Ice Storm Warning & Relationships

Sometimes that male dawg just snuggles with the human mom and us. Human daddy wasn't fast enough with the camera but they were seen nose to nose sleeping just before that.

The relationships in a multi-dawg home is mighty interesting and you can learn a lot from your canines from watching them. Katsuro used to want all the attention to be on him but he has learned that there is enjoyment in building his relationships with the other dawgs and therefore has become a more confident dawg understanding that there is enough love to go all the way around. Besides - nothing like a gal dawg to hang out with. ROFL!

Well they are calling for yet another ice storm and before you say - well we will just stay in - be aware that if your dawg slips the wrong way, they can hurt themselves just like we can hurt ourselves. Tread carefully and until the ice is not on the path of your walk, find fun ways to entertain your dawg inside such as retrieve.

Our son recently tested our dawgs for a paper he is doing for university and we had interesting results. We may try it again to see if the way it unfolds changes with the 2nd time around.

Games help to reduce the causes and symptoms of stress and build a strong bond of understanding between your dog and you and simply they are plain fun.

Games you can play with your little one inside are:

1. Fetch (find a hallway where you are at one end and there is no exit except past you and the learning will be faster.

2. Hide the treat. Show them you have it and then hide it. See how quickly they find it. Use the command 'find it' and you can graduate to toys and much more.

3. Soccer - yeah soccer - take a half inflated ball the size of a soccer ball and kick it around. I say half inflated as then your dawg can grasp it in it's teeth. We had a dawg here last summer that pushed a ball all over with it's nose. For some it comes natural - if given an opportunity and others you have to give them the opportunity. This can be a real joy to watch - inside or out.

4. Practice your commands in a really fun way by being upbeat and creating interest. Sit/stay/down etc Be creative with it. If you already know all the basics - well if your dawg does then try leading with a treat in a crazy 8 way through your legs. This is the first step to training them to do all sorts of fun things with you.

5. Agility training - there are cheap weave poles you can use, you can make a teeter totter and even use a hula hoop as a jump plus buy a cheap tunnel.

6. Hide and Seek - yes we had a German shepherd that played this with our youngest son but you can also play it. Just put him in a stay or have someone else hold your dawg and then when you are hidden call the dawg and let him find you. After he knows the game, just hide without the vocal and you can create all sorts of fun.

There's more but start with these and share your own games - please!

Havanese Dawg Day Letdown

It's a Havanese Dawg Day letdown. The humans are sick. First it was that kid that snuggles and plays with us Jonathan and then that human Dad Nathan who couldn't come to the dawg show. Then mommy is feeling chills and will be crawling into the couch with us so we don't D-I-S-T-U-R-B daddy. Then that other kid who watches these shows with animals so I can go crazy watching them is complaining about feeling cold.

Where does that leave us? No excitement today - guests have all left except that precious Gidget - just snuggles, and eating and playing out back. Video much later - sorry.

Chicadoro Visit At Talemakers

Videos, Show Photos Coming Tomorrow. Just a Few Pix From Our Weekend.

Havanese Ball of Fun

This fine early morning, Gidget, Abs and Fiona joining in had the hair flying all around and went on for over an hour. Can anyone ever do aerobics that long without thinking - is this OVER and wow we are still having a ton of fun! I think not. Perhaps we need to learn from the dawgs.

Now I know why Gidget likes to sleep in like our Risa - she needs the energy to deal with the puppy duo. They are relentless in play and then they drop. I should have had a video camera going but I promise - I will when Yvonne's crew is here - it will be a dawgie crazy house indeed!

Our son Dennis is going to watch the crew while we eat out and the verdict is out on if he will ever be the same. We will fill you in. How many dawgies will there be? 13 - 14 or? hahahahahaha

The duo is making a plan on how best to deak Gidget out. Will they succeed or won't they? It's amazing how their minds think and how good they are at finding solutions and making that 'interesting' plan.

More later as the day develops. The point of all this is enjoy those special Havanese moments.

We are thinking of the Sassy and Coach duo and what fun they are formulating. Amazing having Havanese pals - I tell you - for the humans and the dawgies alike!

Training Creates an Amazing Bond

So What's Your Motivation?
Well, each of us can think up a million excuses why we shouldn't but by training your dog, you will create a bond like none other. Your dog will listen to you, be well behaved and your friends will be in awe at how smart your dog is. Everyone loves a well behaved dog. It's really worth it to invest the time as what you get back will make you truly proud and give you a relationship with your dog that is strong and if allowed - amazing!

Dogs are failthful. They give their hearts to you and Havanese are natural people pleasers. Use that natural ability to have fun with it and you will like the results as long as you are relatively consistent with it.

We started training the pups and started trianing the older ones and even though it had been a long time since they had a daily regiment of five or ten minutes here and there of a refresher, it was amazing how good they still are in responding to hand and voice commands.

