Running in Step Havanese

Last night we had Treasure and Katsura at handling class and no one was there yet so we let them off lead to have a run. You can't do this unless you have an excellent recall. Both of these dogs have done the Total Recall class and we reinforce their recall always. That doesn't mean if something totally distracts them that they will listen to you immediate but it's pretty darn close.

That means Nathan stands on one end - me the other just to have that level of voice barrier and still with excellent recall, you let them off far from the street. We simply don't take chances.

Last night the duo was rip roaring around chasing each other and Treasure loves the game especially with Kat but she also has learned to cut him off and he seems to enjoy that she figured that one out. If you look at the photo, they are perfectly in sync with each other. It's a delight to watch them.

If you are not already doing so, do follow Wasabi's pregnancy through to her puppies going to their homes. Her tummy is ever growing and you can now feel puppy bumps.

Howling the Blues Havanese Style

It's rainy, I am chillin' and it's one of THOSE days. It's human Daddy's b-day and the sun doesn't even come out. What is THAT about?

The pump is dead on the pool. It's not warm enough to swim and I am getting fat.

Mommy has decided to put up a day by day calendar sometime this week on the changes my body are going through. Then we will be doing a daily dose of the Wasabi pups from birth to home. Hopefully, it will help you understand what we go through, what the Havanese mom goes through and how the pups change from birth to the delightful beings they come to be.

We will also be updating all the files I have on care etc as time goes on, we find new things and find new ways and do new development tests to get the pups to be all they can be. We adore the pups and they deserve it. :-)

PS: Treasure got points Friday and Sunday towards her championship and nothing on Saturday. She's almost there.

Hannah Goes Home

Hannah's not a Havanese but a Bichon that we watched this week while she was at her national specialty in the states.

This dog has been a delight and has the personality of a battery that won't quit. It will be a quieter place around here when she goes home today.

We are off to the show soon - taking Kat to visit and I am up ever so early as we have 2 people needing to dry dogs after a bath so I am trying to do mine extra early. Going to get to it - yes I wash daily at show time.

More later today - at least we are on early...

Meshing Packmates

What happens if you acquire a second Havanese and it doesn't play with your existing one?

This is how we have so many dogs but before you go, oh no - we have learned a thing or two since then.

First acquiring a puppy is always a hit unless your dawg is well into its senior years or is in serious pain. Sometimes even then, the puppy creates an enthusiasm for life as that is what puppies are all about.

This means it is easier to add a puppy if your goal is to create pals and fun in their lives but it also means you are back training etc. But if your first one is trained, good news - it's easier with the 2nd one.

Meshing an older dog is often more difficult. Some have lost that play be it yours or the new addition and you have to create opportunities to lay the groundwork for creating that spark in each of them so they find it enjoyable. With 2 dogs that have lost their play, it's not as simple as putting them together and just figuring if they like each other they will. We all get complacent and if you are a couch potato, we often have to see why we shouldn't be. This means it is up to you.

Shoshi was acquired as a pup but a tad too early (it's why we won't let our pups go early along with a number of other reasons). She was a pup who needed a lot of conditioning to people, other dogs etc. Oh she is a lovey from day one but we had to slow condition her to other dogs and people. We had to build up her self esteem and slow condition her in a positive way. She continues to change even as she gets older and the pack has been good for her. The puppies such as Treasure are relentless and not in a bad way. They insist on getting played with and as you can see, she accommodates but Treasure is an alpha even at 7 months. It means she often gets things first so we throw the item out and give Shoshi a lead and let the Treasure go. It empowers Shoshi and gives Treasure a part of the game - trying to get it from another, that she often doesn't have if we didn't create the opportunity.

That's what it is about - figuring out how to make the game fun for all - giving opportunities and mixing it up. But for Shoshi and all the rest of the oldsters - a puppy having fun has been good for them. It's as if a light goes on and they go - wow I remember this was fun and suddenly they are recapturing a missed opportunity.

There is nothing like more than one Havanese and I mean that. You can play with them all you want but there's something that's special - seeing 2 or more together - creating relationships - making you laugh.

But don't give up on the older dog. If you remember Kooba - well she was adopted by Jean and Quito and Kooba are the best of pals playing up a storm. You can play with your Havanese but you can't play with them like another Havanese. It's different. It's fun.

