Havanese Raring to Go

Now that the milk bar is almost closed (mommy Wasabi is weaning the pups off) she is now getting to play with them. It's nice as she loves playing with the pups.

Well, daddy took us outside today and we had a roaring good time perfecting our run then came back in and then wanted out again. We ran all over the security cover then wasn't sure how to get back off of it considering we would have to plow through snow to do it but we all found our chutzpah and found a way off while Tux and Remy stayed on the deck. We are starting to run faster each day. Now we are worn out and sleeping.

Daddy got mommy a new dryer so we are going to get a bath today. Gee, human daddy - thanks a lot - heh. Well, human mommy says if daddy didn't give us lamb - we could have gone a few days but lamb did not agree with our tummies - first thing that has given us upset tummies.

Well, more later....

Eight weeks old today - oh my...

This is How Havanese Play

Today Mommy Wasabi and Katsuro was playing inside and outside today while us youngsters watch them. This was mommy's 101 lesson on how your flirt with the boys and it was Katsuro's lesson on patience brings great things as he's been waiting a long time for Wasabi to get back into play mode.

She's also been having a roaring good time with the puppies. It's nice to watch. The pups tried the Merrick's lamb mixed in with the Fromm's kibble and only half is gone. It's not that they hated it but not so in love with it either.

More later. We have company and human mommy is not feeling all that well so nap time sometime before then.

Baer Test Passed & Much More

Well, the pups came home and Wasabi didn't go with us so she would start her conditioning of the pups leaving the nest, so to speak. They came home and she climbed up on the table to watch them and shook her hair tie out. Havanese love high spots.

All the pups passed their Baer. They have had a pretty busy 2 days and we are looking forward to getting them outside and unwinding.

Their respective weights:
1. The mostly white one is now 3lbs 13 oz
2. The gal is 2lbs 13.5 oz
3. Remy (black left ear 2 spots) 3lb even
4. Double black mask 2lbs 12.5 oz
5. Mostly black (tux) 2lb 11oz
6. Half mustache like his mom 3lbs 9 oz.

At birth they were:
1. 5 ounces
2. 5 ounces
3. 4 ounces
4. 4 ounces
5. 4 ounces
6. 4 ounces

They all grow differently and its not necessarily an indicator of their adult weights. Katsuro was the runt of the litter and is now a solid 12 lbs. He did most of his growing from 4 months on.

Our vet was impressed at how early they climbed and walked. I am finding the entire litter quick to catch on and patient as well. It's a winning combination, in my book. I have had wild thoughts of giving back deposits and keeping them all to myself. No worries - I wouldn't do such a thing but I just adore this crew and there's not a single one that doesn't amaze me in one way or another or make me laugh.

Well - more later....

Next Day After Vet & Before Baer Testing

The crew already ate and won't be eating till they get back from their hearing test. The lone gal is sore today and expressed it vocally this morning. No one else has. She is staying away from the others and this is highly unusual for her but we figure the soreness will go. No fever, no signs of anything else but soreness where the microchip is.

Mommy Wasabi is almost done weaning the pups (it means they are allowing her to play with them now - hooray) and she likes their food (Merrick's Wingaling) mixed in with softened Fromm's kibble that she ate it all so fast that we had to take her out of the room. This is the 2nd time she devoured this particular meal and the pups love it too. Wasabi - no fair - you are stopping feeding them so leave their food alone. :-)

Today, one by one I am going to work with each dog and see what they can do and how fast they comprehend. I tried tiny pieces of chicken as treats from my hand and they went CRAZY for it. So, now I know I can use chicken as a treat when training. Over the last few weeks, I will try other things.

We have found the dogs DO NOT like Fromm's salmon or duck but adore Fromm's chicken thigh, the Merrick's Wingaling, Puppy Plate, Grandma's Pot Pie, Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Cowboy Cookout and we will try them on others. We do know they like the Fromm's dry food softened with our own chicken and steak cut up or shredded in the food processor and mixed in and these two things also do well as training treats as noted above. We will try a few others but really like the quality of the Merrick and Fromm's foods plus adding our own rice, veggies, chicken, steak depending on what you have on hand. We are also giving them goats milk by itself and they rather enjoy that. Do not worry but we put together a package with things they do well on to hold you over for a bit with all the instructions on how much.

