Remy Comfort, More on Video & Exercise

Here's a photo of Talemaker's Remy that his new owners sent us. He has 3 kids to play with and I am positive that makes him WAY happy. We hear he is fitting in well. There is always that first few days of - where am I - but then they seem to be falling into the rules of their new home and finding their grounding and comfort. We LOVE hearing from the puppy owners and can't wait till the picnic this year. There's nothing like seeing all the siblings together and we will have Risa's crew, Wasabi's crew and some of Paris (Gidget) crew plus Gidget herself as we always watch some of the Paris (Gidget) crew. Plus if we are really lucky we may have some of Yvonne's crew. How wonderful will that be to see so many Havanese.

We start out - well I start out my day taking the doggies downstairs and outside before I do my exercise. Usually Sassy will go back upstairs and kiss up Nathan's face (hope his new owners love a kissy face) and settle back in with Risa who never deigns to get up. Every now and then if we take Sassy out last thing, she does the same but today the crew all came down minus Risa and its wet and rainy as you can see how they look in this photo but I started exercising. I do p90x - waiting to do p90X+ when it comes to stay in shape, keep my energy up and de-stress if I ever need it. I was erratic while puppies were here as they are our focus but now with less pups, I can get back at it and boy the body is feeling it and the dogs love it. Pounce time on me...

During puppy time, the dogs don't get the walks as a precaution to catching anything and due to Yvonne having pups that we visit, we will stay in that head space till hers are vaccinated. It's important not to take your dogs to dog traffic places till after their shots. But you can do many things at home and socialize them with dogs you know well.

Today the crew, while I did Ab Ripper X - well let's just say I wish someone else was up as the dogs - when I got on the floor saw it as an invitation to play and Sassy was draped on my neck, Shoshi was pouncing on me, Wasabi was trying to pounce on Sassy on my neck all while I was doing abx exercises. It was a riot and I needed it as taking a break from exercises, it almost is like you are starting again falling asleep early - trying to get the body adjusted but well worth it in the long run. It's an amazing program and if you stick with it - 90 days later - wow what a HUGE difference in everything.

Now while I was doing it today, I had to set them aside to actually do it but that was after I was done laughing and laughter is the best medicine. Havanese fill you with laughter and to me that is precious.

If you watched Sebastian and Sassy yesterday, did you notice that Wasabi was still playing mommy and corrected Sassy? If you watch where Sebastian went under the couch, watch what Wasabi did to Sassy. These puppies are both potential alphas but siblings work out their relationship and it gives them a lifetime of understanding how to be the politician when one needs to be. When Sebastian comes to visit, I suspect Wasabi will continue those lessons with the 2 and that will be a huge bonus for both and fun for us to watch. Plus, it gives Wasabi a job. Havanese love having a job - something they can get fulfilled from.

Well off to eat, feed doggies and argh work today. More later.

Two Talemaker Havanese Siblings Reunite

We had approx 2.5 hours of copy and had to cut out a ton but we hope what you enjoy the reunion of these Havanese siblings after 2 weeks. It was wild, crazy and amazingly fun. No, they are not killing each other. They're having a gloriously fun time. This is how Havanese play - especially sibling mates. Thanks goes to Sebastian's mom, Maryanne for bringing him to visit. It's these moments that make this all worth it! The other sibling, Sassy gal and she is Sassy as you will see, goes to her new home soon and will be playing with Sebastian from time to time. What more could we hope for!

Can you imagine what we cut? It was great copy - all 2.5 hours worth with minor camera issues but still a great memory. Thanks!!

What Makes an Outstanding Havanese?

This morning, Sassy was relentless with Katsuro. He wanted to sleep - she insisted that she wanted to snuggle. It was as if Katsuro wanted to say - 'will you just leave me alone?'

This was the beginning of their social interaction today. Each day it varies on what she learns from each. It's a huge bonus for her to remain with many dogs as she will learn a bit from each and it will help her learn important communication skills. It's hard for us as we bond with them. But as we found in the past and with Sebastian yesterday, when a pup comes to visit and enjoys and is comfie in our home, it means they have good imprints from where they began. Then when they are done playing, show that their new owners are their person, and they go home, it also shows us that this learning, security and love has continued and that lends us comfort as it's all about the dawgs to us more than you can ever know!

