Snow Gallery

Here's the gallery of when Lilly and Timmy visited. Hope you enjoy. Me, I have to go out and shovel. Dennis is exhausted and sleeping sitting up so its my turn.

Another Snowy and Dry Update: 2nd Update Today

Click on Photo for a Larger View

Timmy and Lilly came over for a visit and this is a just washed photo of Timmy. We had the crew out in the snow. Kona and Dusty thought the up to my knees snow was a tad ridiculous but Lilly as little as she is jumped in and out right along with her Timmy. Fiona refuses to even go out.

Nathan or Dennis MUST shovel paths as it is too deep for the Kona and Dusty and Fiona. It is getting deeper all the time. The men in my life are waiting till it stops - yeah right well I should shut up as Dennis is now doing the front but hey I care about the back. Nathan is taking a nap with some of the dogs. Look for a fun gallery later.

Doesn't Timmy look gorgeous?

Snow Keeps Coming

Nathan shoveled the deck and he needs to do it again - oh my. It's a slow and steady keeps coming thing. I have to wash Boo as he heads out tonight - but then again maybe not as flights have been cancelled everywhere including Toronto today but we must be ready. My grooming room is still a wreck. I have to brush all the dogs and shower. But here I sit typing away. hahahaha

Dick and Irma - you tell me. We can do this tomorrow too. I have been trying to be greedy and getting some learning time in while we are in this lull by having some weekends. If it is tomorrow you will have to do 10am as Cooper is going home at 11am.

Dusty says this white stuff is so much fun but this morning I sank into it to my neck. Where was Mommy's camera then? Silly lady. It should always be in her hand.

PS: The cleaning ladies have cancelled today (usual on Fridays) so I suppose I am supposed to clean. Friday is usually Dennis and my day off from that. :-) Got to have some treat.

Oh Oh

Snow is coming. Dusty needs MUCH training. Her latest antic is to hide under the deck and Nathan has to go get her. After about the 4th time - we can be slow like all of us can be, we decided recall needed to be practiced. So upstairs she went and by the time we were done for today, she was running back and forth without hearing come. What a smarty pants. Tomorrow no treat unless she hears the command.

Not sure if we are going to get the big huge storm but it is slowly coming down.

Here are just a few photos taken today. Just not up to going through all of them. So, I hope its okay to see a few.

Ty was here and gone today but just before Julie left she showed us Ty's latest command of play dead and sleep. :-) What a riot.

Daisy's home has workmen in it doing smelly stuff me thinks and she is playing up a storm. Cody was playing with Ty whenever Kona was otherwise focused on the frisbee. At first it was Ty and Kona as a team. it helped that we brought them out first alone.

Cooper thinks Boo is so fun and he relishes play growling and rolling all over the place. Each time Panda and Roxie play though he makes Roxie his own. I want to figure out what that extra something Roxie possess cause the boys all try to covet her.

Everyone is now chilling all over the place with us or with Dennis in the TV room.

Still waiting for the big storm to hit.

I did brush the Coops up but he adores sticking his face in the cedars. I may need a neutralizer to get the smell out. Funny cause Kat does the same thing. Haven't figured out what that is about except they get their face mighty messy.

Interesting thing to note, Logan didn't want Cooper to play with Panda but could care less if he played with Roxie. Interesting dynamics and this afternoon it could and usually does all change - which is quite the norm.

I just love it! Sometimes its like a school playground.

TV Room Snoozing

Dusty and NoraNoraKonaDustyKona and NoraKona and NoraTreasure YawningBoo ChillingDusty and Nora

Just TV time early this morning after our outdoor run and before the Coops came. Tonight we watch Smash. No photos - just dogs laying all over us. It's the best!

Cold Play

Working on a photo gallery of the play today. Just finished washing the Kona and found his coat really looks good using the new Pure Paws Shampoo and Conditioner combo. He really has a multitude of colours in his coat - nice!

This way in 2 weeks when he sees mom he can look beautiful. :-)

Gallery is now here. Kona - just cleaned photos tomorrow. ;-)

Things to notice - Spice is full out playing now - back to being her crazy usual self more and more.

Kona is playing with boys and girls. You can't see it but he covets the frisbee and tries to intimidate the others away from it. This is a Treasure and Jeannie manuever so we are working on all 3 to not covet - just play.

Kona can jump up in the air and grab a piece of popcorn the highest I have ever seen. Nathan has a habit of doing this with Terra with popcorn or treats - helping her perfect her mid-air catches and Terra has looked so confused when Kona gets to it first. Kona is so fast!