We are not finding they have any issues with bowels that some dogs experience with a variety of foods. Even the duck, and salmon that they did not like didn't create a problem but they simply smelled and ate very little.

After the Baer, I will post all weights and results. If anyone else is looking for a puppy, please let us know. We *may* have one available and our good friends had puppies from our Risa's daughter. We saw them yesterday - well I saw them and dogs stayed in the heated car and Nathan snoozed and then Nathan saw them. I am hoping Yvonne posts some photos. In all my excitement, I got some great photos and some not so great - figures. Well, we were tired after the vets. This vet takes a long time checking, ears, eyes, lungs, knees, weight, doing nails, teeth, bone structure, shots and microchips etc. that a couple of hours later we were out the door after 6 pups. We are hoping the hearing test goes much quicker. Pups were amazingly good and the vet staff loved their crate and toys and bumper pads I created just from blankets etc. Toys R Us has some great baby toys that hang on crates or go on mobiles etc. and we are finding they rather enjoy the comfie environment. They initially fussed when they got into the car (they are not used to being in such close quarters with all 6 together) but they soon played and travelled well. I even brought an extra crate pad just in case we had an accident but it wasn't needed. Still, I will bring one today as it's that Murphy's law - if you do not bring it, you will need it.

More later....

First Car Ride to Vets

All 6 of us are in this crate and we all did really well going back and forth on a long trip to the vets. Everyone is really healthy - all have descended testicles - except the gal and you will be surprised at the weight - we were - some passed others by and we noticed it more as its been a bit since last weigh in from our usual daily ones that is no longer feasible in our type of scale as they are too wriggly now to get anything real accurate.

Tomorrow we are off for hearing. We will post the weights then and the results. Human mom is too tired but human daddy had them running all over outside tonight so pups are feeling A-OK after shots and microchips even with the 2 that didn't work and had to be done again.

More tomorrow!

Vet Visit Today - Shots, Microchip & Wellness

Human mommy got us ready for our vet visit in this fab crate filled with some of our fave things and the pups enjoy the activities. It will be their first time in the car and its a long trip out to Colborne and then out to Brighton to take a couple of photos of our friends pups that were just born and then home. We may be a tad cranky and sore after a microchip and shots but human daddy and mommy will take extra care, watch us close and tomorrow we get another car ride to get our hearing checked. But that is a closer appointment.

Today, mommy Wasabi will be going, the pups and human mommy and daddy. We will fill you in after we return. We just updated the photos (we got a tad behind) so take a look.

Talemaker's Pups Spill Over After the Snow

This is what happened AFTER the pups came in from the snow. As you can see, they are a growing concern. From early on at 2 weeks climbing on the pigs rails to - you think you are going to keep me in this basket - are you JOKING? You will also see - though I wish I had all the video (only could recover a portion) that the gal is an amazing character. She loves the tunnels, teasing the boys and having a grand time and she doesn't take any ahem from them either nor from Katsuro or Shoshi but she still has 'in awe' respect for Risa and momma Wasabi.

We hope you enjoy this part 2 of the snow adventure video. We won't be posting till late tomorrow as we have a vet visit, shots and microchips and then the next day our baer testing. So, at least a couple of days before visitors as we will be a tad sore and probably won't want to be held.

After Bath Snoozing

Somehow, getting a bath usually does us in and we nap and nap for a longer time than usual. Human mommy just covered us with blankets and towels and we settled in for a long winter's nap.

Soon, it will be fiesta time (we already have the coloured background thang going on) as human daddy may get home tonight albeit late but still home...ahhhh and one wonders if he will wake us all up and drive human mommy crazy as she will have yet another night of less sleep than usual.

Check out our video of snow days below...

More later..mommy may take a nap for her lunch.

Havanese Toronto Puppies Snow Days

It was just the pups and I yesterday, soooo the camera work is a bit jerky, do forgive me. But, the pups and older crew had a roaring good time outside before the icy rain hit. It was interesting as they did climb right out of the basket I was transporting them in and that made life oh so interesting and then we got inside and they plopped right out again and that video will come next - when I have time to edit.