Sure you can have just one but two are often the best thing you ever did for you and for them. But you have to want it for the right reasons and you have to be willing to train and if you are - wow - you are in for a fun ride of two vs. one.

More later.>>

No Sun Havanese

We are seriously chillin' at Talemaker Havanese.

Yes, it's warm but not hot. There's no sun and I think I am allergic - anyhow. It takes all kinds and we have them here. I rather like it between the table where the sun doesn't shine.

Now back to some serious shade bathing. Hope you don't mind and you too are taking advantage of warm - not hot and time to lay out in the lawn chairs and read. Well - I don't read but Mommy reads her photo magazines to me and I do look at the pretty photos and try to eat them.
One is never too old for a dietary change. Yum!

Hot Havanese

Oh my gad is it hot today! Mommy was washing all the doggies today - well part of them...Shoshi, Risa, Kat, Fiona and Abigail - 5 dawgies - yeouch and then she worked and is still working but taking a break to post this thread.

Treasure as you can see thinks she is all that. I have to laugh at her sometimes but she really is quite full of herself. She just loves the focus being on her but she's not so crazy about this hot weather.

She's a winter puppy so she LOVES the cold but this hot stuff is new to her. Will she survive...will we survive? Always something to complain about - :-)

Tomorrow we get to was who? NO ONE!!

Happy Thursday for dawgs and humans alike!

Havanese Wind Blowing in Ones Hair

Have you taken your dog out and watched their hair blowing? Maybe it's the artistic side of me but hair blowing - messy as ever and that's my memory.

Really - Wasabi was perfectly brushed earlier..but that's not Wasabi. She just enjoys mucking and romping it up and loves that breeze flowing through her. You've seen those type of dogs - the ones hanging their heads out the window. That would be her, if we allowed. When I blow dry her - she just loves it when its on air only and it's blowing right in her face. Most dogs find this to be rather unenjoyable but not her.

Looking at this photo, she looks 50 lbs but she's a svelte 12 pounds - hopefully soon to be a heavier dog with pups. She's already getting that sucky - just need to be close thing they do and I love that as I am her one to cuddle with.

It's raining and all that tough snoozing is over for today. One does have to come in from the rain. It doesn't appear that the sun will come back out.

Zack and Coco is visiting for a week and fun is going to happen for sure this week. Let's see - we already had a run-like-hell session - snoozing - hiding in tunnels - retrieve game and more to come. Okay - we do need to get a life but our lives are the dogs - so excuse us for celebrating such delightful moments of the Havanese.

Your life will never be the same once one enters your life and you will wonder how you ever did without one or two or like crazy us...many!

Havanese Show Dog Struggle

When you show your dog you have to look at it without the glow in your eyes that your Havanese meets the standards and tends to stand out but that is all subjective.

Is there more?

Well everyone who sits and says their dogs LOVE the shows - well they aren't ALL right. There are some dogs that grow into it, others that tolerate it and others that never get their groove on but could be amazing moms and still can finish.

So, why do it when your dog isn't totally in love with the sport? I guess to say they achieved their championship.

There are various reasons why you may not show your dog to championship.

They are not in love with the sport but do adhere to the standards and would be amazing brood bitches etc. or in one instance that we had to deal with - another dog ripped out one of our dog's top knots all in fun. The dog didn't do it to delay the show career but rather to play.

Another reason could be a blown coat that does happen once in a Havanese life or you are simply too far away from the shows, the costs - to name just a few of the reasons.

We struggle in keeping the hair intact, having a balanced Havanese that enjoys life and is not segregated from others and figuring it out.

Is this really that important and is it fun for the dog?

Treasure last night in class had a ball. Her body, her bounce, her smile - yep a smile said it all.

She loves the time in the ring but she likes to be the only one.

In Chatham she was 'on' just like last night. With company - well she wants to play. Is it that she wants to be the only one or having your pack mates just means fun and you can't do that while the focus is on so many?

