Havanese Play

The Havanese sometimes play in a fashion where they look like they are baring their teeth and they are but it is all in fun. You have to figure out the difference between the fun and games and bite inhibition of puppies. It's an essential learning process that helps them with socialization.

When a puppy is just getting around, it's mom will correct her pup in various ways if it bites too hard. I remember once seeing Kat's head disappear in Risa's mouth as she had enough. She was a very tolerant mom with him but he was a step over the line boy that loved to egg her on. She did what any good mom would do and say - enough. He didn't learn the first time but he did eventually get it or maybe he actually resigned himself to 'get' it.

When you acquire a pup, the canine mom has done a significant amount of training on what will be tolerated in this new world and what won't and so do the humans. This continues after you obtain your little one letting them know the boundaries - the rules by sometimes overemphasizing the reaction. Such as playing too hard, the human would yell louder than necessary to say - ouch or what have you. You can even turn your back and stop play. This is a clear sign that enough is enough. They do learn from this at all ages. Puppies enjoy and need rules, boundaries and some would say - then your love but as a mother of 7 kids, I rather feel rules and boundaries and saying 'no' when they look at you to melt your heart is love too.

When they are doing the right thing, that's when the snuggles and hugs and kisses should come.

You never use negative training but a 'no' and stopping the play is part of development.

If you watch a dam with her puppies, you may think she is too rough but in reality she is quite gentle but direct and straight to the point. She doesn't want to say - joey sit - joey sit - come on joey sit. If a dam was to teach her pup to sit and they don't do that but if they were - they would say it one time and then if they didn't, she would put them into position then give them a signal of what a good boy you are even though she put him into position. As humans we have to follow suit. We say it one time, we place them into position or stop the play and then start again and praise when they do it right.

The first couple of years they are like sponges soaking it up. They can and do continue to learn later on but there's nothing like those first couple of years.

As you can see, Abigail has her teeth bared playing with Fiona. If either was to get too rough, a yelp would be let out and the other would learn that they went too far. If they don't learn, the receiver of such overtures would not play with them till they did 'get' it.

It's our job to foster that development and understand it and not hinder it as they are learning but give them rules and boundaries. They will love you even more for it.

It's rare for a dog to be balanced that lives without rules and boundaries. They are what we put into them.

We are off to shows this entire weekend and not back till Tuesday but we will be posting - investing our time with the dogs and the computer will come 2nd. I won't miss a day but realize our focus is the dogs.

More later...

Sebastian Stylin! Lola Puppy Photos

Sebastian had a bath today and Nathan was giving him some snuggles. He looks so good all cleaned up. Gad - he's a cutie!

We were excited to see him smelling ever so good and feeling so silky. He cleans up well.

BREAKING NEWS: Lola had her pups 5 boys - oh my - photos here of pups less than an hour old.

Mom - Lola - human mom and pups are doing ever so good.

Maggie soon! - Meaning her turn to have pups.

Click on a photo to see an upclose photo of him.

Anyone who has bathed a Havanese knows that after it, they end up being way frisky.

Watch this crew in mid-air having some delicious fun.

More later...>>

Havanese Jazzy is a Social Guy

Our friends at Eye on Fashion (cool store in Richmond Hill) take their Havanese to work with them each day. As a single dog family, this works well for Jazzy as he gets to be exposed to all sorts of noises, people and even other dogs.

When we have puppies or want to get our dogs exposed, Jazzy comes here or we come to their store for a little socialization. It really makes a HUGE difference plus its plain fun for you and them to have playmates.

We just adore Jazzy and so do they - and you can tell.

Jazzy loves his visitors and loves his walks. He is quite the character and when you meet him - if you never saw a Havanese before or even if you did - you want one after getting exposed to him.

They all have their own unique personalities and looks and colours but they also all love the run-like-hell game, the mischievous antics that do remind you that they were circus dogs at one time - ready - willing to make you laugh.

We thank the 'Eye on Fashion' folks for allowing us to be in Jazzy's life and sharing these gorgeous photos of him.

I didn't post this to get you to go to their store - but you should. Rather - it was a way to tell you that a Havanese is a social dog that really needs to be socialized so they can be all they can be. The 'Eye on Fashion' people are an excellent example of finding ways to be creative with socialization.

More later...

