Havanese Fiona: Placates That Human

Fiona says: My sister Downsey tells me that at their house they are in puppy heaven and 3 puppies are still available to the 'right' home.

I am not sure about all those little things but Abs just adored them. Me, I want Abs to myself. Would you? Ha Ha!

Well, a storm is coming in. There goes those lovely walks or that human mom will have to put us in rain jackets or brush us when we come back.

The daddy has come back from that thing called busy-ness meeting. He made up for it by running around like a banshee pretending he could run faster than us. Think about it and it may conjure up an amusing visualization. We just placate him and pretend he can run fast too.

If it pours all weekend, mommy is going to snuggle with us on the couch and watch TV and relax for the first time in a long time. Hope you get some havanese lovin' in too. Those humans - at least here think there's nothing better.

More later.>>

Havanese Say: Happy Labour Day

Abs says - no more visitors today. They all went home. sigh What do I have to do now? I guess tag your 'it' Fiona.

You don't know what you are in for!

From the Talemaker crew to yours - may you have a splendoured Havanese day.

We will fill you in on our fun after we experience it.

What we find out is as the pack changes - visitors come and go - the pack changes too. Abigail is playing up a storm with Shoshi and we couldn't be happier.

What a gal she is making everyone count. We could all learn a thing or two from that.

Well we did the fair, went in the pool and now are about to chill out, lay on the couch, eat popcorn and watch 'Prison Break'. The dogs LOVE chillin' out and watching TV and they do watch. It's also a perfect time to groom your dog. It's when you are most relaxed and that will mean your dog shoudl be too especially after an active day.

Hope you had a good one!

Tomorrow - the saga of - can I get away with...

Stop the Presses: Havanese in Action

We open the back door, I sit at the end of the deck and they come running at me so I can point and click.

I look at Risa and wonder if she ever was brushed in her lifetime.

I just adore that natural look.

Oh, she is brushed daily - actually just finished doing the crew, cleaning eyes, checking ears etc but those messy moments - well I treasure them as that is when a dog is being a dog.

There's nothing wrong with those dogs that just hang out but be still my heart when you see one leap or get creative or use their brains to get what they want. That brain, if cultivated is a wonderful thing.

Kat always seems to manage to get out the door first. What is that about? Is he quicker?

Well, perhaps but he is also an alpha who thinks it's all about him. Oh yeah - we have a few of those. He is also the most athletic of the crew so far but the puppies haven't matured yet and I have a feeling he best watch out in that department.

Here's Abs in the middle of the crew looking quite like a bear these days. She's happiest just playing. She doesn't care where she fits in she just has to fit in and they all love her for that.

Funny, even she is showing assertive moments lately. She tends to do tag team stuff with Fiona if it suits her cause - meaning what she is going to get out of it.

Our crew all eats together but we are on diets - most of us except puppies as we had pups then roads we couldn't hike in the winter. Yeah excuses but we are at it again. The humans around here have that attitude so remember they are a reflection of you so they too adopt that - oh we will get to it. We are actually very active even when we can't hike with retrieve and silly games but nothing like a huge romp with some new pals or a long hike to get you downright sleepy and tired and burn those calories.

Well, Fiona was eating extra food as she needs to gain a tad bit of weight. the crew had eaten theirs and was waiting to see if she would leave it. One came up close and she gave him a warning. Abs decided she would also give a warning as that was hers if Fiona was going to walk away. See what I mean...if it suits her.

Don't ever think the Havanese aren't smart. Their little brains are churning thinking up new things. It's better than TV.

Talking about TV, I can't wait till the new shows come on so we can do body hugs together and watch TV. It's those moments I treasure!

Till later!

Havanese Fiona's Shag Look

Fiona Says:

Daddy thinks I am a sheep dog. They say I am supposed to show natural but I can't see a thing. Oh the hair stays back and then I give it a shake and watch out!

The judge on Thursday didn't like Fiona's 'cheeky' attitude but today's did. She just has to gain a tad bit of weight and get fat - ROFL. So, the Fiona is on a high protein diet starting tomorrow and eating frozen raw chicken necks. We will see what that does. We may have to hold her in place to get her to stop expelling so much energy. Oh that human wishes she had that metabolism.

Well, we are still working on picnic photos. Some were corrupted due to a virus but we are recovering what we can. Look for them soon.

