Steamy, Wet and Plain Uncomfie Havanese

Well, another steamy, hot day in Havanese land. We are wet from the thunderstorms, steamy heat and just plain strange weather. It's hard to get comfortable.

Our heart goes out to a certain Havanese called Lexi that has had no air conditioning for the last couple of days.

Our friends at Chicadoro Havanese has some tips on how to deal with this strange weather.

Katsuro is just hanging out in one of our beds just trying to get warm. He's a rather wet boy. Some Havanese love the rain like him and others like our Shoshi go - oooh wet feet - yuck. Shoshi I have to pick up and put her in the middle of the grass when it rains to do her business and Katsuro would stay out there and get soaked to the skin. He also loves diving in the pool so that says a lot too. Water seems to be a friend of his.

WE are off to handling class tonight. Abs has so much conditioner on her she could slide out the door - hahahaha - yeah I am trying to be funny but its now starting to feel that way. Bath for her come late Thursday or 4am Friday before show - yikes but this rain may wash it away. Who said these dog shows are for the weak at heart or body - well they aren't. Ha!

Sweltering Hot Havanese Day

It's going to be a sweltering hot day today here in the Toronto area so use caution with your furry pals. Make sure they stay hydrated. Use cooling devices if you have them but you can also make some home ones - such as wrapping your ice packs that go into your cooler.

We are off to Woofstock this morning and will be hitting the St. Lawrence Market when they open and going home before the crowds get too busy and the dogs get too cranky.

Then we are back for the pool and then to our grand daughter's party at a movie theatre and then back to the pool. Do you hear a theme here?

POOL......

Chillin' Havanese Pool Style

Human daddy is at it again shhushing the dawgie crowd and having a blast in the pool. I finally caught Katsuro mid-air as he jumps in. I never did see a Havanese that adores the water as much as he does.

We are enjoying the finally hot weather chillin' or is that sweating at the pool? The dawgs are too till we come in and they then enjoy the air much more so - hahahah But love us they do so they hang out till we can't take it anymore. I tend to put cooling blankets/mats and even bring out bean bag frozen things so the dogs can lay on and chill if desired. Us humans bring out our computers to work on. That's the beauty of wireless. I couldn't do a summer without the pool and wireless.

We also managed to get our visitors in the pool with Bailey enjoying it more than Dickens. If the weather holds up, we will try again tomorrow.

Our retriever, Terra had a blast too and even dove in - yes dove in. She's had enough of watching Katsuro and had to show him up. Who can blame her.

Well, we are off to Woofstock tomorrow with Katsuro and Fiona. We figured they need crowd conditioning. We were going to take 3 but 2 is more manageable and these two can stand to be loved up by many. Not that the rest can't be but we rotate the crew to give them that one on one attention as well. Besides - they will bring the free treats back to the rest - won't they? hehehehehe

Well - more later as the day progresses.

Graduation for Coach, Zack and Fiona

Dirty Havanese Gardening

Oh my, show time today and look at the Miss Abs. Well, it was raining this morning. I was outside in a bathrobe pulling weeds - geez and it was wet and muddy and so are the dogs. They had fun though. I may not cleaning them all up but that's my life. ha! There's still tons of weeds to go and if it keeps raining, they will grow faster than I will be able to keep up.

We are not at the show till late afternoon so no baths till then. Sun is shiming. Where's those thundershowers they say are coming? Maybe we will get a swim in.

Promise slideshow of obedience class this morning. I am working on it.

Another Show Day Down

This show business is tough. Daddy and I are learning as we go and so is mom with all her washing and drying of me.

No points today. Almost decided not to post but we don't have any wimps at Talemaker Havanese. We vow to tell you the truth - even if it isn't pretty. Well, I am pretty but the show was not. HAHAHA

Tomorrow is a new day and mommy promises obedience photos of the gang for sure in the morning before the show.