This show business is tough. It's a dance between you and the dog - a view from a given judge and yes you can have an exquisite dog that doesn't win in a sea of professional handlers. Yes, that happens and we have watched it not just in the Havanese when we haven't had dogs in but in a number of breeds but being a judge isn't easy, I imagine and when you do not win even when you are on your game - your Havanese is on its game - well you did win as you achieved that special dance between handler and canine that should be applauded. Add that the dog and handler enjoys the experience and you have achieved more than any championship, imho.

When our dogs do achieve their championship - I celebrate. We relax in this hair business and don't worry as much when they play hard, rough and tumble style and life is good but we do manage to make sure they enjoy life before championship and just do it with less than perfect hair as the dog counts the most in all of this....at least for us.

Puppies are the things we celebrate - play - achievements - balanced - healthy - fun - all the things that if not in their lives here - well we would choose to forgo the shows as the dogs and their lives matter the most and we do not fool ourselves into believing that all dogs love the show ring - as they don't. But that's okay. Do you like to do everything?

Just call this written exploring - and food for thought!

Leaving Your Havanese Behind

Last night we went to handling class with just Kat and Treasure was miffed, to say the least. She rather likes the classes but she had just finished 3 days of show and we felt she needed a break despite what she thinks. Tonight she is back to handling class.

There's a fine art to balance when training. You can't do it so much that they get bored or don't find it as a treat to go to class so leaving Treasure behind at times is a good thing despite her - but daddies that she so prominently displays.

We bought these 'no bark' devices from Home Hardware and placed one at the front door. We had a few barkers that we were boarding at the same time and it got our pack barking in unison. I don't mind a few barks but then that should be enough. It hasn't stopped the barking totally but it has stopped the number of times. What it does is put out a high pitched sound that they can only hear. It doesn't hurt them. It's a sound correction. Will it work long term - don't think that is necessary if you use it as an attention thing and use your usual correction - you should be able to shut them off and still have the same affect with the anticipation. So far - day 1 - it's doing the attention thing so we can correct. We will see what happens when we get a boarder or two that likes to bark. We have one on our deck but may need another further out. We shall see.

Bad news - they need batteries and who knows how long they will last.

Two weeks till Wasabi's ultrasound. Why do the days string out when you want them to go by fast and zip by when you don't want them to?

Havanese & Wet & Nails and Ears

I have the wet blues. Mommy says I have a show tomorrow but I do adore the rain. I like to stand out in it, jump in the puddles, and simply get a terrible mess. Puppies are supposed to do that and usually she lets me but not the day before a show. I mean - she's going to wash me TONIGHT but she's afraid she will have to do it earlier and then have an extra long time keeping me clean. Mommy - can't you bathe me twice? I never thought I would say that ...but....

Well, if that wasn't enough, Wasabi is acting like she is the boss around here. That's usually Risa's job. Okay - even if you are preggie - don't you know *I* am the real boss around this place. Just watch..I give this look and everyone just does whatever I want - yeah right!

Last night Daddy did nails on the dogs and Fiona just HATES her nails done. So, he tried - she squirmed so Mommy held and he cut and all was good but if she had her way, she would have not had them done even though they were truly needed.

Some of us have strong willed dogs but you must persist with baths, nails, brushing tummies and feet - anything that they feel they don't like as it's necessary. If you can't do the nails many vets will but that costs and many groomers will. But don't think the nails are getting grounded down naturally unless you are doing marathon walks on cement daily.

Ooops and don't forget to check the ears - smell them and make sure you don't have an infection coming on. We do not usually have one but Wasabi had one that just wouldn't go away and after two different meds and lots of treatment - it went. It does happen - just not all that often.

After this wet - do a brushing to eliminate any knots setting in. You will be glad you did.

Oh well - shows - busy times and hopefully we will survive. Hoping you have an easier time and we get Zack and Coco a week from Friday - how cool is that? We are excited!

Moody Havanese

Mommy gave me a reprieve - no bath till Friday - ROFL So, I am a tad messy but I rather like it that way...hahaha

The weather is gorgeous. The dogs are hanging out and we enjoying it before the rain comes...yeah rain yet again. Oh well, the garden will grow.

At Talemaker Havanese, we have a house filled with girls in heat and 1 male. Only Wasabi is getting bred so it's interesting times. This too will pass. Let's just say - it's keeping dogs separate - washing tummies and just lovin' them. They tend to get a tad - please just love me during this time and I rather enjoy the moments. I do not enjoy separating them. Good thing there is two of us so we can manage it easily and this is just twice a year - remind me of that - will ya?

