I'm Going to Get You Havanese Style

Who says big dogs can't play with little dogs just fine? Treasure just adores her Terra and I can understand why. She has the patience unlike any others despite Treasure acting like the puppy she is. She yanks on Terra. She jumps at her till she says okay, I will play and I do believe she loves it!

Are two dogs better than one? You bet but 2 Havanese can do that famous run-like-hell game unlike any other but still the Terra tries - and oh does she try.

The weather is getting better and it's time to take photos. Look for photo opportunities. You will be glad you did!

Havanese Communications

More dogs die as a result of behavior problems than all preventable medical problems combined. Frustrated owners simply give up, and their untrained dogs often end up in animal shelters with uncertain fates. Luckily there is a Havanese rescue but the answer is to find a way to make it work - not give up or you will be wondering why things happen as they did.

Part of the problem lies in miscommunication. It's easier than you think to teach your Havanese the wrong thing. Well meaning owners do it all the time. We've all seen owners yell and yell for a dog to come as the dog blissfully ignores the command, madly chasing squirrels instead. When finally the dog comes, the frustrated owner may pop the dog on the nose and yell some more. The message? Would you go to somebody who might hit and yell at you? Consistent training and positive reinforcement with treats and praise work a lot better to enforce the right message.

Teaching a dog proper behavior means knowing how to correct him when he does something inappropriate. There are both good and bad ways to correct your Havanese. Owners should avoid spanking, kicking, rubbing his nose in it, or yelling at a dog. Besides rarely communicating the message the owner intends, this type of correction can cause even more behavior problems.

If you spank your Havanese for going to the bathroom inside, the message is, don't do it when I'm looking. Havanese are intelligent but they need to know what you are asking.

A common history in dogs with behavior problems is that they are not walked regularly. Owners may have difficulty walking a dog that pulls or barks, so walks become less and less frequent. A Havanese that is not exercised regularly will find other -- often destructive -- ways to vent his energy. That's why teaching your Havanese to walk calmly on a leash is so important. If your Havanese pulls on the leash, change directions suddenly. Whoever determines the direction has leadership. The idea is to interrupt the bad behavior and praise the good.

Learning to communicate with your Havanese is complicated. But when it comes to your Havanese, a little patience and consistent training will earn you years of enjoyment. Enroll in a local training class to master the communication tools you need to make the most of your relationship with your Havanese. You will create a bond and learn how to achieve the 'desired' behaviors you are looking for.

Not all schools are equal. Ask others that have attended or visit an ongoing class and then join. If you practice what you learn, you will end up with an amazing Havanese doing what you want it to with personality thrown in.

To Crate or Not Your Havanese

Some people think of crates as a cage and I guess as a human we perceive it that way and some dogs do not like it but maybe we are impressing on them our own feelings? We make sure all our puppies are comfie with crates by putting one in with them with an open door early on. This way if they ever have to stay over night at a vets, they have their comfort level. We also leave them open under our desks and use them at dog shows when I am doing two or more dogs. This way, one can sit safely while I am grooming the other but I don't walk away and leave them in it.

I will never feel safe just walking away at a show and leaving them in one. I would rather walk them around with me. Pros with many dogs have to but we will never be at that stage.

But what if you don't do dog shows? Well, I find with toys in it, my dogs LOVE their crates but I use it as a bed - a retreat and they rather like that. You will always find one or two hanging out in one just because they want to be close and have the cushy comfort.
Our dogs sleep on our beds, lounge on our couches and chairs and enjoy all the comforts but we owe them to get them to feel that a crate is safe. That way, if they are ill and have to stay in one, well a crate will be comfort not stress.

One hopes they never get ill but you never know.

Fiona Gets Her Championship

Just had to share that Nathan and Fiona got their championship. I say that as it was Nathan training her every step of the way and making that connection with the Fiona.

I am truly proud of this duo. Now Fiona gets to be a dawg and only be taken out to have some fun - when she wants to.

PS: The bad parents that we are - well we indulged her with chicken and part of a milkshake. She deserved every bit of it - so did Nathan.

Huge thanks goes to Yvonne of Chicadoro in entrusting us with this delicate beauty. She certainly has a mind of her own and that lovely scat, scat is - well it's precious. Thanks for letting us brag...

