How to Teach a Havanese Tricks
Havanese are highly intelligent, affectionate companions with a genuine desire to please, making them excellent candidates for trick training. Their playful temperament and strong bonds with owners create the perfect foundation for learning advanced tricks like shake, roll over, and trick chains. However, their tendency toward separation anxiety and over-attachment means training sessions should be frequent, short, and always positive—turning practice into quality bonding time. With their moderate 3/5 energy level, Havanese thrive on mental stimulation that channeling their natural sociability and desire for interaction. This guide leverages their inherent trainability (4/5) and love of human connection to build confidence and strengthen your relationship while teaching impressive tricks.
Step-by-step
- 1
Build Foundation Behaviors First
Start with essential basics (sit, down, stay) before advancing to tricks—Havanese learn fastest when fundamentals are solid. Use high-value treats and 5-10 minute sessions to respect their moderate energy and keep them engaged. This foundation is critical for preventing frustration and building the confidence needed for complex trick chains.
- 2
Master 'Shake' Using Their Social Nature
Havanese are naturally tactile and affectionate, so 'shake' is an intuitive first trick. Hold a treat just out of paw's reach; when your dog paws at your hand, say 'shake,' reward immediately, and gently hold their paw for 1-2 seconds. Repeat in short sessions 3-4 times daily to maintain momentum without causing boredom or over-excitement.
- 3
Teach 'Roll Over' With Patience and Motivation
Begin with your dog lying down, then lure a high-value treat close to their nose and slowly toward their shoulder to encourage rolling. Mark the behavior with 'yes!' and reward each progression—even rolling halfway counts initially. Havanese can be stubborn about body movements, so celebrate small progress and never force the motion.
- 4
Chain Tricks Gradually to Prevent Overwhelm
Once your Havanese reliably knows 2-3 tricks separately, link them together in short sequences (e.g., sit → shake → down). Start with just two tricks in a chain, practice daily, and add complexity only when they succeed consistently. Their intelligent, playful nature thrives on the challenge, but their tendency toward anxiety means building chains methodically prevents frustration.
- 5
Use Positive Reinforcement Exclusively
Havanese are sensitive, affectionate dogs who respond best to praise, play, and treats—never use punishment or harsh corrections. Keep sessions fun and celebratory; your enthusiasm directly influences their willingness to engage. Frequent, genuine praise strengthens your bond and prevents the anxiety issues this breed is prone to.
- 6
Practice Consistently Within Your Dog's Exercise Budget
Incorporate 2-3 training sessions daily into your Havanese's 30-minute recommended daily exercise. Short 5-10 minute sessions prevent mental fatigue and maintain focus, while the repetition accelerates learning. This consistency also combats separation anxiety by creating predictable, positive interaction rituals.
Pro tips
- Use 'sticky' high-value treats (cheese, chicken, freeze-dried liver) only during trick training to maintain motivation—Havanese will work hardest for rewards they see rarely. Their strong food drive makes this approach highly effective.
- Train in calm, familiar environments where your Havanese feels secure; their tendency toward over-attachment and separation anxiety means new or chaotic settings trigger anxiety rather than focus. Your presence and predictability are as important as the treat.
- End every session with a trick they already know perfectly, so they finish confident and happy—this preserves their playful motivation and prevents the frustration that sensitive Havanese internalize, which worsens anxiety-related behaviors.
Frequently asked questions
My Havanese gets anxious when I leave the room during training. How do I handle this?+
Train in rooms where your Havanese feels secure and gradually build independence. Keep sessions very short (5 minutes max) and always end on a positive note before they become distressed. Their separation anxiety is normal for the breed; consistency and patience help them learn that training time is predictable and safe.
My Havanese knows 'shake' and 'sit' separately, but won't do them in a chain. Why?+
Chaining requires extra cognitive effort and can overwhelm sensitive dogs. Practice each trick individually for a few more days, then introduce the chain using extra-high-value treats. Go very slowly—start by doing 'sit,' rewarding, then immediately asking for 'shake' with a fresh reward. Never chain tricks your dog hasn't fully mastered solo.
How do I stop my Havanese from barking during training sessions?+
Barking often signals excitement, frustration, or anxiety. Reward calm, quiet attention before asking for tricks, and ignore barking (don't respond to it). Keep sessions short to prevent over-stimulation, and ensure your dog gets adequate daily exercise (30 minutes) to reduce excess energy that fuels barking.
Is it okay to train my Havanese every day, even on short walks?+
Yes—daily training sessions are ideal for this breed and actually help prevent separation anxiety by creating positive, predictable interaction. Keep individual sessions to 5-10 minutes, and spread 2-3 sessions throughout the day. The mental stimulation supports their trainability (4/5) and strengthens your bond.