To continue on what happened this morning - Then as time went on, they just fell asleep together. Relationships at this critical stage are important as they lay the base for how they will react as adults unless you intervene and immerse them in slow conditioning but why start with baggage? It's best to expose in safe environments to give the best result. Easier said then done at times and things do happen and you 'can' recover.

What that means is it is important to expose them to dogs you know that will give them positive reactions to help them learn how to interact. That's not to say that the growl from Risa as one is getting too close is not a good thing. It is but when no altercation exists but rather communication, the puppy learns.

You can click on any photos in this blog to get a larger view.

Today we are working on a video with Sebastian to show you how siblings react to each other. It's a joy - a true one. But I need to find the time to edit and we have much to do today - am shooting for tonight at the latest to post.

To elaborate on what makes a dog balanced, secure, even temperament and all that you want it to be - is it genetics? I will take a piece out of Kathryn Braunds book, The Joyous Havanese (I suggest you buy this book) that tells what makes a dog be all they can be.

"Your dog is 50% dam, 50% sire however both dam and sire are a product of generations of genes. Each canine mom imprints her puppies with habits she has and the way she responds to their and her human's guardians every action. " (My note: with multi dogs - that includes all the dogs that interact with the pups)

"Ingredients in making a dog be all they can be:

1. Interactions with siblings (other dogs in home)
2. Interaction with the breeder
3. Permanent socialization from 8 to 20 weeks
4. The final touch covers adolescent from 12 to 15 months. Socialization during this period cements all past genetic and environmental happenings in the not so closed brain.

Note that many genes do not come into play unless they are utilized early on such as retrieving. It is why you should be teaching your dog as much as he can by 15 months. It doesn't mean learning ceases after this age but the brain is more receptive till this age."

Puppy relationships start in the whelping box. You as a potential owner should be asking what the breeder does in regards to socialization, relationships etc.

Here, we take it very serious and invest our whole heart and soul in it but it's a learning process and once you stop and become stagnant, it's not good. Life is changing so learning should never end. From 4 weeks to 16 weeks is a very critical stage.

"Let's see what makes a Havanese tick. We already know the Havanese have genes honed into them through centuries of rearing, which makes him loving, exceptionally happy and bouncy. His stereotype is of a sensitive, willing, attention seeking, charming athletic dog.

However each Havanese is an individual and each has been gifted or denied by nature and environment with certain talents above and beyond the breed's basic characteristics., just as humans are. Each Havanese will develop different emotional responses to experiences he meets in life."

It's good to know that the Havanese you own (or will) completes his personality development and his uniqueness through interaction with you and your family.

Sebastian Came to Visit

Sebastian and his human mom came to visit us today and the siblings got right back into it having a roaring good time but neither could figure out who was the boss. Here's Sebastian looking in at Sassy going 'you can run but you can't hide' They have such a great time playing with tunnels. From inside to outside, the pair couldn't get enough of each other and I do believe Wasabi was happy to see him as well. It was an exhausting day for all the doggies but fun to watch. We hope the video turned out.

Then when they finished playing their little hearts out, they started to fall asleep. Sassy is still wiped.

It's going to be amazing to have him visit next time. We can't wait! Thanks goes to his parents for bringing him by. It surely made our day!

Havanese Tug With the Big Ones

Well yesterday we covered Sassy playing with Wasabi and who did you figure ended up being 'Top Dawg' - oh - it wasn't mommy. Sassy usually puts on a good defense with Wasabi but yesterday she won - out and out won even if it was in a mischievous way.

Sassy takes on all comers too. Look at her pulling for all she is worth with Terra. Now Terra knows this game well and she used to play it with Shoshi. She would sometimes let Shoshi win and guess what - she's doing the same with Sassy but all this winning is giving the little girl a big head. Oh oh!

More later...

Sassy Frazzled or Top Dog?

