Attention

If you are starting to train your dogs the first command you should be working on is 'focus'. Distractions are a large part of life, and you need to teach your dog to ignore them and pay attention to you. There are various names you can use. You can say Look or Focus. It's not the word though you must be consistent but the action attached to it.

Each time your dog looks at you like this, click if using a clicker and add the name you are tagging to the action. Each time she looks at you tag it with the name you are associating with the action and then treat.

It will make future training easier and help you in many situations.

Breaking the Run

Over the years we have found certain things have had to be put in place when you have multiple dogs.

Our dogs LOVE going outside here as we go out, play games, run with them, do retreive and have a crazy time. So, that doorknob gets turned the excitement ramps up.

With this weather we have ice under the snow so we did something so simple as turning our picnic table  on the lower deck sideways to stop the direct flow of traffic. Why? Well they can hurt their legs and just like us when caught up in the moment we lack common sense at times. This interrupts it - something so simple but so effective.

This is a recovery day. We have had a lot of play but I haven't been clicking. I need a couple of days to recover from pups going. Hope you understand.

The dogs are going to LOVE having this room back. They enjoy the extra room.

Check it Out

Be sure to check out some Goldie Play!

Socializing

It's important to socialize your dogs SAFELY with all types of dogs. When I say all types - each like us have different ways of interacting with each other. It is important to expose them so they get conditioned.

Today Boo who is a big play monkey found Timmy overwhelming at first. Why? Timmy has this fun, bowl you over, I am here spirit and Boo wasn't sure how to handle that. As time went on and it was a short time, they started playing and Boo understood the communications and the intentions. Both are puppies about the same age and are learning.

If you do not expose your dogs (this is why we have so many play dates etc) it is more difficult as an adult and a slower process to gain these communication understanding skills. But don't give up. Never say never. They can and do gain those skills as adults. They are just more set in their ways and not as trusting and receptive at times so the process is longer.

By socializing you help them gain their social skills, become more confident and understand the variety of ways each dog communicates and be able to pick up on the similarities and gain that understanding quicker each time they get exposed.

The critical stage is that first year but they need to socialize SAFELY throughout their lives. When doing so, you will appreciate the result!

Photos of the Day

Don't have time for much in updates. With the pups going home, he blog updates - well as you can see what time it is and now I am updating so I will just say the dogs had a blast today. The snow was coming down sideways. They all played. Kona hasn't had his bath yet but I am fitting him in as it is a must. At least with this snow we aren't having dogs swimming on the pool cover.

This is what we looked out to when the dogs first went out today. The dogs didn't seem to mind.

As you can see Momma Spice is enjoying the snow!

Spice was getting them all to chase her and they did!

Kona and Boo two peas in a pod all day long. How interesting!

Then Kona was on the chase!

Dusty found shelter.

You can't see in this photo but Truffie was in the bush and they were all hunting a squirrel.

When Scruffy wasn't playing with his sister, Pepper he was out playing up a storm with the crew. He looks so good in motion!

Finn visited for the day and who does Finn play with the most? Well, everyone he can! He is so full of life!

Cha Cha came for a bath and play date. I did have her part perfect but she fixed that. Can you believe how shiny her hair is?

Well that's it for tonight!

Teaser and Truffie Pups Play Day

I think Boo and Levon's face says it all - oh boy more fun. Here is a gallery of Boo, Levon and Piper. Piper was a tad more reserved than the boys with their wild play but humans - oh boy what a wriggle cutie patootie is she!

It was great to see them but we must do it when they can run out back and truly let loose.

Also Ty, Kona and Sophie are celebrating their 2nd birthday. Check out Ty's photo on Treasure's blog. After we get Kona cleaned up (meaning the mud goes away) we will hopefully take photos of the brothers and post them here.

THe Day

Today has been an interesting day. Last night I went to bed early with a roaring fever, shaking with chills and slept poorly going from being too hot to being too cold. This morning I was not much better but after medicating myself I got better. I took a nap. Nathan groomed Panda, Logan and Finn and figured tomorrow is a new day. I was glad to be able to get rest.

I didn't brush my own dogs but as I said tomorrow is a new day. I did wash Che to go home tomorrow. I did get registration and paperwork and bags ready for pups going home.

Tomorrow we have Boo, Piper and Levon coming to play - how fun! We also have Che departing. We also have Kora and Pepper getting baths as they depart on Thursday so I best be well tomorrow. :-)

What's the photo for? I was looking at old photos and this was Ty getting groomed as a pup. The leads on him is so I can have hands-free so I can brush and comb. It works rather well. This is my tip on my non grooming day. <smile>

Piper Update

Piper, Boo and Levon will be here on Wednesday, I think - how delightful. They are Teaser and Truffie pups...

Looks like Piper has the silvering gene - how nice. Can't wait to see the trip together.

------

Part of her human mom's note:

She's doing so well with training. I knew Havanese were smart and eager to please but I can't believe how fast she catches on to everything. She actually graduated puppy class this afternoon, passed with flying colours, and stole the hearts of everyone there. There's two pictures of her laying with her certificate, the ribbon is from tying for first place in a One Minute Stay game today.