You should find ways to introduce all learned commands into daily living and that way you reinforce the commands throughout their lives.

This is a worthwhile journey to take and all it takes is 5 to 10 minutes a day and one on one bonding time with your Havanese.

Take a class and learn all sorts of tricks to get your Havanese to do what you need them to and follow along here and watch our journey with our pups.

Here's what we are doing with our Havanese pups. What are you doing?

Shots, Visit & Late Arrival Home

We went to get shots today for Miss Abs (3rd one done) who weighed in at 6lbs. She got her shots and so did a couple of other dawgs in our crew. The vet thought Miss Abs had great knees, perfect bite, nice compact body. He thought she was a beauty. He even commented how clean her bum was. I wanted to ask what kind of bums he saw but I held my tongue and thought to myself that I didn't want to know. ROFL!

Then we headed to Yvonnes and saw her pretty babies (pups) and got to play with Fiona - who comes home Thursday after her Baer test. Fiona has 4 white sox like her grandmother - our Risa. I got more photos of Yvonnes pups that I will post and we had lunch - thnx Yvonne and Alex - most gracious and then headed home. The dawgs were really happy to be home.

I have work waiting - the dog show video to do and all I want to do is crawl on the couch.

Here's a photo of Fiona (is that what we are calling her?) It's not a good quality but I had the camera on the wrong setting - gad - shows me to play with it. I promise better photos after she comes.

She's an Ever-Ready battery - at least at Yvonne's and then she crashes. It's going to be a ton of fun - ah puppies - nothing like them!

Havanese Comforts

Well we are off to a dog show today to see all the dogs strut their stuff. I promise to bring home lots of photos for you to see. I best remember the camera and I best remember to take it out.

Our beloved Fiona - is that what you are calling her, Nathan? Well, she's coming on Thursday after her Baer and Abs gets her Baer then too. Monday we have 3rd shots and we can rest a tad easier.

Our home is really for the dawgs. We create comfort places all over the place. Here you can see Wasabi sitting under a table on a bed. This gives her a birds-eye view with the comfort of a perception that she is in a den. The dawgs LOVE things like this. It doesn't cost you hardly anything but a pillow under the table and it all works for them.

We try to give our dawgs a sense of really having the cush life and they do.

Our son came in from Japan and that was way exciting. Today is Super Bowl time and all I can think of is yeah Havanese - not yeah football so virtually shoot me all you Super Bowl fans but we are off to the dawg show and will be lovin' it seeing old faces, new faces and getting into a positive state of mind. More after we come back.

Havanese Video Comes Tomorrow

Well, it's getting late and as you can see in this photo, Wasabi and Miss Abs are waiting for me to go upstairs. You can find them close to each other an amazing amount of time. I do believe these two are bonding the deepest thus far.

More tomorrow>>

Where's All the Havanese Excitement?

Here's the wet duo wanting to come in this morning. As you can see, Katsuro's hair is growing in from Opal yanking it off short on top but now Abigail thinks she can do similar so we will be spraying Katsuro's head with fooey. Not the best texture but better not to have it never come in - I say.

What we noticed is after a very full weekend, the day after - the crew needs to relax - even Nathan, hahahaha. So, they are all up in bed - I am working and they are vegging. What a life - I tell you. Nathan will have to play catch-up but the dawgs won't have to.

It's important to give your dawgs downtime as well as exciting, fun times. Balance is an important thing. You can still play retrieve, do walks, play but also find the time to snuggle, nap and enjoy the comfort of each other. Miss Abigail has found her way to the bed every morning after she wakes up much like our Sassy Lassy did. She comes down to do her duty, yank at Katsuro, jump on Wasabi, listen to Risa grumble and get Shoshi running. Terra just looks at all this shenanigans with a grin - I tell you and Whitney won't go out till after she eats - plain and simple.

Then Abigail will run upstairs and all I can hear is the pitter patter of paws running across the floor looking for daddy who is usually in the shower by then. If she can't find him, she barks - oh my.

We are working on videos of our crew - of Yvonne's crew and more so check back with us. I am trying to get it done inbetween work.

More later>>

The Trios First Class, Visit to Yvonne's

Hey - Havanese Gal Wake Up

Sebastian says to Shoshi - hey - get up - I want to play! gad these old guys - all they want is their beauty sleep and to play with me in bursts. I guess that's okay too!

I guess I can learn PATIENCE but hrmmm food is calling me. Hey human - stop the exercise - oh is that supposed to be - stop the presses? Whatever....feeding time. I can smell that food already!

Sassy Lassy Antics

Sebastian says - "I have the toy so what are you going to do, Sassy Lassy? Oh - you think you can get it but I will show you who gets to keep it this time!"

