Ice and Havanese

With this in between weather we often forget that we can slip on ice but so can your little ones.

Be careful when it is extra slippery or you may be dealing with a bruised body yourself and a high vet bill from a dog that slips the wrong way. That's not to say you shouldn't allow your dogs to play outside but be careful when it is EXTRA slippery.

This is Treasure standing on our pool cover - yep all iced over but melting.

Watch Westminster tonight and/or check out the winners. It will surely be a grand Havanese celebration! Then come see us at Markham and say hello. We adore talking to our visitors that read our ramblings.

Socializing the Talemaker Havanese

Our son Joseph was in from the navy and came by for a quick hello. It's his anniversary so he came into town to see his wife. We get that but it was great that he got to come by - say hello to the dogs and socialize them.

He's not here all that often so it's as if a stranger is coming to the dogs. The dogs warm up to him fast.

Joseph is a HUGE dog fan and his wife is getting there. She wants small like our Havanese - he wants large. Where did we go wrong?

But still he was rather smitten with the Treasure as you can see. He was also teaching her shakedown and she was placating him.

It's important to get your dogs to see all sorts of people. When taking them out, carry extra treats and have others feed your little one. Look for opportunities to expose your dogs to all sorts of sounds. people and other dogs/cats etc.

It's like dieting/exercise. You have to wrap your head around it and do it or nothing changes.

Well - off to handling tonight with Yvonne and crew. Should be fun!

Woodstock Show

Okay - this isn't a DOG photo. Can you believe I forgot the camera at home? This is what Nathan looks like after a long day in the car with just me. He looks much happier WITH dogs. ROFL

Just teasing but he does rather like the dogs lovin' him up and who doesn't?

The dog show was congested - lots of dogs - Paula won group 2 for the 2nd day in a row - bravo with Joker. The Peke won group one. I can't wrap my head around Pekes as they look like dust mops to me but it did have gorgeous hair. I guess it would stay that way as its not entirely overly mobile.

There were missing in action Havanese and a new one from Cuba. Wish I could go back today but it's called socialize my dogs day and training. What are you doing?

Are you watching Westminister on TV Monday and Tuesday. The Havanese will be on Tuesday. Two of the dogs from Rockhurst will be there - same place we got the Treasure and Abigail. Do watch. I have my PVR set to record. Let us know what you think.

Visiting and Socializing Dog Show Style

Ever wonder what it is like to go to go to a dog show WITHOUT dogs? Well check back later and I will fill you in.

We are off to the Woodstock, Ontario show. I will fill you in as if you were there.

For now - Wasabi is waiting till her next heat - coming soon and we will breed her many days so we make sure she has a crew come spring. Just think - we will have water puppies as they will all get their chance in the pool and videos to show - fun!

Be sure to watch Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday. It starts on Monday with those OTHER dogs. Rockhurst who Treasure and Abigail are from will have 2 dogs in the show. Exciting times!

Havanese in Obedience Class

We attended Obedience training last night in this little town in the middle of nowhere called Blackstock, about an hour from our home.

Treasure was a bit worn out yesterday from non-stop playing with Abigail that starts from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed. However, Fiona is also an equal opportunity gal and will take a time out from playing with Abigail to play with Fiona, Shoshi, Terra or anyone else with a heartbeat. And they all seem to prefer to be outside where the temperatures yesterday were ridiculous.

Anyway, the Instructor came to me and said that one of the other participants in the class mentioned that her friend was going to be showing a Havanese at Westminster. So I went right over to her and asked if that friend was Kim and that dog Gina. It was. She had seen Kim and Gina (Rockhurst’s Oh La La) at the Vet’s getting their shots the other day. Small world. I proudly explained that Gina and Treasure both come from the wonderful Rockhurst Havanese.

Of course the entire class loves Treasure. Last night one of the things we practiced was the recall. I put Treasure in a stay at one end of the room. The rest of the dogs are lined up along the sides all the way down the room. There is a standard collie, two border collies, and a golden retriever. They all want to play with Treasure. So I placed her in a stand stay and walked to the other side of the room. Then I called Treasure ...... COME accompanied by the standard hand signal and that little munchkin came barreling towards me like she got shot out of a cannon.

