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. :-)

Havanese Rolling in the Snow

I have a challenge to you. Next time it snows wonderfully, get out there with your dog(s) and do snow angels and do the roll like they do. Tell me how they react to you doing this.

I bet you wonder why they do it but you may grasp the reason when you do it yourself. I know - it sounds C-R-A-Z-Y but kids do it all the time and we tend to lose that fun when we get older. If allowed, our kids and dogs will get us to find that fun again.

Don't tell me its too crazy to do or your body doesn't work that way or that neighbour will think you have lost it. Tell them you had a dog (kid) challenge then come back and tell me how it felt.

Havanese Dog Days

We had something come up unexpected so this update today will be short.

When we say we really have gone to the dogs - we do. Would you wake up if a Havanese did this to you?

This is a guest (Mystery) who is going home today and I have to say she is one of the funniest dogs we ever did have here.

We will miss her!

We went to handling with Fiona and Abigail last night to get them to ignore each other in the ring. They did wonderful in that regard but we still have to practice, practice, practice but last night Fiona started self stacking - interesting! More later...

Thursday class for Treasure...

Handling Class for the Havanese Duo

Tonight is handling class for this duo so let the fun begin.

The key is to have them in the same ring if ever faced with such and ignore each other. We will let you know how THAT goes.

The bet is on with who can 'get' it first. Slow conditioning and making you more exciting than another Havanese - hahahahaha We shall see.

Today - well we are going to enjoy not having to shovel - warm fires and cuddling oh and training of course.

More later...

Bathing Havanese and Playing Wrestle Style

Fiona and Treasure seem to really play rough and tough non-stop.

One wonders how their show coats are ever going to survive with a puppy in the house.

It was bath time for Fiona and Abigail today. How can you tell they need a bath? When they get mats on contact - the hair is too dirty and today was a mess due to the snow. You also have to keep a show coat clean more than a pet coat.

But I sprayed them with Vellus Tangle Out and did a clarifier on them and all was good.

I should just put their coats on and I will today - at least sweaters that will offer some protection. But Abigail loves to snow dive and ends up with snow ball city all over her legs but that's better than all over everywhere. I hate when the snow is wet but powder snow - well it doesn't stick and I like that!

Abigail and Fiona are still both in that stage of wrestlemania fun. As you can see here - they are after Daddy for their treat after their bath. I believe in giving them a small treat after a bath - after grooming - during training and reducing the food when the treats add up. This gives then something to look forward to - a reward.

Looking at this duo - you can almost not tell them apart.

Well, with all this shoveling - we never made it out to Petsmart again with dogs. We do some socializing so they get used to all sorts of dogs. You should try that too. Slow conditioning really works.

Treasure has gone into her fear period so it's even more important to socialize. Tomorrow - we must! Then off to handling for Abigail and Fiona. Busy day tomorrow.

Lights, Action, Catch the Havanese

Today I was so busy playing catchup with the job that pays the bills - online work so I didn't get quality time with visitors nor with the dogs as much as I want.

But - I try to capture moments when I can despite being busy. One of my desires is to capture that ultimate in action photo off my deck. I have yet to do it but if you look at a couple of the dogs, they do look interesting.

Click on the photo to see a larger version.

When taking photos, you either plan these things and get that great shot or just happen to be there when it occurs. Either way - I swear its luck when its more than one thing you are capturing at once. Just like people - not all will accommodate you in allowing you that wow shot. But - still we try and one day I will post that I caught it. Till now - just laugh at the comical results and realize I am celebrating Havanese movement and there is nothing better than that!

Tomorrow - well tomorrow will be a - get photos developed day - hang out and train and try to get some snuggles and chillin' time in. There hasn't been much of that in months so looking forward to it. One needs down time - nothing to do but snuggle with the dawgs time without a care in the world.

The Haircut Roll

There are some Havanese that as soon as you get them clean - well they have to do the Havanese roll and that's our Shoshi.

Shoshi (Shoshana) is not a show dog so she gets to get cut down and have less hair.

Many people prefer a puppy cut or less. We keep our crew in long coat except for Risa and Shoshi.

We just had Yvonne's crew here for a few days and now we are down to only one visitor - Mystery from Rockhurst.

