Dancing Havanese

This duo does one heck of a dance even after one of them had her shots today.

Our vet said that our Treasure was exquisite, in his opinion. It was a nice thing to hear. The vet was impressed with her attitude, structure etc. But it was said that she is getting a bit wide in that tummy of hers. heh Oh - she does love to eat.

Off we went to Yvonne's to chill out - say hello to the gang and they fed us a fab lunch and we went home in almost white out conditions. It was a tad hairy at times.

Zack and Coco goes home today. We will have 2 less dogs. They will be missed by us and the entire gang!

We thank Yvonne, Lucille and the Chicadoro doggie clan for such fun. Come down and visit us sometime - will ya?

Tomorrow we start the hunt for special treats for training and socializing by taking Fiona, Abigail, Kat and Treasure in different combinations to various stores and doggie hangouts. We will let you know how that goes.

Danger Lurks in Havanese Curiousity

We work in our home and that means we have computers and dogs and computers mean cords. When one has a puppy, you have to spray, get the cords out of the way and supervise.

If you have a dog like Treasure, well then that's a challenge but one worth doing. So, we got a rack that hitches to the underside of my desk and handles all the cords. When we had our last puppy, it was as easy as placing a crate in front of the mess but not with our Treasure. Where there is smoke, well she lives up to the name - there's fire.

So, go the extra mile to protect your treasured one. We treasure our Treasure and are doing so and you can too.

We are off to class tonight with Treasure. We didn't get much sleep. My camera was on the fritz and I thought it was user idiocy but no our repair place Henry's also had the same issue until guess what - they replaced the battery. Hmm but that means my battery is bad. No - they put mine back in and its still working so I may be able to get photos of tonight. We shall see.

Tomorrow we will report how she did considering she has had the lead on twice never been around big dogs other than our two and the one she was born with - well it may be an adventure but a must when it comes to helping your little one find their coping skills. You do it with slow, consistent exposure in a safe environment and what better way than a class with a fab instructor.

More tomorrow!

Havanese Rule

We are having a family argument - extended family about Boxers ruling but we think Havanese rule and they don't drool like Boxers. Little Fiona thinks she rules the house but that's another story.

Here Fiona is standing on the recliner's arm watching everyone. As you may or may not be aware, Havanese like to sit, sleep and yep stand on high spots. Fiona is so confident in it that she does a one arm stance.

Our Treasure continues to live up to her name. She is seen taken on all the pups all by herself and even Abigail who thinks Treasure is the best okay thing she has seen for quite awhile. Perhaps it is due to her being new and she doesn't back down.

She seems to already think she is ALL that!

We had Yvonne's crew here overnight due to the storms. You should have seen them all go for a couch dive right on Nathan where I was left with just Downsey. What was THAT about? Usually it's an equal opportunity thing around here but maybe it was due to the reality that I had a brush in my hand. It couldn't be that - could it? hehehe

We had a whopping - guess how many dogs here yesterday. (We just got a new higher gate for our front door as Wasabi and Kat like to jump the smaller one and this one has a door)

It was fun but now it's watch TV, get warm and chill. Hope you have a great night if you celebrate Xmas. Enjoy and don't forget the furry ones in the bus-y-ness of it all.

Catch you all tomorrow!!

Baths, Food Hounds Havanese

My name is Treasure. As they say I am a treasured little thang. I need to get in so I can feed this fading belly. As you can see - they don't feed me much. Okay - they do but I want Wasabi's, that cutie visitor boy that plays with me Rocky and anyone else that eats too slow - in my opinion. I have a tummy to support.

The humans say - oh oh another alpha food hound. Now how will we survive? It's going to be fun having a little or is that a lot of treasured hair ball around.

Today Abigail had a bath and has taken to sleeping and sitting on a bed on my desk. She rather likes that - looking down at everyone. Rocky is way smitten by her. She's off to a vet visit this week along with Wasabi, Treasure, Katsuro and Fiona. So, we do baths here and there inbetween work so we get it all done.

Today, Gidget goes home - sniff sniff and is she going to get excited to see Audrey. We just adore the gal. Till the next time...

More later...

Havanese Puppy Moments EXPOSED

The first time you have a child the chances are you got up 72 times that first night to check the baby.

Every new parent I ever met did so.

Last night Darlah and I slipped into our usual routine. She went to sleep in anticipation of an early start to the day and I checked the puppies 72 times. (ps: Darlah here - so did I but he never seems to know I didn't get much sleep - heh) I get little sleep through the night but we know that the puppies are safe.