In spite of all Darlah’s best and continuing efforts to steal her away from me I am managing to establish a bond. The rest of the class were in awe of her cuteness and of course she is the smartest dog in the room and no, I have no bias whatsoever.

Then we practiced behaviour shaping. In this case we wanted the dogs to understand when we wanted them to go to their bed. We brought in the donut bed from the car. Naturally as soon as I placed it on the ground Treasure trotted over and crawled into it. The rest of the class spent 5 minutes trying to get their dogs onto a mat or whatever on their own volition. They would reward when they figured out to go to their mat. Treasure just watched me for treats from the bed.

She heels. Tail is always up, in motion. When one of the large dogs get in her face the tail might droop for a few seconds and then it is right back up again. She is learning good coping skills.

Next week is our last Obedience class. Then she needs to start Handling classes. She is getting more comfortable on the table but is not yet entirely comfortable and will be worse in a strange place with strange people. I have to work on that. And that is your reading for the morning.

Excuse the darkness of the photos - Darlah just hasn't figured out how to create the proper light in this type of room that doesn't lend brightness in any setting. She thinks she needs a flash that she can bounce of the ceiling. This camera addiction is costly. Where's that lottery ticket?

We are off to Woodstock tomorrow to watch lots of Havanese. Will have camera - will travel and we are not showing but one wonders why we aren't. Oh well - Markham is next.

Recliner Love Fest Havanese Style

Hey - the camera is back. Today we picked up the camera and took Fiona into Home Depot. Yes you CAN take your dog into Home Depot. How cool is that? Well we do it to condition them to the noise and boy was it noisy today. The tail went down slightly then back up and down slightly - never quite making it to half mast but you realized the noise was not a familiar one so this slow conditioning is a GOOD thing. So are visits to Petsmart.

Well tonight Treasure goes to her obedience class - only tonight and next week to go. It's far for us but well worth it. Tonight we are going to learn - 'go to your bed' and we have to take our bed to class. This is great for those big dogs that hog the couch but we don't have that problem. Nathan sits down and watches TV and they don't do that couch thing but instead join him on the recliner quite literally but Nathan is a good egg and as you can see - he laughs about it. What's even more of a riot is that's not all the dogs. Do you think our dogs will benefit from a 'go to your bed' training session? You tell me.

Was hoping to do another level class but no next level so maybe it is time to get her into handling class especially if she is making her debut in April. Still - if Teddy had a class - I would go.

Camera's in Shop: Poor Havanese or Me?

Well, the digital camera is in the shop to get fixed. It can take up to 6 weeks. Can you hear that primal scream. I may have to borrow a camera for Markham especially for the Best of the Best. I wanted to take photos at Woodstock this weekend but can I - nah. Do you know how many Havanese photos I take a day? Nah - you don't want to know.

But let's say that our dogs now freeze at times as if to say - okay take a photo now. One has to laugh. I will have to go back to using Nathan's Nikon Coolpix and just coping.

Well, Abigail got a present today from Beth of pink long johns. I can't wait to get them on and click a photo but who has a camera. Okay - as soon as Nathan comes home - I will point and click and post a photo of the darling in these pinkie things for you to see. This is to help protect her coat.

Abigail is blowing her coat BIG TIME. But good news - is if I didn't have to deal with the shows - it means her adult coat is coming in and then we will be done with it. Blowing ones coat usually just happens once.

Oh and did I tell you Treasure created a slide off the deck so she doesn't want to walk down the stairs. Oh my gad is it funny.

Havanese Sharing B-Day Moments

The crew at Talemaker wants to send a Havanese fun day to Dima Kondratuk (Jazzy's dad) as it's his birthday. May it be a great day!

How do you test your dog's intelligence? One of the ways is to see how it problem solves. For instance, today I threw a toy for the crew to get. Treasure got to it first. So, I threw another so someone else could get it. Faster than the others could get to it, Treasure had two toys in her mouth and was running.

She problem solves very fast. Some would say that was a tad crafty but she did figure out how to get to it first and how to have both at the same time. One has to love such a competitive soul.

