Big Dawg Play

We always manage to mix it up each day and make sure the crew really get their one on one time and play. At times we even manage to catch it on camera. Nathan was good enough to capture this shot this fine, chilly morning.

As I am standing outside, the thought - this is spring chillingly comes to mind.

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

Then I turn around with the camera now in my hand and Nathan is telling the Abs to STOP eating the plants.

Come spring like weather, those lovely shrubs that Nathan hates but really needs to be there to have some backdrop to the pool - well they won't be there.

Risa and Fiona was out riding the rails of the fence ignoring the rest - perhaps scavenging for hidden treasures. argh

As the snow melts, make sure you clean up as the snow fell fast and you may have missed something. We tend to always go out with ours, praise, clean-up and plain just have fun.

Today we have Louis till Saturday night late or Sunday. Tomorrow Bennie comes. It's exciting times. We may even go to the Pet show for a short jaunt. (hint hint to Nathan)

Louis has really found his nitch with the puppies. As usual, Abigail always persists till they relent - in a good way. Here you can see Louis on top of Abs. They have been playing for hours already.

We had mushy snuggles last night in bed where Abigail tunnels under the blankets and Fiona pounces and now Louis pounces too. What fun...and we love it. Someday I have to remember to bring the camera to bed with us - hahahahaha

More later as the day goes. Keep warm. We have training, heeling and all sorts of things to do.

A Louis Havanese In Our Life

We just adore having Louis visit. As you can see, he adores being here too. One should all have a little Louis in their lives.

He's going to be with us till Saturday late or Sunday so we will have a lot of tales to tell.

Louis is a Paris' (now known as Gidget) son.

Do dogs smile? Oh yes and they can smile in different ways to mean different things. The photo below is Fiona's - oooh am I going to have a bit of fun trouble here - and gee I relish doing so.

While out back, Fiona was seen smiling her mischievous little smile waiting to pounce on the newcomer - wanting to play her heart out. She can't help herself - lending delight to the moments we derive from the Havanese antics.

Nothing like more than one and if you pay attention...wow!

What - Havanese That Reads Ahem Paper

Really mommy, I am a treasure - really! It's 530am when I took this photo - (in the dark, I might add and that's why it's so flash exposed) of Fiona doing her part in digesting the newsprint. We want her to bring the newspaper to us but funny thing, it just can't seem to make it.

Havanese ADORE paper and sometimes we indulge. If a toilet paper or paper towel is down to the cardboard - we sometimes throw it down to let them have fun in tearing it apart into millions of pieces. We also throw down an empty water bottle as they like the noise that makes. It's funny the ones that they naturally like and others they don't.

I know it doesn't feel that way but the thunderstorms will be coming and I truly believe in 'slow conditioning' so I will be finding storm bytes online (just search on Storm sounds in google) and playing them low in the background and slowing raising the level. You probably think that's nuts and how could you stand doing such a thing or how do you have time? Well, not every dawg is sensitive to storms but those that are - well, I do not believe anything should be trapped in fear. If you can slow condition it out, well, you've done a great thing, imho.

More later from the stormy, paper strewn Talemaker Havanese home.

Visit to Chicadoro's (Yvonne's)

Well, the siblings got together and I will have to let Nathan fill you in on that.

He did tell me the snow was almost at the top of their fence - yeouch!

We hope the Wasabi woo isn't missing us as much as we miss her already but Katsuro is calming down and soon we shall see her.

Here's a picture of Fiona's sister taken today at Yvonnes. Look at those colours. I hear tell she also has Fiona's personality so watch out!

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

Remy Graduates

Well, we just got back from watching Remy at class but they finished early. Arrrgh - wouldn't you know it!

We were told he did everything perfectly and we expected he would. I do believe that Wasabi is proud of the little ones and we are too!

It's amazing hearing and watching their milestones.

It was great seeing the entire family. It was also great to see Katsuro out and about with a distraction.

We will have to connect after Wasabi comes back from her lazing in the snowdrifts at Yvonne's place. Maybe we can convince John to bring the fierce-some twosome over as well.

Lost My Brain Dawg

Well dear old Wasabi is in heat again and she will soon be taking a holiday at Yvonne's. We can't show a photo of Katsuro as he looks worse than that sandy photo. Those boy dawgs lose their minds at this time and that's an understatement. They don't eat, they don't sleep - nada if the gal is around.