Darlah takes over at daybreak and in theory I finally sleep for a few more hours. Of course my secret hidden agenda was that I spent the night bonding with Treasure and Darlah didn't. shhhh.

I know everyone's kid or puppy is the very best most awesome thing since kids or puppies were invented. We raised many of those children, the most wonderful creatures in the world, until they became teenagers. Then they knew everything and no longer needed us. We've done the same with puppies. But I have to say right now that Treasure and Blazin are simply amazing.

As you know, our Havanese sleep on the bed. Last night that meant that eight Havanese, including Gidget and Rocky (visitors) were sleeping on the bed PLUS the two puppies. Darlah placed a soft dog's donut bed on our bed between us and put the puppies into it to sleep. After 10 minutes or so I gave up and took the puppies back down to the floor where we played a roaring good game of retriever and tag and wrestle for about another half hour until they calmed down enough that I figured I could try again. I put them both back into that donut bed. Blazin curled up and went to sleep. Treasure decided no way she's sleeping in this thing and crawled out and up against me. Oh oh. Shoshi was displaced. Jockeying for position continued throughout the night. At one point I had Risa on the pillow at the top of the bed, head pointed towards me, guarding her daddy. Rocky was sleeping on the top of my own pillow, head snuggled against the side of my neck on the right. On the left was the donut bed with Blazin and my left arm leaning against him from the outside so that I could feel movement if he decided to go walkabout. Just below the donut was Treasure, against my chest. Just below Treasure was Shoshi who was not happy with Treasure being so close to her space but wasn't quite sure how to deal with it. Kat was sleeping on his back between my legs. Abigail was sleeping on the outside of my left leg and keeping an eye out for Rocky who was prepared to play with her 24/7. Fiona was either up against Darlah on her other side or between us. Wasabi was at the top of the second bed all by herself, pregnant, on her back, snuggled up against a pillow with a chew toy beside her head. Gidget was a foot below her.

All of the above was subject to change at any time.

We also showed Blazin and Treasure how to go up the doggy steps onto the bed. By this morning our 10 week old Treasure and Holly's 11 week old Blazin were running up and down the stairs, on and off the bed, at will.

Darlah took them downstairs around 5am. The puppies went outside, did their business, then got into some serious play time.

I came down and fed them all at 7. The puppies inhaled their food. Once again Treasure figured she'd help Blazin eat his bowl of food and then work on hers and once again I placed her back in front of her own bowl. When she was done eating, in a time that would make Risa proud, she then shoved herself into Blazin bowl pushing him right out of her way. Too bad for her, Blazin had already cleaned out his bowl too. That's ok, Treasure is nothing but optimistic. A minute later I saw her trying to push with her head against the head of our almost 14 year old Retriever Whitney who easily outweighs her by 75 lbs, to get to Whitney's bowl. She'd have about as much luck pushing against a brick wall then to move Whitney off her food. But I have to say I love the attitude.

Inside, outside, off the deck into the snow, on the deck, around the paths, back in the house, the puppies played for 4 hours and now have finally been placed in the x-pen we set up beside Darlah's desk and gone to sleep. I might climb into the x-pen and join them.

Nathan

Talemaker Havanese Snow Fun

We always manage to make the most of any type of weather as it's a dawgs life here for sure! Hope you enjoy our captured moments of fun at the Talemaker Havanese home.

Early Morning Pondering Havanese Style

Why is it dark when we get up and dark when we go to sleep?

Why do all these Havanese chase an imaginary squirrel that they remember days ago as if it had the guts to return. Why is that human's pond still bubbling water. It didn't do that last year. Why is it slippery and sometimes it is not?

Why do ice balls like my Havanese pack mates hair but rarely ices on me?

Why do I have to go to the doctor's next week and what is this thing that human put on me?

It's today's moments to ponder and no one does it better than the soul-filled Wasabi.

Try, Try & Try Again

Fiona had a bath today before next week to try some new products out on her coat. When you get them ready for a show, they often become a test case more so than a pet dog but what happens is you explore so many products that you find what works for you.

Here Fiona is so clean and then it starts to rain - go figure. Well, at least she had her walk in and she smells and feels scrumptious.

The old humans are way sick though so crawling into bed to try to get well.

We will post more later or tomorrow.

Booooooo - what is your canine wearing for Halloween?

Havanese on High

Havanese LOVE being in high places. Here the Fiona is sitting on the recliner behind the human dad. Even though the recliner is not solidly in place as it goes back, her balance is such that it doesn't seem to bother her in the least.

You can see her yawning here - getting ready to snooze out.

Some Havanese really have solid balance and that's why they do great in agility and many other types of sports.