Havanese: The Teething Stage

As a Breeder typically our puppies are already in their new homes, loving their new families, long before serious teething stage.

It has been some time since the last little devil actually lived here.

For example, I remember when Fiona ate most of the way through half the wiring in my office. No worries, Treasure took care of the rest of it.

Make no mistake, we love her to pieces BUT I think there should have been a clause in our sales contract holding Beth responsible for all damages incurred during and throughout the teething stage. What am I saying? Never mind. It is on us.

What caused me to take pen in hand today, you ask? The usual thing, spotting some kind of foreign object in Treasure’s mouth. Acting swiftly I caught her and removed it. Hmm, I thought, this looks like a piece of screening. A quick glance at the screen door, unused all winter, confirmed that Treasure has managed to create jagged edges and ripped out sections of a foot of it.

Plants on the floor, no problem, she eats them. Shoes left at the back door, fair game. The wicker basket at the back door filled with dog clothes, a tasty snack.

Stooping over to pick something up off the floor in our bedroom I noticed little specks of something, pieces of wood it turns out. A closer examination made me realize that the little wooden knob, the one matching all the other wooden knobs on my wife’s dresser, was seriously chewed on and partially gone.

I could spend days tracking down a replacement knob for a solid wood dresser we bought 20 years ago. They must exist somewhere. But I’m sure, in time, Treasure will ensure they all match again.

I commented to Darlah about Treasure’s latest antic and she reminded me of our late German Shepherd, Lacie, who once ate a few feet of baseboard. Treasure overheard Darlah’s comment and went right to it. Matching baseboard and then painting it to the correct stain shouldn’t be as hard as finding those knobs.

As many of you know that follow Darlah’s blog, she has been known to sit and watch TV in the evening with a dog in her lap brushing them while she watches. Treasure takes that as an opportunity, of course, to quickly grab, sneak away and eat any brush or comb left unattended for longer than a split second and she doesn’t care whatsoever how much it costs!

Believe it or not the teeth do eventually grow in and they stop eating everything in sight. I’m sure all of you have a similar story. Please share them with us.

Nathan

Socializing Your Havanese

Has your Havanese started to shake, yawn and/or growl when it was in a situation it is not used to? Perhaps it was meeting a strange dog or going to a new place or getting into a car. These are only a few ways that tell you that your dog hasn't figured out how to cope with a given situation.

Do not jump to the conclusion that there is anything wrong with your Havanese.

Coping skills either come easily or most likely through slow conditioning. That well behaved dog doesn't happen magically. From the moment a pup is mobile, the canine mom is showing her little ones how the world works.

How can you turn this around? Do you even have to worry about it?

Anything that is not corrected can escalate. But slow conditioning, positive training and showing your Havanese how to gain its coping skills will help with a number of situations in the future.

Now one would think with all the dogs we have and those that visit, socialization is unnecessary. That is not true. So we do obedience classes, train and take trips even when not buying anything to Petsmart - to Global - wherever and in the spring we will be hiking in hopes that we will meet others.

Socialization can make all the difference in the world. get out - say hello to people and bring your little one.

Oh and you single guys - Havanese are amazing 'chick magnets' hahahaha

Dancing Havanese

This duo does one heck of a dance even after one of them had her shots today.

Our vet said that our Treasure was exquisite, in his opinion. It was a nice thing to hear. The vet was impressed with her attitude, structure etc. But it was said that she is getting a bit wide in that tummy of hers. heh Oh - she does love to eat.

Off we went to Yvonne's to chill out - say hello to the gang and they fed us a fab lunch and we went home in almost white out conditions. It was a tad hairy at times.

Zack and Coco goes home today. We will have 2 less dogs. They will be missed by us and the entire gang!

We thank Yvonne, Lucille and the Chicadoro doggie clan for such fun. Come down and visit us sometime - will ya?

Tomorrow we start the hunt for special treats for training and socializing by taking Fiona, Abigail, Kat and Treasure in different combinations to various stores and doggie hangouts. We will let you know how that goes.