She's so stressed out - you can't believe it - NOT! Check out her stance when it comes to hanging out.

All the dogs that come to stay tend to get that relax thing going on. They play hard in a good way, walk different routes - eat well, and snuggle and hang out and shh sleep on our bed.

We have had visitors for quite some length of time - one dog or another but come Monday we will be down to just our crew. What will the dogs do? Tomorrow will tell! Stay warm and snuggle with your Havanese. We will!

Class, Practice and Visitors

Off to class again tonight and I have to get this thing called practice in but we have had a way crazy house - lots of visiting dogs.

Today, Shoshi and Risa are getting cut down and they are bound to look WAY different. One thing about haircuts, they always grow out.

In case you do not realize - we are in a deep freeze and that means your little ones shouldn't be going out for walks longer than 5 minutes. You can tell when its too much as they will lift their paws for relief. Get them up and inside then.
Here at Talemaker Havanese we are hoping this cold weather is a thing of the past soon.

What's Life Without a Little Havanese Play?

There are moments like this that make me realize how amazing our golden Terra is with our Havanese, Treasure. Terra started out playing with Shoshi when she was only a couple of pounds and she was a solid 45 lbs. Today she is heavier but just as gentle. Big dog retriever, little Havanese - a Treasure indeed!

Big & Little: Havanese Play

It doesn't matter if you are big or little. Tug toy playing is absolutely fun. It doesn't create aggressiveness if taught as a game and learning tool. How can it be a learning tool? Practice 'out' or 'leave it' and always end the game if the rules are not adhered to.

When you teach the rules and are consistent, they learn to play with others, including big dogs fairly. Of course you have to be sure you teach your big dog what fair play is all about as well.

Terra can easily grab hold of this toy and shake Treasure across the room without trying but she knows about fair play and how the game would end if she wasn't gentle. Putting the gentle into it doesn't mean you ruin the fun but rather you are teaching your dog fair play and rules and what happens when each is not followed.

Here you thought its just a game of playing tug but it's so much more.

Think of game playing as an avenue to teach and you will both be better off for it.

Time to Cut Down Your Havanese?

Everyone that knows me knows that I like a Havanese coat that is long but that's not always doable, desirable and some of them not only are plain easier to have short but quite attractive short.

Shoshi is one of those. She has a coat that mats easily. So, this week she will be cut down. Wasabi has a dream coat and I could leave her long without much care - a brush here and there.

Only you know how much time you have and what is right for YOU. If you are not dealing with a show coat and you like it short - well go for it. If you have a Wasabi coat and like it long - well do that.

We all like different things and that's okay. As long as the havanese are happy, healthy and enjoying life - well the rest is simply dressing in ones own mind - don't ya think?

Talking about perspective - here's Treasure almost grazing the ground with that tummy of hers. She'll eat her food and Fiona's if Fiona would let her but she doesn't. It's way funny to watch too.

Practice - Training - Havanese Style

Well, although yesterday was a blip. Nathan was able to etch out time to train the dogs.

Training consists of getting all of them on the table and doing lead work and more with Treasure.

As it gets closer to show time, we will be doing lead work with all plus Monday we will start going to handling classes with Abigail and Fiona for their next show.

Treasure can't be shown until April. That sounds like lots of time but is it?

You really should start general training months ahead of time to get them used to the lead, find their enthusiasm for it and create that bond. Without that connection - well it just won't work as great as it could.

But the key is not to do it for a very long time in one dose and find the fun - the connection. It is also important to correct when they are doing what they shouldn't be.

You need to correct in a positive way. They learn and you don't allow habits - well to become habits that are incorrect.

After the outside work, Nathan came in and did some table work. Realize that a good portion of dogs get nervous being up on a table the first time. Many have their tails down and some for weeks while you do training. It all depends on many things but each are individuals.

Think of it like a public speaking event for a human. Some can stand up and go on and on with much comfort and others have to learn and find their comfort level by getting exposure. Some never quite get it entirely and those are the dogs - well the kind even if they are perfect in every other way - well we say - if they don't like it - do what you need to and then forget the rest.

