Your Best Training Choice

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Take a Guess

   Can you guess what the picture above is?  If your guess was sound waves, you would be correct!  The absolute and best training tool you have is your voice. 
  Really, it's quite amazing and what makes so amazing is the part that we do not completely understand just yet because it has to do with the fact we are not dogs and do not hear as they do- but that is for another time.

Eye Contact

   One of the first things you should learn is how to talk to your puppy.  Look them in the eye when you talk to them and conversely they need to look you in your eyes (this could be brief maybe a few seconds or longer).
   Havanese pay attention to you pretty well in the hopes of treats and so forth but if your darling cannot find your eyes or is shy you can pick him/her up, grasp the hair gently under the chin and direct the nose toward  your nose.  The eyes usually follow.  
     Another method is to take your index finger and move your hand from their nose to and almost touch your nose with the tip of your finger drawing the eye to your face/eyes.

HEY  YOU!  -  YES,  YOU!

     Always use your puppy(ies)'s name first when addressing him/her for training especially.  By using the  name first you absolutely let the pup know who is being addressed and to pay attention. 
Example:
Good: "Kiwi, sit." stated in a firm voice.
Not so good: "Sit" or "Please sit." asked or hesitantly spoken. 
This also helps them to understand that you are in charge not them. 

Pitch or Tone of Your Voice

   Drop the pitch of your voice a little.  Eventually you want your pup to hear and obey with a normal, even quiet command but you both are just beginning so going the extra step of being slightly exaggerated, conscious and controlling with your voice will pay off with interest.  

What Not to Do's

   The great thing about consciously using your voice means you are in control of the pitch and volume.  When you scream at your dog, not only have you lost control of your pitch and volume, you have lost control of the situation.  
    STOP: Take a breath.  Get the control in order to teach.  Fear teaches just that- fear.  Not what you want from your dog.  

Repetition & Timing

   Practice! Practice! Practice!  For some of us voice control does not come naturally or maybe even easily. Repetition will eventually help things become second nature and natural. For repetition you have to allow time and plan it into your day or schedule to be successful. 
  Many people fail in training their dogs because they really are not willing to commit to just a 15 minutes a day, twice a day,  every other day for as few as six weeks to get their puppy on the right track. If you make your training regime part of your daily play times and make a routine, chances of success go through the roof. 

You are the Touchstone!

The last thing I would like to leave with you is that puppies learn whatever you teach them.  Whether or not you correct bad behavior, applaud good behavior or everything in between, just please understand, you give your puppy(ies) the directions on how to behave by your responses: good, bad, indifferent, etc.  
   A pup will act out on occasion but it is you who determines the next move.  Get help from a good, reputable trainer  if you do not know how to go on or if you need help with with a problem.