The moral of this story is get your dogs fixed and you won't have to deal with such craziness.

We are going to take him to Remy's class just to get his mind off ...well ... maybe a cold shower?

We will fill you in when we get back. We also have a CD of all our last 2 classes for Maryanne. Drop by and get it.

Dirty Sandy Havanese

When I look at this photo, I chastise myself for not putting jackets on the crew. Nathan took them for a walk and they all came back this way. Yes, they NEED the walks. Don't fool yourself. Watch them on a walk and you will understand that they love them so how can you take that away from them but.... My mind thinks about it when they come back looking like this. One person can only clean so many dogs. It's much easier being the walker although the walker may not feel that way.

Sand does not come out easily and I will tell you how to handle it, if faced with the same predicament. Rinsing does not sufficiently get the sand out. You will find it in carpets, all over floors and even your grooming table if you have it.

This is my trick, that I used yesterday but I still had a partially sandy bed as I ran out of steam. We use our laundry room tub to wash our dogs that has a sprayer that we screw in.

Use conditioner first then rinse thoroughly brushing as you go. The conditioner tends to let it glide off. If you have a spray on conditioner, all the better. Use a brush as you are cleaning and then a comb. It will stop the knots and help the sand to come off.

Poor Kat is the worse at the moment as he is blowing his coat. His hair is not conducive to many washes but sand - well he was the worse. It stuck to every nook and cranny. I almost wanted to cry. I conditioned heavily, brushed in through, washed then lightly conditioned again. I do believe I got all the sand out of him. I know I didn't with Risa as I rinsed not washed her and partially washed (just the under carriage on Shoshi. They will need to be washed in teh near future.

There will be no more walks without cover-ups here till there is no more muck. After having to wash 4 Havanese and rinse/partially clean the rest, my arm/hand is screaming, I was physically and mentally exhausted. The point of all this is - I tote the tote and say put something on them and here I forgot. Taught me a huge lesson. Can I go to sleep now?

Nah, as Miss Abs has her last class. She finally does 'down' somewhat. She does the rest like a star and then some but get her in class - well - we will see. She is an AMAZING and I mean amazing jumper. I am in awe at how high, how far she can jump even with her roundish tummy. She also has a special quality. She takes shy dogs and she persists, and persists till they give in and then they play. Nice.

By the way, the reason we put up the video of Nathan training was not to show how Miss Abs was doing a 'down' on her own time but rather the laughter that it created. If you have the right mindset and laugh as you go and not get frustrated, it all comes together. Some dogs beat to their own drums and therefore are more difficult to get there but they are also the ones that tend to be so interesting and fun in the end. They are not people pleasers but rather dawgs that will do it out of love but you have to give them a reason to do it. Our German shepherd was like that. highly intelligent, stubborn streak but amazingly gentle and loving to the kids. So each bring their own uniqueness to the home. Embrace that and love it and they will give back to you ten fold.

Well we will report how class goes later.
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COMMENTS:
Nathan said...
For the record ... The issue is that the sidewalks are covered in salt and sand. It is completely disgusting for those of us walking dogs. Combined with the melting snowbanks getting the dogs dirty is inevitable. I first took Risa and Kat. We went about a mile and a half down the street, over to the school, down a few more streets and back home, a large circle. Risa needs the walk more than I do. Then I took Abigail and Wasabi. We walked about 3/4's of a mile although Abigail could probably go farther. I hesitate to overdo it with her yet. Then I took Terra and Shoshi and went back up to maybe a mile and a half. Yes, I spent a few hours walking the dogs yesterday. Yes, they came back filthy. But they needed it and they loved it and truth be told, I could use the exercise too. Of course my legs aren't as tired as Darlah's arm but they, my legs, told me this morning that I did a lot of walking yesterday. :-) Nathan
March 15, 2008 10:04 AM

Havanese Comic Relief

Well folks, turn up your audio as half the fun is the comic relief you will get out of the human (Nathan) trying to get his Havanese to do a 'down'. Check out our latest video. The rest is our Havanese and retriever subjects.