Daddy Pitches In Grooming

Well Zack and Coco are going with us to Yvonne's and to the vets tomorrow so they got their sprucing up today. They get picked up tomorrow night so I was doing a marathon wash up so daddy pitched in.

Let's see, I washed Zack, Coco, Abigail and Treasure. I brushed Shoshi, Kat and Daddy did Risa and Wasabi. Now I want to go to bed. I am not sure how groomers do it. I HATE grooming but I like the clean dog. Will Zack and Coco need sprucing up when we get back? YEP! But better than the 3.5 hours it took me today to do the duo.

When I get them ready to go home, I line comb them to make sure no knots exist but as we know a little play could change that depending on the dog and how old they are. Wasabi I could brush once a week and she would be more than fine.

Well tomorrow Katsuro gets to stay home with the kids as Yvonne's crew is in heat. I have to get everything ready and daddy has to drive. Who has it easier? ha

Oh and how did Treasure do in class yesterday? AMAZING - stay off lead - come off lead with distractions - leave the treats alone - just give her the instructors treats and she'll do anything. Got to buy some and keep them for only class. Even with missing a class she was on her game. She also has the fastest recovery when something concerns her - which is a good thing.

Going to be interesting to see her in the ring. If she prances like she does in class with a flash of paw - well - wow! I will say one thing - she hates a bath. hahahahaha

More tomorrow!

Havanese Treasure Trouble AGAIN!

Let's see - Treasure has climbed over a gate - yep climbed over not once but several times. She's opened kitchen cabinets to throw pasta around. She looks at things and troubleshoots. What she wants is what she wants. Her name is Treasure and we do treasure her but it should have been Trouble - hahahaha

Here she is playing with Fiona's sister Coco.

We are off to class tonight and after missing a week - we hope we don't have too much to catch up on. We shall see.

We were lucky enough to have Coach and Sassy over with their owner John and that was a delight. It's been way too long. Wish the outdoor pix came out but hey the memories are in our head and that Fiona - well she just LOVED John. Usually she's not overly friendly - friendly yes but not overly and she was with John. He must have passed her - he's a real dog person test.

Well, we are dead here from shoveling out snow paths in the yard but its worth it to watch the dogs running in them.

Beth bought Abigail a pair of long johns and that will be coming in the mail. We will be a stylin' and saving her blowing coat hair stage she is in.

More later.>>

Desctructive Behavior With Havanese

I try to get that perfect shot of the dogs coming out the door in a flurry but someone always is off that takes away from it being 'perfect. So, today I decided to take it as they are going out the door to give you a feeling of what it is like around this place when we go outside.

They know fun is in store for them and can't wait to get out - cold, warm - what have you!

Did you know boredom can create destructive behavior?

Yes, there are other reasons at times but boredom is the #1 reason. No toy can take away from the time you spend with your dog. There is nothing like the fun you can create together nor the smiles a 10 minute stint of your time can create. The memories you will have will add up and be great.

If you had 10 minutes of quality time with training - 10 minutes of playing and just sometime to snuggle - wow what a great dog you would help develop. Be good to your Havanese. You will be glad you did.

Teaching Patience to a Havanese

WE now put on a t-shirt on Abigail to protect her hair from Treasure. Well, I found it on the kitchen floor and no one took it off. Now what is that about? I haven't figured it out yet but I want to.

I am looking for doggie long johns sold in Canada that I want to put on Abigail and Fiona. If you see them, let me know. I know they are available in the states.

Treasure is going through the stage of teeth coming in and getting WAY Too excited about treats. How do you deal with that? If you don't, she may bite you not on purpose but in pure desire to get that treat. If you have one of those, you must curb that. How do you do it? You teach patience.

Take a treat and show it to them then close it in your hand. Let them sniff your closed hand. When they stop sniffing, reward. After you do this for a bit - a week or so, try the floor - and ask them to wait. Don't let them eat off the floor but ask them to wait/sit - whatever you want and only reward when you do not have to correct them by giving them the treat from your hand. You are in control over the treats. Don't give then the idea that the floor is. Sounds crazy but its important.

