Tricks, Daddy and Handling Classes

It's time for the canines to talk. That human mommy just blabs and blabs and blabs exposing us like we are the TMZ of the Havanese world.

Fiona: I will let that thing standing next to me talk first or she will never give me any rest if I don't. I used to control the lay of the land and sometimes I still do but this thing that mommy Treasures and competes with my daddy time doesn't allow it. Okay, Treasure let it all out so I can tell it like it 'really' is.

Treasure: Well, I am told that mommy set eyes on me and fell in love. I was supposed to be her dawg but I rather like the guy in this house. You see I live my life by he/she who treats me MUST love me the best cause I am a food hound. I even try to take Fiona's food away but she doesn't let me but I get her to chase me then Abigail gets it. I wonder if she notices. Mommy and Daddy sure do.

They have us going to this thing called handling class tonight - Fiona and I. I was at handling class last night with Kat and we had fun. My social hour is getting oh so busy and I hear we are going to see Sebastian in 'Games' class this week. Am I excited or what!

Fiona: I know why they take me along with the red pipsqueak. I have a show this weekend and they think I will show her how it is done but no one is like the Fiona and her scat, scat. They expect me to show her my secrets - yeah right. Secrets are secrets - right?

Well, that human daddy better give me Filet Mignon if he thinks I will cooperate and spill the beans. So, daddy are you upping the ante?

Off to class - what about you? What have you done with your Havanese today?

Lil Man Now Known as Milo the Bandit

Lil' Man (now known as Milo the Bandit) is off to his forever home. As you can see in the photos, he is doing the last dance with Treasure one last time till he comes to visit when his humans take a holiday they haven't had for eons.

Milo will get to come to doggy camp and have his own holiday and they will get one too. Plus bonus - we get to see him too and that is very special to the humans here! We can't wait to hear all the stories that little wonderful ball of fur will bring to their lives.

We have two visitors that are coming to stay for the week starting Thursday and we are way excited.

Treasure says - mom what's this handling thang you are taking me and Kat to tonight and then Fiona gets to go again on Tuesday with me yet again. Something about me learning the show ropes. Do I get to eat? Can I play with the Great Dane? OOOH these and many more questions I have.

Havanese Treasure's Training Begins

Darlah and I both feel that formal dog training is of utmost importance. I don’t care how many dogs you’ve previously owned, there is always something to learn and the socialization aspects to any class are not to be underestimated.

We attended class all over Toronto until we finally found the class and the instructor that we liked, that we felt taught our values. We’ve subsequently taken courses with her with many of our dogs. They teach positive reinforcement. They use clicker training or an upbeat YES to mark the dogs correct behaviour, followed by a reward.

Five of our dogs have taken lessons with her, some dogs such as Kat took more than one level of obedience training. He is a natural.

Later this week we will start classes with Treasure. As she is destined to be shown in the Conformation Ring there are some aspects of obedience training that affect what will be required from her in the show ring. For example, in the show ring the dog never sits. She will stand, walk, stack and patiently allow herself to be examined on the table. In obedience the sit command is one of the most important.

When we took obedience courses with Abigail and Fiona we actually had them learn stand instead of sit but I’m thinking with Treasure we’ll teach her sit and then teach her stand and just make sure she learns the stand command really well, as did Kat.

We also attend Handling classes with Kat, Abigail and Fiona as they are going to all be shown this year, as is Treasure. I’m thinking she’ll take both the obedience course and Handling classes and they will overlap. The socialization will be good for her.

A different type of leash is used in each class. In any case she is very treat motivated which will help teach her what we expect her to do. And Treasure is very independent. She needs the training regardless. Formal classes are always a good thing providing the class is well controlled and the atmosphere a positive one.

Nathan

PS: Darlah here - This is the 2nd time Treasure had a lead on and Treasure was none too happy. We will do it tomorrow (class starts Thursday) and eventually they see it as a positive especially when they get treats and get taken places. Dear old Fiona had to be almost dragged around the block before she said - okay - I guess this isn't so bad. I gently tugged her 3/4 of the way around our cul-de-sac until she gave in. She was a mighty stubborn one. But Fiona likes to get her own way no matter what. She needs a firm idea of rules and boundaries always in a positive way. Treasure seems to have an even stronger personality so classes should be interesting. watch for our Thursday night update or maybe Friday as we are driving over an hour away to go to this one instructor we love in Blackstock. call us crazy but the instructor and how she runs a class matters, imho.