They say rain, rain and more rain tomorrow. Now what is THAT about? Videos of the show will come Monday or Tuesday or if we win. Yes - we are laughing.

Is It Over? Havanese Show Days

Well, they said I (Daddy and I) got these things called points today. The judge said she liked my hair - all natural and all and my top line. What the hey is a top line or points or - is this show business done?

Oh well, they say tomorrow I do it again. Mommy - if you wake me up at 4am again....well, I may revolt.

I celebrated with Dairy Queen ice cream. I wanted filet mignon and they give me and themselves ICE CREAM. What is that about?
Well, daddy is out on the lounge chair chillin and reading. Yvonne is snoozing on the recliner and my mommy (human) is typing here. Me - I am playing my fool head off as a puppy should.

Daddy will fill you in later.>>

The Jazziest Havanese

Just wanted to share this photo we received from our friends that own a really 'must see' store called 'Eye on Fashion' in Richmond Hill for any gal that loves clothes. The best part about visiting this store is you get to see Jazzy as he is often in the store greeting everyone. No, I don't make a habit of giving anyone plugs but the clothes...and Jazzy - and the owners - well it makes you wish everyone ran their business like that.

Jazzy every now and then comes to play with our gang but we will wait until its not muddy as he always looks so clean and handsome unlike a few of our dogs at the moment as every time I clean them - well they find the mud and my white tiled floors reflect that...sigh. Wasabi is the worse as she loves tunneling under the deck and teaching the pups all sorts of things.

We may be - well Nathan may be - bringing either Abigail (she needs to do her socialization stuff for the ring in 2 weeks) or Sebastian up to see the Jazz.

Cocoa comes to visit tomorrow and we hear - rain, rain, rain all weekend. We are wishing Yvonne well in the ring this weekend as she is in Harrisburg, Pa.

More later as the day unfolds.

Muddy Paws, Sticks & More

Coach went home last night and we got to see Sassy when they came to pick her up. She had a really small incision - much better than when Shoshi had hers.

We woke up to quiet with Coach gone.

I took them out back and even Kat was mixing it up - chasing Sebastian and Abigail. It was great and I only got 3 of them on camera where all of Kat was just a part of him as he tends to run way too fast.

We are in for a meltdown and had much junk strewn all over our floors - leaves, sticks - all in their hair and BLACK feet but I am not washing them as they will be back out getting black again. I will do a waterless bath tonight and wait till then to groom them. There's never a quiet moment with these guys.

Fiona's sister comes this Friday and we are excited. Abs gets a couple of teeth pulled this Wednesday and gets to do handling class. We are into teaching heel and stand and undoing the sits and downs - fun and we are exposing her to all sorts of strange dogs in Petsmart. She seems to do great with the dogs but hesitates with some people that really were afraid of dogs - strange in Petsmart and yes, they said that. Halfway through our Petsmart visit, she was saying hello to everyone. Progress - we think. We just have to keep at it as she is destined to walk the runway. hehe

More later...

Havanese Testing the Space

Well, we are still jockeying for who gets what. The usual spot for Abigail and Fiona is on the back of the couch. After some serious playtime, they need a good brush out and Coach decided the top of the couch was not only for Fiona or Abigail much to the 'Hey it is NOT' that Fiona vocalized.

I have to say, every now and then Fiona needs someone to say - no - I am not following YOUR rules. heh

Then while I was watching 'The Wire' with Dennis, Wasabi decided she was also going to tell Fiona that the top of the couch was hers too. Not a good day for Fiona but she's dealing. Like I said, the pack is still testing the waters - which is quite normal.

Nathan is off walking 2 dogs at once. He walked the Coach first as he always loudly vocalizes that he thinks not being first really isn't fair. Usually that's not the way we handle it but the youngest son needed to sleep so we made the decision to do what we thought would work. It didn't. He decided he wanted every walk. :-) So, off outside we went with the rest of the crew playing yard games and now we are back in.