We are all missing human daddy who is stuck out in Powell River on business due to the weather. But..as the song goes....oooh heaven is a place on earth - and it is with Wasabi's Toronto pups. I am going to miss this crew madly. Enjoy their snow day...

It's Mine Havanese 3 Way Style

Oh human mommy had big plans for us and that video camera but she saved it in VR mode - argh so until she figures out how to convert those to share, silly mom - must be the lack of sleep - well still photos will have to do.

We have had a roaring good time this weekend. Today started out with a bang or a wet one that is. Human daddy is away on business so it was just the human mommy and the gang and we started it with finding goats milk was pouring out of the fridge. What was THAT! So, priorities, priorities - pups got fed first, brought downstairs and human mommy got to cleanup then go outside and shovel paths in the snow. Oh, I do hope this video converts as its priceless. The crew is really showing their personalities. Oh, we know the old saying - girls are a tad more independent and boys are more snuggly but this lone gal we have - well if you get to see her in this video, she's not only a born snuggler but she holds 2 boys down and wrestles them at the same time and they cry uncle. Oh, yes, they are just having fun but she's a gal that isn't afraid of anything thus far and - well the world is her oyster and she gets that point across to her brothers in a way that makes you smile as it's almost like she is cajoling them. Oh, I will play with you, if you'll do this for me...oh my - it's already begun.

In the photo above, you can now see the little ones are learning a sense of fair play and cooperation. It takes both to play a successful game of 3 way tug and they seem to do it quite well. As we play more games with a variety of items, they tend to perfect and play a tad different with each of the toys.

Today the crew has gone outside twice, played in the family room and hallway twice and in the kitchen 3 times. Human mommy lays in the x-pen at times and has to go yeouch as the teeth are coming in and they are learning how to mouth vs. bite when you make a noise.

The goldens were out playing in the snow with the crew and having a roaring good time. Terra often can be seen now at their level trying to play. It's so important to get them to be exposed to all different environments, larger dogs, different humans and all sorts of experiences.

We did household noises today as background conditioning. The pups thought the vacuum was a toy that they could play with - no reaction to the noise even when laid down. We tested them on the food processor, blender, coffee grinder, door bell, intercom and not a single negative reaction but they would cock their ears as if to say - what is that and then go off and play. Our goal is to get them familiar with all the everyday noises. This week, if the weather cooperates, we get to go in the car, get our shots, our baer test and see how we do.

What we are finding out about this crew that they are truly team players. We hope the way that we play with them helps this along. What is also coming out is their mischievous behaviour. If we EVER get that video converted, you will laugh seeing the antics in the tunnel. I know I did.

There is nothing like Havanese...nothing...and the payment you get is laughter, smiles and sometimes shaking your head at their wonderful antics. I swear, they were put here to remind us that laughter - well we all need that!

Well, the video converter is still sitting at 11% and human daddy tells us no planes are flying out of Powell River - for shame so we will have to do without him another night so its just mommy and the crew and we hope he gets home tomorrow as we have doctor visits on Tuesday. We also miss him madly. He's as crazy about the dogs himself and even told human mommy that he watches the videos to stay connected - how nice.

Well, we are all snoozing now till our next big kitchen play session that we have everyday just before bedtime. Usually this tuckers us all out and we all sleep but last night - well it got us even more excited and we played loudly for another hour - later than usual then crashed till 7am. Not bad...

More tomorrow as human mommy needs to get our beds ready upstairs before we wake up.

Havanese Roadkill?

Okay, did we get your attention with that title? Our human mommy was at Globals in Richmond Hill and Eva - quite the nice lady gave us a toy that she fondly called roadkill. Some of you will remember that this past summer, our Havanese mommy was sprayed by a skunk and human daddy had to sleep with her outside.