Kat's in Havanese Puppies Waiting Stance

Well, Katsuro's head hair is starting to grow back after Rita's Opal had fun with his ponytail. heh It's about time - I say! watching hair grow is like waiting for the light to change. If you watch too close - it seems like it takes forever.

Kat's a happy boy these days. Miss Lola is going to have puppies sired by him any day. All I know is it better not happen while we are at a show this weekend so cross those paws Lola if it starts at the wrong time. ROFL!

If Yvonne is falling asleep after a long night of whelping, photos may not be forthcoming so it best be on another day as we want to be there with camera in hand. Exciting times for them and for us!

More later.>>

Flash of Paw: Havanese Style

Okay - is that a flash of paw from me - the Fiona or am I sucking up to daddy for something.

Don't believe for a second that I don't know how to wrap you around our paws and if one way doesn't work - well another may.

Well, the humans are winding down from the show this weekend and back at it this Saturday.

Busy times but mommy has to do dinner with some pals so sniff I get to stay with daddy. Well, I have to say that cause shhh she might think I can't live without her and hey - I like to have her think so. ha!
More later...perhaps tomorrow!

Boots for Havs and Swimming

What the %^&* is that on my feet, mom? Well, if you are a show dog and you have to go in the wet grass - these booties are the very best. They stay on. She can walk in them and it does what you want but she's so low to the ground, her undercarriage gets wet so we are going to start bringing a rain jacket and putting it on backwards so it covers the belly.

No points today but hey we get to do it yet again next week and that's 2 hours away. Are we nuts? YEP. We have to be.

Mommy is getting really good at washing, blow drying and doing all sorts of interesting techniques to get my hair to do what she wants it to. We stopped in a garden center on the way home and a woman said - oh my her hair is to die for so reward enough.

We are looking into a full body Lycra suit - wrapping the head hair - keeping Sebastian away from her ROFL as he loves to rough house - not conducive to hair being all flowing and all. Too much bleepin' restrictions for showing and hey I told mommy that if I don't play - I will lose my spirit and I think I convinced her so she is doing all this crazy stuff to allow me to have fun - fun - fun like dogs really should.

Well, Sebastian is - well not a total swimmer. He tends to get way too enthusiastic in this paddling business so we are going to keep taking him in and when we find him a home - they will have an expert swimmer by then. He likes it - just has to calm down about his strokes. Will take a photo soon so you can see.

Now who is a swimmer? Well, we know Katsuro is but little Fiona - who is related to him is turning out to be so much like Kat in spirit that she wanted to dive - didn't but boy did she swim and swim and swim.

She then climbed up on top of me on the raft and laid down and rested - as if to say ah..now thsi is grand - mid pool rest - cooling and laying on my mom - what coudl be better? Well having the camera to capture it would be. Well, we did get photos of her swimming.

More tomorrow...

Havanese Like to Do Run-Like-Hell

Did you ever see such a face and oh that tongue and teeth. ROFL

Abs was visiting at Rita and Willard's house today and was trying to get the crew running and after that, she laid down next to the water bowl and showed how deliriously happy she was along with how tired. This dog LOVES to play.

She didn't get any points today but she's a winner in my book as she does your heart good looking at her enjoying life.

Mojo was also running around like a banshee with her and it was a delight to catch him in action. That boy can run. Mojo is Risa's dad and Katsuro's grandfather and Fiona's great-grandfather.

It was great to spend it with good company - winding down and forgetting about the dawg shows!

More tomorrow! Break from shows till Saturday - not much time.

Follow our saga of trying to protect Abigail's hair and still get her to play. The word is possible lycra - more later when we find out more.

Shows & No Rest - HA!

Nathan and Abs did their stuff today and got reserve. It means she got a couple of more ribbons.

It has become painfully clear that we have to be proactive and dress Abs/cover her coat - use a snood all to keep her coat in condition as she LOVES playing physically so we will post what we come up with. At the moment she is sitting in a thin sweater (very thin) with a headband around her waist to hold it in place.

We have another very early day tomorrow and then we are off for a whopping 5 days - yeah only 5 and then back at it but far away and we are traveling each day. Now if we could only get a kid to watch the rest of the crew, we may be able to stay in a hotel and save driving one night - a mini vacation - yeah right. Oh well and we get to show all 3 days first thing in the morning. Fun.

Soon, Lola and Kat's pups will be born and we will have exciting times!

We have been exposing our almost 9 month dog to all sorts of situations and he seems to do well. He's going to make the right home a perfect addition. Our only biggest issue is he likes to chew on Abs hair. No biggie for a non show dog but - well Abs is a show dog.