We visited Sassy's new forever home (she goes next week) and she got to meet her cat-mate and her retriever-mate (retriever-mate she met previously) - her new human mom and dad and her sibling Josh - no darts Josh - I am part of the family now - ROFL and was able to look around. She even got to check out the bedrooms. We whisper Sebastian's name in her ear and she perked up - knowing she will be doing visits with him sometimes. We know she is going to love it there.

When she got home, Wasabi and her got into it in Terra's bed and you can almost not tell where one body starts and the other ends but what you can't see is that stick to the right - well it makes a gad-awful sound of birds tweeting and they LOVE this thing and yep - it's a cat toy.

Well, guess who won? We will tell you tomorrow. Today, well you will have to guess. Back to watching the play!

New Years Havanese Slideshow

With so much snow, we got to spend New Years with our friends Yvonne and Alex from Chicadoro Havanese. We had a roaring good time and these are only some of the photos. We hope Yvonne does a slideshow on her site as there are so many more photos with her beautiful litter.

Kemi Becomes a Canadian Champion

Last summer Risa had a litter that was identical to Wasabi's in that there were five boys and a single girl. Many of you have seen at least one of that litter, our Katsuro. Well, today I am proud to announce that Katsuro's sister Kemi received her Canadian Championship this past weekend. She makes us all proud.
Nathan

Tux Sends a New Year Greeting

This is a photo we received in our email from Rita and it looks like Tux is practicing - I am all that look. Got to charm those judges now that Kemi from Risa's litter got her championship this last weekend - you'll have to show them how the males strut their stuff. :-)

We have no doubt that he will - as he was a charmer from birth. ROFL!

Nice - photo, Rita - keep them coming!

Havanese Winter Comfort

Here's Sassy this morning playing tug toy with Louis. She took a day or 2 to warm up to him as Louis was playing with Katsuro more but the last couple of days, Sassy thinks she's a grown-up gal especially after seeing Yvonne's pups. She played with the pups but decided she wanted the challenge of the older dogs and Louis is almost the same age as Katsuro - just a few weeks younger.

Later today we are going to do a slideshow of our trip hopefully and maybe some video as we really had a great time but we shall see how busy work is. We won't be going out on walks today as it is too cold so it will be out to the back and back in and inside the house games.

Sassy really LOVES the big dog's bed and the big dogs. She loves the goldens. She's a gentle soul much like our Katsuro but she also has his spunk - meaning she won't take grief from others but plays the politician part well - hahahahahaha She's going to make someone a really wonderful dawg - I tell you.

More later...

Happy Havanese New Year

Well, we just got back from having a fab time at our friends Yvonne and Alex. The crew is sitting in their living room sopping wet and they had lots of snow and if I can get a video rendered, you may see then running like the dickens outside having a grand time.

Sassy had her shots so yesterday she was sore but not too bad. She weighed in at 4lbs 6 ounces. Her vet loved her patellas - said wow - really great ones. He thought she was in excellent health and we are glad and he said - oh my this one looks like her mommy - such a beautiful face. That was nice.

We spent a really great time at our friends but one can't sleep with 6 Havanese in a queen size bed. It's way too funny and we had all sorts of issues with technical stuff but hey that calmed down and we watched TV and human daddy snored and Yvonne had to say - ah let's go to bed and Risa was asking for hours already.

Today we tried to render a video but will have to give it a shot here. Till now, you can look at Sassy and her mom out in the backyard at Yvonnes. She soooo adorable in looks and personality - I tell you. Big dogs, little ones - she got her grounding and played in such a short time - it was great to see. Even when Britney (an old Beardie - the leader of the pack at Yvonnes and Alex) was barking she said - what was that and continued on without issue.

I need to eat but wanted to say Sassy did well on the long ride there, the shots, the strange house, the different bed to sleep on and all those doggies to play with. She had a roaring good time and so did the rest of the pack but when we said home, Katsuro got excited then the rest did and they are almost all conked out except Louis, our visitor (who goes home tomorrow - sniff) and Sassy who are playing up a storm. More tomorrow and hopefully a video but too tired tonight to pull it together.

