Havanese Dog Play or Aggressiveness?

This is Abigail and Zack. Zack and Coco was visiting tonight and Zack decided to swim.

Anyone who has had a Havanese wet knows that they get really excited and full of it when wet. One wonders why.

Do you think Abigail is getting ready to chomp down on Zack or tell him off or is this play?

It's hard to figure out when you don't know the players but it's indeed fun play. It's also why Abigail's hair won't grow as she believes in full body contact play - all in the name of fun and the boys - well they love it!

Starving Havanese Doing What's Needed?

Okay - I must admit I am intoxicated with the antics of the Havanese.

I grabbed my camera before correcting this one as I couldn't help myself. I made a stir fry and Abigail was licking the juices from a plate in the dishwasher.

This either tells me she THINKS she's not getting enough food or she likes what we are having better. HA!

This is the problem with the Havanese. They do these things that make you laugh. You delay correcting and voila - it gets out of control.

Moral of this story: I should know better but really - I couldn't help myself - honest!

Was that MY line or the dawgs? You tell me!

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 Style: Got Your Back

Where is our head - no photo of Sebastian leaving today. Gad - he is missed already. Do send photos. Can't wait to see him after he is bonded. There are some that just are so lovie and well, he will have a grand adventure.

Last night the siblings came over - a couple of them and here you can see Sebastian rough housing with Coach as if to say - I got your back, Coachie.

Fiona's a tad bit of an adventurous troublemaker and as you can see, she's up on the table behind John's back trying to get at the flowers on the table and Sassy is checking it out. Wish Nathan had got all of Sassy in that photo but you can get the idea of what was going on.

Havanese can leap tall what have yous in a single bound if they think they can get away with it. I caught Abigail jumping on one of the kitchen table chairs the other day after Risa went into the doghouse on her little table trip and she thought - hmm they are cooking - better get up here and wait. I corrected her and she hasn't done it since but it surely gives you an idea how intelligent they are and how their minds work.

Well, a good time was had by all as you can see on Sebastian's face. He does adore the play - human and canine alike. Wish more photos had come out last night but they were moving so fast many were blurry.

Life is an adventure that takes us down roads for reasons we often don't understand but when we arrive where we can get that one on one attention, feel loved, stimulated and cared for - well we have arrived where we need to be.

More later...

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...

Havanese Like to Do Run-Like-Hell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Daddy & Abs Looking Good Together

Today we only got reserves but that's okay. Daddy and the Abs looked good together and we were able to meet another Havanese owner, Deb. How cool is that?

Then we went shopping at that plant place. What is it - garden centers but mommy likes them as they are cheaper than the city and good quality too.

Then we came back and two of the sons cooked dinner for the human dad for Father's Day.

Well we are going to get back in shape - mommy, daddy and the Havanese and retriever crew so we will be getting back to walks. That means every time daddy gets those leashes out, mom is in for the walk. You hear that daddy? Oh my the dawgs are going to love the walks pre-puppies that they had and Abs and Fiona are in for a treat. Not that they haven't gone on walks but there are walks and then there are walks. We will be back to the latter.

Dressed Up and Play Time

We had another day that was a bust but we came home and had a roaring grand time. But that man - he does claen up well but shhhh don't tell him THAT!

The crew went swimming and Katsuro and Wasabi laid on top of mommy while she laid in the pool on a mat. It was a sight for sore eyes but sorry - no camera.

Now daddy is out with Abs visiting jazzy and picking up Chinese food. Mommy might even do a glass of wine with raspberries in it. Yum. Now that will get her to sleep tonight.

Pray for no storms. Due to so many - Whitney is not doing well. Mommy is not either as she is not getting any sleep. Oh well, there is tomorrow late morning and afternoon to chill and we may - in that pool.

Show Crazy Buzi-ness

Well, no points today but Yvonne's Flora won big and we are hoping Downsey did great in the sanction match. Woo hoo!!

It would be easier if they gave you a report card. geez!

Well, another day tomorrow and an early one at that. We also have the puppy sweepstakes if we hang around for that.

Mommy - can I just play...please?

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.

Havanese Blur of Fun

Oh, there are days when man and dog is in synch and this is one of those times. Nathan is running and Abigail is allowing her human daddy think he can outrun her. Of course she gave him a head start.

Tomorrow is a show and just showing up means you are a winner of sorts. You made the commitment. You put in the time to train and the love of the dog comes through if you are in the right mindset.

Going to be interesting if it's rainy times. We will fill you in after we experience it. Till then....more later!

Conditioning Havanese

With everything, if you are having issues with your Havanese, slow conditioning does wonders. You just have to be consistent and persistent.

Every moment is an opportunity to teach and reinforce. You can always practice 'come', heeling on walks, sits, downs, stay etc

Use the opportunity even if it's at home. Never give a free treat or a hug or - anything when you can use that moment to continue learning. Well, don't make a habit of it - heh!

Abs is having an issue with the grass. Although she had her morning and afternoon show training in it, we want her to think that the grass is fun as well.

So, off to the park we went with Shoshi, daddy and me, of course. I have to take the photos, you know.

Well, you can clearly tell Abs is a puppy not just due to the length of her hair but the relentless deaking (running and swiping) she did with Shoshi to get her to play. Shoshi needed it too.