Well, in that honor, we get to play with a flattened skunk that has a squeak in each end. Can you even see it among us? We just adore it and she's getting more - skunks, squirrels, foxes, rabbits etc all flattened out. Best part is we don't have to deal with stuffings coming out and have a roaring good time playing tug - yes, we now play tug. Mommy has to get a picture of it but with human daddy gone, she sort of has been doing cleanup, playing - tons with us and dogs, dogs, dogs and well, this is the first time she sat down today and guests are coming (Helen and her son) shortly with rumoured giggling vegetables that we can play with - wow. That ought to be fun. Right now though we are snoozing and mommy is going to take a quick nap so more later. if you go get this roadkill toy - tell Eva we sent you. She's getting more in this week.

Havanese Pups Playing Recovery

Well, we had a really full day yesterday. Many human adults came to visit, a few Havanese as well and wow a full day. We were actually quite characters last night as we were overtired but this fine morning after human daddy left and human mommy fed us, well we mostly all crashed. Not that we didn't sleep last night - but we did. We just took longer to calm down. We find an active play session before bedtime helps the deep sleep and this crew has been easy.

Human mommy says the best part of this crew is even when they are in an overtired state, not a whiner in the crew. They find things to amuse themselves (it helps to rotate toys and give them things to do) but also they can see us walk past their room and they are a patient crew but once you step in, they know its time to come downstairs and they rather like that and are WAY excited.

We are going to miss the human daddy these next few days but mommy has a lot of fun things planned for us. We are going to test each on the receptiveness of commands. It's a tad early but it's good to expose them. We will see how they do. Then if the weather cooperates, we will be taking them outside for a romp each day, into the kitchen and into the hallway and family room to give them a different environment.

Then who knows, we will watch some TV and get snuggles and brushes and everything will be right in the world. Ah - to be a Havanese puppy...human mommy wishes!

Long Havanese Day

We had a long day today but a fun one. The dogs are starting to eat Fromm's canned food with Fromm's Dry food softened and they LOVE it. The Chicken Thighs Entrée had them smacking their lips. They adore it. They are starting to eat more and less from mom.

Human mommy is tired so she will fill you in more tomorrow and human daddy is out of town till Sunday.

More tomorrow...when we get our rest...

Havanese Planning

Well, another day down and we were snoozing but mommy and daddy took us upstairs so they can clean out the pen. This is something they do daily completely and partially throughout the day. It gives them a chance to mix it up and give us new toys - fun. Best toy they love so far is that play center, the cat toy with the ball and the tunnels - grand fun indeed!

We listened to dog sounds today - all sorts. the only one that reacted was the retrievers. We go for our baer test next week and our shots, microchip and wellness. it will be a busy 2 days then.

Tomorrow we have our Havanese daddy's human mom coming Beth Obrecht from Rockhurst Kennels to visit and Sonrisa's Havanese Rita Thomas so we are resting up so we can really show them what we are made of.

Human daddy had mommy hold us today while he did nails. The gal was the absolutely squirmiest and most vocal about such an act. Still, it was done and we moved on to playing and snuggling.

The crew went out again today and only the double mask is shivering but no one lasts as long as the guy we call Tux. He just adores the outside and gad he just snuggled and snuggled tonight.

Well, human mommy had a very busy day with work so she's calling it a night too. Have-a-neese night! Yeah the rest of them except for the pups sleep with us. Great fun!

Havanese Puppy Games at 7 Weeks Old

Wasabi's pups are loving playing games with their psuedo auntie, Shoshi, uncle Katsuro, auntie Terra - all of the canine persuasion. They have such a zest for life. It's amazing to watch!

Havanese Noisy Days

This morning we are doing traffic noise conditioning. We started out awake and look at how we ended up listening to all this bloody noise. Human mommy is going crazy listening to it but us - we said fu-get-about-it! Every now a loud horn blares, a dog barks etc and one or the other lifts their head to look but traffic and all the noises in the background including people, horns, crashes etc seem to give us a yawn! heh

We had more of a reaction to storms yesterday but even that was just a - what was that look especially on the loud sounds of thunder or wind.

Maybe we will do wildlife soon.

Today, the double mask and Tux played with Terra and she played back. Where's your camera when you see these moments - argh...we will be doing one on one with the others. We also watch TV cuddling one or another, looking in ears, between toes, rubbing bellies and just loving being the one selected and oh they do...look where I am but all get a turn so they are also learning patience. :-)

More later...