If you have multiple dogs, that over enthusiasm may rear its ugly head. Use the closed hand till they calm down and reward. It works.

No one likes a dog that doesn't bite with a soft hand when you are treating them. But puppies may not be patient especially if they are competing. It's up to you to guide them. It's these little things that can make all the difference in the world.

Treasures Got a Secret

Let's shake things up around this place!

That's what Treasure seems to be saying to Terra. She certainly likes to do just that.

Let's see, she's eaten my Ann Rule book. She's opened the sliding door to steal my shoes. She opened a cabinet in the kitchen to grab a bag of pasta and throw it around and you swear she is having a ball doing it. We won't tell you what she does with the toilet paper faster than a blink of an eye. She runs like hell thinking you won't catch up to her.

Not all are this adventurous but with some rules and boundaries, this cutie won't turn into a nightmare or a spoiled brat.

Deep down we enjoy such 'street smarts' so to speak but we can't let HER know that.

Plus if she keeps going this way, she will be great in the ring as she certainly has an attitude that she adores being 'it'. We shall see.

Now she doesn't scare us a bit - now how could she nor does she upset us really. We just are guiding her and letting her know the rules without killing that special personality.

Then she takes a rest and that 'melt my heart' cutie is there. Be still my heart!

Havanese in Cold Weather

It's really cold here in the Toronto area so much so that the dogs *are* getting walks but only a quick one around our cul-de-sac.

Our little Treasure adores staying outside but even she is standing at the door to come in. There's cold and then there is cold. Yes, I could dress them up and I do for the walks but not to go out back quickly and come back in.

Things that we often don't think about is our dog's pads. They can crack and dry out due to the salt and the extreme cold. We make sure the hair is cut short between the pads and we moisturize them when they appear dry but before they crack with bag balm but if they are cracked already, bag balm works wonders. It also helps the snow from not sticking between the pads.

If your Havanese is lifting its foot, most likely in this weather its due to it being plain too cold. Check that he doesn't have anything stuck inbetween and bring him inside.

The crew has been outside with me about 6 times today for short time frames and its only noon. They love the outdoors but as you can see - even Treasure is running to get inside.

Protect your little ones and if it is too cold for you - well its probably is for your Havanese.

Stay warm!

Dark Secrets of the Havanese People

Okay, how many of you have Havanese that try to follow you into the bathroom? How many of you let them in?

How does that work when you have multiple Havanese and why would they want to come in there with you?

The Havanese are known as being Velcro dogs but every now and then, you get one that isn't - an independent soul.

Our Wasabi and Risa look at you going into the bathroom and could care less unless you have a smelly pocket that used to have treats in it then Risa would come in.

Well, as you can see from Miss Abigail, in this photo, the crew has made a secret pathway behind the pool house. We didn't dig the area out but I suspect that Terra (a golden) plowed through it and the rest patted down the snow. The pack has learned to utilize Terra's talents. No place is sacred - not even under the deck. But if they head under the deck without you - doesn't it make them independent? Not necessarily but it does make them adventurous souls and that's okay.

Some of us like Velcro dogs and invite them into the bathroom - and some of us say - are you kidding - is nothing sacred. Well that's okay too and rules, boundaries is something a dog thrives on but we all have our own thing as long as it doesn't interfere with their well being or escalate - a few quirky guidelines from us humans it can't be a bad thing or can it?

We all know that a small dog jumping up pawing at you can be seen as cute but not when they get into the habit. But habits can be broken and we control that. It's easier when it's a large breed dog as when they do it when they are little it too can be funny but when they grow in size, it can be downright dangerous but not true of a small dog. Still, manners are a good thing. So, stop the jumping up on you or it may escalate into pawing and scratching at you and then when it is summer and you have bare legs - well let's say, it won't be fun then.

Think long term when deciding what you want your dog to do. They can be taught an amazing amount of things if you invest the time.

But who has the time? Let's talk about how one gets into training and keeps at it instead of playing procrastinator. You dog thrives with learning new things and training can be part of the walk, play - 5 minutes here and there and put that into your daily routine and then look at it after a month and see how much you have progressed - 5 - 10 minutes a day can make a world of difference. Give it a try. You will be glad you did.

