Havanese Training Profile
Havanese are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them responsive to positive reinforcement. However, they can be stubborn, particularly with house training, which requires patience and consistency. To keep them engaged, keep training sessions short, fun, and varied. Early socialization and high social interaction are key to managing this clever, companionable breed.
TRAINABILITY
Average
5 out of 10
MENTAL STIMULATION NEEDS
Moderate Needs
6 out of 10
LOVE FOR GRUB
Moderate
5 out of 10
TRAINING FAQ
Are Havanese easy to train?
Very Easy
10 out of 10
Havanese are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train using positive reinforcement. They respond best to treats and praise rather than harsh corrections. To keep these smart dogs engaged, ensure training sessions are kept short, fun, and varied to prevent them from becoming bored.
Are Havanese stubborn?
Very Stubborn
2 out of 10
While Havanese are generally eager to please, they can be surprisingly stubborn, especially regarding house training. Their high intelligence means they get bored easily with repetition. To succeed, use positive reinforcement, keep sessions engaging, and maintain consistency to ensure this clever breed stays focused and willing to learn.
How to train a Havanese puppy?
Easy
10 out of 10
Train Havanese puppies using positive reinforcement and consistent, short sessions. These intelligent dogs respond best to praise and treats rather than harsh discipline. Focus on early socialization and patience, especially with potty training. Keep exercises varied to prevent boredom and maintain their eagerness to please during lessons.
How difficult is to potty train a Havanese puppy?
Very Easy
10 out of 10
Potty training a Havanese typically takes 6 to 7 months to achieve reliability. While intelligent, these toy dogs have small bladders and can be slow to housebreak. Success requires a consistent schedule, positive reinforcement, and diligent supervision. Many owners find crate or bell training helpful during this process.
How many walks does a Havanese need?
Average Needs
5 out of 10
Havanese dogs have moderate exercise needs, typically requiring two short walks daily totaling 30 to 60 minutes. While they enjoy bursts of playfulness and exploring new scents, their small size makes them well-suited for apartment living. Supplementing outdoor walks with indoor games like fetch keeps them happy and healthy.
What is the best daily routine for a Havanese?
Moderate
6 out of 10
A Havanese daily routine should focus on moderate activity and high social interaction. Provide 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, ideally split into two 15-30 minute walks supplemented with indoor play like fetch or hide-and-seek. Because they are highly intelligent and prone to boredom, include short, fun training sessions and puzzle feeders to provide mental stimulation. As a companion breed prone to separation anxiety, ensure they have plenty of quality time with family. For puppies, keep exercise sessions short, around 5-15 minutes, to protect their developing joints while focusing heavily on early socialization and consistent potty training schedules.
VET INSIGHTS
Havanese are intelligent and eager to please, making them highly trainable with positive reinforcement. However, they can be stubborn, especially regarding housebreaking. They require moderate exercise, including short daily walks and social play. Prone to separation anxiety, they thrive on companionship and consistent routines. Mental stimulation through games and varied training sessions is essential for this clever breed.

Reviewed by
Dr. Vojtech Gabriel
DVM · PhD · MBA
Veterinarian
Researcher
Dog breed specialist
Verified
