Havanese Messy Stylin!

It's one of those days that daddy got mommy a polarized lens cover and a hood for her camera and what does she do - take a photo of my disheveled face.

I think I smash my face up against the ground just to give her texturized hair. ha! Well - it's a good line where that human is concerned.

I have 3 kids here visiting and I am having a great time - that is until Coachie thinks he thinks he is. A mom's work is never done.

Saturday is picnic time at Rita's house. Are you coming? I know I am just to see who I can play with. Hope to see you there.

PS: If that Fiona, Biona or whatever that human mommy calls her dares to scat and get in my way...well the hair will fly! ROFL! I am still quicker than that little thing.

Havanese: Leave It - Drop It!

I compare a dogs mouth to a toddler's hands and mouth. You can't keep a thing out of it. You have to take it out, teach leave it and still - the lure of that stick seems so great that they will try to step over the line if allowed.

As humans - sometimes we can't help just allowing as its so cute but watch out - when you do, they may take a mile. Be sure you can live with it. A stick my dissolve in most cases but not necessarily and the damage it can do to bowels - well we won't go there so practice - 'leave it' or 'drop it' and see how many times you have to practice to get there.

Achieving Happiness With Your Havanese

One would think this was about YOU achieving happiness but its about your Havanese achieving happiness.

We went into this venture with our original dog, Shoshi. She had the coat from hell (doesn't any longer). I learned a great deal from her. I learned if Nathan got up every 2 hours, the dog would be totally house trained or is that Nathan that would be?

I learned what unconditional love was really about and how a little dog can figure out what you need and fill that spot. Shoshi's person is Nathan but make no mistake, she appeases me to no end and when I fell last winter, she was the first to lick my face and she is the first to see what's wrong if I bang myself and scream an ear curdling sound - that is next to Katsuro.

I also learned to take a photo of a dark haired dog and see their face. I also figured out that messy has more character than just combed but that doesn't mean you should neglect combing but rather that you enjoy that they smoosh their face 2 minutes after you brush them.

As we added dogs, I also understood that each has their very own personality and job within the pack - that is if the pack is a balanced - functioning one. I also figured out if it is not, the visitors overnight would not work. I am thankful that although they have their quirks, they are indeed that.

I also learned that it took a puppy - Abigail to get Shoshi playing fully with back feet planted on the ground and paws up as if she is dancing. Shoshi has learned a great deal from the pack and they have helped her find her spot, her balance and her play. Yes, even a puppy can do that.

If you pay attention to your dogs - you can learn a great deal.

Paradise Havanese Style

It can't get better than this. The humans brought us in the pool, laid out towels on the chairs for us and we don't even have hair enough to warrant a brush other than our ears and tail.

If you simply have an active lifestyle - well cut them down. They will always grow back. This is Sassy and Coach enjoying the backyard and Sebastians over too.

We hear Louis may be coming to play too. Oh my - lots of fun dawgies to play with.

That's dawgie paradise!

Havanese Puppies Photos Are Here

Today, Risa and grandson got to check each other out.

We just got back from seeing Lola and Katsuro's puppies and Maggie and Oscar's pups. Check out some of the photos we took. If interested, do send mail. A few of the pups look like Katsuro did when he was a puppy and Kat was cute - still is. hahahaha

Well, at least HE thinks so! Enjoy!

Havanese Puppy Fix Coming Soon

I have a secret - I have Sassy and Coach over for a visit this week and I hear tell that Sebastian is coming back for a bit this Monday.

Tomorrow we are heading out to Yvonne's so mommy can enjoy good company - oh yeah daddy too - besides he better as he is my person these days.

We are going to take a ton of puppy photos to share.

The pups are mobile and we imagine quite cute. We will find out and you will too if the camera works.

When we go swimming these days, the Abs takes haven under a chair.

It's her fave spot to fade into oblivion hoping daddy doesn't notice.

Oh, she loves it once she gets in but I swear she's thinking about the brushing/shampoo that came today after she was done.

Abs swam bigtime with the daddy today and then had a shampoo and blow dry. That's the part she's not all that crazy about but isn't it worth it, Abs?

Sassy for once is on top of the situation tonight and Fiona looks as if she is trying to figure this one out and Coch - well he was standing waiting to see if he was needed but they ended up doing full body play and having a grand time of it. They are going to love it at Yvonne and Alex's and so are we.

Puppy photos coming...just watch here Sunday night or Monday...

Identify That Dog!

Every now and then we are lucky enough to receive email attachments containing photos of one of our puppies. I think I'll post this one up and see how many of you can recognize him. There is no prize at the end. There will be no test. Just for fun, guess who this is.

