New Toy For the Crew

We got a new toy today - a bed in the shape of a car. They got so excited with new things. We find that new toys create new interests and new fun. That is why it is so important to rotate toys. An hour later, they are still playing in it. It's a win/win when they spend this much time with anything. Not everything excites them so but the tunnels - another win/win.

We are always scoping out new, interesting toys and will continue to do so even after the pups are gone. It's important to stimulate their minds and by doing so, they make you laugh, become solidly balanced dogs and they get to be all they are destined to be.

Here's a different view of this new toy to give you the idea of what it is about. It comes with a pad that is cushy and can be used as a carrier though supposedly but not sure if I would rely on it for that.

Over the last few days a couple of dogs found their bark - first one then another and we are correcting that and its as easy as saying shhh and putting my finger up. It's only once in a blue moon that they are doing it but by correcting it right from the beginning, you avoid correcting an out of control habit. Some people allow things early on as they think it's cute from a small dog and then it gets to the next level and you have your work cut out for you to retrain. Training from the start is easier than retraining.

Some dogs love to hear their own voice and if allowed to get out of control, then you can end up with a barker. There are times that you may want your dog to bark but that's up to you to praise when they are doing it at the right time and correct when they are doing it at the wrong time. They are smart enough to get that.

Most Havanese are not barkers but there are the few that as we say love their voice and love to control their universe with it - if allowed. This crew is so smart that positive correction works fast and easily. That is why you should always let your little one know the rules you expect them to follow and correct in a positive way. The end result will be a fabulous dog that everyone wants to be around.

Havanese: Where's the Treats?

The pups are one day short of 9 weeks and are now starting to get too smart for their own good. heh

We started teaching them sit and with some 'beg' -meaning standing on their back legs but yesterday one stood up and overshot his stand and went tumbling back. He perfected it though the next time as soon as the treats came out.

Nathan takes chicken breasts, cooks them then cuts them in thin strips and bakes them for a long time to come up with a treat that they adore and we leave it in the fridge.

This morning, after a really restless sleep due to a leg cramp that kept coming back, I placed the container in the other room with the other treats where they do not belong. I then remembered and headed back in to put them in the fridge.

Well, here is two waiting for the treats that they know are there and as soon as I picked up the container, the others came running and one sat waiting while the others were beside themselves in excitement. Now who was the smart one. Well, the one that sat got his treat. Later on today we will continue to reinforce sit and 'beg' and take it from there.

Time is running out and the 2 that will remain till they have homes will go into our beds - I know crazy us but all our dogs sleep with us so with those 2 we are already getting them familiar with the bedroom. Six pups and adult dogs is so much work if you really put your all into it and we do but that also means we get so attached. We are going to miss this crew as each one has been truly unique and wonderful and easy. But we feel good that the homes they are going to are exceptional and that's what it is all about.

Puppy love ...nothing like it. So far we did one training session, 3 outside romps, 1 long kitchen play session and now they are out like a light snoozing. Life is good and we must have done something right in this world to have this puppy experience - nothing like it!

Talemaker's Pups Lovin' & Playin'

The Havanese pups soon will be 9 weeks and off they will go to their new home by months ends. Two will remain until we find forever homes for them and while they do, they will be enjoying, loving and playing and keeping their minds busy helping them to be all they can be. Watch how Havanese mom Wasabi now plays with them and so does human daddy.

Today we reinforced sit and had Tux learn 'beg' heh - well standing on one's back legs and trying to be cute. He got it way too fast as we had Nathan's dried chicken that he makes and they adore it.

It's getting too icy out back so we won't be doing another run out back unless it improves. We don't want hurt legs from slips and falls. Poor human daddy took a spill already. Here's to warmer weather or more snow.

End of a Havanese Night

I just love the Havanese. They are so quick at finding solutions. So, the water dish is too high - no problemo!

Well, another day is coming to a close. The pups have had a ton of play inside/outside. One found its bark and human daddy corrected him and he listened.

The crew is starting to react to their names and they get terribly excited over the silliness of human daddy. It's easy to get them in the mood to make you laugh.

Ah...Havanese...nothing like them.

Havanese Outside Fun With Human Dad

You can't see the whole crew in this photo but they were out there for hours today. Look at the big dog just lazing out on her back. Does that tell you she is comfie around all the little ones or what.