More later>>

Life Happens: Havanese Style

Well, the human mom still has the flu and she best get well soon as that human daddy is away with his friends from Thursday till late Sunday night. So any tips on chasing that crud away - send them to that human.

Well, the human daddy thought he would get a group photo of the crew seeing it's ever so warm but that human mom has yet to groom them.

There are times it's just not feasible so relax. Tomorrow is another day and another opportunity to brusha, brusha, brush. ROFL

The photo at top isn't a great photo and great photos just happen - rarely are they staged and not look like they are. This morning, the human dad took a photo of Abigail in action - not posing and although it can be perfected (he's learning the camera) it's more natural looking.

Today, the human mom is walking around in slippers and she sounds different - so different that Fiona starts barking as she is not sure who is coming and even made a grr sound under her breath. The human mom never walks around in slippers so she doesn't know that sound but even when she got up close to Fiona, she didn't look up to see it was the human mommy. It tells me that they rely on sound quite a bit. Be mindful of that if you get a reaction with something new. Now the human mommy will shuffle even more to condition her to a new sound.

Hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving. This human is back to the couch after some work. Yep - she's working today.

Sun Snoozing Havanese

Today we have Yvonne's crew staying for the day and we will soon have a Kat/Lola baby visiting.

We hope to get a ton of photos though the human female here is way under the weather. We will try or maybe the human male will have to do it. We shall see!

Looks like the Fiona and her daddy took a sun bath snooze!

Havanese Pool Cover Fun is On

Fiona Says:

The pool cover is on - let the fun begin and it did!

The crew all ran after daddy. The pups investigated the cover. Fiona wasn't sure at first but then as you can see with her running, she got the hang of it.

But as they played, they got wtter and wetter and...

Dirtier and dirtier.

So, after all was said and done, all those baths this week was for NOTHING.

So now its brushing time and snoozing time. Anything for the dawgs!

Ewww That Food

Oh my eyes - what are they doing NOW? This was Kat's look after trying to feed him this morning. He wasn't thrilled with the choice and decided later. Yes, he actually gives you a look when he doesn't like something. If you pay attention to your dogs, they have all sorts of expressions and body language stuff going on that will tell you how they are doing. The more you study them, the more you get to know what they are saying. They do talk - just with their bodies.

Sometimes your dog doesn't feel like eating what you put down a certain food but when he gets hungry, he will. Don't fret about it.

Well, Nathan is off to handling class with Miss Abs and Fiona did her best twirling and being all that so he took her. She's learned to love that one on one time. But it's Miss Abs turn and Fiona needs to learn to share and be patient. It's not a quality that she fully understands yet. So, these classes with Abs is good for her.

We may try a brace for the specialty but it may end up being a comedy of errors. It certainly will be a moment to remember. hehehehe These two = well they are a riot together. It makes you fall in love with puppies over and over again.

Ah - it's a dawg life at Talemakers - for sure!

Rainy Days for Havanese & Outside Duties

What are you to do on a rainy day when your little one doesn't want to get wet? Yep - you got that right!

Some Havanese will dive into snow piles, jump into pools, swim at the lake but get their feet wet on a rainy day - no way!

You may ask yourself what the hey is the difference but put some OLD socks on, go out and walk in the rain especially in the grass and maybe you may 'get' what that icky squishy feeling is to some Havanese.

Now that you 'get' it that doesn't mean you give into such quirkiness. You pick them up, place them in the center of the grass and tell them to get busy. If they try to run to the house, don't let them but stay upbeat as if they are just plain being silly. I won't say they will love it but they will deal better.

The crew is hanging out today. Gidget, Kat, Abs and Fiona did play this morning while the others watched and Kooba and Wasabi is headed off to the vet. Our vet out of the city is an hour and a half away but a fraction of the cost but then we can go visit Yvonne and the pups - but I will miss that today. Due to the rain, I got the bulk of the dogs and have spent much time 'slow conditioning' them to that outside rain.

Now it is YOUR turn.

More later.>>

All Female Havanese: Ah Heaven for a Guy!

Kat's really happy today. One more female came to visit till Wednesday and he rather likes this one.

Gidget is visiting till Wednesday and we are excited about it. She just comes in - says - okay all of you get it over with - get in your smell so you remember me and then let's get into investigating and playing.

We got email from Miss Abigail's full sister from an earlier breeding that she just had pups. Miss Abs sends much love to her sister Bernie and says get some rest while you can. We heard one may be Havana brown - ooooh nice.

Well, the humans got walks to bring us on, training to do and fun stuff. They even gave a bath to Fiona today but Gidget - well she will be safe till Tuesday night. heheheh

Fiona looks like a light socket got to her. hahahah Oh she does NOT like her baths yet.

