Coach Goes to His New Home

Coach left today for his new home and family. They are wonderful people and clearly dog lovers. I understand in a few weeks Coach will be going skiing and snowboarding. I look forward to seeing him on his very own snowboard doing nose and tail rolls, a natural for a pup!

Did I mention the very best part of Coach's new family is that they live 5 minutes from here? :-)

I know you will all join Darlah, Wasabi and I in wishing them congratulations and best wishes.

By the way, please feel free to comment on this or any other post we place on the blog. I notice that Darlah posts every day but rarely does anyone comment. Please don't hesitate to do so.
-----Nathan

Deep In Thought or Wait

The dogs really had a great time outside today as it's a tad warmer but wetter. Here's Sassy looking a tad wet but sitting and waiting for the others to come on in too.

When the boys came in, Sassy led them in the game of tunnel jumping where they all jump in the holes and chase her. She's our highly creative one thinking up new games to make you smile. Now where is the video camera when that happens....

Now the pups are napping. They do a fair amount of that too but they are also getting to know that we get up, go outside, do our business and eat and go outside and do our business - well there's no slouches here!

Havanese Off Day

We had an off day last night. Not sure it it was going to bed too early, the youngest human son entertaining friends at 2 or was that 3am that woke up the house or the lack of Tux so just an adjustment but at 5am, the pups needed to get up, go out, do their business and come back in for a nap and now they are back again. Do realize that changes often create an interruption in their normal schedule but they will adjust and get back to it. Just play with them before bed and their usual is to sleep through the night.

With so little sleep, human mom took photos of them going outside and there was no memory stick in it. We had a dear friend that was supposed to come today and we put that off till tomorrow.

By the time I got a stick in, only the gal we call Sassy was outside running her fool head off and enjoying life. She's really a nice dog filled with enthusiasm - that extra something that reels you in and dangerous for us as we have a full house.

The crew just ran and ran in the backyard seeing it's not as cold as it has been. Watch out though, they love the sticks and plants these days as they are going through the - if it can fit in my mouth, it must be good stage. It means the teeth are still coming in and they are soothing their mouth. Teeth soothers, bones etc will help.

Here's a photo of Chico who is sitting in the tunnel after eating. As you can tell, he is in need of a bath as he rather enjoyed his food tremendously today. He's not getting a bath till he goes to his new home as you do not want to dry their skin out with too many baths so just to note on that in-between time, buy some Waterless Bath for that in-between time and it's as easy as spraying on and wiping off. I spray it on, comb it through and use a baby wipe to remove the excess. It's not their direction but it works for me and I found out how well it did when traveling and having a bum to clean up. It gets any odors off and keeps them looking fresh in-between. I believe Petsmart, Global etc. sells it.

Also, if you buy bathing tethers, its useful as it loosely goes around their neck, sticks to the base of your washing basin and frees up your arm when you are bathing. I know Petsmart sells them. It helps when giving a bath.

The crew is quite lively now and will eat chicken in dried kibble too and do so with love so that's good too if you want to just add some cooked chicken to their dry vs. the cans here and there.

By the way, I can't emphasize enough how much they adore tunnels, caves, anything to hide and play in. The cat department usually has such things but they literally will play for hours with our tunnels and now that they are out and about at times, they also hide under our Ottoman and jump out and play. It tells me how much they like the small spaces to hide and jump out of and even sleep in. We do have a crate that is wired and they like to sleep in it when they can see out. Keep that in mind when buying your crate.

More later...

Down To Five

Well, today we are down to five. Our show potential Tux is off to Rita's house to his new home to play with new pack mates. The house is a bit emptier.

Rita came by today, Kat's brother and human dad and the dad's mom with 'Little Dickens' came by. It was a full and busy house and human mom here had to build a page on Pamela Anderson getting yet another divorce - geez.

Not much to report other than we had a ton of fun today. More tomorrow...

Oh My Havanese Trouble Or What?

Here I am with the crew but I selected one where my face wasn't scrunched up as they were crawling all over my face and I was trying not to laugh too hard. Here is Tux giving me kisses. I am afraid we are in big trouble with him.