More tomorrow...

Havanese Available & Holiday Sounds

I’ve reached a point where I’ve learned that nothing is ever perfect, that all we can do is the best we can. Any of you that follows Darlah’s daily blog posts knows exactly what we do every day, and how much of ourselves we put into this. We love our dogs without limitation, period.

We shared coverage of Wasabi’s litter from the day they were born. She had 6 pups: Tux, Coach, Remy, Zack, Sebastian and the single female, Sassy,

Tux was to be the show dog of Wasabi’s first litter. Instead, a month after he went to his new home where he was loved to pieces, he caught a terrible virus and died. It was a tragedy that could have happened to any of us.

Sassy ended up in a wonderful home with her litter-mate Coach. They are inseparable and living a wonderful life. I think the only thing better than having one Havanese in your home is two!
Remy shares his life with three children who have done an excellent job with him, and with educating their parents. J He too has graduated Obedience class and I’m told he loves his walks. Who doesn’t.

Zack lives in a wonderful home with Fiona’s litter mate Coco. He’s graduated his first Obedience class and is being enrolled next month in the next level with Coco, something we highly recommend for anyone. He loves having Coco to play with all day.

A few days ago we got a phone call asking if we’d take back Sebastian. Of course we agreed. In fact we’d made it clear all along to anyone with one of our pups that we will always take back our dogs. We are in this for the long haul. We brought them into this world and we do feel responsible throughout their lives.

This is Sebastian with longer hair. So you can see what his hair will grow out to be midstream.

So now we have an 8 month old puppy looking for a new forever home. He is fully trained and a sweetheart. He took Obedience Classes with Abigail, and Sebastian was the best. He heels perfectly. He sits, downs, stays, fetches faster than Shoshi which is saying something, barks at strange dogs but stops immediately when corrected, loves people, loves playing, loves life. He’s in a puppy cut (not the greatest but the hair does grow) and he has been neutered. If you are interested in discussing Sebastian with me, please send an email to me in private at nathan@potechin.com
Thank you.
Nathan
http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/

On another note: Holiday sounds can be scary. Do not take your little ones to fireworks. Watch them from afar and use a keyword always to allow them to understand when things are really in your control and they need not worry. We use 'silly boy (girl) a couple of times and they do 'get' it after consistency on any reaction to uncertainty. Watch their faces - their body language and use it. It does help!

Enjoy the holidays and the thunderstorms this summer. They can all be wonderful if you approach them right with your canine crew.

Motley Havanese Crew

We had Yvonne and crew over and we had a blast. Yvonne stayed in till she shrunk up and disappeared and I was the only one that decided this was not for me today - well almost - Maggie also decided such.

How do you get a Havanese to 'like' swimming?

Well, dogs are like humans - some love it - some tolerate it and some have no desire. But it does matter how you introduce them. We have the entire gamut when it comes to the water.

Katsuro is our jumping in fiend who adores it and can't get enough of it. Abs likes it but well she has her days when she says ENOUGH and Fiona well can I lay under the chair instead? Wasabi loves it but not to dive - swim and swim - yep.

So, how do you introduce a dog to swimming? Well, first thing you gently hold them, talk to them while you are in the pool with them and then show them the way out by guiding them. This is critical. You can also create a game after they gain their comfort level and that is why Kat loves it so. It's purely a game for him.

You can use lures that float. You can swim with them. The key is make it a game - go slow - and keep a positive attitude and it will come together.

Check out pregnant Lola (Kat's the dad) on top of her human mom's back.

Havanese love to sit on high spots and in the water - well for Lola - the water is no exception.

Wet - comfortable and chillin' Havanese style. Get wet with your Havanese.

Havanese Visitors

We had Linda and John over and her crew of dogs. Linda managed to swim a little and I was combing out Kat from after his swim when they arrived.

It was a nice relaxing time.

Check out Risa who thinks she has the very best seat in the house - and she does. No one ever said she wasn't quick. She jumped in that chair faster than anyone can blink their eyes.

Risa is on a starvation and exercise diet - well not really - diet yes - exercise yes but not starving but in her mind - hehehe but she can still move FAST!

Her granddaughter, Fiona got the cheap seat in the house - or maybe not depending on how you look at it.

Fiona is cooling off or maybe warming up on the cement after getting wet herself. Gad does she need a brushing!