Pack Leader: Havanese

Treasure and her sticks - oh my - spring begins and will my garden ever survive?

Here's an interesting philosophy of being the pack leader. Some believe that you need to calm your dogs, walk in front - not allow them to play or jump or act crazy on a walk. We tend to control the walk but we also allow them to enjoy. So - who really is in charge?

If you have a dog trying to pull and do everything they want but not what you want - try this.

If your dog is pulling or acting out while you are walking, stop and just stand there calmly till they calm down. That first walk may take a long time especially if you have to keep standing there till they calm down but eventually they will 'get' that if they want to go anywhere, they must do so in a calm and relaxed state. Why do it this way? It beats struggling with them and by leaving the frustration behind you, you convey to your Havanese what you expect and it puts you in charge - as it should be. I am not saying don't allow them to sniff but do so when you want - when you have the time.

Back to stick eating Talemaker Havanese style - and how do we stop that!!!!! heh

Neutering Your Havanese

Why neuter your Havanese?

Some say - why should I do such a thing but there are many reasons you should - least of all having to lock the raving maniac up when a gal is in heat - well not literally but they stop eating at times - their tongue is down to their knees - well it looks like it but it really isn't and you really need to know what you are doing. You also do not want to be around a male that has only one thing on his mind - do you? Plus - if you do it right - between health testing, training, showing etc - well there's only love in it.

Wasabi is in heat so Daddy gave him steak juice on his food or he would never eat today. He's on a mission but Wasabi is not ready and he knows it - he just doesn't want her to go anywhere - so he follows her around like he's in love.

It's okay. In a day or two he will get his wish and we will mate the two. Then hopefully in a couple of months - puppies - and we can't wait to smell that puppy breath. Dreamin' Talemaker style!

Havanese: Do They Have Memories?

Ever wonder what your dog remembers? There used to be a school of thought that dogs lived in the moment and the only way they remember how to do things is from repetitive acts but many scientists have dispelled this thought. Many a Havanese owner have always thought that their pets not only remember people, places and things but are emotionally intelligent as well. I am one of these and I will tell you why.

I can teach a certain set of commands and not use it again for a year or two and suddenly, depending on the dog, they will do it again perfectly on command especially if we had fun with it.

I have a theory on this. I believe that a dog remembers things that put an imprint on them. This is why you hear stories of remembering owners years later.

When our puppies come back for boarding, we find they are highly attracted to the upstairs whelping room and seem confused on why the pen is not up next to my desk. (It's only up when we have puppies. Is it smell? Or did we somehow make an imprint on them that they want to remember? You tell me.

What makes us thoroughly happy is when a puppy goes to a new home and they get very excited to see us and then when their new owners come to retrieve them, they get so excited to see them too.

We are asked over and over - but will he still want to come home after playing with us and our crew? We equate life here as a holiday for the dogs. They have an amazing time but when all is said and done, just like us, there's no place like home.

But then that old memory - imprint thing happens and they come again and get excited for their next visit.

What's the point of all of this? Well - think about creating memories for you and yours. You will be glad you did!

Wasabi is Miffed

Well that Daddy I hear went to see Yvonne and here I am waiting to go into this heat state that I need to be in to get preggie. Well, I am in it but still early.

I do love to go to Yvonne's too!

So, maybe I will throw everything into a fritz with these dawg shows my parents are going to and Daddy will have to learn how to groom. Oh boy - are we in for interesting times and all due to little old me.

We will let you know how that works out.

Now that I am all clean - thanks again, Mommy - I will try to help Mommy plant some plants that preggie Lola's mom gave us.

Fun Havanese Style

Treasure really is a treasured soul and likes to eat her human daddy's ears. She does it in a way that makes that human laugh and laugh.

How does one try to watch TV when your little one is doing this?

Today was a wonderfully warm day for spring and the last of our visitors went home - Milo. Sassy and Coach went home the day before and Louis as well. We had a full house - a delightful ball of Havanese fun.

Before Milo went home, he rolled 5 ways to Sunday with Treasure to make sure he didn't appear clean after I bathed him. That's what life at Talemaker Havanese is like and hey - would you want it to be any other way? Not us.

Have fun - let your havs help with the gardening. You will either laugh or pull your hair out. Let me know which one.

Mad Dash Play Havanese style

Something about that mad dash outside that makes it so wonderful of a game. Dogs really do like games and if you can be creative, they will appreciate it and you will have fun.