There's only been one dog that has been able to stick up to our Queen Biach, Risa - our Havanese who rules the house of the dogs with much love but doesn't let anyone mess with her with the exception of Katsuro and now dear old Tux sauntered up to her dish while she was eating and anyone knows the Risa is a major food hound - you do not touch her food - well she growled at Tux - he backed off - thought about it and decided it was worth the challenge and ended up eating out of her dish with her eating too. Now, the dogs are not food aggressive but Risa will let out a growl to say - ah - wait - I get it first. She looked at Tux, let out a sigh and continued eating. It was priceless. I guess she rather likes him. She tends to get really attached to dogs that stick up to her. ROFL!

Our dear old gal decided she was going to bark and I looked at her, put my finger up and didn't say a word and she stopped. It tells me that body language must speak volumes. This is the formative years and it is important to get them to follow the rules by correcting in a positive way. Now if we could just get her not to run under the deck like Mommy Wasabi taught them.

Wasabi tends to be a troublemaker - not in a bad way but she LOVES to tease. Here she is with a chicken strip and she's saying look what I have and you don't. She even saves it after the others have had theirs long gone just so she can covet it in front of the others.

We are allowing the crew to have their play sessions in a larger area of the house. We now allow them in the kitchen and in the hallway with the other doors shut. We place a pad down in various rooms so they can hit the mark. As you can see, they are still hitting the mark. We just have to remember - outside after eating and make sure the pads are in all the rooms they are in.

The crew is really enjoying their freedom and even some go and investigate even further than the others, as you can see here. Tux tends to check out everywhere. He's highly curious and too smart for his own good.

Well, the crew is sleeping again and soon we will be back to having another play session and one on one training. They adore the one on one time and that's nice.

Wasabi was outside earlier chasing them all over the place and they were chasing her. It's amazing that even with the ice, how good they are at maneuvering. I just wish my body was able to be as easily as theirs. I can't wait for the ice to go. Oh well, I best get the Yaktrax out. It's time.

Holiday Times

For those that celebrate Christmas, we placed up an article on keeping your Havanese safe during this time.

This is a photo of one of the little ones after tuckering his little body out playing outside. One has to laugh as they didn't like outside at first but for short periods of time to do their business and run around and play - well they come in quite tuckered and need their rest for more exciting times as the day transpires.

For those of you that celebrate, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi, Eid and any I forget - my apologies from the Talemaker furry crew - may everyone's celebrations bring you amazing fur bearing celebrations that memories are created from and tales are told throughout the years to come.

One on One Time With Pups

We took the pups - one at a time out to the kitchen to test them on how fast they could learn the command 'sit'. We need to do this daily to reinforce it but the gal and Tux wasn't doing so hot (then it dawned on me I can't teach Tux sit - duh as you do not teach a show dog 'sit' at this stage). We used small pieces of Baby Bell Cheese for treats (rewards).

We then changed to chicken pieces (tiny ones) and started taking the other dogs out and either we were getting better at the technique or they simply liked the chicken better. They got the treat/reward for doing something quickly. Nice! Then I went back to the gal and to Tux and tried it with the chicken teaching Tux 'come' between Nathan and I and the gal 'sit' and suddenly they were doing really well. Hmmm must be the treat that counts. We plan to do this daily so you can have a dog that sits on command. Maybe we will teach another command next week to at least get a couple of commands down. This way you will have a start in training.

It shows you that at 8 weeks they are quite receptive to learning. You just have to take the time and if you do - wow - it all comes together and it is so worth it.

Well, no photo tonight. We took a video of the dogs playing with their canine mom but I haven't converted it yet and after a busy weekend, I want to have some downtime so more tomorrow. The pups - they are amazing and quite the fun lot.

Havanese Hanging Out Tunnel Style

There is nothing better than this tunnel for the little ones. Even Wasabi manages to crawl in but these little guys - well they just play, sleep and hang out in it. This morning we put it back in their x-pen for further enjoyment.

We have already been outside, had a run out back, kitchen play session and hallway run and the day is just beginning.

Mommy is no longer feeding us at all and she is doing fine making the transition. We still think about it but she manages to correct us and we 'get' it.

more later...

After Bath Snoozing

Somehow, getting a bath usually does us in and we nap and nap for a longer time than usual. Human mommy just covered us with blankets and towels and we settled in for a long winter's nap.

Soon, it will be fiesta time (we already have the coloured background thang going on) as human daddy may get home tonight albeit late but still home...ahhhh and one wonders if he will wake us all up and drive human mommy crazy as she will have yet another night of less sleep than usual.

Check out our video of snow days below...

More later..mommy may take a nap for her lunch.