By the way, Sassy has really and I mean really perfected her jumps through snows and her going up and down stairs. Me thinks she's going to be quite the athlete like Wasabi.

Last Bath of Year

Sassy had her last bath of the year this morning. Here's daddy drying her gently with a towel - more patting down as rubbing will create tangles and Louis is looking on trying to figure out if he is next but mommy needs to finish brushing him before he gets a bath. You never bath a dog that has knots as it tightens them. Keep that in mind.

Tips for bathing - always use a whitening shampoo to keep the whites brilliant. I use Chris Christensen and a couple of other brands and they don't lighten the darks just brightens the whites - not bleach - just gives it that nice white and these pups have that white as a driven snow colour - which is nice - most don't and they take after Wasabi for that. I also use Chris Christensen's Day to Day conditioner. The thing about conditioner is it's a must to reduce the tangles but you must get all of it off other than your spray on conditioner like Ouidad that is safe and good to leave on. If there is any residue, your dog is apt to scratch and let you know you didn't get it all. If that is the case, a warm face cloth wiping in the direction of the coat will remove the last residue. You can even do this just to be sure. I forget at times but realize after a few rolls in the snow, they have essentially done the same thing. Some pups are more sensitive than others.

I also use Ouidad spray on conditioner and I use a comb throughout the hair and without, a comb may catch as tangles may be starting. You may feel your little one squirms too much but I have a great trick that helps especially if you have a crate like mine with an opening up top.

I take my blower - which never gets hot but warm and you can use a blower dryer on a low setting but anyone with more than one dog should own a blower, imho. I do not know how I did without it but pricey it is. Place your dryer on a stand or have someone else hold it. You put your pup in the crate like I have and spray and comb and/brush through the opening. This helps me have free arms to do what I need to and the pup is in a safe place but you must brush/comb as you dry to eliminate any tangles. Next bath, I am going to introduce Sassy to laying down on various sides to allow me to thoroughly comb her out but at this point, the key is to get her used to the combing itself which I am doing daily now - not that she needs it at this point but she will end up like the rest of my dogs laying down without issue and allowing me to comb and brush them out. It's all slow conditioning and it works.

Well, off to get ready for our road trip. Mommy has to brush out all the Havanese. They had baths 2 days ago and Louis and Sassy were the remaining dogs. Louis will have to wait till we return.

More later...

Last Havanese Posts of the Year

It's the last day of the year and we have been running around in fresh snow and human mommy took a photo of us through the door - so you sort of see us, sort of not.

Louis has been playing with me non-stop now. At first he would play bow in a way that I thought he was going to pounce on me and so I tried it that way and soon we were running around like banshees this morning. Mommy was laughing so hard she thought she would wake the neighbours. Then she went running for the door hoping we would come but we didn't notice her so she stood at the door waiting - then called and here we are in this picture waiting for her to open the door.

Well, mommy says I am getting a bath today as I go into the vet and then I am going to do some New Year's eve visiting. I can't wait - new adventures, new environments - all good to help me be all I can be.

The doggies are in for a whole lot of fun today and what a great way to end the year - I tell you. It does the humans hearts good to see such fun. Photos will come.

Visitors and Perfecting Running

We have Louis visiting. He's the black Havanese in this photo. We adore Louis as he is one of the most agile havanese we know walking across the top of the agility tunnel last picnic we had. Everyone else walked or ran through - not him on top just like his mom Gidget formally named Paris. Black Havanese are hard to photograph and you have to have a technique - called get them up close that I didn't have here. :-) Sorry...

As you can see, Sassy is running across our safety cover towards Louis. She's been having a blast today. She also had a golden visitor called Casey that was rather cool to have over. We love Golden's around this place.

Tomorrow Sassy gets her next set of shots. She's in for a treat seeing Lex as she likes him and more surprises tomorrow coming her way.

Sebastian at 11 Weeks

We just received a handful of pictures of Sebastian. I thought the least I could do is share one of them with those of you following this blog. Have you ever seen a sweeter face?