Soon, Kat/Lola pups wil be born and we can't wait to see if we get Wasabi/Kat pups. I want to have puppies swimming this year - oh how fun!

Havanese Tongue Licking Times

Fiona and Treasure are just hanging out licking their lips thinking Daddy will give them a treat. It's a communication skill that they all use to say - hey - I want a treat. It's a riot as Risa will do it all day but she's on that evil word - D-I-E-T thing.

The crew is having a grand time enjoying each other this fine Passover/Easter weekend. The snow seems to be gone. The plants are starting to pop up. Let's hope it stays this way. It's still JACKET weather - well not for the Havanese but for the human kind. Still, it's great for walks finally and running around in a pack in the backyard. Life is good.

On this holiday weekend, watch out for that paper on the eggs and the chocolates. It's poison for your Havanese. Keep them up and out of the way and enjoy the holiday - will ya!

Smell is in the Air

Oh the sweet smell of spring - NOT! I know Shoshi would prefer it to be but another light dusting is in the air and that white stuff is all around.

Daddy is snoozing this fine afternoon on the couch with all the Havanese. It's just another lazy spring afternoon after a lot of work.

What's a dawg supposed to do?

Okay - handling class - fun with our visitor Milo and eating. Look at it all as an opportunity to train. Get a walk in too and practice stays on corners. That may save your dog's life one day.

Our visitor is snoring and so is the human male type - oh my!

Total Recall Class

Fiona is hanging out pondering this thing about Total Recall class. She's wondering if Mojo or one of Yvonne's crew is coming. She hasn't a clue what it is but she heard it was fun from Kat and Treasure.

Rufus is visiting till Monday and he's finally sleeping. He was so excited - he was like the EverReady battery and Treasure was telling him it was time to sleep. Not until Nathan climbed into the bed with a migraine did the crew settle in for a long winter's nap - ooops not that long but they are still sleeping.

It's cold again. But do the dogs care... Why can't we be more like them - mucking it up and enjoying life no matter what.

Fiona & Abigail: Show Life

Is the show over yet, Mommy? Well today it was Fiona and Nathan's turn to shine and they received 3 points. Nathan did a fab job and he will kill me for saying so. He is a low key guy about all his accomplishments and the shows are not so easy. So the doggies and us say bravo, Nathan!

Fiona was on her game scatting and having a grand time in the ring.

I guess after a few days - she was rather comfie in her environment.

Here's a photo that was taken while Fiona hung out to get her photo with the judge. She had to wait till the judge was free so there was a lot of hanging out. It's okay as she is closer to getting her championship and that's what it's about.

We will get there but the team is improving and then there is the next show then Treasure then puppies and can't wait till the fun part.

The fun part for us is our doggies hanging out, learning - playing and puppies - puppies and puppies but hey winning can be nice too especially when it's an end to a means.

Now back to resting, working and catching some zzzzs with the puppy we have visiting called Lil Man. What a card. If interested - do send us mail.

Shhh we may also be getting Gina to visit - we shall see. It's never a dull moment at Talemaker Havanese.

Show Lessons

No points yesterday. The moral of this story - don't have both of your dogs in a ring at the same time especially when one of them is handled by someone they don't know and you are also in the ring.

Poor Abs did the bucking bronco thing trying to get to daddy and she may do so all weekend. It got Fiona going too. It's wasted money but we learn another lesson.

Ah - but I was told my grooming was excellent. hahahaha minor thing in the scheme of things but felt like I was making progress with grooming.

Later today - look for photos of Lil' Man. He continues to be a star.

Conformation: Is it Easy?

When you go to a conformation show, from the outside in it looks easy. But is it? Thinking about teaching your dog to walk next to you. Does it do it from the moment you acquire your pup or do you have to train it to heel? What if you had to teach it to stack a certain way or keep that tail up or find how to get a bounce in your dog's step when it would rather be playing.

Then throw in the mix that your dog is unfamiliar with strange noises, lots of dogs, a guy or gal (judge) going all over their body and getting up close and personal. How would YOU like someone doing THAT to you?