Sound Conditioning

We condition our dogs by playing realistic sound bytes that simulate anything from a roaring thunderstorm, to rain to street noise, to traffic and much more.

Tonight we are concentrating on the sounds of storms. We will change the sounds and vary the level of the sound throughout this process. This way when your puppy hears his first real noisy traffic or a roaring storm, they will be less apt to react to noise as it will be familiar.

Each day, from now until they go to their new homes, they will experience sound conditioning in a place - their xpen next to my desk where they feel secure. At times Wasabi (Havanese mom) may be feeding them, others we will be playing with them and at times they will just be sleeping or playing with the guys. By associating sounds with various 'good memories' we attempt to minimize the startling effect that we all have from a loud sound.

Our oldest golden retreiver was a rescue and a prisoner of her fear till we did slow conditioning with her. No one and nothing should be a prisoner of their fears.

By practicing positive slow conditioning, we hope to eliminate these common fears that occur with loud noises in 'some' dogs.

We fear what we don't know.

The Start:Housebreaking Your Havanese Puppy

We do everything possible to get your little one to start the journey of housebreaking by starting them in a secure small area and increasing their awareness by introducing them to a larger area - our kitchen and the outside. This way they become aware of the smell and where you want them to eliminate.

In our x-pen, they are getting really accurate but in our kitchen area, they still have some accidents as the area is large and we are now finding that if we bring a pad already used into the kitchen area, they find the pad easier. It's one of the tricks that you learn by trying and seeing what works. They seem to be rather good at going outside as cold often gets their bladders to empty (bonus the wintertime) but you must go out with them at first.

Check out our housebreaking tips file. You'll be able to find it by a menu on the left hand part of the screen under food for thought or linked here.

More About Today
Our pups had a rather busy weekend and was very tuckered out. They slept in till 7amish after going to bed a tad after 10pm. That tells me that with a lot of activity, they are already able to sleep for a chunk of time. That's great news but we will continue to strive to get them sleeping through the night every night. A change in environment may throw them off at first but they will be on their way to getting to be all they can be.

Today they had a visitor (Audrey) our groomer who loves the pups. She was here to do our goldens. We usually bath all of ours but every now and then we have her visit us to trim nails, clean up the pads, and just give human mom a break from cleaning so many. The adult Havanese have been having such a roaring good time with frozen bones human mommy put out back that they gave managed to look a tad wet and droopy from all the wet snow. Still, a good brush will take care of that. We are working on a grooming file so look for it soon.

Then we had a grand play session in the kitchen where they munched on Terra's (goldens) legs - all 6 at once - oh my but that was fine. When Terra had enough she went outside after saying enough with a correction growl. Shoshi played great with them, Kat played some and now they are all fast asleep.

They are now starting to eat more solid food. Ah - to be Havanese...nothing better. Catch you tomorrow!

Solitary Havanese Play

Havanese are highly sociable and love people but they can also amuse themselves. Watch this little guy play with this toy while his siblings are snoozing this fine early morning.

Havanese Food Challenges & Play

Ah Mommy Wasabi - you are eating OUR food...no fair..well it doesn't look so hot anyway. No wonder why we are not eating it.

Kitty Braund, publisher of 'Our Havanese' a must have subscription to a magazine of our breed gave us a recipe to get the pups to enjoy the mush more but they won't even touch it. Oh my....It's old fashion - cook slow oatmeal, some egg and goats milk all soft and mushy and they sniffed and went no way. At least the soft kibble they ate somewhat. Now back to the drawing board - so to speak. Hmmm why does mommy like it?

Had an exciting day today. We all went outside and tux and the one with the moustache like me (Wasabi) just couldn't get enough. Wow is that a change since the 1st try.

Human mom and dad was taking 2 of us out at a time to play with the guys. The little one behind was running as fast as possible as if to say - what about me then played its heart out.

All are sleeping now after a full day. We have many visitors tomorrow so we have to snooze in between or we won't do anything but catch some zzzzzs.. So, long day but fun one in store. We all can't wait!