Nathan

Terra Speaks Out

I was just reading the latest bias one-sided propaganda from my human Mommy about her Wasabi and all her other darling Havanese. I thought I’d take this opportunity to offer my Golden Retriever perspective.

First of all let me say with all due modesty that I am a smart cookie and easily graduated Obedience school at the top of my class, or at least I would have been first if not for Shoshi also being in the same class. Second is good too.

I know how to heel perfectly and do so when my human Dad walks me, if he asks me too, a few times, nicely. Meanwhile Risa heels perfectly all the time.

I can recall in seconds, if I feel like it, or if my human Dad really wants me to come, now. Meanwhile when Daddy calls Katsuro to come he runs back to him. What’s that about?

I don’t need to be washed every time I go for a walk. My body easily clears the ground. I don’t need to be brushed as often as my Havanese brother and sisters because my hair, unlike theirs, falls off, all the time, all over the place.

I play wonderfully with all the Havanese. I do not step on them. I am always aware of them, especially when Sassy is eating my coat. Yes, that’s right, I don’t wear a coat.

Shoshi and I have been best friends since the day my human Mommy and Daddy brought her home even though she never grew to full size (well retriever size - the only way to be). I understand that poor Shoshi is going to remain at around 12 lbs. and never achieve her full growth and that’s ok because I love her anyway. (Shoshi says - silly that is my full growth, Terra)

I do have one large pet peeve. All the other dogs sleep on the bed but I’m not allowed. What’s that about?! I don’t even require doggy steps but am perfectly capable of stepping right up onto the bed. It’s outright full size dog discrimination, that’s what it is. Luckily I can sneak on the bed with my Daddy when Mommy is downstairs. She’ll never know.

Terra

PS: I have included a picture of me chillin' in one of my four beds. You can clearly tell it isn't the same as sleeping with the pack in Mommy and Daddy's bed. And I have included a picture of me and my Shoshi when she was about the age that Sassy is right now. Hey - she's even wearing that same sweater Sassy was the other day. Hey human mom - can't you buy her something NEW?

Exercise for Your Havanese

Sassy went for a walk today with Wasabi, Katsuro and Risa. Then we took Louis (a visiting dog), Shoshi, Terra and Whitney. We also did a great play session out in the back.

This brings up a point that Sassy hates getting dressed. and she could go ala natural for short walks but for a bit longer while its cold, the sweater or jacket helps when young. A good sign that it's getting too cold is when they are lifting their paws/and or shaking but they can lift their paws from salt, sand and ice piles in-between their toes. Just brush it out and continue unless it is a continual issue then its a red flag to get home. When it comes to clothes, brushing, anything - new that is something that needs to be done - the term - just get him to deal comes to mind. If they are fighting you, as Sassy has tried when I put a sweater on, I just hold her, put it on and then continue to get her ready to go. If I coddled her or let her win when it is something she needs - guess what - you set her up to buck the system and she will know that she can get away with it sometimes if she acts up enough. This is a dangerous precedent to create with a toddler and the same with your pup. I don't yell - nor make it a terrible experience - just do it and reward the correct behavior. Eventually that struggle will cease.

I am often asked how often do you wash your Havanese? It all depends on the elements. I can go 3 or 4 weeks in the summer before I can't stand it but even then, you can use a waterless bath, brush them line by line with it and then they look almost as good as a bath. So, it really depends on you. You can also just wash feet or bums or whatever the need.

If you look at the picture (you can click on it for a larger view), this is Terra, our retriever and Sassy doing her - 'I am relaxed look' and mommy Wasabi laying next. Now notice that Wasabi's hair is still shiny as she is what we would consider a silky Havanese and that's a good thing as her hair stays shiny even when dirty and tends to not mat - a double coat but not a thick double coat but she is getting a bath today. She hasn't yet had a comb out and she 'may' look better then but her hair will tend to become shiny greasy looking when I think its dirty and I believe she has arrived at that point. For some she may not. It's been a few weeks and I tend to groom and brush and clean mine more than others. Yvonne (good Havanese breeder friend) would say - more than ANY others but this gives you a perspective. Each of us have a different standard to what we expect and what we will tolerate. My dogs sleep in our bed so they get that comb out daily with a spray on conditioner and the waterless bath and I never experience 'doggy' odor like I do with the retrievers that always have it. :-)

