How to Crate Train a Havanese

Hello Jen, 1. For the biting: Check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Bite Inhibition" method. BUT at the same time, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good as the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when he attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if he makes a good choice. If he disobeys your leave it command, use the Pressure method to gently discipline pup for biting when you told him not to. The order or all of this is very important - the Bite Inhibition method can be used for the next couple of weeks while pup is learning leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely. The pressure method teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands that you are not just roughhousing (which is what pup probably thinks most of the time right now), so it is more effective. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite I would also work on teaching the Out command, and then use the section from the article on How to Use Out to Deal with Pushiness, to enforce it when pup doesn't listen, especially around other animals or kids. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Another important part of this is puppy learning bite inhibition. Puppies have to learn while young how to control the pressure of their mouths - this is typically done through play with other puppies. See if there is a puppy class in your area that comes well recommended and has time for moderated off-leash puppy play. If you can't join a class, look for a free puppy play group, or recruit some friends with puppies to come over if you can and create your own group. You are looking for puppies under 6 months of age - since young puppies play differently than adult dogs. Moderate the puppies' play and whenever one pup seems overwhelmed or they are all getting too excited, interrupt their play, let everyone calm down, then let the most timid pup go first to see if they still want to play - if they do, then you can let the other puppies go too when they are waiting for permission. Finding a good puppy class - no class will be ideal but here's what to shoot for: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ When pup gets especially wound up, he probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help him calm down and rest. 2. For the chewing: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ 3. For the potty training: What is your eventual goal for pup? Do you want pup to be trained to go potty outside or inside or both? If your goal is both, I would also use a disposable real grass pad, such as www.freshpatch.com or www.porchpotty.com instead of a pee pad or paper, for consistency with surface type. If your goal is inside potty training or both, I recommend using the exercise pen method from the article I have linked below, and when you begin using multiple pads to cover the entice floor inside the exercise pen. Once pup is doing really well with that method, then, before you phase out the exercise pen, gradually take away the extra pads, one extra pad at a time with at least three days between removals. See if pup is then targeting the remaining pads alright and reward pup when they do so. Set up your exercise pen in an area without carpet or rugs, and if you don't have such an area, put down clear plastic underneath the exercise pen and potty pads. (stores like home depot or places that do flooring or paint generally carry something like that that you can buy the length you need). Carpet and rugs are absorbent fabric; to a pup who isn't potty trained the absorbent surface of the carpet or rug isn't any different than the absorbent fabric of the pee pads. Some dogs still struggle with the similarity of those things even after some training. If pup continues to have accidents on carpet and rugs often instead or using the pee pad once you give more freedom again, I would switch to a disposable real grass pad and go back to using the exercise pen again for a month. The grass pad is more distinctly different than other areas inside your home than a pee pad is. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 9, 2022

Hello Evelyn, You want him to get into the habit of holding his bladder between trips and not just eliminating whenever he feels the urge, and you want to encourage that desire for cleanliness in your home - which the crate is helpful for. Check out the article I have linked below. Since he is older, you can add 30-60 minutes to the times listed there, depending on pup's bladder control at this age. Less freedom now means more freedom later in life. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside If he is marking, the crate will only be half the battle. During the 1.5 hours he is out of the crate between potty trips he will probably still try to pee to mark his scent - since the issue isn't needing to pee but wanting to "claim" things by peeing on them. To deal with that behavior, use the crate training method, but also keep him tethered to you while he is out of the crate between potty trips using a 6 or 8 foot leash. Have him wear a belly band - which is a sling/diaper for male dogs that catches urine, and when he tries to lift his leg to mark, clap your hands loudly three times. Use a cleaner than contains enzymes to remove the smell from any new or previous accidents - since lingering scent will only encourage more marking and only enzymes fully remove the smell. Look on the bottle for the word enzyme or enzymatic. Many (but not all) pet cleaners contain enzymes. The belly band will keep marking from being fun and successful for him and stop the spreading of the smell - which encourages more marking (and keep your things clean). Attaching him to yourself with the leash will keep him from sneaking off to pee uninterrupted, and clapping will make peeing unpleasant for him without it being too harsh. Reward him with treats when he potties outside so he understands that pottying outside in front of you is good, it's only inside where he shouldn't do it. If pup has any form of incontinence due to age, opposed to this being a training/behavior issue, I would speak with your vet, and you might need to utilize a disposable real grass pad and exercise pen overnight and while away, and the belly band more often, if pup can't hold their bladder. Refer to your vet about anything medically related though. I am not a vet. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 9, 2022