101 Mistakes Havanese Owners Make

A puppy’s first week with you can decide whether you’re building a calm, healthy routine - or constantly putting out fires. The mistake isn’t always dramatic. It’s often small choices: picking the wrong temperament for your house, accepting unclear medical records, or bringing home a puppy that’s already carrying an avoidable health risk.

This chapter focuses on the most common “choosing” mistakes that lead to puppy problems later. If you get this part right, the rest of puppy care gets easier: feeding, training, grooming, and health all work better when you start with the right dog from the start.

Theme Snapshot: What “Choosing the Right Puppy” Really ControlsWhen you choose a puppy, you’re really choosing four things at once:

Risk level (health, parasites, early illness)

Stability (sleep, stress tolerance, how easy they are to settle)

Trainability (how they learn from simple routines)

Fit (your schedule, home layout, and what “normal” looks like for your life)

Ask yourself one blunt question before you fall in love: “If this puppy has a problem in week 2, will I be able to spot it early and handle it fast?” Your answers should guide how you shop, what you check, and who you buy from.

Practical takeaway: Your “good choice” isn’t a feeling - it’s proof you can verify.

Ranked Items: 101 Mistakes in Choosing the Right Puppy#1: Buying Without a Vet Plan FirstProblem: If you bring home a puppy before you know where they’ll be seen and how quickly, you can lose days or weeks when something is already wrong. By the time you “schedule later,” a simple issue can turn into a bigger one.

Solution: Before pickup, call a vet and ask for a puppy new-patient appointment within 48-72 hours. Bring any records the seller has and ask what to watch for in the first week.

Result: You catch issues early and start vaccines and deworming on time.

#2: Choosing Based Only on CutenessProblem: “Small and sweet” can hide early stress, illness, or fear. A puppy that looks adorable but is lethargic or overly clingy often becomes harder to handle later.

Solution: Watch the puppy for 10-15 minutes during interaction. Choose the one that’s curious and responsive, not the one that’s constantly hiding or barely moving.

Result: You start with a puppy whose behavior matches what you can actually manage.

#3: Ignoring the Puppy’s AgeProblem: Age affects learning, vaccine timing, and how much independence a puppy can handle. If you bring home a puppy too young, you may run into separation and health problems fast.

Solution: Ask the seller for the exact birth date or at least the best estimate. Plan your first routine around that age (feeding frequency, sleep needs, and potty expectations).

Result: Your schedule fits the puppy instead of forcing them to “catch up.”

#4: Waiting to Ask for Medical RecordsProblem: Some sellers avoid paperwork or give vague answers about vaccines and deworming. Without records, you can’t tell what’s been done or what’s due next.

Solution: Require a written record list: vaccines given, dates, and deworming dates/products. If they can’t provide it, you walk away.

Result: You reduce guesswork and avoid skipping important prevention.

#5: Accepting Vague “They’ve Been Wormed”Problem: “Wormed” without dates or product name is almost useless. Puppies can still carry parasites that cause diarrhea, poor growth, and dehydration.

Solution: Ask: “What product did you use, and what date?” If the seller can’t answer, plan a vet check and deworming schedule immediately.

Result: You prevent a common gut problem from becoming a recurring one.

#6: Taking Home a Puppy With Runny EyesProblem: Runny eyes can be mild, but it can also signal infection or irritation. If you ignore it, it may spread or worsen, especially in multi-puppy environments.

Solution: Look for discharge (yellow/green), redness, and constant tearing. If you see it, ask the seller what’s been going on and get a vet exam quickly.

Result: You avoid bringing home a contagious or painful eye issue.

#7: Choosing a Puppy That Won’t Eat During VisitsProblem: A puppy that refuses food at the seller’s home or during your visit may be sick. Stress can play a role, but “won’t eat” is a red flag, not a quirky trait.

Solution: Offer the puppy the same food they’re used to (ask what they feed). If they still won’t eat, don’t pick them - ask for a vet check first.

Result: You reduce the chance of buying into an illness.

#8: Selecting the Most Aggressive PuppyProblem: Aggression at a young age often comes from fear, poor handling, or overstimulation. If you pick it “because it seems tough,” you may create safety problems in week 1.

Solution: Choose a puppy that can be approached, handled lightly, and redirected. If a puppy bites hard when you touch them, skip them.

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