Havanese Planning

Well, another day down and we were snoozing but mommy and daddy took us upstairs so they can clean out the pen. This is something they do daily completely and partially throughout the day. It gives them a chance to mix it up and give us new toys - fun. Best toy they love so far is that play center, the cat toy with the ball and the tunnels - grand fun indeed!

We listened to dog sounds today - all sorts. the only one that reacted was the retrievers. We go for our baer test next week and our shots, microchip and wellness. it will be a busy 2 days then.

Tomorrow we have our Havanese daddy's human mom coming Beth Obrecht from Rockhurst Kennels to visit and Sonrisa's Havanese Rita Thomas so we are resting up so we can really show them what we are made of.

Human daddy had mommy hold us today while he did nails. The gal was the absolutely squirmiest and most vocal about such an act. Still, it was done and we moved on to playing and snuggling.

The crew went out again today and only the double mask is shivering but no one lasts as long as the guy we call Tux. He just adores the outside and gad he just snuggled and snuggled tonight.

Well, human mommy had a very busy day with work so she's calling it a night too. Have-a-neese night! Yeah the rest of them except for the pups sleep with us. Great fun!

The Start:Housebreaking Your Havanese Puppy

We do everything possible to get your little one to start the journey of housebreaking by starting them in a secure small area and increasing their awareness by introducing them to a larger area - our kitchen and the outside. This way they become aware of the smell and where you want them to eliminate.

In our x-pen, they are getting really accurate but in our kitchen area, they still have some accidents as the area is large and we are now finding that if we bring a pad already used into the kitchen area, they find the pad easier. It's one of the tricks that you learn by trying and seeing what works. They seem to be rather good at going outside as cold often gets their bladders to empty (bonus the wintertime) but you must go out with them at first.

Check out our housebreaking tips file. You'll be able to find it by a menu on the left hand part of the screen under food for thought or linked here.

More About Today
Our pups had a rather busy weekend and was very tuckered out. They slept in till 7amish after going to bed a tad after 10pm. That tells me that with a lot of activity, they are already able to sleep for a chunk of time. That's great news but we will continue to strive to get them sleeping through the night every night. A change in environment may throw them off at first but they will be on their way to getting to be all they can be.

Today they had a visitor (Audrey) our groomer who loves the pups. She was here to do our goldens. We usually bath all of ours but every now and then we have her visit us to trim nails, clean up the pads, and just give human mom a break from cleaning so many. The adult Havanese have been having such a roaring good time with frozen bones human mommy put out back that they gave managed to look a tad wet and droopy from all the wet snow. Still, a good brush will take care of that. We are working on a grooming file so look for it soon.

Then we had a grand play session in the kitchen where they munched on Terra's (goldens) legs - all 6 at once - oh my but that was fine. When Terra had enough she went outside after saying enough with a correction growl. Shoshi played great with them, Kat played some and now they are all fast asleep.

They are now starting to eat more solid food. Ah - to be Havanese...nothing better. Catch you tomorrow!

Havanese Food Challenges & Play

Ah Mommy Wasabi - you are eating OUR food...no fair..well it doesn't look so hot anyway. No wonder why we are not eating it.

Kitty Braund, publisher of 'Our Havanese' a must have subscription to a magazine of our breed gave us a recipe to get the pups to enjoy the mush more but they won't even touch it. Oh my....It's old fashion - cook slow oatmeal, some egg and goats milk all soft and mushy and they sniffed and went no way. At least the soft kibble they ate somewhat. Now back to the drawing board - so to speak. Hmmm why does mommy like it?

Had an exciting day today. We all went outside and tux and the one with the moustache like me (Wasabi) just couldn't get enough. Wow is that a change since the 1st try.

Human mom and dad was taking 2 of us out at a time to play with the guys. The little one behind was running as fast as possible as if to say - what about me then played its heart out.

All are sleeping now after a full day. We have many visitors tomorrow so we have to snooze in between or we won't do anything but catch some zzzzzs.. So, long day but fun one in store. We all can't wait!

Havanese Crate Time

Some people think that a crate is not a fun place for us but if done and used correctly - as a time to relax, veg, play, enjoy - then it is a *good* thang! You see, sometimes we may need to be transported in one and a slow conditioning to one is a positive thing. Plus my gang rather likes sleeping in one with a cushy, soft pad. But...they are not spoiled.

Ha -human mommy says!

Positive experiences are a must! We use a crate inside the x-pen so they can climb in and out.