Can you imagine being a dog and looking at what a conformation show is from their perspective? I often thought about it. Have you?

If you get into that mindset at your next show - fill me in on what YOU think the dogs are thinking.

Relationships & More

In a pack, relationships can often change. I have tried to figure out what the catalyst for changed attention but haven't totally figured it out yet but I still find it mighty interesting.

Fiona and Treasure used to be best buds and now lately it's all about the Abs. If you pay attention, you see a dance of manipulation in vying for someones attention. I swear I am in grade school again or the bug in the wall watching it all unfold.

Today, Kat tried to take Shoshi's bone and years ago she would have walked away but not today. She told him off and he listened. Nothing violent - just a growl and a body move to protect and he walked away. That's 'good' communications. If I had corrected Shoshi, she would have been the dog that always had everything taken away and me trying to protect her. I do not let it escalate but communications should be allowed otherwise the dog doesn't feel as if it has any control over his environment and that can make for a very unsure dog. You have to know when to step in and when not to. There is a difference. No one attacks anyone around here but they can communicate.

Well, we are taking 3 dogs to handling class tonight - Fiona, Abigail, and Treasure. Abigail and Fiona will be where the attention is but we may take Treasure around a time or two to get her used to a ring. She'll be in the ring in April and that's sooner than we think.

More tomorrow.

Confidence in Havanese

Are confident dogs just that or do you have to cultivate it? It's the latter. Although some have more confidence as a base - even the most balanced dog from the onset in the litter can be spooked by strange noises, people, things, events etc. Don't assume that always confident dog will remain that way unless you expose them.

How do you get your dog to be all it can be? Training!

By investing the time in training, you build your dog's self esteem by giving him a challenge that he can achieve over and over again and we all know if we can do things right eventually - well it feels good. It also works his mind and creates a bond like none other. But be sure you only practice POSITIVE training.

Bonus is a training class will give you slow conditioning to exposure of other types of dogs.

I am a firm believer to find an instructor that can control their class with presence and always knows how to handle a situation. For us, we want our dogs exposed to larger dogs as that is what we have in life. I do not want them to be skittish around them so a mixed class is great for this. We go all the way out to Blackstock as we really love the instructor at Daytripper. For us - who teaches and the way they teach matters.

At the top you will see Treasure in her obedience class strutting with the ease of confidence. She also has that stance when out in the backyard as you can see in this photo here.

She tends to have a good base but a garage door opening made her jump to say what was that on a walk. It was sudden and she didn't know what it was but I bet you next time it will be oh - its that.

We are afraid of what we do not know and that's true with the dogs. Slow conditioning is the answer to any fears that have set in and any fears that appear suddenly. They do have fear periods but we mustn't coddle but help them to understand and not validate their fears but instead show them by our body language and with a good base of training that they can play recovery and not hold on to their initial reaction. When they do play recovery and realize it's nothing to fear, they have started the process of being all they can be - with your help - of course.

So, puppies - adults - all can benefit. Do your dog and yourself a favour - have fun and enjoy a class or two. It's the best money you will ever spend if you invest the time in between.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Talemaker crew. May you spend it with loved ones and Treasure the ones that are there for you - always - your 4 legged crew.

Well - we are off to the vets for Treasure and Risa. Enjoy the moment and think of fun ways to get your dog to be all they can be. It's the most rewarding thing you will ever do.

Socializing the Talemaker Havanese

Our son Joseph was in from the navy and came by for a quick hello. It's his anniversary so he came into town to see his wife. We get that but it was great that he got to come by - say hello to the dogs and socialize them.

He's not here all that often so it's as if a stranger is coming to the dogs. The dogs warm up to him fast.

Joseph is a HUGE dog fan and his wife is getting there. She wants small like our Havanese - he wants large. Where did we go wrong?

But still he was rather smitten with the Treasure as you can see. He was also teaching her shakedown and she was placating him.

It's important to get your dogs to see all sorts of people. When taking them out, carry extra treats and have others feed your little one. Look for opportunities to expose your dogs to all sorts of sounds. people and other dogs/cats etc.

It's like dieting/exercise. You have to wrap your head around it and do it or nothing changes.

Well - off to handling tonight with Yvonne and crew. Should be fun!