Thursday, January 22, 2009

Havanese: Finding the Play

Each dog has its role in a pack and that includes your house. Add another and the pack and the job can change.

Abigail is a calming dog. Oh, she loves to play - get into all sort of trouble but if she sees another not fitting in, it is her persistence to get them to feel wanted, needed and a part of the whole. To me, that's a job but one she just does without training.

If you think of your own Havanese, what is their job? It's important they all have one. It lends them a feeling that this is their reason for being.

It could be a negative - the dog that barks at noises as a warning may feel that their job is to make sure you know something is coming or is close.

Our bedroom is in the back of our house and we had guests from the country staying with us in the bedroom closest to the street. Their dog growled with every car that came down the street. Our poor guest never got any sleep but if they had stayed for several days, corrected - it would have ceased.

In a pack, some dogs are the persuaders. What does that mean? If you are limiting treats - as you should and use the for training only, and one Havanese is perceived as getting the treats, the pack will use that dog to get you to treat them. It starts with the dog looking at you adoringly and sticking out its tongue in and out. It's called the 'feed me' signal. Has your Havanese done it lately? Get him to work for it. You will be glad you did. No free treats here. :-)

1 comment:

  1. How interesting that some Havanese seems to act as though they are from one mother.
    Ive seen that little tongue flicking at me way too many times.After all it is an irresistable sight,and Jazz always gets his treats.

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