Usually we find Coach playing with Sebastian and Abs playing with Fiona but every now and then, the whole crew mixes it up bigtime. It's great to see.

Both Coach and Sebastian are incredible snugglers. It's great to have them in bed with us.

But - exercise is a chore for me as every sit-up is seen as an invitation to play. But, I am laughing and I keep trying. Now to figure out how to get them exercising beside me instead of on top of me.

We are going to do training this afternoon, grooming and vegging. Besides - Nathan will have to rest those legs after these marathons. Still, we are lovin this havenese lovefest!

Bloody Gad! Havanese, Snow in April

It's April, folks - can you say that and understand that we had wet, damp, snow coming down on the Havanese crew. Here they are saying LET ME IN!

The photo quality is poor. I was too tired to have the right setting and although it was dark - it appears light but also grainy. So, sorry.

I think Miss Abs is jealous of Sebastian but also smitten with him. What a ball of fur and confusion.

Coach came by today. His pack mate Sassy is off to get the fix at the vet. We send her much love. He'll be staying here for a couple of days so she gets a chance to heal without his help.

The crew has been playing non-stop for hours. It almost boggles my mind how energized they can be but I am waiting for the dry weather and will start filming their craziness and I do mean their craziness.

You can often see them practicing their version of 'Dancing With the Stars'. I do believe they have the moves down. Care to name the dance?

Well - will fill you in later. I may take a nap with the crew but I think if I did, I may feel the pitter, patter of little feet all over my body. Want to put the $$ down on that?

Home Week at Talemaker Havanese

It's been a fun day, today. Here's Abs, Fiona, Sassy and Coach hanging out at the pool waiting for Sebastian to show up.

Sassy is off to the vets tomorrow so she was hanging out, playing and having fun before she needs to rest for a few days. We also managed to give Coach and her a bath and wow do they look good.

We started the bath late but Sassy went out and headed for the mud so I got to do her under carriage, feet and neck again. Now we have them going out on leads to do their business so they don't get dirty just so they can look all so cute for their human packmates.

Check out the Sass after her bath - all spiffy for the vets tomorrow. I fed her treats, gave her kisses and made her feel great about the experience. That is what it is all about. If they relate the experience to a good one, then the next time it will get easier and easier.

Gad, she has such soft and white, white hair. I just adore putting my fingers through it and I hope her human packmates love it too.

The Coach got a bath next and he's a dog that looks great scruffy.

There are some dogs that do and this crew - Wasabi's pups - well that 'just let the hair fall where it goes' looks so great but groom them up and wow!

But Coach decided he was getting off the table. He kept shaking his head for the camera so what you see is what you get. Here he is looking at the camera as if he was saying - are you done YET?

I gave him hugs, kisses and much love but when it came to doing his stomach on his back - watch out but we managed to do it and he looks so boo-ti-full! Yes, I mean beautiful - handsome.

Still, well worth it and each time it gets easier when you groom them - wow, a handsome guy all brushed up but as you can tell, he is not smiling.

You take him off the table and the smile creeps in and he's ready for play.

It's as if he said, okay, I am done and ready to P-A-R-T-Y!

The crew loved the get together and so did Momma Wasabi. She gets right back into that mode of playing, protecting and teaching. She gets way excited to see them too.

As you can see, the crew was ready to go out in the back but Sassy and Coach had their bath so we had to put leads on them and lead them to the snow to do their business.

That worked great. You can tell that they are walked as they did really great on a lead.

Well, we are back again. Coach and Sassy was just picked up. I was in the middle of brushing Sebastian.

It's rather mucky out there so he was rolling around with the best of them but we hear there is rain for tomorrow so his bath will have to wait till sun and dryness arrives.

Sebastian is staying with us for a bit and he is mixing it up big-time with Fiona and Abigail. They are going to sleep tonight. He's so excited, it's as if someone put a battery in him and wound him up and the gals LOVE it!