Now why would they be nervous? The table doesn't have sides. It's high up and they have no clue what you expect from them.

It's important to get them to feel their comfort level and then you start making sure they are stacked properly - feet where they are supposed to be etc.

One other thing you have to do is check their teeth. A good portion of dogs will wonder what you are doing first time they experience this. Others hate their back end touched and arch their back.

Each dog is different.

Then after all the training was done, Nathan invested some fun time with a break in-between with doing some retrieve. He gets on the floor - makes all sorts of fun sounds and the dogs LOVE it. As I said, training is important but don't forget that training should be fun and rewarding. You and your attitude make all the difference in the world. If you get frustrated - stop - and come back at it later in a better frame of mind. Your Havanese can read how you feel.

Quiet Times at Talemaker Havanese

It's getting quiet around here. We are down to 1 extra dog and come a week from Monday - we will be down to just our own. How will we ever get by. ROFL

Treasure went out and visited Jazzy today and we heard that this went rather well. Treasure is starting her socialization process. Perhaps we will take her out to a dog store tomorrow to get more exposure. It's really important to do slow exposures like this and not to coddle - just praise when they relax. They will soon get that relaxing is a positive thing. Seems Treasure has that part figured out thus far without but that doesn't mean you stop the socialization.
We didn't get much sleep last night so guess what went out the window? Most of Treasure's training such as heeling. The thing about training is it is important to do it daily but sometimes life gets in the way.

I am also back to doing Tony Horton's P90x yet again and the dogs are joining me and Treasure thinks this jumping around is an opportunity to jump with me, on me and bark. yikes. So, we are trying to get that curbed.

Will Sunday be a skip day or first week down. Tomorrow will tell. Maybe I will do doggie yoga with Treasure. If so, I will try to do it late enough so Nathan can take photos to show you how you can exercise and have fun with the dawgs!

More tomorrow!

Off to Class: Big Dogs and All

We went all the way out to Blackstock last night as we like a certain instructor and her obedience is all about the connection, the focus on you etc so it helps with the ring. Treasure walked in surrounded by all large and mind you rambunctious dogs as they were large in body – puppies so silly in mind. Tail was down for about 3 minutes. She looked around – Nathan walked her around and tail went up and she played recovery. The instructor demo’d with her and her tail went down for about 1 minute till she saw she had treats. She looked at Nathan – looked at the treats and tail up and – oh I can do this – follow the treats. She is treat, happy voice and toy motivated.

She even had dogs trying to get in her space – no issue.

She was extremely attentive, loose lead on heel and had only been on a lead twice before less than 5 minutes each as Nathan hadn’t got around to it. She picked up ‘by me’ fast – leave the treat etc – all fast – everything she had thrown at her – she learned by showing her one or 2 times.

Her recovery and fast pickup on all commands gave our instructor the idea that she was trained before class. She wasn’t. Our instructor also commented how she struts with confidence as if the room is hers. She was amazed. She does have a strut as if to say – look at me!

I was very surprised as we did not socialize her due to not having her shots other than visiting dogs and our own. She hadn’t gone anywhere she never been before. Kat, Fiona and Treasure are the only dogs that speak their minds with Risa.

After we picked her up from Beth’s we visited Yvonne and she had her tail down for quite sometime – weeks ago but still was a concern that she would need some work. She came here and the tail never went down so I said hmm maybe just new places so I was ready for lots of work.

It was a pleasant surprise. Wish I had taken a video to show her bounce in her step – her – what’s next daddy – can we do that again. Oh I can’t have the treat now – okay – I will wait – now can I have it. She did a heel loose lead right away – now to get her to do it without paying attention to daddy till the end.

Thanks for indulging me in sharing a fun evening with our latest addition. Here I thought she was my dog and she didn’t even pay any attention to me.

By the way, want to see Blackstock in the light – country stores – this old tiny chapel building we are practicing in – looked quite fun to visit. Now the only thing that could have made it more fun is having Yvonne join us but that’s some travelling for her. It is for us – but I think further for her.

If she continues like this - we have a star in the making. It also helps that Nathan gets better as he keeps at it. He indeed has his comfort level. The dogs can tell too!