The gang couldn't get enough of being outside as its a tad warmer and they were inside and outside really enjoying themselves. Human daddy had them out for a long time and now they are fast asleep. One even did this low grunt when I went to cuddle as he wanted to sleep. Oh my....

Today, human daddy went and got Merrick's Winglings and they can't eat it fast enough. They LOVE it more than anything else they have had. Plus Wasabi tries to steal it every chance she gets. She was miffed at human mommy as we said NO - its for the puppies.

Last night Coach had visitors - his new owners came to snuggle and tonight Chico will have his owners visiting and we will have to show them how the pups are really getting this 'sit' business down. We are hoping we get it so solid that we can introduce another command.

Well, more later...maybe daddy will add what he experienced outside.

More One on One Time With Pups

Teaching the puppies to sit seemed to come very easy to these little darlings. Tomorrow we are working on Puppies and Advanced Human Psychology or how to make your new owners sit up and beg!

As most of you know, we had five boys and a single girl in this litter. Naturally the girl is the feistiest of the lot and I love her personality. So, shhh, don't tell Darlah, I made a point of being so busy talking to all our possible new puppy owners about the boys that somehow the girl isn't going anywhere. I'm shocked. Somehow they all assumed the girl was taken. Go figure. Anyway, suddenly my wife noticed. I have orders to find our beautiful, intelligent sassy lassy a home. And I don't want to. So when I say pass the word, "serious enquiries from serious people only," I really mean it. :-) If you know someone interested in our beautiful little girl, please contact us directly.
Thank you.
Nathan (the little known other half of www.talemakerhavanese.com)

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.

You Can Teach Your Havanese to Dive

Many Havanese really like to swim but it matters how you introduce them to the sport. If you create a high level of enthusiasm and a great deal of praise, you can end up with a dog like Katsuro that has a passion for jumping in the pool. In this video, you will see how Nathan started him out by getting them all excited at the diving board then coaxing him to jump in. Then he praised him greatly in a really upbeat manner and it created a swimming monster - hahahaha - well not quite that but he adores the pool and can jump a far distance now. We believe it's important to find that passion for us - for our canines and when you do, you have a truly happy dog that makes you laugh and smile and they look forward to what the next day will bring.

Our Wasabi was just finding her passion for the pool but ended up pregnant and on another life journey so the practice jumps didn't last long. There's always next summer for her and for you.

Be sure to continue our Talemaker Havanese adventures at http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/ where there's always something new going on for our crew. It's pups right now and then we will move on to other things.

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...

Havanese Life Lessons

Today the crew was full of it when they got up. Oh, they quietly waited till the downstairs pen was ready but they really wanted to run so human mommy took them out back where they perfected their leaps off the stairs, ran their heads off and enjoyed the outside.

Then human daddy took them out back, In-between they had dry Fromms food with a tad bit of cooked chicken mixed in and they loved it. No need to soften the food any longer. It's interesting what happens in a matter of days.

The guys are doing a lot of troubleshooting from jumping onto mounds of snow to cushion the jump to finding creative ways to get what they want. The manner they run through the tunnels now and play games is amazing. Each week brings new ways of doing things and perfecting what works.

What was funny was although we had a low water dish, a few tried to drink from the high one as you can see in the photo. Chico just saunters over and drinks - forget about climbing.

Here's another day of the pups wanting to feed from mom but mom and us not allowing it and they are getting it. I figure by mid-week next week, it will be a fond memory. Chico is trying his darnedest to get under her but what you won't see, as I didn't manage to capture it was her low growl telling him - the milk shop is closed. She plays with them - but as a first time mom, she is also learning how to get it across to them that I just want to play but your food is over there. It's all coming together. They are 'getting' it - some faster than others.

We have a full day today and human mommy and daddy's oldest son is watching the guys tonight while they go visit the grand kids. We are all sleeping and now its time to fit a shower in - human mommy says - so more later...

Long Havanese Day

Lots of visitors today. We did the outside thing and are doing rather well bouncing and running around outside these days. We keep perfecting our skills of stairs with icy snow, and paths and snowbanks etc. We are doing great! It's a far cry from when we first went outside.

Most of us have names now, Chico, Remy, Coach and Sebastian. The show potential Tux - well we need to name him - ideas? Then we still have that spitfire gal and need to name her something that speaks volumes about her personality and if we don't watch out, human daddy would keep her but daddy we have enough doggies - hehehehe still she's a absolute keeper.

Tomorrow Katsuro's brother and mom is coming to visit. Then we have Louis parents stopping by. We rather miss having Louis around for his visits so this will be a good thing.