Shoshi's favourite place is the park behind the school. It's not always quiet so we have to know when we can do off leash work and when we can't. We have excellent recall with both of these particular dogs so they have earned their off leash play. But Nathan uses it as an opportunity to get them to 'come' for a treat. They count on it!

They also played fetch the ball but Abigail would touch it to claim it but hasn't quite figured out to bring it back. This is OUR problem as we should have been teaching her fetch. It's a great game that Shoshi knows so well. We are hoping that Abigail picks it up from her as she is in for many more park plays. Doesn't she look thoroughly happy and in the top photo, exhausted too?

See, show training can be fun too. How was this show training? We were showing Abs that grass is fun and I do believe she believed it today.

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.

Woofstock - ing It Havanese Style

Well, Fiona and I are off to Woofstock but Daddy had to buy into the combined government and big oil robbery by adding gas to the van. Oh - but how else could we go to our much enjoyed Woofstock. They sure have us by the ...... fill in the blank.

Fiona wasn't sure of it all at first. She had her tail down trying to survey all the dogs and people and - oh boy there were a ton of those in this sweltering heat. But after meeting other Havanese and getting used to the meet and greet, her tail went up and so did everyone else's.

This is GREAT socialization for our guys if you are proactive in watching the signs of dogs that aren't friendly.

Woofstock can be a tad overwhelming for those that haven't seen this many dogs at once before. This was Katsuro's 2nd year so he wasn't ruffled in the least.

We were able to hookup with Yvonne, Flora and Downsey. We didn't see anyone else from the Hav group.

You can click on any photo to see a larger version.

Downsey is Fiona's sister. Flora is from an earlier breeding of Yvonnes. You will see her at the Orono show and you will also get to see Miss Abs there.

Well, we were lucky enough to bump into a really nice lady that had the 'Rens Pet of the Month' photo of Abigail. Please post and tell me your name. Silly me for not getting it. I want to thank you SOOOOOO much for bringing it. I need one more copy - if anyone has one so I can send it to Miss Abigail's breeder. Thanks ever so much again.

It was Havanese heaven of sorts and we kept bumping into a number of them but I didn't get photos of all. Sorry. But, one was a deep red colour so I wanted to share it with you and no that cutie in the back is not a Havanese. ROFL!

We got a ton of samples from shampoo to treats. Let's see - to cover a small sample, we got 'Barking Mad' natural treats, Benny Bullys (small packages of 4 different new types and we also bought some, Natural Planet Organic dog food, to training pads, poop bags, to Doggie Dinner casserole - frozen and much more.

Poor Fiona loved all the treats so much that she came home to a tummy ache - loose bowels - sigh. See - even someone who knows better needs to remind themselves that Havanese normally can't have so many variety of treats at once and she loved them all. Katsuro was picky and didn't eat but a few.

We also saw some really cool jackets and collars and I mean way different ones from molded what have yous growing from the coat - hahahaha. You have to see it to know what I mean.

Talking about red Havanese, we saw a red sable with a puppy cut called Jasmine. It had such a tight curl that I imagine it is much easier to care for in a shorter hair-do. It reminds me of my Shoshi who is from teh same kennel.

All of the Havanese were friendly. We only saw a handful of non-Havanese that were unfriendly but they came in all sizes. The owners were proactive though - all but one.

We talked to a guy that had a Havanese that was manning a booth. He just adored seeing more of these guys.

We talked to people that were waiting for a puppy - to those that had just acquired one and the list went on.

The colours all varied as you can see in this photo. It was fun to see so many out and about. I wish I could go back tomorrow with 2 different dogs but how many samples can someone get. hahahaha

What will you see at Woofstock? Many, many vendors, lots of dogs, tons of people and maybe a ton of Havanese - if you are lucky.

What was missing this year? The Wellness booth, the spraying thing guy, the greenies booth unless we missed some of the show but we saw many new ones as well including a shampoo company up from the states. I can't promise I will try it on Miss Abigail for the show but I may try it on someone else and then try it on Abs when she's not needing to look her best. Each shampoo reacts on each dog differently thus - the - we will wait on her. More later when we try it.

If you are going to Woofstock tomorrow, be sure to bring water for you and your dog but one of the vendors had ICE cold water - yum and we gave some to the dogs whose tongues were hanging down to the ground in need of refreshment. Just check out that tongue on Katsuro. Hey, mom - it's downright hot out here - you know! We probably gave them something to drink every 10 minutes throughout our visit. It was that hot.

Many vendors gave away frozen yogurt for the dogs. Our dogs weren't a fan of any of them.

We did manage to get some great beds for a CHEAP price. They are way soft and I will tell you the dogs loved them. I also bought a cooling coat for Fiona but it was actually too big and was hanging down on her. It fits the Miss Abs perfectly and that is what she will have on her during outdoor shows. Ten minutes before I can just fluff her up and she will be ready to go and she will stay cool. We have another one coming in the mail as they were running out of the toy size FAST. Anyone who does outside activities in the heat should consider one as they are light and stay cool for a long time. I got home and ours was still cold.

What else - well I know this is not a Havanese but it rather sums up the day. It was a DOG day for sure in so many ways. You should head to Woofstock tomorrow. You will be glad you did.