Havanese Messy Stylin!

It's one of those days that daddy got mommy a polarized lens cover and a hood for her camera and what does she do - take a photo of my disheveled face.

I think I smash my face up against the ground just to give her texturized hair. ha! Well - it's a good line where that human is concerned.

I have 3 kids here visiting and I am having a great time - that is until Coachie thinks he thinks he is. A mom's work is never done.

Saturday is picnic time at Rita's house. Are you coming? I know I am just to see who I can play with. Hope to see you there.

PS: If that Fiona, Biona or whatever that human mommy calls her dares to scat and get in my way...well the hair will fly! ROFL! I am still quicker than that little thing.

Hairy Havanese Times

So - I am off to a show - yeah on Sunday and you think I can get away with wearing my hair like this?

Coco and Zack went home. Apple, Cleo and Jazzy are here. Daddy has half the dogs...me I have the mom so I can miss the dad when I wake up and then show really well for him.

Fiona is doing her first show TODAY with her sister Downsey.

WE are off. Tips to come tonight on dematting.

More Sunday night...

Havanese Bug Catching

Oh yeah - you have that right. The bugs are out and the dogs think they are going hunting - yuck!

Wasabi caught a bee in her mouth mid-air and ended up injuring it and Fiona is fascinated with the ants.

Havanese are known as companions, circus entertainers at one time and therefore they are easy to train to do all sorts of interesting things but hunting for bugs? I didn't train them for THAT!

I am amazed at how very fast their reflexes are. I just wish their targets happened to be something other than bugs but it was hot as you can see in Fiona's face and she was close to the ground and action was happening and mommy - I couldn't help myself.

Oh my..the things they try to eat.

Here's a perfect opportunity to practice - LEAVE IT!

Well, mommy had to work too hard - she's still working and daddy is outdoors playing with Remy and the crew.

More later....and does yours retrieve and know the 'leave it' command?

Wild Child Fiona Goes to Class

Fiona went from swimming today to rolling all over the cement and straight to her first handling class without Abs. She went to one previously with Abs but didn't get that much time as Abs had a show.

Take a look at how it went. I was the distraction with the camera.

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...

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...

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.

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?

What is That Havanese Doing?

Fiona often poses for her photos and Abs - well she just is hard to catch in action. It's different personalities. But here Abigail is shaking a toy and Fiona is wondering what the sense of that is.

After going outside and getting all wet in the grass, we came back to play a vigorous game of retrieve with the duo pouncing when a toy was thrown. It's the funniest sight you ever did see as they don't run but do this run to a pounce as if they are attacking the toy and they both do it.

How did you start YOUR day? I hope it was with just as much of a laugh and fun and just the way the day should start. If not, well do something about it. It only takes a few minutes and it can put a smile on your face. More later.>>

Preoccupied Havanese

We put down - well Nathan puts down 8 bowls each morning. He's the food giver so he gains and retains the allegiance of the show crew. I have stopped doing snacks even when I brush or train and rely on them going to him after I finish.

We have only started this a few days ago but the pack has already changed ever so slightly. They are sleeping and hanging out with Nathan more and me less. Is that a good thing? Well for the show dogs it is but I miss them so I realize I was also filling my own needs. But if we are going to get the show dogs to be all they can be, they must be totally reliant on Nathan. We will fill you in from time to time to tell you if it is working or not. Time will tell.

If you look at this photo, you can tell a bit about each of the personalities. Yes, we feed all 8 together without issue except from time to time Risa wants to steal someone else's or Abs or Shoshi. But we monitor and correct and all works. Abs tends to put her face in her bowl and savour each drop without taking her head out till done and Fiona is constantly looking around seeing if anyone else has something she doesn't.

Last night Shoshi tried to sleep with me and Fiona growled her off. It's not that Fiona wanted to sleep with me. She wanted to at that moment but as soon as Shoshi went up on the pillow, the challenge was not there and Fiona moved. Cute...

Came across a photo of Sebastian and Abigail. Boy have they changed. Take a look.