Birthday Wishes

Check out Abigail's blog!

Winter Pruning

Got to love a gal that helps you prune your prized Japane Maple. I do love her so!

Here are a few photos of the day.

Kona and Roxie

Kona and Roxie

Boo and Jeannie

Boo and Jeannie

Boo and Jeannie

Kona, Roxie in Back, Jeannie and Boo in Front

I truly love the play!!

Attention

If you are starting to train your dogs the first command you should be working on is 'focus'. Distractions are a large part of life, and you need to teach your dog to ignore them and pay attention to you. There are various names you can use. You can say Look or Focus. It's not the word though you must be consistent but the action attached to it.

Each time your dog looks at you like this, click if using a clicker and add the name you are tagging to the action. Each time she looks at you tag it with the name you are associating with the action and then treat.

It will make future training easier and help you in many situations.

Breaking the Run

Over the years we have found certain things have had to be put in place when you have multiple dogs.

Our dogs LOVE going outside here as we go out, play games, run with them, do retreive and have a crazy time. So, that doorknob gets turned the excitement ramps up.

With this weather we have ice under the snow so we did something so simple as turning our picnic table  on the lower deck sideways to stop the direct flow of traffic. Why? Well they can hurt their legs and just like us when caught up in the moment we lack common sense at times. This interrupts it - something so simple but so effective.

This is a recovery day. We have had a lot of play but I haven't been clicking. I need a couple of days to recover from pups going. Hope you understand.

The dogs are going to LOVE having this room back. They enjoy the extra room.

Check it Out

Be sure to check out some Goldie Play!

Socializing

It's important to socialize your dogs SAFELY with all types of dogs. When I say all types - each like us have different ways of interacting with each other. It is important to expose them so they get conditioned.

Today Boo who is a big play monkey found Timmy overwhelming at first. Why? Timmy has this fun, bowl you over, I am here spirit and Boo wasn't sure how to handle that. As time went on and it was a short time, they started playing and Boo understood the communications and the intentions. Both are puppies about the same age and are learning.

If you do not expose your dogs (this is why we have so many play dates etc) it is more difficult as an adult and a slower process to gain these communication understanding skills. But don't give up. Never say never. They can and do gain those skills as adults. They are just more set in their ways and not as trusting and receptive at times so the process is longer.

By socializing you help them gain their social skills, become more confident and understand the variety of ways each dog communicates and be able to pick up on the similarities and gain that understanding quicker each time they get exposed.

The critical stage is that first year but they need to socialize SAFELY throughout their lives. When doing so, you will appreciate the result!

Photos of the Day

Don't have time for much in updates. With the pups going home, he blog updates - well as you can see what time it is and now I am updating so I will just say the dogs had a blast today. The snow was coming down sideways. They all played. Kona hasn't had his bath yet but I am fitting him in as it is a must. At least with this snow we aren't having dogs swimming on the pool cover.

This is what we looked out to when the dogs first went out today. The dogs didn't seem to mind.

As you can see Momma Spice is enjoying the snow!

Spice was getting them all to chase her and they did!

Kona and Boo two peas in a pod all day long. How interesting!

Then Kona was on the chase!

Dusty found shelter.

You can't see in this photo but Truffie was in the bush and they were all hunting a squirrel.

When Scruffy wasn't playing with his sister, Pepper he was out playing up a storm with the crew. He looks so good in motion!

Finn visited for the day and who does Finn play with the most? Well, everyone he can! He is so full of life!

Cha Cha came for a bath and play date. I did have her part perfect but she fixed that. Can you believe how shiny her hair is?

Well that's it for tonight!

Teaser and Truffie Pups Play Day

I think Boo and Levon's face says it all - oh boy more fun. Here is a gallery of Boo, Levon and Piper. Piper was a tad more reserved than the boys with their wild play but humans - oh boy what a wriggle cutie patootie is she!

It was great to see them but we must do it when they can run out back and truly let loose.

Also Ty, Kona and Sophie are celebrating their 2nd birthday. Check out Ty's photo on Treasure's blog. After we get Kona cleaned up (meaning the mud goes away) we will hopefully take photos of the brothers and post them here.

THe Day

Today has been an interesting day. Last night I went to bed early with a roaring fever, shaking with chills and slept poorly going from being too hot to being too cold. This morning I was not much better but after medicating myself I got better. I took a nap. Nathan groomed Panda, Logan and Finn and figured tomorrow is a new day. I was glad to be able to get rest.

