the book by Dorothy Goodale "The Havanese: a complete and reliable hand book" As you probably have read she is responsible for bringing the breed back from near extinction after the Cuban Revolution. I found this book really helpfull.

I am a first time dog owner (because of allergies to every other breed, including poodles) and hardly and expert. Others on this site may have more wisdom. But I was especially worried by potty training- there are rumors of Havanese being hard to housebreak- But in my experience and from the reports of people on this forum that is a myth.. You just have to rememeber that they are small dogs and it may take a bit longer.

Good luck--sorry I went on so, we are just very proud and amazed that our boy understands and uses both. I hope you find it helpful.


be sure to post pictures of your new puppy when you get her.

Missy, Jasper and Cash

 

[Melissa Miller]

My guys can do both. They normally go outside, but I do have a pee pad down just in case. They do use it sometimes. If Goldie uses it, she burys it so I know its been used. HEHE

I think its also good to train them to both for times when you are in a hotel, airport or somewhere a potty pad would be better.

Hopefully the breeder starts them on a potty pad as puppies. Joan did, so when mine came home they already knew to go on a puppy pad.

Welcome to the forum. The days waiting for your puppy are the LONGEST, I know!

 

[Lynn]

Kara,
I found those threads- check them out. Hope it helps you out.

 

[Julie]

Welcome Kara and your new little puppy! Waiting will be hard,but they are SO worth the wait!Are you naming your puppy Thumper?
My pup is 10 months old.I originally tried puppy pads but he was not interested,so we bell trained and he goes exclusively outside.I'm home though all the time.In your situation,I would crate train,use your potty pads and encourage outside as others have posted.Ultimately,you will know what is best for you and your new pup. Havanese are very smart...I think you will do great...the pup will soon catch on ,he/she will know the difference between home and work.My pup was supposed to be housebroken when I got him at 16 weeks,but it was a "start-over" in a new place,new house.I didn't feel confident he was completely housebroke till he was 7months.He is still crated at night,but through his choice(he goes in himself to sleep).Please post a photo when you get your new pup...we love pictures!

 

[chrisdisser]

Outside is best

I trained mine to outside exclusively. When they were little I put pee pads right inside the door, just in case, but generally they didn't use them. You will love having a Havanese of your own.

 

[Thumper]

Thank you SO much for all of your replies! I'm not sure what we are naming her yet, still tossing over a few names, but I will be sure to post pictures when I get her..

And YES, waiting for puppy days ARE The longest! I've spent a small fortune on doggie stuff and she's not even here yet! LOL...but you wouldn't know it if you saw my house!!

Kara

 

[Cosmosmom]

Hi
Welcome .
I had to wait a long time for Asta my first dog but he was worth it trust me .
As to potty training . Every dog is unique and different . I made a few mistakes with Asta . fortunately his buddy Tulip another Havanese set him straight and got him where he needed to be - outside ..
I have learned a lot since then. First of all he had far too much freedom . Crate Training is a big help .
Get some books and start reading . There is a book about small dogs that I found very helpful but there are so many wonderful books out there now..
Each dog is unique . You will find your way trust me . I do think some of the information Tom shared made a lot of sense .
You will get so much support from all the people here you will do just fine trust me ..
Do not be suprised once your dog arrive that some of these goodies do not work out for one reason or another - they have their favorites - and you go out and just buy more ..
Too much fun ..

 

[Laurief]

Welcome Kara,
I am sure that if you do pad as work, along with a Crate, she will get to a point when she is a little older, that she will hold it during the day when you are there & will go out only with you at say - lunch and then after work. The crate is one of the best helps with potty training. I used pads when training mine to go outside. I just started taking them up when I noticed they were clean for a few days. Good Luck with her!!
Laurie

 

[whitBmom]

Welcome Kara to you and your new puppy!! You will love it here because, as you can see already, there are so many wonderful helpful Hav owners that have a plethora of tidbits to share. You have a blast with your little one, enjoy every moment and try to to worry about the small stuff just yet. Time flies, and before you know it, with consisteny, your little one will get it

 

[susaneckert]

Yoda

Well thought I would let you all know I can not show Yoda he is bow legged real bad so since he was so a little matted from blowing coat I decided to give him a puppy cut but the groomer has never groom a havanese there for it turned out terrible so he got shaved poor little guy! Now I have to go to the store and buy him some coats . Here is YOda before the cut and what yoda looks like now he dont look like Yoda any more he like a frickels

 

[Missy]

Ohhh he is adorable. he is the cutest shaved Hav I have ever seen.

 

[Missy]

look at the wonderful belton coat. and the best thing is it will grow back and he'll get to look like a puppy again.

 

[juliav]

Susan,

I think Yoda looks absolutely adorable!!! I love his gorgeous Setter markings and when his coat grows back it will be beatiful, you'll see.

When Bugsy starts to blow his coat I am going to give him a very short puppy cut.


Kara - welcome to forum. You've got some wonderful advice already. You will be able to decide on potty training when your puppy gets home. I remember having everything ready for Bugsy weeks before he came home. It's so much fun shopping for a new baby.

 

[irnfit]

Yoda is so cute. I remember when Kodi was shaved, they look so little. The good thing is, it will growback and now you will be able to manage the matting better.

 

[susaneckert]

thank you guys my heart was broken!!! He looks cute but boy is he tiny tiny tiny it will grown back I really like him in full coat what a difference

 

[BeverlyA]

Welcome to the forum Kara! I'm so jealous, I wish it was me waiting for the new puppy! You have so much fun ahead of you i was sure I wanted to try the litter box before Cooper arrived, but then when he actually got here, I decided to just go exclusively outdoors (that was my plan, not his!). If I had it to do over, I think I would try to use 2 methods, either the pads or the litter box, plus going outdoors.

Susan, Yoda is positively adorable!! He reminds me a bit of when my little Bichon mix gets her summer cut, she looks so small, but it always grows back, no worries!
He will be back to his furry self in no time, and he will be so much easier to keep brushed when it grows back. At least you live where it's nice and warm.

Beverly

 

[susaneckert]

Thank Beverly. I miss his wonderful coat that is for sure but I know in time I will get use to it. So since Yoda was so cold I went out and bought him some clothes awwww he actually likes them too I might have to go back and buy him a hat he look so cute in it he kept it on the entire time we where in the store. So I guess now I can just buy clothes for him he can be