The crew really enjoyed the visitors and the exposure is getting them used to people - all a good thing but oh so tiring.

Human mommy is already saying best crew we ever did have...sigh..going to miss them - for sure!

It's all Mine

To end the night on a fun note, human mom thought you may laugh at this incident of one of the pups saying - even in my sleep, I am watching you - now leave my food alone. It's all mine - you hear - all mine!

Havanese Raring to Go

Now that the milk bar is almost closed (mommy Wasabi is weaning the pups off) she is now getting to play with them. It's nice as she loves playing with the pups.

Well, daddy took us outside today and we had a roaring good time perfecting our run then came back in and then wanted out again. We ran all over the security cover then wasn't sure how to get back off of it considering we would have to plow through snow to do it but we all found our chutzpah and found a way off while Tux and Remy stayed on the deck. We are starting to run faster each day. Now we are worn out and sleeping.

Daddy got mommy a new dryer so we are going to get a bath today. Gee, human daddy - thanks a lot - heh. Well, human mommy says if daddy didn't give us lamb - we could have gone a few days but lamb did not agree with our tummies - first thing that has given us upset tummies.

Well, more later....

Eight weeks old today - oh my...

This is How Havanese Play

Today Mommy Wasabi and Katsuro was playing inside and outside today while us youngsters watch them. This was mommy's 101 lesson on how your flirt with the boys and it was Katsuro's lesson on patience brings great things as he's been waiting a long time for Wasabi to get back into play mode.

She's also been having a roaring good time with the puppies. It's nice to watch. The pups tried the Merrick's lamb mixed in with the Fromm's kibble and only half is gone. It's not that they hated it but not so in love with it either.

More later. We have company and human mommy is not feeling all that well so nap time sometime before then.

Baer Test Passed & Much More

Well, the pups came home and Wasabi didn't go with us so she would start her conditioning of the pups leaving the nest, so to speak. They came home and she climbed up on the table to watch them and shook her hair tie out. Havanese love high spots.

All the pups passed their Baer. They have had a pretty busy 2 days and we are looking forward to getting them outside and unwinding.

Their respective weights:
1. The mostly white one is now 3lbs 13 oz
2. The gal is 2lbs 13.5 oz
3. Remy (black left ear 2 spots) 3lb even
4. Double black mask 2lbs 12.5 oz
5. Mostly black (tux) 2lb 11oz
6. Half mustache like his mom 3lbs 9 oz.

At birth they were:
1. 5 ounces
2. 5 ounces
3. 4 ounces
4. 4 ounces
5. 4 ounces
6. 4 ounces

They all grow differently and its not necessarily an indicator of their adult weights. Katsuro was the runt of the litter and is now a solid 12 lbs. He did most of his growing from 4 months on.

Our vet was impressed at how early they climbed and walked. I am finding the entire litter quick to catch on and patient as well. It's a winning combination, in my book. I have had wild thoughts of giving back deposits and keeping them all to myself. No worries - I wouldn't do such a thing but I just adore this crew and there's not a single one that doesn't amaze me in one way or another or make me laugh.

Well - more later....

Next Day After Vet & Before Baer Testing

The crew already ate and won't be eating till they get back from their hearing test. The lone gal is sore today and expressed it vocally this morning. No one else has. She is staying away from the others and this is highly unusual for her but we figure the soreness will go. No fever, no signs of anything else but soreness where the microchip is.

Mommy Wasabi is almost done weaning the pups (it means they are allowing her to play with them now - hooray) and she likes their food (Merrick's Wingaling) mixed in with softened Fromm's kibble that she ate it all so fast that we had to take her out of the room. This is the 2nd time she devoured this particular meal and the pups love it too. Wasabi - no fair - you are stopping feeding them so leave their food alone. :-)

Today, one by one I am going to work with each dog and see what they can do and how fast they comprehend. I tried tiny pieces of chicken as treats from my hand and they went CRAZY for it. So, now I know I can use chicken as a treat when training. Over the last few weeks, I will try other things.

We have found the dogs DO NOT like Fromm's salmon or duck but adore Fromm's chicken thigh, the Merrick's Wingaling, Puppy Plate, Grandma's Pot Pie, Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Cowboy Cookout and we will try them on others. We do know they like the Fromm's dry food softened with our own chicken and steak cut up or shredded in the food processor and mixed in and these two things also do well as training treats as noted above. We will try a few others but really like the quality of the Merrick and Fromm's foods plus adding our own rice, veggies, chicken, steak depending on what you have on hand. We are also giving them goats milk by itself and they rather enjoy that. Do not worry but we put together a package with things they do well on to hold you over for a bit with all the instructions on how much.