I usually like to catch this type of movement on camera. have you tried catching that moment in time with your Havanese? Give it a try today!!

Did you know your dog can learn to play hide and seek?

Wet Havanese: Bathing Time

Ever wonder how to wash your Havanese? Ever have one scratch? You may be using a low quality shampoo/conditioner that robs the skin of it's moisture and causes your Havanese to scratch. It may be something more or all it is.

When washing your Havanese, take the shampoo and conditioner into both hands and pull it gently through with your hands from the roots to the end instead of rubbing it into the skin. (rubbing increases mats)

Be sure to rinse it completely out with the only exception if your dog's hair is not in good condition, pull a light amount of conditioner through only the ends and rinse halfway out.

Use a leave in spray on conditioner when combing/brushing and drying. I brush completely, let them run around like a maniac as it actually does takes excess water off - then brush one more time when done to remove any tangles and dry 3/4 of the way with just using my fingers ad then with spray on conditioner and a brush I finish the rest of the way.

My next present is a table dryer (Oster) so I can be drying both sides at once. With my crew - a necessity but yours - one will most likely do.

Happy egg hunting for those that celebrate and enjoy that its almost spring like weather - I think - brr here still.

Crazy Play Talemaker Style

It's always crazy times at Talemaker Havanese where the play can be or feel like non stop at times and to us, that's rather nice.

Here you can see - well barely that Abigail and Sassy are playing up a storm.

Yvonne's crew is at the house till Sunday night so it's Havanese madness time.

Will the humans and dogs survive? heh

Smell is in the Air

Oh the sweet smell of spring - NOT! I know Shoshi would prefer it to be but another light dusting is in the air and that white stuff is all around.

Daddy is snoozing this fine afternoon on the couch with all the Havanese. It's just another lazy spring afternoon after a lot of work.

What's a dawg supposed to do?

Okay - handling class - fun with our visitor Milo and eating. Look at it all as an opportunity to train. Get a walk in too and practice stays on corners. That may save your dog's life one day.

Our visitor is snoring and so is the human male type - oh my!

Havanese Snow Fun in April

Oh best friends in the snow - nothing like it.

Don't ever ask me if two is better than one unless you want to hear grand stories of play and laughter and fun. In my opinion, there is nothing like 2 Havanese or more especially if they become the best of pals. It's a relationship like none other.
Today we woke up to snow and despite me washing them yesterday, they were a sopping wet ball of hair after going outside but I was smiling and laughing and clicking away.

Treasure, as the youngest one tries to keep up with the crew and takes corners at such speed that she manages to catch them at times but it means cutting corners fast as she has yet to get that adult speed yet.

One would think she was falling in this photo but in reality she is close to the ground for a reason as it enables her to gain speed. How they know this, I am not sure but they all perfect the run and it's really grand to watch.

They gain enough speed that they appear to be flying in the air and they are. Oh, to capture those moments - well these are what tales are really about around this place.

Tomorrow Milo will join the fun and we are hoping for snow not rain. How about you?

Get your camera out - head outside and click, click, and click. You will be glad you did.

Trials of the Larger Set

It's been windy here since last night and it gives me interesting windy moments to capture. Whitney just turned 14 this month and that's old for a retriever. It's senior for a Havanese. Every day that we have with Whitney is something to celebrate.

I love the goldens but I am often asked will I buy another when it is her time. The answer is no. We still will have Terra to do our big dog socialization which we find is very important but what about Terra and having a larger dog to hang out with? We think about it. We don't know what the future holds but it's not something we are faced with yet and that's a good thing. A piece of us gets notched away when we lose any of our beloved canines.

But before I lose you with any of this depressive stuff, I will tell you a large, old dog issue and why you should be thankful that yours are Havanese.

As you know I tend to groom my dogs quite a bit. I find that if I do, they knot less even through that blowing coat stage but goldens you wash less. Last week I washed Terra and the other day I washed Whitney. Well, Whitney doesn't stand up when she needs to and she's heavy so it's a chore we are starting to think we can't do any longer as its a lift into the tub with a shower door and out of one and a carry upstairs and downstairs. We are now looking at taking her into a do-it-yourself places as we find that she couldn't stand up long enough for a groomer to do her in their shop. I don't believe we will ever have this issue with a Havanese. No matter how old they get, they are easier to maneuver. It's at moments like this that we wonder - do we stay small?