Nathan

Havanese Dog Play or Aggressiveness?

This is Abigail and Zack. Zack and Coco was visiting tonight and Zack decided to swim.

Anyone who has had a Havanese wet knows that they get really excited and full of it when wet. One wonders why.

Do you think Abigail is getting ready to chomp down on Zack or tell him off or is this play?

It's hard to figure out when you don't know the players but it's indeed fun play. It's also why Abigail's hair won't grow as she believes in full body contact play - all in the name of fun and the boys - well they love it!

Time for a Bath?

How can I tell it's time for a bath?

When your dog has that greasy look and they are knotting on touch - or so it seems - it's time to bath. It's time for the Fiona today.

First you must always get all the knots out first then bathe. It will make your life easier and theirs.

Be sure to use a detangler to help you take out the knots and a soft slicker if your dog is a pet - not a show.

She has started to blow her coat and they seem to only do that once so knots - knots and more knots - sigh. But if you brush daily - well less. :-)

Here's Fiona's after bath look. Even with a fast camera, it's tough keeping her in one position to get anything but a blur.

A little birdie told me that her sister may be visiting with her humans. Hmm anytime now - just in time to get that mussed in - just played my heart out look.

With the Havanese, you have to get used to that look.

Starving Havanese Doing What's Needed?

Okay - I must admit I am intoxicated with the antics of the Havanese.

I grabbed my camera before correcting this one as I couldn't help myself. I made a stir fry and Abigail was licking the juices from a plate in the dishwasher.

This either tells me she THINKS she's not getting enough food or she likes what we are having better. HA!

This is the problem with the Havanese. They do these things that make you laugh. You delay correcting and voila - it gets out of control.

Moral of this story: I should know better but really - I couldn't help myself - honest!

Was that MY line or the dawgs? You tell me!

Havanese Puppy Play: A Taste of Heaven

Every one of us needs the play that a puppy possesses. Here Miss Abs is saying to Fiona - come get me. They played back and forth like this for over 30 minutes then drank a ton and came inside and dropped.

I need that enthusiasm and play and most of all that energy. Know where I can get it? Is it contagious? I surely wish it was.

When everything is too much to handle and I feel like overload city, I sit down for a moment and watch these two and for that moment in time - all is right in the world. If they did nothing else with anything else in their life - they have filled a need - at least mine of laughter and we all need that.

Today I took a fab photo of our son and grand kids. None that I am overly pleased with the dogs but I am learning the camera. I am so jazzed with it.

No matter how much work the dogs can be when you have many dogs like we do, well they are work if you do it right and we muster up sick or well for them - well they are a bit of heaven on earth. Everyone should have some of that.

Out of Focus Havanese Fun

I am learning a new camera and taking a class this Saturday so bear with me. I will get better. But I wanted to share this photo anyway as you can see Abigail, Remi and Katsuro in play and that's what its like at our house more times than not. Even the Shoshi - who didn't play is full on playing with the Abs. She has a touch that reels them all in.

Remy went home today. Coach and Sassy are coming this Sunday and we have the grandkids here and it's a dawg crazy house and this week I am getting back to grooming and bathing the crew. Risa, Kat and Remy today. Shoshi, Wasabi and maybe Abs tomorrow then Fiona the next? We shall see...

Warning: If you leave knots in your dogs hair you can create a hotspot. It's not pretty and its pretty painful for the dog. Groom diligently please and always get those knots and mats out of their hair.

Mom & Son: Havanese

Today is a rather gloomy day but we are playing recovery from extra grooming done on a visiting dog. So - we are hanging out, getting caught up on things and soon the grand kids will be here.

Havanese come in all sorts of colours and this is our Risa and her son Katsura who just sired pups with Lola to have absolutely gorgeous pups. He's biased but how could they not be cute. Kat is athletic but he also has that cute face and we can't wait to see these pups develop.

If interested in pups, send mail to Yvonne Poole - our dear friends. The pups are up and about now doing all the fun stuff they do when they are mobile and very fast in doing things.

She also has pups from Kat's relative Maggie who also has Risa as her mom.

There's nothing like a Havanese or two...nothing!

Fiona Rain Style Havanese

Here's a dawg - a Havanese that doesn't seen to mind all this rain we are getting.

Well, Cleo and Apple go home tinight. The human's grandkids come tomorrow till Friday and then a few of Wasabi's dogs are coming for a visit.

If it is sunny tomorrow, we may see Otis. Now how cool is that?

We promise photos and fun times.

Good Times Come to End

This is Cleo. She's been staying with us with her packmate and goes home tomorrow. She has a super thick coat like our Shoshi.

She got a bath today as she has been mucking it up with the gang.