We are not finding they have any issues with bowels that some dogs experience with a variety of foods. Even the duck, and salmon that they did not like didn't create a problem but they simply smelled and ate very little.

After the Baer, I will post all weights and results. If anyone else is looking for a puppy, please let us know. We *may* have one available and our good friends had puppies from our Risa's daughter. We saw them yesterday - well I saw them and dogs stayed in the heated car and Nathan snoozed and then Nathan saw them. I am hoping Yvonne posts some photos. In all my excitement, I got some great photos and some not so great - figures. Well, we were tired after the vets. This vet takes a long time checking, ears, eyes, lungs, knees, weight, doing nails, teeth, bone structure, shots and microchips etc. that a couple of hours later we were out the door after 6 pups. We are hoping the hearing test goes much quicker. Pups were amazingly good and the vet staff loved their crate and toys and bumper pads I created just from blankets etc. Toys R Us has some great baby toys that hang on crates or go on mobiles etc. and we are finding they rather enjoy the comfie environment. They initially fussed when they got into the car (they are not used to being in such close quarters with all 6 together) but they soon played and travelled well. I even brought an extra crate pad just in case we had an accident but it wasn't needed. Still, I will bring one today as it's that Murphy's law - if you do not bring it, you will need it.

More later....

First Car Ride to Vets

All 6 of us are in this crate and we all did really well going back and forth on a long trip to the vets. Everyone is really healthy - all have descended testicles - except the gal and you will be surprised at the weight - we were - some passed others by and we noticed it more as its been a bit since last weigh in from our usual daily ones that is no longer feasible in our type of scale as they are too wriggly now to get anything real accurate.

Tomorrow we are off for hearing. We will post the weights then and the results. Human mom is too tired but human daddy had them running all over outside tonight so pups are feeling A-OK after shots and microchips even with the 2 that didn't work and had to be done again.

More tomorrow!

Vet Visit Today - Shots, Microchip & Wellness

Human mommy got us ready for our vet visit in this fab crate filled with some of our fave things and the pups enjoy the activities. It will be their first time in the car and its a long trip out to Colborne and then out to Brighton to take a couple of photos of our friends pups that were just born and then home. We may be a tad cranky and sore after a microchip and shots but human daddy and mommy will take extra care, watch us close and tomorrow we get another car ride to get our hearing checked. But that is a closer appointment.

Today, mommy Wasabi will be going, the pups and human mommy and daddy. We will fill you in after we return. We just updated the photos (we got a tad behind) so take a look.

Havanese Toronto Puppies Snow Days

It was just the pups and I yesterday, soooo the camera work is a bit jerky, do forgive me. But, the pups and older crew had a roaring good time outside before the icy rain hit. It was interesting as they did climb right out of the basket I was transporting them in and that made life oh so interesting and then we got inside and they plopped right out again and that video will come next - when I have time to edit.

We are all missing human daddy who is stuck out in Powell River on business due to the weather. But..as the song goes....oooh heaven is a place on earth - and it is with Wasabi's Toronto pups. I am going to miss this crew madly. Enjoy their snow day...

Havanese Roadkill?

Okay, did we get your attention with that title? Our human mommy was at Globals in Richmond Hill and Eva - quite the nice lady gave us a toy that she fondly called roadkill. Some of you will remember that this past summer, our Havanese mommy was sprayed by a skunk and human daddy had to sleep with her outside.

Well, in that honor, we get to play with a flattened skunk that has a squeak in each end. Can you even see it among us? We just adore it and she's getting more - skunks, squirrels, foxes, rabbits etc all flattened out. Best part is we don't have to deal with stuffings coming out and have a roaring good time playing tug - yes, we now play tug. Mommy has to get a picture of it but with human daddy gone, she sort of has been doing cleanup, playing - tons with us and dogs, dogs, dogs and well, this is the first time she sat down today and guests are coming (Helen and her son) shortly with rumoured giggling vegetables that we can play with - wow. That ought to be fun. Right now though we are snoozing and mommy is going to take a quick nap so more later. if you go get this roadkill toy - tell Eva we sent you. She's getting more in this week.