This is how she looks 5 minutes after she engages in play. But mommy - I am having oh so much fun.

Well, it's walks for the crew. daddy and Dennis is doing it tonight and mommy is resting. After grooming the crew - she needs it!

We are hoping for a NO RAIN day tomorrow. We have fun planned.

Visiting Havanese & Humans

Exciting times at the Talemaker Home. We have our son Joe that came home for leave from the navy and his wife. Kooba took a HUGE liking to Joe and Juliana and was playing with a toy with them.

We were told she doesn't play with toys but here she is doing just that. It's quite nice.

Well, we are practicing 'no bark' and not from Kooba who seems to be silent even though we have heard her bark when she wants to initate play and the other dog is not listening.

We have people working on the house outside and the noises is driving them crazy but finally - they have stopped reacting to every single sound. It's rather hard when they see people at your windows. hehehehe

If you are getting your house painted too - it's time to teach 'no bark' as it's a useful command. The painters said they were amazed that they all listened to me. Me too with all that distraction. HA!

Kooba Making Strides

We introduced Kooba to the craziness of Kat diving in the swimming pool. It scared her at first and she ran up on the deck but shortly after that she came halfway down to watch. Then the 3rd time she sat there and watched.

The dogs do this run after Nathan thing that is a bit noisy. It can be a tad overwhelming to those not used to it.

Kooba is making great strides and is trying to figure out where she fits in. She tries to play with all and that's a great thing. She's even correcting when she is not in the mood to play. This shows she is gaining her grounding. As long as she adheres to the rules and boundaries - and it's our job to have them - well life will be good.

This week we will have one of Wasabi's pups visiting and we will see how that goes. One dog at a time that she doesn't know - slow conditioning.

As you can see - she is smiling tons!

Remember slow conditioning is a good thing with non-rescues too as there is always something new that can startle but once aware - well it's no longer an issue. Take your time - expose in small doses - applaud when they find their coping skills and you will make great progress.

Catching the Havanese in Action

Risa says: Sometimes life is too boring around this place so we play these crazy games of run after an object that we assume 'could' be out in back.

It makes for interesting scenes of togetherness and if you can figure out what was really going on with the Abs here - well clue me in. Was it collide city or she just had to be ever close to Katsuro or WHAT! But hey - it was downright fun.

We are getting ready for the rain that is coming and they say it's going to be a truly heavy one.

So those humans have been taking us out frequently just in case we decide we don't like that wet stuff.

If those humans open the door and sit at the end of the deck - well one has to open - one has to sit at the end of the deck, we just explode out the door as if we are flying.

We can't help it. It's a dawg thing you know. No matter how many photos that human Mommy takes, they would all end up different too but Katsuro is 'always' first out of the door. What is that about?
You must know some humans that say 'me first' well Katsuro is a little like that but we love him anyways. hahahaha

You can click on the photos to see a larger view.

Just when you think it is all run and play, Abigail kicks it up a notch and takes a love bite at one of her other pack mates. You may so - oh oh - what is that about but it is strictly play and she has now managed to even get the adults in the act but not me - the Risa. I make sure when they ratchet it up too much, I go in and stop them and they listen. Oh - to have that magic touch. They don't call me the 'Queen Biach' for nothing but that human daddy reminds me that it's all in fun.

Someone has to control the crew. ha!

Havanese Fanciers Rescue

Here's the dog Rescue (Havanese Fanciers) is sponsoring. We just picked her up a couple of days ago. Just thought you may want to see a picture of her.

An elderly lady purchased her a year ago and is in no condition to care for her. Her name is Kooba.

Although we were told she didn't do well with a number of things such as other dogs and in our home - well that doesn't work, we are finding she is making very positive strides. Much to be proud over the strides with Kooba.

Dear old Abs works her magic again. That girl - well Beth (the breeder who kindly gave us Abs) - you have much to be proud of over her. I know I have posted her touch but she reels them in persistently getting them to relax enough to play. Check it out.

If interested, Havanese Rescue Chairperson, Paula Martel. She's staying with us for a bit.

Havanese Chillin' on a Cool Day

Oh my, those humans love the heat as they love that big wet thing they call a pool but I like the cool breeze blowing through my hair and chillin' on the deck. Life is good.

Do you want to do training with a dog? Take them for a walk. When a dog goes for a brisk walk, it creates bonding time, and when you return home to teach that new trick or command, they are more amenable to it.

There's nothing like a walk for you, and for them.

But Risa - well, she loves chillin' but we still get her walking and when she does - well she loves it. Try it!