Can you say they will be missed - YEP!

More later when we are down dogs. ;-) The dogs get us FIRST!

Long Havanese Day

Mommy is spending WAY too much time with that new dog we are watching - air drying her, snuggling and taking mats out.

What about me? Oh - I get daddy.

Hey but I slept with the mom last night as we have a dog in what they call heat visiting so we are sleeping in different rooms. Something about that boy dog....geez...

More tomorrow!

Watching Puppy Videos

Every now and then I need a puppy fix. Since our dear friend Yvonne refuses to bring me her puppies (how selfish is that?) (smile) I have to make do with watching our own videos from earlier this year. I just watched one of Sebastian, Coach and Sassy playing together that was delightful. Give it a look and tell me if I am wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJZh5qf3ASg

We had Sassy, Coach and Remy here today. I realize how much they have changed in the past 6 months but they still remain totally delicious. If you want to lighten up your day just scroll down the right hand side until you get to the list of the older videos. I promise you they will bring a smile to your face. They do mine.
Nathan

Visitors & Sadness

Jazzy has been visiting us for a few days and is awaiting his owner's pickup. Jazzy has glorious hair and had a grand time mucking it up with the rest of the guys.

He's just had a bath and blow dry so he can go home smelling and feeling great. Yes, he got rather dirty but we allow that as they have great fun.

Whenever a visitor comes, the pack changes and whenever someone leaves, it changes again but it seems when they do go home, the pack tends to have a period of non play missing the one that left.

It's nice to see that they welcome another in. Even the meekest dog has been roped in by Miss Abs and made to feel welcomed. All it takes is one dog in the pack and the rest follow suit. It's why we introduce one at a time and then allow for pack play and human play.

Jazzy is a regular here though and he's adored instantly. He will also be missed too.

But Jazzy has the high life with his owners and you can but all hear him say - well it's fun here but it's excitement time to return home.

But there is nothing like the dawg fun here so if he gets excited to see us when we visit - well realize he's just yearning for a holiday.

All the dogs that visit get excited to see their owners but also get excited to come here too after they get to know what is in store for them. That's what it should be about.

More later and back to work and dematting. It may be a pool day if the weather cooperates.

Havanese and Knots in Hair

Talking about wet - what do you do when you have mats? Brush every day or cut short.

I am dematting 2 dogs and my arm is going to fall off - no lie. It's a tough job when you let it go.

To make it worse, if you wash or they get wet, it tightens the knots. Many people do not realize this.

The Abs says - well mommy brushes me daily so I hardly ever get those things.

Back to watching TV and dematting...

How? Spray, separate and brush. It sounds easy but there is a method to it - believe me and I have got really good at it due to having dogs visit us with them. :-)

Havanese: Stress & Fun

How can you tell your Havanese is under stress?

There are many signals through which you may spot this condition before it becomes out of hand or critical to performance.

Common things that can indicate stress are:
-Yawning
-Sleeping Too Long
-Arching the Back
-Stretching
-Drooling
-Tense body
-Barking
-Whining
-Runny bowels

Why am I mentioning this? It is normal for humans and dogs when exposed to unknown events or things to feel some stress. It's our job as a human to enable them to find their coping skills.

How can you do this? By slow conditioning NOT avoidance.

Slow conditioning is exposing your little one to things that they feel uncomfie with consistently till it is not an issue.

Recently, we had our roof done and one of our pups started growling at the men on the roof. This was foreign to them and anything lauding over them so high up is perceived as something in charge but also not touchable or attainable. Instead of keeping this particular dog in, I kept taking her out over and over in small doses and correcting and saying a keyword which is 'silly girl or silly boy' and I say it in a really silly voice as if to say - gee there really isn't something to be afraid of. If your dog trusts you, the key words will help. How do you gain trust? You have to be consistent, give rules and boundaries and you must not give them the idea that their behavior is valid. Never hug when reacting this way no matter how much you want to feel you need to. Hug when they sit, calm down - whatever positive coping skill they use - reward BIG time and eventually that is what they will rely on when faced with an unknown.

You are their teacher - their pal, their leader of the pack and the reason they attain a balanced state of mind. Don't get frustrated. Stop and get your emotions in check if you do.

Here's a photo of Fiona who did her first show. She showed minor stress by yawning and sleeping. But as she keeps getting exposed to so many people and dogs and people prodding her - that will disapate. Between shows we will take her to handling class and get her 'slow conditioned'.

Fiona got 2nd place in her first show. She did well. She is an alpha dog through and through but even alpha dogs can feel stress.

Pay attention to your dog and act accordingly. You will reach an amazing relationship with your dog when you do always!