She's been an outright pistol these days.

What's that you called me mommy? Not I!

Sebastian is visiting and here you can see him in his haircut. The boy is gorgeous but the hairdo does him no justice but it will grow.

We have been taking him on walks encountering many people, dogs, noises etc. He barked when about 12 people came down the walkway at once all together but I said no bark - placed him in a sit and voila - he was soon meeting a greeting all the humans and their dogs. He is an amazingly well behaved submissive dog who has yet to figure out how to totally placate Kat but he will. He's also fully house trained.

He's been in our pool twice and not on purpose so we are training him to understand the pool and how to get out etc. Gad - he loves his walks. I do too when life allows me to.

Here's a couple of photos of Linda's dogs that came to visit. She even took them in for a swim and gave them some lessons about how to get out of a pool. Good one!

More later - visitors coming!

With Just My Daddy Havanese Stylin'

Am I dreaming? Am I off to the show with just my Daddy. I get him all to myself! Oh my, how lucky for me indeed!

Looking at me at in this photo, mommy says - but I just brushed you - well showed Daddy how to and I look a disorganized mess but Daddy will primp me all up at the show, I am sure.

We are only doing this show alone and then on Friday, Saturday and Sunday that lady mommy will come too and she will hog that human - I just know it. She will also brush me like an insane woman. Daddy is a tad more balanced, I suspect but we shall find out and we will let you in on that bit of news later.

Well, more later!

Alone & the Show

I hear Daddy is off to a show tomorrow with just Abs. I am miffed. What about me! Oh - she has to have that greasy junk all over her and then get a bath and blow dry?

Heh...well then I can pass.

Well, not much to report on but I had a walk tonight with one of my kids and it was fun.

A no stressed day without Mommy in the equation tomorrow. So - do your best and forget the rest, Daddy.

Wink - you will shine - just call us right after - will ya. Mommy will be difficult to deal with otherwise. hahahahaha

Socialize Your Havanese

Last night I was walking Shoshi and Terra (our retriever and our - had no backbone - but a heart dog Shoshi). I tell you this as it has relevance. I got to the French school about 10 minutes away from the house and a guy with 8 dogs got there just before me and proceeded to let the dogs off the leash. It is not an off lead area. It's a school yard. Granted school is over - its night etc but still 8 dogs.

Well, we had no time to see that he released the dogs and I should have went another route but I actually curtailed it as I was also going to go through the school yard and out through a park but couldn't now.

The dogs - all shapes, sizes and breeds rushed Terra and Shoshi and Terra started drooling (stress big-time) and one of the dogs this guy had started growling. Terra continued to drool and Shoshi started to growl back in a vicious voice as if she was serious. The guy yelled from across the yard - he was a distance away that all the dogs are friendly and not to worry - they will say hi and leave. Well, one was not friendly but the rest seemed to be. Shoshi - who never had backbone has become slowly empowered by the pack - her pack. For her - who came way too early to us - she has found her spot and become better for it. Not that growling at a dog is a good thing but in this circumstance it was communications and was necessary. Often people do not understand the difference betwewen aggression and communications and a dog must be able to tell another - ENOUGH!

Well, Shoshi told the other dog 'enough' and the dog did listen and leave and Terra was relieved. It was not a fear growl but a protect my pack growl and I have thus over time realized and can hear and see the difference.

You could see it in her body and Shoshi then strutted like - mommy - see what I did? It's the same strut we get when she chases the ducks and is so proud of herself.

When you have a pack that is so tight knit like ours - each with their roles, it's interesting to watch. A new visitor that comes in throws the entire pack off and it takes days to adjust fully - hours at times with some and immediately with others. It all depends on the visitor and if he/she is sending out signals that the pack doesn't appreciate.

Shoshi - who hid under the chairs at obedience class and was frightened of the world walks with confidence on walks now. It took time and many situations where she learned to feel empowered but it happens so anyone who has a skittish dog - don't give up.

Keep giving them exposure and experiences in a positive way and they will get there if you don't give up. Shoshi is still the heart dog we started with but she is not the same dog as she was. She may have been without the pack, I imagine but we will never know.

Socialize people - it's well worth it!

We are on a mission to expose the Fiona to all sorts of dogs and situations and did this with Abigail. It makes a huge difference - Home Depot you can bring them in and they hear all sorts of noises and PetSmart and any garden center etc. Do it EVERY day for weeks and you will see a HUGE difference. What's 20 minutes out of your day?