Oh, the antics of these two have been precious this week. They have truly bonded even deeper - if that can be imagined. Sebastian even goes to look for her when he deigns to get his ahem out of bed. Sassy Lassy decides if I am getting up - so is she. The thing is, she has no clue about this exercise business and is keyed into my timing. If I am late getting up, that's when she gets up. If I am early - that's her as well. She's really tuned into the rhythms of the human pack. That's nice.

Today I did an hour stretch program that was almost impossible as Sassy Lassy thought that was an invitation to lick my face all over, crawl all over my chest and stomach when I laid down and have a grand old time with my feet.

For those that wondered who got the toy, well that Sassy Lassy plucked it from Sebastian and ran into his bed cave that he has here. She's a mighty creative one in how she accomplishes things. Her mind is always working at ways to have fun and its obvious that these 2 really enjoy each other.

Well more later. Forgive us but we are going to spend as much time with the crew as time allows and then when the Sassy is gone (our last one) - please do continue to read along as there will be tales to tell at Talemakers Havanese.

Havanese Pay Attention To Me

Oh, it's surely getting cold out today and so bath times will begin - Katsuro first as he is - well a mess - then Wasabi and on and on.

I received a surprise gift from friends who made it - a grooming table so I am jazzed about having something other than my washing machine to stand them on. We shall see how it goes.

Well, here is Sassy - sorely needing a bath herself - still doesn't look so bad but still - it's time. We put a jacket of Shoshi's on as it's rather windy today to practice look at me. Once we have this mastered, we will start heeling.

The first step is to get him/her to gain comfort with the leash, the various mediums, noises etc and then you start training. Some say train from the minute you start but we find that it interferes with the love of the experience. We want the dog to look around, enjoy his surroundings and gain some curiousity and excitement about the process. Then when your dog is excited about getting a collar and lead on, you then start getting them to pay attention to YOU.

First command is an 'attention' command as this will be the core to getting your dog to do what you want. If you want your dogs to listen to you in all circumstances, then you must first have their FULL attention and a method that works.

Attach a very long leash to your dog's collar. Why? Because a short leash doesn't give him enough room to "test" his limits and learn which behavior you're going for. Ultimately, if your dog willingly stays with you on a long leash, then it will be easier to teach him to stay with you willingly on a shorter leash later.

Start by getting your dog's full attention. With the dog standing (or sitting) on your left side, call his name. When he looks at you, reward immediately with a TREAT.

If he doesn't look at you, take a treat to his nose and bring it to your eyes. When you are doing this, say 'Sassy, look.' (trade your dog's name for Sassy) When he looks up at you (really the treat) then reward him. You can also start using a clicker here to get them to understand a click means something positive and this will help you in the long term to wean off of the treat system.

Then, start walking. With each and every step that the dog follows along next to you, TREAT. If he gets distracted, repeat getting him to pay attention to you. If you get to this 2nd step, you have just begun teaching your dog to heel. If you are stuck in the 'attention' portion, it will come. Be patient. It's not about intelligence but creating an atmosphere where they know this is what you want. The key is always make it fun. Do not practice for too long and do not get frustrated. If you are getting frustrated, it's time to stop. You should only be practicing this in 5 to 10 minute intervals. Do not treat when he wanders off or refuses to pay attention to you when you call his name.

When training, feed a tad less to compensate for the addition of training treats.

This is in no way a substitution for training classes. You will be glad that you plunked your money down if you find a quality training centre.

More later.

New Years Havanese Slideshow

With so much snow, we got to spend New Years with our friends Yvonne and Alex from Chicadoro Havanese. We had a roaring good time and these are only some of the photos. We hope Yvonne does a slideshow on her site as there are so many more photos with her beautiful litter.

Exercise for Your Havanese

Sassy went for a walk today with Wasabi, Katsuro and Risa. Then we took Louis (a visiting dog), Shoshi, Terra and Whitney. We also did a great play session out in the back.

This brings up a point that Sassy hates getting dressed. and she could go ala natural for short walks but for a bit longer while its cold, the sweater or jacket helps when young. A good sign that it's getting too cold is when they are lifting their paws/and or shaking but they can lift their paws from salt, sand and ice piles in-between their toes. Just brush it out and continue unless it is a continual issue then its a red flag to get home. When it comes to clothes, brushing, anything - new that is something that needs to be done - the term - just get him to deal comes to mind. If they are fighting you, as Sassy has tried when I put a sweater on, I just hold her, put it on and then continue to get her ready to go. If I coddled her or let her win when it is something she needs - guess what - you set her up to buck the system and she will know that she can get away with it sometimes if she acts up enough. This is a dangerous precedent to create with a toddler and the same with your pup. I don't yell - nor make it a terrible experience - just do it and reward the correct behavior. Eventually that struggle will cease.

I am often asked how often do you wash your Havanese? It all depends on the elements. I can go 3 or 4 weeks in the summer before I can't stand it but even then, you can use a waterless bath, brush them line by line with it and then they look almost as good as a bath. So, it really depends on you. You can also just wash feet or bums or whatever the need.