Coach comes back for a couple of days starting tomorrow morning and Chico may be visiting on Saturday.

I will fill you in more on the antics of the crew but they are having such a roaring grand time that I want to watch so maybe tomorrow the video camera will have to come out. I am charging the camera.

Catch you all tomorrow!

Abigail Attends Handling Class

Abigail and I attended our first Handling class together last night. She becomes eligible to be shown in the middle of April. I was hoping to get her ready for her first show in about a month. That remains to be seen but we did not get off to a great start and of course I blame myself. Abigail is magnificent in every way.

We pulled into the parking lot at handling class and exited the car. I had her in my arms as the parking lot was quite muddy. We walked around the car we had parked beside and came face to face with a beautiful Great Dane. That was a little much for her.

Keep in mind she's in my arms and this Dane, standing on all fours, is looking her in the eye. Oh oh, I thought to myself but it was ok.

We continued on into the community center and she slowly relaxed. She is not generally intimidated by anyone and she proved it not much later when a Beardie pup came over to play.

At over 8 months the Beardie pup was easily 4 or 5 times the size of Abigail and playful as all pups. This particular Beardie was raised with a litter of Havanese. So naturally she came over to play.

Abigail put up with it for a minute, being quite familiar with Yvonne's Beardie, then snapped at the Beardie puppy and growled in her face. The Beardie hit the floor, backing off completely. She tried again a few minutes later and a low growl backed her off again. Abigail really was not intimidated by any of the other dogs although she was leery of the Dane.

There was another Havanese in the class, Apple, one of Yvonne's that we'd not seen since she was a small pup. Abigail greeted her properly but in Handling Class we are supposed to focus on our dog and ignore everyone else's.

I also knew the instructor, Julie, a Beardie Breeder (we were surrounded by Beardies) and a few of the dogs there. Should be fine, I hoped. Nope, Abigail decided she didn't feel like walking around and refused to heel, period. They asked me if she'd ever been on a leash before. I sighed, quietly, inside.

As many of you know that follow the Talemaker Havanese Adventures, I tend to walk them daily. Abigail has been on 50 walks, always on leash AND she's a graduate of Obedience class where she learned to sit, stay, come, down, HEEL etc.

Her and I walk daily. She just decided that she wasn't interested in walking down this path this evening and refused to move unless I was heading for my coat hanging on the back of a chair near the door, or the exit. She didn't want to sit, she wanted to lie down.

Keep in mind in Handling Class the dogs must stand throughout. No sitting in Conformation.

Darlah wasn't there to film it or you'd be laughing at my antics, down on my hands and knees, one hand under her bum, the other under her neck trying to get her to stand, tail in the air, head up, encouraging her for all I'm worth, rewarding her at the littlest hint of forward progress. Same with heeling.

Keep in mind this same little girl knows how to heel perfectly, has done it every day for months. Not yesterday. I couldn't coax her, I couldn't make silly sounds and movements to encourage her, I couldn't outright bribe her with treats. Nothing worked. As soon as I let her go, she went into the down position. An hour later it was time to go.

Stay tuned for the further adventures of Abigail the Magnificent One and her idiot Handler.
Nathan

Training, Handling & Stubborness

First of all, when the pups include Shoshi in play, she just adores it. They were having a mad time running, hiding, pouncing and all the things pups should do.

Tomorrow we have Coach, Sassy and Sebastian coming. The Sass is going to get all spiffied up as she gets spayed Friday and we will do the same with Coach just so his sister doesn't look better than him. You know the male ego and all. ROFL!

Oh puppy heaven tomorrow - it can't get any better than that - can it?

Springtime Havanese Moments

You know how they say 'blame Canada' - well this is blame Pat. hahahahaha

Okay - so we stuck some real lilies out in the snow as Nathan is allergic (one son bought them for me as a b-day present) and then took this photo.