Photoshop or Real: Capturing Havanese

Someone suggested that my photos are Photoshop tweaked photos but they aren't. Oh, I may crop them at times but I still have learning Photoshop on my 'to do' list. If someone can tell me how to quickly change yellow snow into white - I would absolutely tweak my photos. hahahahahaha

I know get 'mother nature' to just snow again or take the dogs on walks and not allow them to use the yard - right - not going to happen - the yard. The walks do but not enough that they never go in the yard.

I guess I should be honoured as the comment poster either meant it's hard to get Havanese doing 'x' or I am managing to take photos that actually look good. ha

Far cry from when I started. I keep trying and this Canon Rebel XSI surely allows you to play and learn and hopefully one day they will be so good. I will be happy with them. I am happy with the Treasure/Terra photos I took as they simply make good copy. A backdrop of snow. Terra's very photogenic face where she makes a different face each time to Treasure being endearing. You can check then out further down on this page.

Well, I have many a mischievous Havanese but Treasure takes the cake. I never thought anyone would be more adventurous and cunning - yes cunning than Treasure. Yesterday my fave shoe was found upstairs. I had no clue how it got there. I had it in my closet and I am one to admit that the closet in question is an organizing queen/king's nightmare as I kick the shoes in and slide the door closed. Yes, it has sliding doors on it. Sometimes scarves fall down. I have more shoes that make it hard to find matches but I tend to not be able to keep closets clean and that one has never made it clean per se. My clothes closet gets a cleanup when I can't find anything. Hey - I groom a crew of dogs and the dogs are my life and I work online so what do you want? ROFL

I do have my priorities!

Well, Treasure was caught today pushing her head in to open the door even though it was closed totally. I watched from the bathroom in awe at the ease she did this with and wondered how she troubleshooted this feat. Then she grabbed a shoe and went running upstairs to our son's room. She is a gal like me - one who is a pack rat but no it's with my fave shoes and somehow she has got it through her head that our son's room - messy as that is too - is a safe zone.

Now you have had to seen this face - so proud of herself. When I went into our son Jonathan's room who is in university, she has rubber gloves for cleaning, ribbons, toys - what have you all hidden in various spots in his room. He now yells down - Treasure has a rubber glove up here again. He adores Treasure and often steals her away to sleep with her.

Now, even though the son's room is not crystal clean and our bedroom has stacks of books as Nathan loves to read and so do I and my closet needs a rehauling, the rest of the house does get clean and we even had someone visited that said they expected something else - I guess as they had a preconceived notion of what a house with many dogs is like. When we have puppies, I go into overdrive in sterilizing and cleaning. It's a sickness but don't ask me to throw out those pants that will never fit or those shoes that may never come back in style or the magazines I can't live without.

I admit it - I am quirky and it seems as if I have a Treasured Havanese that is too. I love it!!

Tonight Zack and Coco come to visit. We can't wait!

Havanese: Finding the Play

Each dog has its role in a pack and that includes your house. Add another and the pack and the job can change.

Abigail is a calming dog. Oh, she loves to play - get into all sort of trouble but if she sees another not fitting in, it is her persistence to get them to feel wanted, needed and a part of the whole. To me, that's a job but one she just does without training.

If you think of your own Havanese, what is their job? It's important they all have one. It lends them a feeling that this is their reason for being.

It could be a negative - the dog that barks at noises as a warning may feel that their job is to make sure you know something is coming or is close.

Our bedroom is in the back of our house and we had guests from the country staying with us in the bedroom closest to the street. Their dog growled with every car that came down the street. Our poor guest never got any sleep but if they had stayed for several days, corrected - it would have ceased.

In a pack, some dogs are the persuaders. What does that mean? If you are limiting treats - as you should and use the for training only, and one Havanese is perceived as getting the treats, the pack will use that dog to get you to treat them. It starts with the dog looking at you adoringly and sticking out its tongue in and out. It's called the 'feed me' signal. Has your Havanese done it lately? Get him to work for it. You will be glad you did. No free treats here. :-)