Darling Amen (pronounced "Amon") stood in line twice when they passed out personality! This cute five-year-old Havanese is 10.5 pounds of sweetness and affection. He loves being held and cuddled and snuggles up closely on the sofa next to his humans. He doesn't play favorites though, and will choose any member of the household to snuggle with. Amen is a true Velcro dog and he likes to be close to his humans. He enjoys sleeping at the feet of his foster mom when she's at the computer and curls up near his foster siblings when the humans are not home. Amen gets along with men, women and children, and hasn't yet met a person he doesn't like.
Amen enjoys the company of other dogs he knows just as much as he loves people, which is saying a lot! He loves running and playing games with the other dogs in his foster home. He doesn't know how to play fetch, but he enjoys running alongside the dogs when they do. He is learning to play with squeaky toys and loves a good chew stick. He hasn't been exposed to cats in his foster family so that is an unknown for him.
Amen is working on house training. He seems to be catching on pretty well. He understands where his foster mom wants him to go and he usually complies, but he will need a family that will continue working with him on this. Every morning, Amen dutifully goes pee pee outside, and when his foster mom reminds him, he goes back again and finishes the job! He is learning to use the doggy door as well and often uses it to go into the yard and potty without prompting. Yeah, Amen!
Amen responds well to treats and praise. A positive approach for this little guy is important. He is so eager to please and loves his humans more than his little body can hold. He sometimes submissively urinates a bit out of excitement when his humans get home or when he's stressed. He has stopped doing this, but his new family will need to continue to be positive with him so he feels safe and 
confident.
Amen is very uncomfortable when it thunders or storms and is reluctant to go potty outside during those times. He is willing to use a designated pee pad inside. He is getting more comfortable now with going outside quickly in the rain to relieve himself, but will need a family that is understanding of his fears and can help him feel safe. He seeks comfort and cuddling from his humans to ride out the storm. As soon as the weather passes, he is a carefree boy again.
Amen sleeps very well in a crate in his foster family's bedroom at night. He loves his little refuge and goes in without hesitation. He also loves cuddling and may take to sleeping with his humans if they are agreeable to it.
When Amen first arrived at his foster house, he had to be shaved down, so he does not look like the typical Havanese just yet. His soft coat is growing in nicely though and he will grow back into his longer coat and face soon. He behaves nicely at the groomer and even seems to enjoy being bathed by his less-capable foster family!
Amen is protective of his family and alerts them to every passerby on the street. He is learning that a quick alert is enough though and should continue to get better with this. He is friendly with other dogs but barks a lot when a strange dog gets near. He is not aggressive, however, and with patience and teaching, he will learn that sniffing is a sufficient way to say hello.
Amen is such a ball of sweet personality that he is hard to resist. When one of his humans arrives home, he wags his little tail so hard that his whole body shakes and he sometimes falls over! He loves to get kisses and is learning to give them too. And when his humans pet his upper chest, he wraps his front paws around their arm in a hug as if to say "I love you. Don't stop petting me." It will make your heart melt.
Amen is not a pushover, however, and is happy to let his humans know what he wants. If he's in the lap of his human and they are not giving him their full attention, he has been known to push his head under their hand to remind them of what's important.
Besides loving people, cuddles, treats, and running with his canine foster siblings, Amen loves going on walks. Whenever his foster mom pulls out the leash, he dances around and then dutifully waits for it to be hooked on. He'd be thrilled to find a family that will regularly walk with him. He's good on a leash but has not been taught to heel. He doesn't pull though and should be a quick study.
Amen is learning basic commands such as sit and stay. He is also working on waiting until he is told to go out the open door rather than just running out. He is making slow but steady progress and with his desire to please and his love of treats, he should get it in no time.
Amen would love a home with children to play with. He'd also really appreciate a friendly canine companion in his forever home that he can play with and cuddle with for long naps. A true Velcro dog, he'd love a family where someone is home much of the day.
AMEN is being fostered in Texas.
A donation will be requested to adopt this dog. The recommended donation amount will be based on the dog's age, and medical and behavioral issues, if any. A completed application is required if you are interested in adoption. Thank you for considering a rescue dog!