What you didn't see is that they then proceeded to attack it and had stamen and leaf colour, a bright green, all over their face. They were quickly placed in the trash (the flowers - not the dawgs) but with Pat telling us her hubby had to mow their lawn - and us with this snow - well I couldn't help myself.

Ah - Havanese love among the flowers!

Mushy Havanese Day

What a difference a day makes.

All our paths this fine 5am morning hour were starting to get mushy.

Poor Abs and Miss Fiona climbed the piles to do their business out of the way and sunk into the wet snow. You could almost see their face saying - what was THAT! But they persisted, trudged on through and one wonders how they will react when all the snow disappears as this will be their first experience with grass.

The duo was at it again in the birdbath. They seem to really like this spot. It lends them that bit of height on more solid ground than melting snow.

Last month, Miss Abs had the start of little mats and I had to use a brush with long tines and follow up with a cat comb (movable teeth) as her hair had some undercoat growth. This month I can brush her once a day and hardly anything where Fiona is 7 weeks behind and I am now dealing what I went through with Abs and she's not crazy about it.

Now, Miss Abs has always been easy to wash and to brush. Even when she's not so crazy about it all she will do is try to wriggle away. But Miss Fiona will try to bite the comb, the brush, you - whatever to get you not to do it. It's easy when dealing with a pup that is dominant to allow them to get their way but mats are a serious thing. They downright hurt the dog. Pull your hair tight close to the skin and leave it that way and see how it feels. So, I hold her firmly. I growl -yes, I growl like her canine mom would do. I even stare at her pretending to be all upset and she stops. When she behaves calmly and you will hear that release of breath as if to say - okay - 'I get it' then this is when you say "good girl - way to go" and give a massage or snuggle and continue on.

If she was my first dominant want-to-be-alpha dog, I would probably not persist but I know I must, knowing what I do about mats. I do know that after you do it daily for a certain period of time, even the dog that hates the brush will eventually just allow it. They may not run to you saying 'my turn' but they will put up with it and with some snuggles - not all growls in between and a treat at the end and perhaps a massage where those mats were - well they will finally get the idea that you are the alpha and good alphas take care of the pack by keeping them healthy - body and mind, groomed and fed. You will have achieved their adoration not by brute force but by a positive but firm correction. Would you allow your human child to go to school with unbrushed, matted hair?

Okay - enough about mats. It's a new day - and have you played retrieve today? What are you waiting for? :-)

Chillin' Talemaker Havanese Day

From the Dawgs:

Well, we are having a chillin' Havanese day. Mommy, don't you dress up for these photos - yikes. I know - you are too used to taking all the photos that no one never sees how much you are crazy about us. Still - that hair - those clothes - you should be stylin' as someone said this was a special day for you.

Did I hear that all you want to do is play with Photoshop or crawl on the couch and watch TV - oh my and snuggle with us. I like the 2nd choice best as it includes us.

Well, mommy whispered she really likes this day. Daddy went and got her lunch, the youngest human son is getting her dinner. Another son and his wife sent her beautiful flowers that daddy is allergic to.

Daddy took Risa for a very long walk and she was dragging her ahem when she got back. She had a sweater on but she was still full of sand and crud but get this - daddy cleaned her all up. Wow - mommy is having a great day!

Mommy thinks that is quite special and it surely saved her. She told me no grooming today and it looks like she took that seriously to heart - human and canine alike. Ignore how we look and concentrate on the fact that we are having grand fun as this snow disappears.

Well, daddy went outside with us to play retrieve. After Risa and having to clean her - well the decision to play out back seemed more logical - especially today - now especially to daddy too.

Risa wants to know why that retriever, Terra doesn't need a rinse and brush out.

Daddy was running around with us fast and furious, throwing the ball. I think he thinks he's part Havanese but we can out run him any old day. We try to pretend to let him win sometimes.