This video follows the Abs doing 'down' on her OWN time, to Fiona saying not me, to well you will see. Training should be fun - you know but it certainly comes with its challenges! Enjoy! Leave comments especially if you have had this type of fun!

Then read about the Havanese Rescue Auction below!

Havanese Action Shots

It's really difficult to get a good 'action' shot with a digital camera that is not a digital SLR but if you persist and shoot, shoot, shoot, by accident eventually you 'will' get some. Due to the way that the pups bounce around, I may get an action shot out of 100 photos taken that I like. Either get a better camera. (Eventually I plan to) or if you can't afford to, keep at it and click even when you think its not a good selection. By the time the camera clicks, it may be. The best part about having a digital is you can delete even before you put them on your camera.

This was Miss Abs jumping at a toy and I was the one with the toy coaxing her and trying to click at the same time. Multi-tasking - I tell you.

We also took a walk today. Actually Miss Abs got 2 walks - one with the Fiona to motivate her and she did wonderful and one with Terra.

If I had the right angle, you might even see a flash of paw. Miss Abs prances on her walks. Now to see what she does on her last obedience class.

Just looked out my window and that means more snow photos today. Yikes, it's snowing YET again.

We have Risa's son coming over again today and we are hoping to get photos of him. We had Coach and Sassy over last night, Benny over earlier but we were too focused on Benny to remember to take out the camera. For shame on us!

More later today. Keep clicking/shooting!

Creative Havanese Times

Get Inspired

Have fun with your dawgs inside especially in this messy weather. Do something for your body like Nathan is - doing push-ups off the ottoman and playing with the dawgs at the same time.

Imagine if you did this for 10 minutes daily how sculpted your arms would be and how distracted you can get playing with your Havanese at the same time. You may actually find you like it.

Hmmm....I need to get back to that exercise thang too. Got some Havanese - good for your body inspiration for me? If so - send it my way. I need it!! My dawgs do too. They just adored those 4am wake-ups - hahahaha - well some did.

Messy Havanese Weather

We are playing more inside today than outside.

Tip: In this messy, sandy, salty weather do yourself a favour on a walk and put a sweater/coat something on the dawg otherwise you will be washing the sand, salt and ice out. Yuck. That is what I did yesterday on how many dawgs? Crazy... This way - with a coat that completely covers the under carriage, you will only have the legs and feet to do. You will be glad you did. Some waterproof jackets even go down part of the leg.

Sassy & Coach & Snow

Fiona says: Hey, we had Miss Super Sassy and Coach over when the snow just started. We had tons of fun. We have to do it again. Check out the video of this crew and watch Miss Abigail jump in delight.

We also have a rumour that we will be seeing Louis overnight and Katsuro's brother Benny soon. Wow!

I am the only brains around this place. This was the start of the storm that just kept coming and coming and although I am in a small part, I did sit on the snowbanks to survey all and I mixed it up with that Lass Super Sassy but hey just being 4lbs - you get cold - you know. The rest of the dawgs are crazy dawgs as they just didn't care that this white stuff was over my head.

We hope you enjoy our fun.

More later>>

Havanese Living With Too Much Snow

Well, the storm is over but the snowbanks is high. We got a couple of feet of snow it seems and the snowdrifts and the shovelling gave us magnificent snowbanks for our Havanese to hang out on, climb up and down on and plain have fun.

We are still working on a video of the Coach & Sassy visit. We are hoping it will be up tonight but it's time to walk the dawgs. They need it but I certainly don't. heh.

The things you do for LOVE - Dawgie love that is!

More later>>

A Happy Dawg is an Exercised Dawg

No class today due to storm - did you hear that Sebastian? We have an extra week to kick your ahem! We may try to go to the Orangeville dawg show.

Now that Miss Fiona has her 2nd set of shots, we started taking the dawgs out for some serious walks. Much to the delight of Abigail, she got to see the school, the forest where it was pristine as no one is using it. She wasn't crazy over those cars on the main street but she dealt and pranced on and yes she prances. She went with Terra and just adores the big dawgs.

Miss Abigail came back bouncing around yesterday and seemed to be wanting more but Miss abs and Risa laid their heads down and was totally conked out. We are going to try again today. It's a far cry from hating the collar and leash to this.