PS: we have a puppy visiting overnight today and then off to Amsterdam. The dogs are going to have fun - another puppy in the house - photos to come. hehehehe

If you are doing the show thing - train, train and train in various environments - obedience, games, handling but make it fun. We decided stand/stay was in the cards vs. sit as yu usually do not teach a show dog sit but I think Treasure would 'get' it. Still - best not to.

Danger Lurks in Havanese Curiousity

We work in our home and that means we have computers and dogs and computers mean cords. When one has a puppy, you have to spray, get the cords out of the way and supervise.

If you have a dog like Treasure, well then that's a challenge but one worth doing. So, we got a rack that hitches to the underside of my desk and handles all the cords. When we had our last puppy, it was as easy as placing a crate in front of the mess but not with our Treasure. Where there is smoke, well she lives up to the name - there's fire.

So, go the extra mile to protect your treasured one. We treasure our Treasure and are doing so and you can too.

We are off to class tonight with Treasure. We didn't get much sleep. My camera was on the fritz and I thought it was user idiocy but no our repair place Henry's also had the same issue until guess what - they replaced the battery. Hmm but that means my battery is bad. No - they put mine back in and its still working so I may be able to get photos of tonight. We shall see.

Tomorrow we will report how she did considering she has had the lead on twice never been around big dogs other than our two and the one she was born with - well it may be an adventure but a must when it comes to helping your little one find their coping skills. You do it with slow, consistent exposure in a safe environment and what better way than a class with a fab instructor.

More tomorrow!

Who's the Doormat: Havanese Style

I was lying down, minding my own business when Kat decided I was his doormat. The good news was that from his elevated position he was able to hold the other nine dogs at bay. All thought this was a wonderful game. Note that I am not lying on the floor but on an ottoman. Kat teleported himself from the floor onto my back without effort. The rest of the pack came running from every direction. Fun! Fun! My turn daddy. I drew the line when Terra thought she’d emulate her more compact friend.
Nathan

Havanese Treasure's Training Begins

Darlah and I both feel that formal dog training is of utmost importance. I don’t care how many dogs you’ve previously owned, there is always something to learn and the socialization aspects to any class are not to be underestimated.

We attended class all over Toronto until we finally found the class and the instructor that we liked, that we felt taught our values. We’ve subsequently taken courses with her with many of our dogs. They teach positive reinforcement. They use clicker training or an upbeat YES to mark the dogs correct behaviour, followed by a reward.

Five of our dogs have taken lessons with her, some dogs such as Kat took more than one level of obedience training. He is a natural.

Later this week we will start classes with Treasure. As she is destined to be shown in the Conformation Ring there are some aspects of obedience training that affect what will be required from her in the show ring. For example, in the show ring the dog never sits. She will stand, walk, stack and patiently allow herself to be examined on the table. In obedience the sit command is one of the most important.

When we took obedience courses with Abigail and Fiona we actually had them learn stand instead of sit but I’m thinking with Treasure we’ll teach her sit and then teach her stand and just make sure she learns the stand command really well, as did Kat.

We also attend Handling classes with Kat, Abigail and Fiona as they are going to all be shown this year, as is Treasure. I’m thinking she’ll take both the obedience course and Handling classes and they will overlap. The socialization will be good for her.

A different type of leash is used in each class. In any case she is very treat motivated which will help teach her what we expect her to do. And Treasure is very independent. She needs the training regardless. Formal classes are always a good thing providing the class is well controlled and the atmosphere a positive one.

Nathan

PS: Darlah here - This is the 2nd time Treasure had a lead on and Treasure was none too happy. We will do it tomorrow (class starts Thursday) and eventually they see it as a positive especially when they get treats and get taken places. Dear old Fiona had to be almost dragged around the block before she said - okay - I guess this isn't so bad. I gently tugged her 3/4 of the way around our cul-de-sac until she gave in. She was a mighty stubborn one. But Fiona likes to get her own way no matter what. She needs a firm idea of rules and boundaries always in a positive way. Treasure seems to have an even stronger personality so classes should be interesting. watch for our Thursday night update or maybe Friday as we are driving over an hour away to go to this one instructor we love in Blackstock. call us crazy but the instructor and how she runs a class matters, imho.