Then that strange 'ring ring' happens and he's suddenly talking to the air. The strange things humans do with their ears - I tell ya!

Risa is fast asleep now. One wonders what she is dreaming about. It's time for couch, eating and snoozing and TV and not necessarily in that order. More tomorrow!

Busy Havanese Sunday

We are sorry but we almost let this daily addition not be a daily addition. We simply had a busy day. The human female type here has a b-day tomorrow so the oldest daughter and kids were over. Also, Benny's mommy came home early as she had a ski accident - a real yeouch (broken arm).

To lighten all these excuses, I placed a photo of Fiona looking adoringly at her human daddy.

Fiona was playing nonstop with Benny today in Jonathan's room and out in the yard. They played so wonderful together, it was really great to see.

Jonathan also played with them with Benny's favourite toy. Benny had the best bed in the house - with Jonathan.

Remember you can always click on the photos to see a larger version.

Well, we have a rather empty house now- for us. We are down two visitors, down our Wasabi who is visiting Yvonne. We miss the Wasabi madly. Still, she's snow bathing at Yvonne & Alex's and having a grand time with Beardies galore.

I promise tomorrow photos of Sebastian stylin...honest!

Havanese Benny & Canine Mom Mixing It Up

Just had to share a couple of photos of Risa mixing it up with her son Benny (Katsuro's Brother). They were playing non-stop.

Benny came to us way hesitant with mixing it up with the pack and that's unusal around here so we were hoping by pick up, his owners could hear how great of a time he had with us.

We strive to give the dawgs the very best time while they are here. Having them find their balance is really important to us. If they are happy - well it surely makes us happy.

Yesterday Abigail was mixing it up with Benny and this fine morning, Miss Risa - who doesn't play unless she really feels she likes the dawg was having a roaring good time with him.

Here's a shot of Risa pouncing at Benny getting him to engage in play. She's flying through the air at him. They did this nonstop and it was a back and forth and I do believe Benny was really having a grand time, as was Risa.

It's hard to get good photos with my camera with lots of movement but we try so ignore the blur and enjoy.

Did you ever get that camera, Beth? If so, gad I envy you. To get clean photos in action...ah well. Nathan's going to tell me to stop whining and I deserve THAT! ROFL

Well, we try. These are Nathan's attempts at capturing these really special moments and they are to us. Woudl have loved a closer photo of Risa in mid-air but you still get the point.

Here you can barely see Benny reciprocating doing a play bow back. He was full out and out playing with the grand dam - his canine mommy. It was fun to watch.

Rememember you can click any photo to enlarge them.

This photo of Benny was taken by Nathan through our window. We had just came back in and they wanted to stay out and then the play began and we didn't want to interrupt it. So, we got the photos we did and the memories - well are keepers.

So, some play last night - Jonathan becoming his person and Risa engaging him in play. All is right in Benny's world and therefore ours.

Training Never Stops

If you think of it, if you add something new at least once a month in the lifetime of your dog, can you imagine how you could wow your friends and you too?

Here is Miss Abs looking quite smashing getting ready to do some one on one lead time outside. What that means is she has to stand on the correct side, walk beside and not everywhere she wants. We have stopped doing long leads - play and do what you want. Next week or two handling classes will begin.

Fiona is a tad more reluctant to do the heeling practice but she is younger and has less practice. She has yet to get really excited about this lead business stuff.

It tells me how important it is to be consistent. Life gets in the way and we often don't make the time to do this daily but we must.

Here's an idea:
Let's teach our dogs to do a wave.

1. With the dog in a sit position hide a treat in your hand. Hold it down low.

2. Encourage the dog to 'get it' and give the command 'wave.' Reward the dog when his foot comes off the ground.

3. When the dog starts touching your hand with his paw, stand up and start moving further away each time.

4. Once the dog is doing well, stand far enough away so the dog can't touch you. Give the signal and command then reward when it is done right.

Let me know how it goes.