So baths today, play sessions, walks all help stimulate their minds and body and that is a 'good' thing. If you can't walk due to the ice and cold, start teaching retrieve. This is a critical window for teaching it easily. Find a hallway with one way in and only one way out and you sit at the way out and throw the item down the hall. Use a keyword, stop the game when they refuse to bring it to you, praise when they do and you will have a Havanese that retrieves better than a retriever. When teaching it later, it's more difficult and by teaching it earlier, you give them the ability to exercise their bodies, expel that energy without you moving a thing. You will be glad you introduced this game if you ever get sick and can't walk but if you can, still walk your dog as retrieve is not a replacement but rather an additional avenue for exercise. Your dog needs to see new surroundings. If you were stuck in the house 24/7 think of how you would feel about the world outside and how depression may set in by being so limited.

You have an intelligent breed that needs their minds stimulated. Use that and you will gain great things from it. They are what you put into it.

Bringing Up Havanese Puppy

I think it was Dr. Ian Dunbar that covered the subject of your dog is what you expose it to positively and I am an advocate of that. After you have had a couple of sets of shots, you can start taking your little one to classes. It not only helps your bond with them but exposes them to a different environment, new people, various types of dogs in a safe environment - that is if the school is a good one. There are some that aren't despite what they tote and we have experienced those ourselves.

We already started the process with visiting dogs, our retrievers but what is in the home is deemed safe to a litter vs. outside. It is their safe zone and what is outside is something they do not have comfort in yet. It's important to help your dog gain the skill of achieving comfort.

The degree of a dog's socialization - whether he becomes a 'well socialized' or 'poorly socialized' member of the community depends on the type of social interactions and environments he experiences while young. Those who are exposed to a wide variety of positive, rewarding experiences will form a different view of the world than an isolated or mistreated dog. Your goal should be to help your dog grow to be people, animal and dog friendly.

If your pup is exposed in a positive way to a wide variety of dogs, humans and other animals under a variety of different but non-traumatic circumstances, your puppy will grow up to be well balanced. This way, when faced with an unruly or under socialized dog, your dog will understand that the world as a whole is a good place and there is no need for defensiveness nor fear.

An adult dog who is startled or fearful is an entirely different matter than a scared puppy. The puppy has yet to learn the skills to achieve confidence, balance and understand the communication of other dogs. This is a learned process that they develop from other dogs. Each dog learns at various rates. Beyond the fact that your dog needs to learn a dog's language (you should too - I have an excellent book), it also has to learn how to behave appropriately given a set of circumstances and this only happens with practice. It's sort of like the human learning how to become a good friend, a leader, how to fit in, what the rules are at this place or that place etc. We all make our mistakes but hopefully we move on and perfect our skills and become better as we go along. This is the same with our canines. You need to give them the opportunity to perfect their skills - to go through the learning process.

Pups that are taken too early from their mother miss a critical development that helps them achieve this learning window in a quicker fashion but even those with a high degree of socialization can learn.

As they develop they will test their social boundaries with other strange dogs to find out what they are able to get away with. It's similar to a human child that puts half their foot across the line you have drawn - can I get away with it - what are the consequences - all a learning process.

But if you wait till your dog is older, an adult dog will be less patient with another adult dog than a puppy. The dogs do know that your little one is a pup and they may play with them rough and physical but it's play with a learning process. They won't react that way to an adult who should know better, in their opinion. When an adult dog does correct your pup in a positive way, he may protest but he will have learned he crossed the line in his behavior. That's why pups that stay with their canine mom longer 'get' the - 'ooops - I crossed the line - let's try this again process' easier than those that don't.

But leave the nest they must in a positive way. Sassy will be (after her next shots) exposed to other dogs she is unfamiliar with. If she stays with us long enough, will be in classes and we have already started confidence building. By teaching her commands you are actually teaching her confidence skills. When she finally gets it and you get excited, she gets a treat and you display joy that she has completed a request, your dog feels good about his accomplishment and you get a better, more behaved dog at the end with an amazing bond - if you take the journey of training completely in a positive fashion.