Now we are dealing with 'stubborn city' with Fiona with the collar. First day, Nathan takes her halfway up the street gently pulling her and ended up returning home as she would not walk. Yes, this 4 lb thing wouldn't walk.

I decided enough of this. I took her out and gently pulled her 3/4 of the way around the block. Finally she said to herself - hmm if I walk, she doesn't pull. So. yesterday I decided to take her out again. The gal hid. I took her anyway. She pulled all the way out of the driveway but because Abs was out on the walk too bouncing around, there were times she plain forgot she had the lead on. Still, those car sounds had her jumping back. We need some more slow conditioning as we did with Miss Abs. That's the issue with not walking them due to having all their shots, you have a tad bit more work in store. If I had this to do again, I would have placed a collar on the dogs from day one and walked them out back part of the time. Live and learn.

I expect by weeks end, Miss Fiona will be enjoying the walks. But for now, I may try treats to stop this hiding business. walks are supposed to be fun.

No matter what the weather is, walks are great - inside play is great but work that mind and body and you and your Havanese will be glad you did.

Miss Fiona has started a game every time she comes to bed to tunnel under the blankets and come up in different spots. she has all the other dawgs trying to pounce on the bumps. It's a riot. You too can do bumps under the blankets to get your Havanese playing, pouncing and having a grand time.

Well, time to shower - walk Havanese dawgs and just enjoy the day. We may tape 'My Cousin Vinny' just due to Marisa Tomei's acting in it. Otherwise, we are hoping to have visitors, go to a show, not get stuck in snow and just enjoy what this potential storm brings.

More later as the day unfolds.

Havanese Love High Spots

Havanese like to hang out on high spots, be it the top of a snow pile to the back of a chair or couch. We tend to feed this side of them by giving them interesting places to stand or sleep on top of them. Check out our Dawg Friendly Arrangements Here.

Our couch has blankets so they can rest their heads. We build up the snowbanks so they can climb them. We even dig out tunnels under benches to give them a hiding spot. What can I say. We are a real dawg house.

As we get ready for the big storm to hit us over this 'March Forward' weekend, we realize the weather people being what they are - predictors of all mother nature has to offer or not offer - we will be doing our part to have fun in the white stuff if it shows with video in hand. Think of it as an adventure - a back breaking adventure of shoveling paths so your little ones can have fun or think of it as a way to get your ahem in gear to exercise. It's all in the mindset - you know.

Anything for the dawgs...at least here!

More later>>

Havanese Vet Update

We went to the vets seeing the ice storm was coming in - we wanted to keep warm - yeah - at the vets. ROFL.

Miss Abigail got her rabies shot and Miss Fiona got her 2nd shots and goes back in 4 weeks to get her next.

Miss Abigail is now 8lb 4.5 ounces and Miss Fiona is 4lb 7.5 ounces. Remember that Miss Abigail is 2 days younger than the Wasabi crew. Miss Fiona is just 13 weeks last Friday.

Miss Fiona has gained 1lb 6.5 ounces in 5 weeks and Miss Abigail has gained 2lb 2 ounces. They do adore the food that human daddy makes.

No issues with rabies in regards to soreness for the Miss Abs but Fiona is way sore.

She is here giving Miss Abigail the evil eye and yes she has one - ROFL and it says - leave me alone.

I tried putting her in the crate and that was fine but she wants to be with the others. So, we are watching and figure by tomorrow she will be back to her usual feisty self.

More later and have you shoveled paths for your dawgies yet if the snowstorm hit you? We have.

Ice Storm Warning & Relationships

Sometimes that male dawg just snuggles with the human mom and us. Human daddy wasn't fast enough with the camera but they were seen nose to nose sleeping just before that.

The relationships in a multi-dawg home is mighty interesting and you can learn a lot from your canines from watching them. Katsuro used to want all the attention to be on him but he has learned that there is enjoyment in building his relationships with the other dawgs and therefore has become a more confident dawg understanding that there is enough love to go all the way around. Besides - nothing like a gal dawg to hang out with. ROFL!

Well they are calling for yet another ice storm and before you say - well we will just stay in - be aware that if your dawg slips the wrong way, they can hurt themselves just like we can hurt ourselves. Tread carefully and until the ice is not on the path of your walk, find fun ways to entertain your dawg inside such as retrieve.