Last night I walked all the dog in a pack of 2 at a time - 4 walks and had an incident with a loose sheltie who bit my pants - connected with skin but no breaking of the skin. Have no idea why it happened. I had Shoshi and Abs with me. But when I reached a certain part of the road, the sheltie turned around still barking its fool head off. I am going to go back tonight with Nathan so I do not get fearful of such an incident. I tend to think it was a loose dog that lived in the neighbourhood and was just being territorial. Did the owner let it out as a usual ritual or did it escape from the yard or? Tonight may be telling. Still, a dog that bites - not good and loose.

More later. Have to get to work.

Havanese Visitors Before the Storm

Oh, we had a bit of fun tonight when Sassy and Coach came by. Coach was getting groomed a bit so you don't see him here. Nathan was at the camera, I was at the grooming table and never the two will meet. ROFL.

Still, Coach did manage to have a roaring grand time too. Nathan tried posing all of them but was soon figuring out that this is rather fruitless. Dogs will be dogs and not statues. But it sure did look like Fiona was posing for him.

Click on the photo to see an upclose view.

Well, we are getting ready for an outside dog show and they say rain and more rain in Orono. If you want a laugh of watching us squish through the field - do come to see us.

I will be washing Abigail tomorrow as I am rather tired tonight just in time for the rain. Got to remember raincoats. Dear old Abs is having fun just being a dog with our visitors and it does my heart good.

Thought she does look a tad tuckered out. I guess full out play does that for you. Or could it be she is looking forward to the show so much - well that could be so. She does love that one on one time. There's nothing like it!

I just adore the dogs. It's better than TV by far. Ooops that PVR is filling up fast. I guess Fiona and I will have to watch our favourite shows. She needs her alone time too.

Catch you tomorrow and do wish us well. I will let you know tomorrow if Nathan's shoes go squish, squish.

Quiet Times at Talemaker

Mommy, mommy, mommy - I don't have to share Abigail any longer - what fun!

Fiona was in an interesting mood this morning as suddenly no visitors and no competition to play with Abs. All the visitors and new dogs play with Abs as she is a play monster with a calming projection about her. Fiona is a boisterous play monster who pounces, seduces and takes advantage. hahahahaha It takes the new comers a bit of time to 'get' that.

But Fiona thinks there is nothing like a little Abs in her life or is that a lot of Abs in her life. As I type this, they are side by side and usually Abs doesn't do side by side except with the human daddy but with Fiona - well she allows and even seems to enjoy.

Last night we had a rip roaring storm to come through - their first one and the pups reacted. Fiona started barking her fool head off and Abs just sort of slunk behind and away from the noise and flashes of light. Of course we have a golden that doesn't do storms too well since we got her as a rescue but we have managed to slowly condition her crazy uncontrollable behavior out of her. So, as determined as I am to not allow such a fear to set in, I took Fiona out in the storm (yes to me the barking was - I am unsure of this ruckus) and I had Abs beside me. I said 'silly girl, silly girl' which is my code word for - 'I have this handled and therefore there is nothing to worry about'. I then took them inside and they didn't react any further. It worked so their fear did not get into a deeper level where it would have taken more conditioning to get it to work.

I am proactive in conditioning them out of fear issues. Today I have a blue tarp over the picnic table and the Abs was nervous about it as it was flapping and making sounds and going every which way. I was cleaning it for the show this weekend. I took her over to it. I actually put her on top of the picnic table where the tarp was laying on and said 'silly girl, silly girl' - there goes those words again. I then placed her under the table - had her walking on it and although she didn't totally trust it when we were done, she was able to go past it and walk on it.

Our dogs go through fear periods and it is our job to help them find coping skills. By being proactive, you can eliminate or reduce the fear they may have with new things. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your dog. It means they are normal. It's how you handle it that matters. Coddling only increases and validates the reaction. You can help them more by small exposures in a positive way even if you firmly place their paws on the item, talk calm and positive and even if you are fearful - do not show it - get empowered and it will work. If we can reduce the fear in our retriever by 95% - and she was a total mess when we got her, think of how you can help a dog where fears have not been so solidified that it becomes their coping skill.

All humans and canines alike have fears. Think about it. You may or may not have any clue how the fear settled in but it did and if you had no choice and slowly was conditioned to whatever you were fearful about, the feat would dissipate. The unknown is always a concern but once you learn coping skills, you look forward to the unknown. Some even relish them.

So, do your part and help your little ones find solutions and skills so they can be balanced.