Havanese Say 'Let it Snow'

We are all settling in for a huge storm. The pups have been really active, playing their little hearts out - inside/outside. We hear tell the humans around here shovel paths so we can have a grand time. So, bring on that snow!

We have had a busy day today. We had a ton of play time and we are enjoying having more places to investigate.

Yikes - daddy is calling the gal Pistol Pete - one wonders why...

Oh My Havanese Trouble Or What?

Here I am with the crew but I selected one where my face wasn't scrunched up as they were crawling all over my face and I was trying not to laugh too hard. Here is Tux giving me kisses. I am afraid we are in big trouble with him.

There's only been one dog that has been able to stick up to our Queen Biach, Risa - our Havanese who rules the house of the dogs with much love but doesn't let anyone mess with her with the exception of Katsuro and now dear old Tux sauntered up to her dish while she was eating and anyone knows the Risa is a major food hound - you do not touch her food - well she growled at Tux - he backed off - thought about it and decided it was worth the challenge and ended up eating out of her dish with her eating too. Now, the dogs are not food aggressive but Risa will let out a growl to say - ah - wait - I get it first. She looked at Tux, let out a sigh and continued eating. It was priceless. I guess she rather likes him. She tends to get really attached to dogs that stick up to her. ROFL!

Our dear old gal decided she was going to bark and I looked at her, put my finger up and didn't say a word and she stopped. It tells me that body language must speak volumes. This is the formative years and it is important to get them to follow the rules by correcting in a positive way. Now if we could just get her not to run under the deck like Mommy Wasabi taught them.

Wasabi tends to be a troublemaker - not in a bad way but she LOVES to tease. Here she is with a chicken strip and she's saying look what I have and you don't. She even saves it after the others have had theirs long gone just so she can covet it in front of the others.

We are allowing the crew to have their play sessions in a larger area of the house. We now allow them in the kitchen and in the hallway with the other doors shut. We place a pad down in various rooms so they can hit the mark. As you can see, they are still hitting the mark. We just have to remember - outside after eating and make sure the pads are in all the rooms they are in.

The crew is really enjoying their freedom and even some go and investigate even further than the others, as you can see here. Tux tends to check out everywhere. He's highly curious and too smart for his own good.

Well, the crew is sleeping again and soon we will be back to having another play session and one on one training. They adore the one on one time and that's nice.

Wasabi was outside earlier chasing them all over the place and they were chasing her. It's amazing that even with the ice, how good they are at maneuvering. I just wish my body was able to be as easily as theirs. I can't wait for the ice to go. Oh well, I best get the Yaktrax out. It's time.

Havanese Resting Style

We have now started taking the dogs out immediately when they wake up before breakfast and just after they eat - this way they get used to going outside to eliminate. Then we have a play session in the kitchen and back for a rest. As you can see, Coach is out like a light resting after a great play session. We will soon be off to do another one shortly.

The pups are destined for a bath sometime over the weekend and then before they go home - well 4 of them. We will be showing new owners how to snip nails, brush/hair - whatever you need to do and arming you with food/fave blanket/toy and all sorts of reading material along with your shots, contract & much more. It's going on the last week for some of this crew...sniff sniff but rest assured, they will bond with their new owners and remember love is rules, boundaries and limitations. What that means is they are in essence babies and need to know your rules. Do not get caught up in the - oh they are so small and cute (I know they truly are but shhhh don't let them in on that secret) when they do that rule breaking thang unless you are ready to have it become a usual. They are people pleasers but need your guidance. This crew is so incredibly smart too and I don't say that lightly. They are fast in climbing, quick on corrections - nice.

More later....

Winter Fun Photos

New Toy For the Crew

We got a new toy today - a bed in the shape of a car. They got so excited with new things. We find that new toys create new interests and new fun. That is why it is so important to rotate toys. An hour later, they are still playing in it. It's a win/win when they spend this much time with anything. Not everything excites them so but the tunnels - another win/win.

We are always scoping out new, interesting toys and will continue to do so even after the pups are gone. It's important to stimulate their minds and by doing so, they make you laugh, become solidly balanced dogs and they get to be all they are destined to be.

Here's a different view of this new toy to give you the idea of what it is about. It comes with a pad that is cushy and can be used as a carrier though supposedly but not sure if I would rely on it for that.

Over the last few days a couple of dogs found their bark - first one then another and we are correcting that and its as easy as saying shhh and putting my finger up. It's only once in a blue moon that they are doing it but by correcting it right from the beginning, you avoid correcting an out of control habit. Some people allow things early on as they think it's cute from a small dog and then it gets to the next level and you have your work cut out for you to retrain. Training from the start is easier than retraining.