Never use a crate as a punishment and it will remain a comfort to them. Everything we get exposed to and find enjoyment in, makes us better dawgs. Daddy says our goals are always to make our pups balanced and happy and as you can see in our videos and photos, we are that for sure.

Well, today we are expecting snow but we are still too young to go outside so human mommy says if it really snows like they say it will, then she's going to bring some into the house so we can get familiar with it. Now that ought to be interesting!

Looking at this photo, mommy is noticing our looks are changing. The mostly white one is thinning out - still teddy bearish but way handsome and he's such a character - well they all are Wasabi says but each are clearly different these days and as the week goes on and we hit week 6 and 7, well personalities will continue to unfold but not a skittish one in the bunch. Some are quieter than others but none are off the wall spaz cases or human mommy may be working to change that. They all seem to have mommy's calming demeanor but some more playful than others. The job - well it's easy this time around as they are all so equal - but as we say unique and that's quite nice!

Well, it's playtime so off the keyboard I go and we get to tucker the little ones out. They play and drop dead asleep and are now eating at least a full meal instead of me - Wasabi so I get a break! As time goes on we will make that 2 meals then three etc...

I couldn't be in yesterday's video as they wouldn't leave me alone. Sometimes they just think I am the milk factory - sigh!

Well....more tomorrow!

Havanese Snuggle & Play Time

It's visiting day for our puppies at our house and mommy tried to tell me this is socialization time but I know what she's doing - she's doing it for HER SAKE - oh my pups love it as you can see. They climb right over her and kiss and snuggle with her. She just loves it.

The one with the half mustache is one of the best climbers and the funniest one when it comes to play. He also seems to be the best runner - yes - they are running. He's way interesting. He just adores checking out the house, people, tunnels and so does the lone gal. Shhh but daddy adores that gal.

I tell you, my pups are becoming so interesting - each with things that make you laugh and wish they were never leaving. Even one seems to sit and snuggle and watch TV with mom - the one with one black ear and 2 black spots - a class act of calmness but fun.

Oh puppy heaven...my mom and dad have that addiction but these pups...mom says - well they are something else - early climbers, not afraid of anything thus far...ah...puppy breath - nothing like it daddy say.

Now if that wasn't enough, daddy also got into playing with my little ones. They climb up and kiss him, run through his legs and can't seem to get enough of that silly guy.

When do *I* get time with them? Well, I am playing with them more now that they seem to be getting older - 5 weeks - wow, snuggling and kissing them and even correcting them. Mommy says I am turning into a really great mom and I just adore the kisses and snuggles. I just lay there and snuggle and enjoy even after I am done eating.

Today mommy and daddy's grandkids are coming over, their daughter, hubby and of course grandpa and his wife and Tal is making the trek in from London to see my babies so expect more photos. My babies are going to have a full day of playing, socialization and lots of fun. Throw in a few people that are coming to look at pups we don't know and wow - visiting city but we love it and I am calming down now about people oohing and ahhing over my pups. I can't figure out why they don't about me - silly people - ha but I know - puppies - how can you resist.

Well - look for my photos and an update later. Exciting times...

Havanese Feeding Frenzy Time

Sorry we are so late in filling you in today. We have had lots of visitors and they are still here. So, today will be a tad short. My puppies are crawling all over me and get so excited to see me but they are now really entertaining themselves.

My littlest masked dog can often be seen on top of one dog or another playing his heart out wrestling and the white one - who happens to be a major snuggler crawls into my neck and settles in. He's been doing that since he was born. Nice....

More on the crew tomorrow...

Havanese Finding Fun in Toys

My puppies certainly enjoy their toys and human mommy and daddy have a heck of a lot of them so they will be changing them every day when we come downstairs. Most of them like to snuggle and sleep with them. The white one tends to like to sleep with his head up on the railing and tux - the one with most black likes to sleep under the rails without the extra stuff. Will that change as they get older or we move to an x-pen? I am not sure. Time will tell.

For the first time mommy and daddy left the whelping room door open so I could snuggle with them and go back and check on my babies when I felt the need. I am beginning to relax and not worry as much as I know they are safe.

Today I got into the other side of the whelping box away from my pups and they climbed - all right over after me and then I went to the other side and they climbed over again. Something about wanting to feed, I imagine. They are good climbers. It means they are strong and that's a good thang! They all continue to gain. They are all walking and playing and investigating their environment and they love pushing that foam ball around.