She is quite the little ham, full of attitude and life. She loves, loves, loves to play retrieve and right now she's playing it by herself throwing one of her toys around the room only to run after it and throw it again. She has so many little adorable quirks and she's queen of "that look" when she's not impressed or offended that she can't have something. She loves belly rubs and having the spot right at the base of her tail on her back scratched. She's such a funny little gal, we're sure she knows she's funny and plays it up whenever possible. One morning while I was on the laptop and had my feet up on the coffee table she figured out how to get onto my legs and now that's her go-to spot when I'm on the couch. I don't think a day has gone by that we haven't spent a good portion of the day laughing and smiling at her. She's definitely got that Havanese smile. She also seems to be quite the daddy's girl during the day but come night, she's all about me. She spends each night curled up in a ball either in the spot at the back of my knees when they're bent or stretched out against my side.

---------------

She had so many photos that were great but Nathan wants to use some in the magazine. :-)

Crazy Fun Dawg Play

If you don't recognize him that's Kona playing his heart out. We do not wear cameras around our neck so Nathan yells in the door get the camera as he was outside watching the crazy play. I was inside.

He was playing up a storm with Dusty. Nathan didn't manage to capture that but he did manage to catch some other play.

All I know is Kona is getting a bath tomorrow after all this crazy play. He rather needs it. hahaha

Just another fun Havanese day... Funny how they make every single day about some kind of fun.

Finn Before and After

I have a virus on my computer so its been hard to do photos - still scanning. I am hoping by tomorrow it is done. So Finn is getting put up in this blog. :-)

Finn is here and he played up a storm. He got a bath just now as he is going home early.

Before Bath Blowing in WindFinn After a Bath Nathan trying to PoseDoing Nails After Messing Up HairHe is a cutie and oh boy his hair smells and feels so good. He is huggable and kissable - well he was before the bath too.

He let me lay him on his back, trim his tummy and brush him and he was super relaxed - wow!

Not to worry I will get him looking beautiful before hos Momma picks him up. :-)

Cha Cha Relaxing

Cha Cha is looking mighty relaxed in her home. She's looking more and more like Fiona with a touch of Mugs.

Cha Cha is off to get the snip snip soon. I am sure she will be more than fine. They always are - it's the humans that aren't always. hahaha

Happy Birthday

Today I am going to share a few photos of Kona. Today is Kathy's birthday (Kona's mom) and we are shouting out a big happy birthday to her.

Kona seems to be smitten with the younger set. He truly loved playing with Magic today. I hope she comes to visit when he is visiting again. He also loved playing with Finn, Roxie and he loves the Dusty one in a big way.

What is Kona doing? He is play bowing - an introduction to play some more. Magic seems delighted to do so.

They played chase me and Kona would chase her around, cut her off at the pass and she would continue the fun.

PS: I think Dusty was jealous. Finn didn't seem to mind. He just went from one to the next. Dusty kept trying to interrupt and attempting to play with Kona as if Dusty was saying - hey I can dance with you too!

It's a riot watching the dog play. See more of Finn and Magic on Abigail's blog. Nathan was clicking but he was getting lots of blurs. It's too bad. We need a faster close up lens for inside as they were moving quickly today. I only have a fixed lens. That's all he managed to get of Kona (sigh). Can't wait till they can do this running play outside. We may be able to get more than sailing hair and backends.

You don't have to be outside to have fun.

Update on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 6:21PM by Darlah

Sorry - I just learned it was Kathy's birthday so I promise you Cha Cha for sure tomorrow!

Puppy Play Bliss

It was great to have Finn and Levon visit today. They had me laughing and laughing is what I need. Here is a gallery of Finn, Levon and sometimes Jeannie I think playing.

Interesting enough Levon and Finn are about the same age and are similar in size except Levon is thinner. Abs pups always carry some width in their tummy - not fat - just wider. Levon is much like Truffie lean in the body.

What I can say is they are so delightful together. We get to see Magic tomorrow and Finn comes to visit so let the play continue. Love that they come back for a playdate. I love that Finn can come tomorrow too! It means fun, fun, fun!

Update on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 5:02PM by Darlah

Tomorrow I add a photo of Cha Cha - a wonderful photo and if it warms up I will try to get the adults playing. Rather hard in a confined place. Look for Joey photos on Abigail's blog tomorrow too!  Told Nathan I need a new lens. Fat chance but oh I wish.

Blast From the Past

Does anyone know who this is with Terra?

On a present front - no photos as my camera seems to fog up in this weather. The battery also doesn't work long despite me warming it up before going outside. hmmmm

Dogs are only going out to go, play about 3 - 5 minutes and back inside. The pups seem to enjoy it more than the adults. hahahaha

Too Cold

Our dogs here go out and come right back in. It's simply very cold especially with the fast drop.

This is Shady going for a walk in his new jacket. He seems to really like it!