Sassy has learned 'sit' that all I need to do now is hold the treat so we have now moved on today with 'down'. She has to get past thinking treat is 'sit' and that's all I am expected to learn. She's struggling with 'down' but after the 5th persistent try - she did it - perhaps by accident but its begun. We will continue and we hope you will too and yes I have to get the video camera out to capture it but with grand kids here, a kid home from university etc - well it's a crazy house so soon.

When teaching down, realize it is a submissive position and some dogs may learn more slowly but not due to their learning capability but rather not wanting to be in a position they deem vulnerable. Down is an excellent way to bridge confidence and get past feeling vulnerable.

Once you have achieved this skill 100% and completely, your dog has taken yet another step in bonding and trusting you.

Give them love and patience too...and they will give it back 10 fold.

More later...

Havanese Puppy Changes

Well Sassy had a guest over - Quito - a rather good looking Havanese, I might add. It was only for a short time as it started to snow heavy white flakes and then they left and it stopped - sigh.

Sassy is now sleeping on the bed, curling up to you and if she has to go, she goes down the stairs and goes to her pee pad but last night she was back to sleeping all night but we let her sleep partially each nap and woke her up and played. We found she was sleeping way too much missing the brothers but she's back to being herself. It takes a few days to adjust to big changes.

If anyone is interested in who makes this bed as the Havanese adore it, you can find it at http://www.woodruffforpets.com/funfur.html <-- they make all sorts of beds and you can get anything embroidered on it. We have 'Our Precious Havanese' on ours. They also have tunnel beds and you pick the fabric so its made special for you. They have no clue we are posting this nor do we get anything out of it except to share our experiences and it has been good.

Sassy went out in the snow and got totally soaked. She adores the snow. There's human mommy and daddy's grand kids staying over for another night and then the crew - the dawgs are going to get a bath. They are rather a motley looking crew.

We are reinforcing 'sit' but still finding although when calm Sassy does it always - if she has competition or perceived competition, she can't sit - oh she tries but that bottom wriggles and wraggles so we are sticking with that command through Friday and trying down and then we will video tape both and share.

Sassy is making down the stairs - prefers the foam ones off our bed vs. the wooden ones - yes we have 2 but still won't go down the stairs from upstairs to down but will go up. Down is scarier direction with a perceived open staircase, I imagine.

Coach's parents called - Sassy's sibling and that was way exciting to hear. When he's all settled in we will have to create a play date. We hear he adores his walks. Got to get Sassy back out today.

More later...

Sassy Takes the Stairs

Sassy is now going up the long staircase from our main floor to our second floor. She stops a few times along the way but seems to be going faster each time. Once she makes it upstairs she heads straight into the ‘puppy’ room where she and her siblings slept for 10 weeks. She plops herself down on a pad inside the x-pen which is now entirely left open, takes stock of her surroundings, then grabs a favourite toy and heads into our bedroom. She then proceeds to run right up the doggy stairs onto the bench that sits at the foot of our bed. From the bench she takes a quick hop and she’s on the bed. She finds this much easier when the other dogs aren’t in her way. Then, she waits for her mom to jump on the bed so that she can jump on her mom. She still hasn’t managed to go back down the stairs but it won’t be long now.

We take her and all the dogs outside probably a dozen times a day. She’s right out there with the rest of them and loving it. Tonight Wasabi was trying to teach Sassy to play run-like-hell with her. It was hysterical. I’m sorry I didn’t tape it when Wasabi would come blowing by Sassy and get her to chase her. Then stop once she did and chase her back, then run by her again at top speed and repeat. She was clearly trying to teach her run-like-hell and Sassy was just as clearly getting it. I LOVE this breed in general and I love these dogs in particular. How can you not?
--Nathan

ps: When I went upstairs Risa just naturally tagged along just in case it was time to go to bed. Oh that gal Risa loves the comfort of the bed and she won't do couches without pillows for her to lay down on.