Human mommy was weighing them today while she sat on the other side of the box and I came over and laid on her and soon all my pups were feeding and I was laying on mommy so she couldn't move. She thought that was a great experience.

Someone said we got snow yesterday - oh my - mommy will have to get cute jackets for the pups - excuses to dress them and when they are old enough, I will introduce them to that white stuff. Human mommy hasn't even moved everything in yet - silly.

Well, tomorrow we have a couple of people coming to see the pups so mom is deciding if we come down 1 day early to the x-pen or wait till Friday.

More later - human mom has to feed me and her too - and coffee junk too - well for her.

Havanese Full House Today

We had a full house today. Auntie Yvonne and momma Rita came to visit us. It was nice but too short. Human mommy says she has to do something about water pots - work - work - work.

My pups are having fun now playing with each other as you can see but you know what they like to push around? That foam - cheapie ball. Go figure - something that hardly costs anything.

On Friday the pups come down to the x-pen and we are excited - I think. Mommy gets to see them in her office all the time. She mumbled something about having to find the x-pen.

More later...

Havanese Wasabi's Pup Climb Over

Well, am I in trouble or what?

I have spent my days on the other side of the whelping box as I have 2 sides put together safe from the little ones after I feed them. These little devils are 3 weeks old today and lo and behold 3 of them climbed right over after me.

First was El Blanco Grande and Mommy didn't have the camera ready for him. The next was Tux and she got a photo of him after he hit the floor. Then the one with the mask climbed over then climbed back as I tried to fool him by jumping on the other side. It didn't work with this one. Me thinks he might be the best climber of all as he climbed one way at me then back after me again. No puppy free zone left for me except out of the box now.

It's really hard when something happens to catch it midstream in the act. You have to be waaay fast and mommy is waaaaay old so she is slooooower than mollasses. At least she caught one of them. Even though it took her 3 dogs and a double cross-over to turn the &^%$ camera on. Mommy says she was excited so its hard to be fast when you are excited. Excuses - excuses - mom.

There's no place to be safe anymore. I guess it's jump up on couch time.

Gad these puppies are way agile before their time. Maybe they will take after me - Wasabi after all. The best of both I imagine.

Havanese Playhouse Discovery

Hey - this is Wasabi and Mommy's done it again. She's having the pups test the waters. Here she has a Zanies Kitty Playhouse - yeah that's what they call it. It changes into 8 shapes and it's a tunnel (see the figure below).

The base - well the innards is foam based so it's different to walk on than our whelping box that has a rug that helps us to have grip. That helps us strengthen our legs. It's easy to wash or wipe clean. That makes it WAY useful for puppies.

Mommy says this helps my pups get familiar with different textures but it also helps feed our curiosity of new things. Only 3 of us have tried it so far but it's way fun.

You should see how we navigate through the tunnel. In the coming weeks, we will be trying it in a variety of shapes and keeping track of who does what. Care to see a larger photo of my pup looking around, simply click on his photo.

Here's one of my pups almost saying, "Is this the way out?" Maybe I should just take a nap and call it a day but he didn't. He found his way from one end to the next with no trouble but spent more time than one of the others checking out the surroundings.

The one with the mask decided it was good to look around but walk right through without hanging out.

The one that my human mom and dad call Tux checked the entire place out spending the most amount of time in the tunnel. All 3 found their way out without issue.

I, the Wasabi want to climb in too but I just fit. Are we in for some real fun or what. Cats aren't the only ones that can enjoy these thinking toys. Us Havanese types are known for using our minds. My kids - oops pups are the smartest ever. ROFL!!!!!

Havanese Life: Eat, Play and Conk Out

Life is so tough for my pups - I tell you. They suck me dry, keep me busy cleaning them and then oh my, they are starting to play. I was so looking forward to this day but now that it is here, wow 6 growing concerns having fun and one is even climbing up on the rails.

I refused to eat much all yesterday and mommy was so worried and then at night, daddy makes his chicken, we had vegetable rice and I ate and ate and ate more than I ever did in my life. Of course this was late at night so daddy went - guess no sleep for the tired till she goes out. heh The things human daddy's do for their precious Wasabi woo.

We had visitors here from 'Eye on Fashion' and they enjoyed looking at my pups. Today is mommy's day to try to recover from computer woes, backlog of work and much more. She may even take a nap with me - Cool.

More later when the pups do something exciting - well exciting to me. They are changing daily and mommy thinks they look like me. How nice...heh