Some dogs love to hear their own voice and if allowed to get out of control, then you can end up with a barker. There are times that you may want your dog to bark but that's up to you to praise when they are doing it at the right time and correct when they are doing it at the wrong time. They are smart enough to get that.

Most Havanese are not barkers but there are the few that as we say love their voice and love to control their universe with it - if allowed. This crew is so smart that positive correction works fast and easily. That is why you should always let your little one know the rules you expect them to follow and correct in a positive way. The end result will be a fabulous dog that everyone wants to be around.

Havanese: Where's the Treats?

The pups are one day short of 9 weeks and are now starting to get too smart for their own good. heh

We started teaching them sit and with some 'beg' -meaning standing on their back legs but yesterday one stood up and overshot his stand and went tumbling back. He perfected it though the next time as soon as the treats came out.

Nathan takes chicken breasts, cooks them then cuts them in thin strips and bakes them for a long time to come up with a treat that they adore and we leave it in the fridge.

This morning, after a really restless sleep due to a leg cramp that kept coming back, I placed the container in the other room with the other treats where they do not belong. I then remembered and headed back in to put them in the fridge.

Well, here is two waiting for the treats that they know are there and as soon as I picked up the container, the others came running and one sat waiting while the others were beside themselves in excitement. Now who was the smart one. Well, the one that sat got his treat. Later on today we will continue to reinforce sit and 'beg' and take it from there.

Time is running out and the 2 that will remain till they have homes will go into our beds - I know crazy us but all our dogs sleep with us so with those 2 we are already getting them familiar with the bedroom. Six pups and adult dogs is so much work if you really put your all into it and we do but that also means we get so attached. We are going to miss this crew as each one has been truly unique and wonderful and easy. But we feel good that the homes they are going to are exceptional and that's what it is all about.

Puppy love ...nothing like it. So far we did one training session, 3 outside romps, 1 long kitchen play session and now they are out like a light snoozing. Life is good and we must have done something right in this world to have this puppy experience - nothing like it!

Talemaker's Pups Lovin' & Playin'

The Havanese pups soon will be 9 weeks and off they will go to their new home by months ends. Two will remain until we find forever homes for them and while they do, they will be enjoying, loving and playing and keeping their minds busy helping them to be all they can be. Watch how Havanese mom Wasabi now plays with them and so does human daddy.

Today we reinforced sit and had Tux learn 'beg' heh - well standing on one's back legs and trying to be cute. He got it way too fast as we had Nathan's dried chicken that he makes and they adore it.

It's getting too icy out back so we won't be doing another run out back unless it improves. We don't want hurt legs from slips and falls. Poor human daddy took a spill already. Here's to warmer weather or more snow.

End of a Havanese Night

I just love the Havanese. They are so quick at finding solutions. So, the water dish is too high - no problemo!

Well, another day is coming to a close. The pups have had a ton of play inside/outside. One found its bark and human daddy corrected him and he listened.

The crew is starting to react to their names and they get terribly excited over the silliness of human daddy. It's easy to get them in the mood to make you laugh.

Ah...Havanese...nothing like them.

Havanese Outside Fun With Human Dad

You can't see the whole crew in this photo but they were out there for hours today. Look at the big dog just lazing out on her back. Does that tell you she is comfie around all the little ones or what.

The gang couldn't get enough of being outside as its a tad warmer and they were inside and outside really enjoying themselves. Human daddy had them out for a long time and now they are fast asleep. One even did this low grunt when I went to cuddle as he wanted to sleep. Oh my....

Today, human daddy went and got Merrick's Winglings and they can't eat it fast enough. They LOVE it more than anything else they have had. Plus Wasabi tries to steal it every chance she gets. She was miffed at human mommy as we said NO - its for the puppies.

Last night Coach had visitors - his new owners came to snuggle and tonight Chico will have his owners visiting and we will have to show them how the pups are really getting this 'sit' business down. We are hoping we get it so solid that we can introduce another command.

Well, more later...maybe daddy will add what he experienced outside.

Holiday Times

For those that celebrate Christmas, we placed up an article on keeping your Havanese safe during this time.

This is a photo of one of the little ones after tuckering his little body out playing outside. One has to laugh as they didn't like outside at first but for short periods of time to do their business and run around and play - well they come in quite tuckered and need their rest for more exciting times as the day transpires.

For those of you that celebrate, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi, Eid and any I forget - my apologies from the Talemaker furry crew - may everyone's celebrations bring you amazing fur bearing celebrations that memories are created from and tales are told throughout the years to come.

More One on One Time With Pups

Teaching the puppies to sit seemed to come very easy to these little darlings. Tomorrow we are working on Puppies and Advanced Human Psychology or how to make your new owners sit up and beg!

