Katsura's State of Mind

This is what happens to a male Havanese that has lost his mind as his gal Wasabi is in heat. Boys - what can we do with them and lord knows we certainly can't do much without them. Besides - they are so bloody cute.

Okay human - isn't it time to brush this cutie?

Well, we had a day - the human daddy was painting. I was getting ready for a show and doing much online work.

Tomorrow - baths for the youngsters so they can look pretty at the show. Wish us luck...

Playing Havanese Wet Stylin'

With all these wet times that spring brings - I should be going - oh no - its raining but I get my camera out and click away and enjoy and worry about the dirt and muck later.

They come in wet and mucky, I take towels, put them in my lap and brush away unless the mud is so thick that I have to dip their feet and underside in water.

Dogs have to be allowed to be dogs even when you have show dogs. It makes the process harder but it does our hearts good to know they are emotionally balanced and having a grand time.

Havanese can and do swim - not all like it but many of ours do. We tend to make sure the pups swim if we have a litter in the summer to get them lovin' it. But at this time of the year, they run on top of our safety cover - all of the dogs and create this trampoline effect. It's fun to listen to and watch. Nathan even walks on it so we know if its safe for him, it's safe for the dogs.

This will be Treasures first summer. I can't wait to see if we have another swimmer. Are you in that summer state of mind? I can't get into it - yet! Shows to do - championships to achieve - and much more exciting times are in store.

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!

Shows, Oster Dryers & Conditioning

Fiona had a good weekend. She didn't start out liking the shows but she now sees the benefit of going and being the only one. She used to not like the noises but with slow conditioning - she's past that.

We came home today and fell fast asleep - well I did. Will I sleep tonight - who knows but I was WIPED! Shows are very tiring.

I also bought an Oster dryer tabletop from Rens and the prices went up $45 but we got it for the price we ordered it from when we pointed out it was still on the site at the cheaper price. I would have said forget it and tried to get it elsewhere though they toted they are going up everywhere as Oster increased the prices - cute in this economy.

Look at Fiona's face - now she's happy in the ring and that's the only way we would do this. Our dogs - well how they feel matters.

Wasabi is also in heat so we are crossing our fingers we will have puppies this summer. We are hopeful!

So, next week when I am doing two dogs - ooops this week for the show - well I will be drying 2 sides at once.

It seems my boarding $$ goes to helping the dawgs one way or another and helping me but any dog likes to be finished faster when it comes to drying and now they can be. I am jazzed!!!

Having Fun With Your Havanese

We just got back home and we had a judge that said they enjoyed Nathan enjoying his dog in the ring and this says it all. If you can't truly have fun - what is the sense of it.

We got to see Sylvie (wish we had more time to talk) and then she disappeared or maybe we did - not sure which. We did have to go into town and Fiona got WAY dirty so now it's time for another bath and do this all again tomorrow.

Well of to make bubbles in the tub...and hoping we are home early enough to enjoy this beautiful weather.

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?

Havanese Relationships

Terra seems to be a mighty special dog. She spreads her play with all Havanese. Shoshi and Terra used to be the best of pals and these days its usually Treasure and Terra but on this day, at this moment - Shoshi was that connection and Terra enjoyed it.

She is a mighty special dog.

Ever have your dog bark at a noise or object and don't understand why? Usually it's their alert as they do not know what it is or what it is capable of. It's a fear reaction or 'I am not sure' reaction.

You can use slow conditioning to get them over it.

Treasure had a show recently - her first and got several points for showing well. She's got lots of pretty ribbons - which she would love to chew. Well, when she was getting her photo taken, the photographer made a strange noise to get her attention and she stiffened her body and barked at him. He laughed so hard that she relaxed.

The point is she was mighty comfie at the show but a strange noise in a new place can conjure up a hesitant reaction. That doesn't mean you should avoid such areas but rather expose them in slow doses.

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

Holiday Havanese Madness

Okay - not madness but great fun. On this fine holiday weekend we have a full crew of visitors and residents alike and they are having a grand time doing the Havanese huddle.

What's that? It's a meeting of the minds or maybe it's a strategy meeting of who can be in the lead when they run around the backyard in full speed. Oh my - and they did - having a grand time.

If that wasn't enough, then they went on walks and now are back playing up a storm. Does it ever end? Not until they are completely tired but oh do they sleep at night.

Havanese in Handling Class

We are in for a long weekend with a ton of fun and Yvonne and Alex are coming down to help. What amazing friends we have!

Last night we had Kat and Treasure in handling class and tonight we have just Treasure as she has a show coming up and this class is so far away but it is worth it. It's a large class with a ton of dogs but it is called conditioning and socialization.

You don't have to be a show dog to kick it up a notch and get your little one exposed to various sounds, sights etc. The more you expose in a positive way, the more your dog ends up being balanced. Even the most shy dog can make improvements by being diligent. It may not 'feel' that way at first but take it from us who had taken a dog that was really unbalanced and got her enjoying and playing - well we know it can happen. It's work - we know but sooooooooooo worth it and it can be incorporated into daily life and think of the new doggie friends and human friends you'll make.

Think about it!

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.

Treasure Visits Eye on Fashion

Treasure had an outing today at a really cool local Woman's boutique called 'Eye on Fashion' here in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

What's so special about this store is not just the to die for clothes but that they have a resident Havanese called Jazzy.

Nathan dropped in with Treasure and Dima and Tanya played retrieve with her and a hacky sack.

He even left her there for a small time while he ran errands as a test to see how she would do and the owners of the boutique (friends of ours) were gracious enough to watch her. I hear that she didn't even look back but played and played.

It was great to see that the little one could find the comfort of this special boutique and look so deliriously happy. It has to be due to Treasure becoming balanced and special people such as Dima and Tanya that own it and wink, of course that handsome guy Jazzy. For those of you that follow along here, Jazzy and Quito are littermates.

Well, we are off to a Total Recall Workshop with Fiona this evening. She's been out of obedience for quite some time. Hopefully we will have more stories tomorrow after fun is had. We already know that there will be at least three other Havanese in the class. How much fun is that?!

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.

Fun Havanese Visitors

Jean was kind enough to bring Quito and Kooba over for a visit and it was such a great treat to see them.

Here's Quito hanging out with Kat.

Jean is doing an amazing job on the hair and with these little ones. Gad - they look so deliriously happy.

It was great to see both of them meandering around the backyard saying their hellos and wow did they look great.

Check out this face on Kooba. You have to smile when you see that face.

Kooba was a rescue that we were fostering for a bit that Jean adopted and we do believe she found the jackpot for life. But it's not only Jean and her hubby but that Quito who gets Kooba smiling like you can see in this photo.

It does our heart good to see the Havanese happy and this story was a special one.

Thanks Jean for visiting!