Our son recently tested our dawgs for a paper he is doing for university and we had interesting results. We may try it again to see if the way it unfolds changes with the 2nd time around.

Games help to reduce the causes and symptoms of stress and build a strong bond of understanding between your dog and you and simply they are plain fun.

Games you can play with your little one inside are:

1. Fetch (find a hallway where you are at one end and there is no exit except past you and the learning will be faster.

2. Hide the treat. Show them you have it and then hide it. See how quickly they find it. Use the command 'find it' and you can graduate to toys and much more.

3. Soccer - yeah soccer - take a half inflated ball the size of a soccer ball and kick it around. I say half inflated as then your dawg can grasp it in it's teeth. We had a dawg here last summer that pushed a ball all over with it's nose. For some it comes natural - if given an opportunity and others you have to give them the opportunity. This can be a real joy to watch - inside or out.

4. Practice your commands in a really fun way by being upbeat and creating interest. Sit/stay/down etc Be creative with it. If you already know all the basics - well if your dawg does then try leading with a treat in a crazy 8 way through your legs. This is the first step to training them to do all sorts of fun things with you.

5. Agility training - there are cheap weave poles you can use, you can make a teeter totter and even use a hula hoop as a jump plus buy a cheap tunnel.

6. Hide and Seek - yes we had a German shepherd that played this with our youngest son but you can also play it. Just put him in a stay or have someone else hold your dawg and then when you are hidden call the dawg and let him find you. After he knows the game, just hide without the vocal and you can create all sorts of fun.

There's more but start with these and share your own games - please!

Havanese Guilt or Human?

But mommy the stairs are too high - come pick me up and carry me down?

We are all guilty of giving in to what we perceive as inabilities in our little ones but we do them no favours.

The only way to get past anything that your little one is unsure of is to create safe situations where they will try and then applaud them when they do. Once they realize trying creates positive results, then you will get a dawg that tries things that they wouldn't have if coddled. Do not foster insecurity. It will create all sorts of issues.

Sure my stairs are scary as they curve are open and there are many of them but after a few days of ignoring them placing paws down one step at a time and gently pushing her on as a mother would - she now runs the stairs. Use this philosophy with everything.

On another note, not all dawgs are afraid of thunder but there is a significant amount of those that are that I truly believe you should find storm bytes online that you can play in the background. It may drive you crazy but play it softly than tweak it higher over time. By doing so, before the storms hit, your dog will already be familiar with the sound and that's half the battle.

More later...

Havanese Let Down (Video is UPDATED)

Our wild and crazy day video is up now (updated - it was cut off at the end)

It's quiet today. Sure mommy and daddy hears the pitter patter of tiny feet running like the dickens but something about visitors that does our heart and bodies good. It's sort of like a holiday like those humans take - fun and then nice to get back to it and then we start dreaming of the next time.

Well, mommy has the video done of our fun event yesterday.

It's updated as the end was cut off with Sebastian and his human crew. We had so many moments that we had to cut so if Sebastian's mom wants an unedited version - my human mommy will burn it for class next week. It's over 15 minutes long and we had so many moments the camera wasn't out. It's always like that. The Chico video was unrecoverable and we are heartsick. That disk is in the trash now. Got to plan another sleepover. We miss the guy already.

We wonder how Remy's classes are going. We hope the Sassy and Coach and livin' it up and not driving their humans crazy. But hey - such is a dawgs life that fills you with tales you can talk about for years to come.

Here is what we said about the video in the description at YouTube.

Sebastian came to visit after class and found all the nooks and crannies we set up to make our house dawg friendly. Enjoy the antics of this crew and how even a well behaved trained dawg can give you paw vs. listening.

Havanese Sibling Rivalry or WHAT?!

Oh, gad not another day with all these dawgies - but oh, it is. Miss Abs said, check me out in this video with my best pal, Fiona and her sibling. See how the pups play. Is it sibling rivalry or just plain fun?

If you ever wanted a 2nd Havanese or dare I say three, check out this video before you do.

Mommy had a lot of trouble as she had over 8000 sectors munged on the CD but she managed to recover some and we are trying to recover more. We are missing the Chico portion and another very important part but we are trying. Rewritable cds only last so long folks.

More later - enjoy the video.