I have way too much work - been working from 5amish to 11pm many, many night and its getting old but I take breaks - get dogs walking, me walking and then I can code again without mistakes. It's called balance but oh I wish I would win the lottery. I would quit working - invest my time totally in the dogs and get de-stressed!

Beachin' It Havanese Style

Fiona and Abs went to the beach today. Good news - it stopped raining. Bad news - oh so many dogs for the Fiona. She had an immersion that is starting her road to complete socialization balance.

We couldn't find the garden gloves we were looking for but mommy did find Cotton Ginny and they have some really cool 3/4 pants that is way comfie.

Abs - well she is an old pro and goes up and meets and greets all except one dog that had a prong collar on. That mommy and daddy spent much time taking Fiona over in their arms to get her to sniff and greet. This way she gains her comfort. Next she will have to meet and greet on her own in Petsmart perhaps tomorrow.

Use moments to socialize your dog such as a visit to the beaches or a park or?

We are home. Mommy is taking a nap shortly and the sun is out. I bet you by the time mom is ready to go out, it will rain again. she did get some weeding done but hardly a dent.

More later and pshaw - or what's that term to only sun where that relative of mine lives - Mojo. We don't have mosquitoes - do you? ROFL!

Rain - Now What?

Woke up to rain so now what?

Can't romp on the beach but maybe mommy and daddy can wait till the stores are open and bring us down in our arms anyways? Maybe it will stop raining though they say rain all day today and tomorrow.

Go figure - it's the weekend.

More later...

Havanese Planning

Fiona Says:
Daddy - it was nice hanging out with you today and hanging on your back just like Katsuro does.

Someone told me that we are on an adventure tomorrow as mommy has been working way too long of hours and you and mommy and Abs and I are off to the place called the Beaches where dogs are plentiful and I get a lot of that socialization stuff. Sounds like way fun.

Think we can go to dog beach or Ashbridges park or the dog store so I can get yummy snacks?

Well, the day is almost over and mommy is waiting till the sun to go down so we can all go on a huge walk. Are you coming daddy too?

Havanese on a Mission

This is Abs yesterday when she got out of the pool.

She was a gal on a mission.

Get me out of this crazy Talemaker Havanese place.

Sure, I can swim and even like it when I do but convincing me before and after I get out - well - maybe if I learn to dive like Kat.

While Abs was dripping wet, Fiona was laying in the muck in the very back. She's a gal after my heart - a gardener - ROFL

Well - we have Coach and Sassy coming for a visit today. No swimming. It's WAY hot but daddy has been out for business and mommy took us out to weed a little bit but she's been working.

The camera goes back tonight so back to the slow mo version. HA! Thanks for sharing, Yvonne!

Dogs Will Be Kids

Okay - let me explain that title. Dogs are not kids but they sure remind you of them - at times. Here, Risa and Abs is hiding under the deck chair - in the weeds I have yet to pull saying - no - Daddy - I am NOT going swimming.

They like swimming when they get in but they don't have that passion that Katsuro has. Wasabi seems to be getting it so there is hope.

We had a very busy day and mommy is still working - can you believe? This is my break.

I did take a quick dip and sit out at the pool under our sun shade that we got for the shows

Every day is an opportunity to learn. Here you can see human Daddy telling the crew to be quiet. ROFL

We are hoping tomorrow we can create a slide show of Abs handling class yesterday. She really connected with Nathan - smiling - looking at him adoringly. It was working. It was great to see!

Abs next show is less than a week away. Guess I best deep condition her. ROFL

More tomorrow!

Havanese Pool Life

There are days that we can hang out at the pool and not get wet but those days are far and few between and then it's RAINING!

Miss Abs has handling class tonight as she will be at Lindsay on July 1st - her human daddy's brother's birthday and a celebration of this fine land. We opted out of going to any of the rest at Lindsay as its during the week and work - well mommy needs to work.

Mommy is borrowing a camera tonight so she will be taking many photos at handling class. That ought to be fun and then we are heading to Walmart to get a sun shelter for some of those outdoor shows. It's not that mommy and daddy need shade but the dogs do.

Then mom gets home and needs to work again. So much work lately - building lots of home related stuff such as clutter buster and hey no article is going to help the human mom on THAT subject. But I am sure it will help some of you that are so inclined.

More later...