Alene wrote:

Isn't shady gorgeous in his new winter wear??  we weren't going to get a coat but he starting shivering in this cold weather.  boy am i glad?  he loves his coat and want to wear it in the house, i think he's going to want pjs next!  the boots are a challenge.  i couldn't get the mutt-luk type on at all so went with these latex balloon ones.  shady hurt his paw on the salt so i realized he needed something to protect his paws.  what do you use?

-------------------

Alene: We use bag balm on the pads and rinse the feet off. I know Cooper's mom used the shoes. Maybe others can fill you in what works for them. We lost way too many shoes over the years so we don't do shoes any longer and some never adjust - others adjust fast and others just need some conditioning. Please folks tell Alene what works for you.

Snip Snip

Sounds like Tre is down for the count but it seriously won't be a week as the vet suggests. It's easier on the boys and the dogs DO heal fast.

Wasabi had her spay and if your remember by day 2 you would have never known it was done. I fretted though. I think it is harder on us humans than on them. Give him a hug and he looks stylin in his onesie!

He still has his golden copper colour on his leg I see!

Our vet now sells a dog onsie if you can believe for post surgey in all sizes.

How much does he weigh now?

Washing Times

Okay folks, I got reminded that I am not giving you real tips on how to bathe and save time.

Yes, I use a Bathing Beauty. Yes, you can build your own and not spend the big bucks like I did but do you really need one for one dog? NO. Is it great to have? YES! Does it help if you go to a cottage or a hotel or. Yes, it will work in any laundry tub or bath tub. For dog shows and grooming other people's dogs, it is a must so I CAN JUSTIFY IT but can you? Depends on how much money you have to burn. hehehehe No, I bought mine and spent the big bucks. I can't imagine going back to washing a dog the old way. But if I show you how to, I will show you the old fashioned way with time saving tips.

Do a google on Bathing Beauty to see what one is.

Why do I like it? It evenly distributes shampoo, conditioner and any other thing like a detangler etc that I want to use. I can save on the amount of product, use a minimal amount of water and mix my shampoo and conditioner together and yes the dog comes out clean and soft. BUT if I am doing a whitening treatment I do not mix.

Can you mix shampoo and conditioner together, shake it up and do it that way? Yes but you have to be good at mixing it. You see a dab in the water of shampoo and conditioner pulled and recirculated with a bathing beauty is more effective than a shaking bottle mixing but I think Lori will give it a try and let us know. :-)

But seriously to me its the drying that takes the most time. I tend to be thorough and line comb each section making it last for a few days but its more work than most do.Your dog may lok different when you do it. That's okay too. :-)

On another note, I use mini clippers to clean up the pads but do it after a bath. Why clean pads? Snow, salt, sand gets stuck in the hair, can create knots and think if you had knots between your toes how that would feel. Shaving around their private areas, including doing a scissor clip on the anus (one clean snip) and upper legs keeps them cleaner. This is called a sanitary.

Thinking about getting an Aqua Rug - has anyone used one? Do a google to see what I mean. Maybe I would like one for myself but hmm wonder if they sell them at the As seen on TV stores.

Got another dog to wash and a gallery to do - that's enough for today.

Cold Brrrr

This is Cooper, Maxine and Jeannie playing up a storm. I am not sure how many times I put Coopers hair back up but boy this trip was having a blast together today.

Scruffy best be jealous as Kona has found where Roxie is he wants to be with when its not us humans. It's Roxie, Roxie, Roxie and why not she's batting those eyes and loving the attention. Kona is a massive snuggler and even snuggles in with the Roxie when he is not snuggled up to us.

I went into the tv room and noticed that Coco was up high snuggled up to Abigail, Doozie was in the recliner, Cooper was draped on Nathan's neck and Kona was in his lap. It's a crazy dawg room, what can I say.

Our lens was also fogging up something terrible as you will see in the photos.

Its too cold for the dogs to be out too long at the moment but they say rain and muck is coming tomorrow. Joy - not!

Funny Another What a Day

I want you to know it's been an insane day. We had a lot of visitors just for today and everyone needed a brush. I also washed the pup to go home, Fiona, Logan, Panda as Friday is insane so a day early for their usual day, Spice, Abigail and Roxie. I am so exhausted its unreal.

Thanks to Nathan and Dennis the dawgs had a ton of fun and Nathan clicked a few photos. I will tell you I brushed Kona but you will see my after brush of him and after play of him. What a world of difference and yes, he is playing like crazy. He seemed to know his brother Ty.

Kona BrushedWhat happened?I swear Coco was laughing at the antics

I have many more but wow I am out of steam.

What a Day

Logan helped us tucker out the pups. Kona, who is visiting us decided the little ones were not for him but who knows what will occur when the days unfold. Kona has been amazing and he thinks Dennis shoots the moon and we can't figure out why.

Here are a few more photos of Logan. Thank you Logan for helping us tucker the wee ones out. It worked.

A few are coming to visit for the day tomorrow, a few are visiting their pups tomorrow night. I may have to put toothpicks in my eyes but I intend to have fun. Caffeine here I come. :-) Looking forward to Ty seeing his brother Kona. I promise to click with the good lens tomorrow.

A part of me says wash at least Truffie tomorrow but I don't know... I am still blogging.