As most of you know, we had five boys and a single girl in this litter. Naturally the girl is the feistiest of the lot and I love her personality. So, shhh, don't tell Darlah, I made a point of being so busy talking to all our possible new puppy owners about the boys that somehow the girl isn't going anywhere. I'm shocked. Somehow they all assumed the girl was taken. Go figure. Anyway, suddenly my wife noticed. I have orders to find our beautiful, intelligent sassy lassy a home. And I don't want to. So when I say pass the word, "serious enquiries from serious people only," I really mean it. :-) If you know someone interested in our beautiful little girl, please contact us directly.
Thank you.
Nathan (the little known other half of www.talemakerhavanese.com)

One on One Time With Pups

We took the pups - one at a time out to the kitchen to test them on how fast they could learn the command 'sit'. We need to do this daily to reinforce it but the gal and Tux wasn't doing so hot (then it dawned on me I can't teach Tux sit - duh as you do not teach a show dog 'sit' at this stage). We used small pieces of Baby Bell Cheese for treats (rewards).

We then changed to chicken pieces (tiny ones) and started taking the other dogs out and either we were getting better at the technique or they simply liked the chicken better. They got the treat/reward for doing something quickly. Nice! Then I went back to the gal and to Tux and tried it with the chicken teaching Tux 'come' between Nathan and I and the gal 'sit' and suddenly they were doing really well. Hmmm must be the treat that counts. We plan to do this daily so you can have a dog that sits on command. Maybe we will teach another command next week to at least get a couple of commands down. This way you will have a start in training.

It shows you that at 8 weeks they are quite receptive to learning. You just have to take the time and if you do - wow - it all comes together and it is so worth it.

Well, no photo tonight. We took a video of the dogs playing with their canine mom but I haven't converted it yet and after a busy weekend, I want to have some downtime so more tomorrow. The pups - they are amazing and quite the fun lot.

You Can Teach Your Havanese to Dive

Many Havanese really like to swim but it matters how you introduce them to the sport. If you create a high level of enthusiasm and a great deal of praise, you can end up with a dog like Katsuro that has a passion for jumping in the pool. In this video, you will see how Nathan started him out by getting them all excited at the diving board then coaxing him to jump in. Then he praised him greatly in a really upbeat manner and it created a swimming monster - hahahaha - well not quite that but he adores the pool and can jump a far distance now. We believe it's important to find that passion for us - for our canines and when you do, you have a truly happy dog that makes you laugh and smile and they look forward to what the next day will bring.

Our Wasabi was just finding her passion for the pool but ended up pregnant and on another life journey so the practice jumps didn't last long. There's always next summer for her and for you.

Be sure to continue our Talemaker Havanese adventures at http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/ where there's always something new going on for our crew. It's pups right now and then we will move on to other things.

Havanese Hanging Out Tunnel Style

There is nothing better than this tunnel for the little ones. Even Wasabi manages to crawl in but these little guys - well they just play, sleep and hang out in it. This morning we put it back in their x-pen for further enjoyment.

We have already been outside, had a run out back, kitchen play session and hallway run and the day is just beginning.

Mommy is no longer feeding us at all and she is doing fine making the transition. We still think about it but she manages to correct us and we 'get' it.

more later...

Havanese Life Lessons

Today the crew was full of it when they got up. Oh, they quietly waited till the downstairs pen was ready but they really wanted to run so human mommy took them out back where they perfected their leaps off the stairs, ran their heads off and enjoyed the outside.

Then human daddy took them out back, In-between they had dry Fromms food with a tad bit of cooked chicken mixed in and they loved it. No need to soften the food any longer. It's interesting what happens in a matter of days.

The guys are doing a lot of troubleshooting from jumping onto mounds of snow to cushion the jump to finding creative ways to get what they want. The manner they run through the tunnels now and play games is amazing. Each week brings new ways of doing things and perfecting what works.

What was funny was although we had a low water dish, a few tried to drink from the high one as you can see in the photo. Chico just saunters over and drinks - forget about climbing.

Here's another day of the pups wanting to feed from mom but mom and us not allowing it and they are getting it. I figure by mid-week next week, it will be a fond memory. Chico is trying his darnedest to get under her but what you won't see, as I didn't manage to capture it was her low growl telling him - the milk shop is closed. She plays with them - but as a first time mom, she is also learning how to get it across to them that I just want to play but your food is over there. It's all coming together. They are 'getting' it - some faster than others.

We have a full day today and human mommy and daddy's oldest son is watching the guys tonight while they go visit the grand kids. We are all sleeping and now its time to fit a shower in - human mommy says - so more later...