If you look at the picture (you can click on it for a larger view), this is Terra, our retriever and Sassy doing her - 'I am relaxed look' and mommy Wasabi laying next. Now notice that Wasabi's hair is still shiny as she is what we would consider a silky Havanese and that's a good thing as her hair stays shiny even when dirty and tends to not mat - a double coat but not a thick double coat but she is getting a bath today. She hasn't yet had a comb out and she 'may' look better then but her hair will tend to become shiny greasy looking when I think its dirty and I believe she has arrived at that point. For some she may not. It's been a few weeks and I tend to groom and brush and clean mine more than others. Yvonne (good Havanese breeder friend) would say - more than ANY others but this gives you a perspective. Each of us have a different standard to what we expect and what we will tolerate. My dogs sleep in our bed so they get that comb out daily with a spray on conditioner and the waterless bath and I never experience 'doggy' odor like I do with the retrievers that always have it. :-)

So baths today, play sessions, walks all help stimulate their minds and body and that is a 'good' thing. If you can't walk due to the ice and cold, start teaching retrieve. This is a critical window for teaching it easily. Find a hallway with one way in and only one way out and you sit at the way out and throw the item down the hall. Use a keyword, stop the game when they refuse to bring it to you, praise when they do and you will have a Havanese that retrieves better than a retriever. When teaching it later, it's more difficult and by teaching it earlier, you give them the ability to exercise their bodies, expel that energy without you moving a thing. You will be glad you introduced this game if you ever get sick and can't walk but if you can, still walk your dog as retrieve is not a replacement but rather an additional avenue for exercise. Your dog needs to see new surroundings. If you were stuck in the house 24/7 think of how you would feel about the world outside and how depression may set in by being so limited.

You have an intelligent breed that needs their minds stimulated. Use that and you will gain great things from it. They are what you put into it.

What is THAT?!!!!

The crew is all gone and it's just the Sassy Lassy. We took her out on an errand with her Mommy Wasabi. We just kept human daddy company and had the experience of looking about. We were going to start doing some minor walking out front to get her used to the idea but it's still too cold so in we came. Shoshi wore this outfit when she was about the same size.

Sassy is looking in the mirror trying to figure out who that dog is staring back with that funny outfit on. Now she's snoozing and we are cooking and we will soon settle in to blankets, watching TV and chillin' with Sassy sleeping on the bed tonight. New adventures for all...

A New Havanese Journey

It's wonderful to hear how it all unfolds. It helps this crew here immensely. What can we say - we love the little ones...

Chico's new family (2 of the members of his new household are in the photo here) said...My eldest is still saying "pinch me. I must be dreaming"

It's so hard to say goodbye to the little ones you nurture, comfort and fall madly in love with but nice when it all comes together. We look forward to visits from Chico's family and Chico, of course.

Precious that they found time to share and we appreciate that!

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

Two Goes to Their Forever Homes

Well, the Coach has had his bath along with Chico. They have been fluffed and dried and loved and played with and soon they will be on their new adventure.

Here's human breeder daddy giving snuggles to Coach and canine Mommy Wasabi is looking on.

She's done well getting them ready for their new adventure and we can't wait to hear all about it.

We will be filling you in on Chico this afternoon.

New roads to travel, many new experiences and lots to love them...nice!

Havanese Tunnel Stylin'

Today we are hanging out in the tunnel and had 5 dogs - count them 5 in this tunnel. We just adore the flurry of activity that goes on with this thing. Here Sebastian is just sitting - posing right on top of Coach and Coach doesn't seem to mind a bit.

On the other side you have Chico and Remy and Sassy gal ran into the cube - the tunnel plowing right under them all. What fun they have with this fabric toy that can go into the wash and look fresh and new.

The crew was playing with Momma Wasabi and Katsuro and in a flash - after much back and forth wondering if he could do it, Coach was up on the couch after Katsuro. Oh my, two dogs that acquired that skill and that tells me how Chico got up on the couch the other day. I thought hmm climbed - had to be but no, jumped. Wow, what athletic abilities this crew has. I guess when you are motivated.

We didn't manage to catch him jumping but here Coach is on the couch playing without and appearing fearless.

We also heard from Rita that Tux is doing wonderfully and snuggled right up to her in bed the first night. Nice and no accidents. He's a smart one and glad he is adapting so well. We figure in a month or so, he may be giving Minnie a run for her money and having a grand time as the best of pals. It's hard for the pups to go for the humans here but great when you hear how they are adapting. We can't wait till our picnic when we gather them all together. Counting the days...

Well, we have visitors. This is Gidget watching the pups. She has cleaned them all, played and snuggled with them - nice to have her drop by.

Well human daddy will be adding more later.