Are Havanese Good with Kids? Training & Socialization Tips
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When adopting a new dog, most future pet parents look for one that’s sweet, loyal, easy to train, and intelligent. If those are the traits you’re looking for in a dog, one we can highly and gladly recommend is the Havanese. Having a Havanese in your home is a wonderful addition to any family unit. You’ll be glad to know Havanese dogs are excellent with kids and get along well with most of them.
Due to their small size, however, it’s critical that any child who plays with your Havanese knows how to handle a small dog and treats your pup respectfully. Besides the size factor, Havanese dogs love playing with kids and make excellent pets and companions.
You might have several other questions concerning this delightful breed and its personality traits. Do Havanese get along well with other dogs and pets, and do they make good therapy dogs? Are Havanese prone to separation anxiety? Can they become aggressive? To find out, read on! We have the answers to those questions, tips, and advice about the happy-go-lucky Havanese below!
Do Havanese Get Along Well with Other Dogs?
The friendly and outgoing Havanese gets along well with kids, but what about other dogs? The good news is that their social and affectionate nature transfers to other dogs, too, and your Havanese will love meeting and playing with new puppy pals whenever it gets the opportunity.
However, Havanese are tiny dogs, and there’s always a risk that a larger dog will play too rough or hurt your Havanese. If you go to a dog park, vets recommend that you take your precious pet to the small dog side to reduce any risk of injury.
Do Havanese Get Along Well with Other Pets?
If well socialized, a Havanese will get along well with most other pets, including cats and even small pets like rabbits and gerbils. Havanese typically have a low prey drive and enjoy making new friends. Regardless of its temperament, the dog requires plenty of early interactions to get along with other animals.
Can Havanese Dogs Be Aggressive?
Like any dog, if cornered, attacked, or highly perturbed by something, a Havanese will be aggressive. However, it would take an awful lot of stress, fear, and negative vibes for the typical Havanese to become aggressive with anyone in their circle of family and friends. About 99.9% of the time, all your Havanese will want to do is play, snuggle, and make you smile.
Do Havanese Make Good Therapy Dogs?
With its fun and loving personality, the Havanese is a wonderful therapy and companion dog. They are perpetually happy dogs, and their happiness is contagious wherever they go and whoever they see.
One of the best examples of Havanese being good therapy dogs was seen during a clinic in London, England, for stressed-out UK executives. Among the several dog breeds used at the clinic, the Havanese had the most calming effects and compelling results. They beat out the Eurasier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, and Golden Retriever. One thing you should note is that Havanese are energetic little dogs and need between 1 and 2 hours of activity (at least) daily. For those with mobility issues, their need for activity could be a small setback.
Do Havanese Get Along Well When Left Alone?
Lovingly called the “Velcro dog,” a Havanese will stick to you, so to speak, all day long when you’re at home. That’s great, of course, but when you leave, this clingy behavior can become a problem, as many Havanese have issues with separation anxiety.
This can sometimes result in scratched doors and chewed shoes, which are sure signs your Havanese wasn’t happy you were away. The good news is that they’re so small that you can take your Havanese puppy with you wherever you go!
Do Havanese Dogs Bark a Lot?
Although most smaller dogs tend to bark incessantly, the Havanese barks a bit less, especially if they’re content with you on the couch. However, when friends come by, the mailman drops off mail, or something exciting happens in your home, you can bet that your Havanese will bark up a storm!
It depends on the particular dog, as some report their Havanese pup barks very little, while others say their pets bark constantly. For the latter, proper training and socialization are the best solutions.
Is the Havanese a Good Dog for First-Time Dog Owners?
If you have a young family, the last thing you need is another thing to add to your daily list of tasks and chores. Dogs add to that list, of course, but the Havanese add a bit less because they’re so easy to train, affectionate, and willing to do anything to please their pet parents.
The fact that Havanese dogs bark less than other small breeds is another excellent reason to adopt one as your first dog, especially if you have a new baby or live in an apartment with neighbors close by. The biggest drawback of the breed is the need to groom them frequently. In short, the Havanese makes an excellent dog if this is your first time as a pet parent.
Final Thoughts
If you were wondering whether the beloved dog of Cuba, the Havanese, is good with kids, you now know that they’re great with kids and get along well with just about everyone else, including cats! Havanese are affectionate dogs that will smother a child in dog kisses and play with them all day. All you need to remember is that, as a tiny dog, any child who plays with your happy Havanese should have good dog-handling skills and the proper level of maturity. If they do, it’s a sure bet that your child and your Havanese puppy will be fast friends for many years!
Featured Image Credit: Boryana Manzurova, Shutterstock