I didn't brush my own dogs but as I said tomorrow is a new day. I did wash Che to go home tomorrow. I did get registration and paperwork and bags ready for pups going home.

Tomorrow we have Boo, Piper and Levon coming to play - how fun! We also have Che departing. We also have Kora and Pepper getting baths as they depart on Thursday so I best be well tomorrow. :-)

What's the photo for? I was looking at old photos and this was Ty getting groomed as a pup. The leads on him is so I can have hands-free so I can brush and comb. It works rather well. This is my tip on my non grooming day. <smile>

Piper Update

Piper, Boo and Levon will be here on Wednesday, I think - how delightful. They are Teaser and Truffie pups...

Looks like Piper has the silvering gene - how nice. Can't wait to see the trip together.

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Part of her human mom's note:

She's doing so well with training. I knew Havanese were smart and eager to please but I can't believe how fast she catches on to everything. She actually graduated puppy class this afternoon, passed with flying colours, and stole the hearts of everyone there. There's two pictures of her laying with her certificate, the ribbon is from tying for first place in a One Minute Stay game today.

She is quite the little ham, full of attitude and life. She loves, loves, loves to play retrieve and right now she's playing it by herself throwing one of her toys around the room only to run after it and throw it again. She has so many little adorable quirks and she's queen of "that look" when she's not impressed or offended that she can't have something. She loves belly rubs and having the spot right at the base of her tail on her back scratched. She's such a funny little gal, we're sure she knows she's funny and plays it up whenever possible. One morning while I was on the laptop and had my feet up on the coffee table she figured out how to get onto my legs and now that's her go-to spot when I'm on the couch. I don't think a day has gone by that we haven't spent a good portion of the day laughing and smiling at her. She's definitely got that Havanese smile. She also seems to be quite the daddy's girl during the day but come night, she's all about me. She spends each night curled up in a ball either in the spot at the back of my knees when they're bent or stretched out against my side.

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She had so many photos that were great but Nathan wants to use some in the magazine. :-)

Crazy Fun Dawg Play

If you don't recognize him that's Kona playing his heart out. We do not wear cameras around our neck so Nathan yells in the door get the camera as he was outside watching the crazy play. I was inside.

He was playing up a storm with Dusty. Nathan didn't manage to capture that but he did manage to catch some other play.

All I know is Kona is getting a bath tomorrow after all this crazy play. He rather needs it. hahaha

Just another fun Havanese day... Funny how they make every single day about some kind of fun.

Finn Before and After

I have a virus on my computer so its been hard to do photos - still scanning. I am hoping by tomorrow it is done. So Finn is getting put up in this blog. :-)

Finn is here and he played up a storm. He got a bath just now as he is going home early.

Before Bath Blowing in WindFinn After a Bath Nathan trying to PoseDoing Nails After Messing Up HairHe is a cutie and oh boy his hair smells and feels so good. He is huggable and kissable - well he was before the bath too.

He let me lay him on his back, trim his tummy and brush him and he was super relaxed - wow!

Not to worry I will get him looking beautiful before hos Momma picks him up. :-)

Cha Cha Relaxing

Cha Cha is looking mighty relaxed in her home. She's looking more and more like Fiona with a touch of Mugs.

Cha Cha is off to get the snip snip soon. I am sure she will be more than fine. They always are - it's the humans that aren't always. hahaha

Happy Birthday

Today I am going to share a few photos of Kona. Today is Kathy's birthday (Kona's mom) and we are shouting out a big happy birthday to her.

Kona seems to be smitten with the younger set. He truly loved playing with Magic today. I hope she comes to visit when he is visiting again. He also loved playing with Finn, Roxie and he loves the Dusty one in a big way.

What is Kona doing? He is play bowing - an introduction to play some more. Magic seems delighted to do so.

They played chase me and Kona would chase her around, cut her off at the pass and she would continue the fun.

PS: I think Dusty was jealous. Finn didn't seem to mind. He just went from one to the next. Dusty kept trying to interrupt and attempting to play with Kona as if Dusty was saying - hey I can dance with you too!

It's a riot watching the dog play. See more of Finn and Magic on Abigail's blog. Nathan was clicking but he was getting lots of blurs. It's too bad. We need a faster close up lens for inside as they were moving quickly today. I only have a fixed lens. That's all he managed to get of Kona (sigh). Can't wait till they can do this running play outside. We may be able to get more than sailing hair and backends.

You don't have to be outside to have fun.

Update on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 6:21PM by Darlah

Sorry - I just learned it was Kathy's birthday so I promise you Cha Cha for sure tomorrow!