We did another Total recall class with a bunch of Havanese. We may be signing up for the next one so if you are interested - let us know.

Socialization is so important. Your Havanese often finds their grounding at home as it's an environment they know. Be sure at least once a week to take them out to somewhere new - a park, visit to a Pet Store - Home Depot - a garden center and best one yet - an obedience class. You will love the end result if your practice. Then you are on the road to having your dog become dog friendly, people friendly and balanced.

Handling Fun With Havanese

Handling can be a complicated thing. It's important that you make it fun for both you and your Havanese or they will just go through the motions and so will you. You also won't last if you are an owner/handler in that state of mind.

Sure there are tricks to get them being all they can be but how you are matters. Never go in a ring angry or upset. Leave all the negative emotions aside and just be silly but with focus and it will show.

As you improve, your dogs will improve and yes some of it is technique but some of it is you just plain relaxing and your dog knows before you when you are tense, upset or any of those negative things that irritate you.

Instead, while in handling class or at a show, focus on your dog - and just enjoy the relationship. Enter the ring to win but if you can't have fun with your Havanese, well your Havanese will never be all they can be.

Forget your woes - no matter what they are and just enjoy getting your Havanese connecting and you, your Havanese and judge is all that matters for that moment in time.

If you don't win, snuggle your Havanese and be happy that with each dance you get better and better and tomorrow is a new day.

As you can see, Treasure is in tuned with her Daddy and that's what it takes and more.

Off to handling class tonight. Treasure and all those big doggies.

Exciting Havanese Times

Well, I am off to go to that thing called handling class.

I have a busy week this week but so does Fiona. Fiona is going to handling class too tomorrow and she will be going to Total Recall class. How cool is that? We heard there are a lot of Havanese in that class too. I did the Total Recall last time so it's not my turn but I loved it. I am hoping that Fiona does too.

The crazy humans around here do not feed me on class night. Can you believe that? They say its due to how many treats I get but I could eat my dinner and the treats but they think not. ROFL

PS: We heard Jean, Kooba and Quito is coming to visit tomorrow and that's going to be way fun. We can't wait!

Exhausted Havanese

Well, those humans took me to see Lola and all those gals and I was soooooooooooo excited and all they wanted to do is tell me off and run their fool heads off with me.

We had quite the crew - 13 Havanese, 1 mini schnauzer and a golden (golden is ours) all having a grand time out in the sun running and running and running their fool heads off.

They all had baths - they all got dirty except Fiona - go figure and she did play. What was that about?

Well, we will fill you in on more tomorrow. That human mom had a guest to wash tonight, one to wash tomorrow as they go home and it's zzzzzzzzzzzzzz time and yep we all sleep on the bed except the retrievers.

Don't start - we are out of room if they came on too but they have real cushy beds on the floor next to us. I (Kat) sometimes join them - well most nights I visit the bed - the floor, the bed etc cause a dawg has to do what a dawg has to do but I suspect tonight I won't move an inch and neither will those humans.

Baths and Visitors and Visits

Well that's it - they gave me a bath and although I stand there and do everything that human lady who calls herself mom wants - well I prefer the dirt.

That human used a sample shampoo/conditioner that she had and oh my gad she thinks I am now so delicious to snuggle with. I guess I did come out dreamy soft but if she hugs me one more time - well I will bark!

We have Zack and Coco here till Sunday night and we are off to Yvonne's tomorrow to visit.

The human wants to chill out and watch TV but if she does, she will surely fall asleep. That's okay! If she does we will surely jump on her and make sure she stays up late. heh

Attitide of the Treasured Havanese

Oh the Treasured one just had a bath and that Mommy ran out of energy to do Kat. She'll do it on her birthday tomorrow. ROFL

The dogs are part of our lives on special days too as they should be.

Treasure is in a show in a couple of weeks and she is busy getting practice from Daddy. No matter what happens - we will be proud of our treasured one as she has that something that makes you - well us - go okay I will pay attention to you.

Off to handling class tonight and then tomorrow night. Will we be ready for our big moment? Who knows where anything can happen in the show ring.

We are missing the visitors and Louis will be gone tomorrow night. Sniff