Running in Step Havanese

Last night we had Treasure and Katsura at handling class and no one was there yet so we let them off lead to have a run. You can't do this unless you have an excellent recall. Both of these dogs have done the Total Recall class and we reinforce their recall always. That doesn't mean if something totally distracts them that they will listen to you immediate but it's pretty darn close.

That means Nathan stands on one end - me the other just to have that level of voice barrier and still with excellent recall, you let them off far from the street. We simply don't take chances.

Last night the duo was rip roaring around chasing each other and Treasure loves the game especially with Kat but she also has learned to cut him off and he seems to enjoy that she figured that one out. If you look at the photo, they are perfectly in sync with each other. It's a delight to watch them.

If you are not already doing so, do follow Wasabi's pregnancy through to her puppies going to their homes. Her tummy is ever growing and you can now feel puppy bumps.

Talemaker Havenese Craziness Evolves

Treasure is off to handling class tonight as she has a show not this weekend but next. She knows her stuff but it is always good to practice, practice and perfect. We are working on getting all the waiting to be fun. Will we manage it? Time will tell.

If you haven't noticed, in the right hand column, we started an area just to talk about Wasabi, her pregnancy - the pups when they arrive and all the fun till they go home.

All the dawgs count around this place so anything non preggie or pup related when they arrive will be here.

You may want to read both but for those that just want a look into what it takes to do this breeding business emotional and otherwise and want to see puppy photos, look at what sort of date to date status Wasabi is at and much more, well visit us at Havanese Life.

Howling the Blues Havanese Style

It's rainy, I am chillin' and it's one of THOSE days. It's human Daddy's b-day and the sun doesn't even come out. What is THAT about?

The pump is dead on the pool. It's not warm enough to swim and I am getting fat.

Mommy has decided to put up a day by day calendar sometime this week on the changes my body are going through. Then we will be doing a daily dose of the Wasabi pups from birth to home. Hopefully, it will help you understand what we go through, what the Havanese mom goes through and how the pups change from birth to the delightful beings they come to be.

We will also be updating all the files I have on care etc as time goes on, we find new things and find new ways and do new development tests to get the pups to be all they can be. We adore the pups and they deserve it. :-)

PS: Treasure got points Friday and Sunday towards her championship and nothing on Saturday. She's almost there.

Hannah Goes Home

Hannah's not a Havanese but a Bichon that we watched this week while she was at her national specialty in the states.

This dog has been a delight and has the personality of a battery that won't quit. It will be a quieter place around here when she goes home today.

We are off to the show soon - taking Kat to visit and I am up ever so early as we have 2 people needing to dry dogs after a bath so I am trying to do mine extra early. Going to get to it - yes I wash daily at show time.

More later today - at least we are on early...

Grounding With the Havanese

You can't pick some people off the ground. Something about being at their level, the gang just adores it. maybe he's one of the pack mates then.

Well, we have a busy day - a show - getting the pool ready - dogs - visitors today - lots to do.

I hope yours is as fun or quieter - depending what you need.

Hoping the weather eventually cooperates and we get new dogs swimming. Treasure looks highly curious. maybe we will have another swimmer like Katsura. We can hope.

Hannah, our visitor goes home tomorrow and we will be back down to just our pack. Sniff... We rather enjoy the extras. It's good for the pack to regroup though.

Shows, Friends and Dogs

Well, Treasure got Winner's Bitch today. That means she was given the award of being the best female today.

Then we had friends come over (Suzi is one of them and she is in the photo)that has Milo and Hugo and we expected Hugo to play with Hannah who is his litter mate but nothing. All were quite subdued but after they went home, Treasure and Hannah was playing up a storm doing run-like-hell.

Now what was that about?

Tomorrow we have more visitors and Linda may be dropping into the show...and I have yet another shampoo for the Treasured one. Is show weekend over? ROFL

Pregnant Pause of the Havanese

Ever wonder how a pregnant Havanese copes with all that extra growing weight? I pay strict attention as I know how it feels. As someone who has gone through it a number of times, I get that - got to get in the right position to feel good enough to sleep.

I am sure many of you humans can relate.

In the late stages of pregnancy - mid June for Wasabi - us humans will go through something called breeder's remorse. The pregnant Havanese start waddling and it's hard to jump up as they usually could but their minds tell them they still can. Wasabi managed to make it last time right up to the end but she wasn't graceful about it.

Since Wasabi's ultrasound, her tummy has been growing and you can feel pups. Actually you could feel it the day of the ultrasound but it is getting more obvious as the days go on.

Closer to the end, I will start tying up her hair everywhere. It won't look glamorous but it will be easier to clean after. I am going to try to line comb each section and wrap it - well I think. Last time I only pony tailed it everywhere. We shall see.

If we have plans to do one thing, mother nature will interfere so maybe it's best to shut my mouth. heh

Well, I have to get the Treasure washed. Then we have guests over later with their Havanese and Bichon. We are watching a Bichon called Hannah and it happens to be the sibling of Hugo who belongs to the family that got Lil Man. Small world.

That will be a picture taking moment in time wit Treasure in there as well. We can't wait. I just hope it doesn't rain. Oh well...

Making an Old Lady Comfie

We tend to like long hair around here but Whitney - our non Havanese who happens to be 14 and a golden was just shaved down. I don't find her attractive but I do think she is more comfie. I doubt I will have to do much grooming on her for a bit but I will continue to look in her ears and check her body for unusual changes.

Most Havanese people who buy their dogs for pet like to cut their dogs down..not usually this severe but what is termed a puppy cut. Why do they do it? Looks - easy care - a variety of reasons.

We tend to keep Shoshi and Risa in a semi cut coat in between the puppy cut and a full coat. Come summer I may go shorter to make in and out of the pool easier as they won't be dragging wet hair around.

There's no right or wrong on haircut preferences - they are just that - your choice.

What's your preference?

Is She, Is She Not?

Well, they think they see 4 or 5 and the last time she had pups, she had 6 so we won't know till June 24thish or the x-ray on the 18th. We indeed saw 4 and what looked like 5 but too early to know.

They are saying she's due around the 24th of June. That means she bred an extra week for nothing. hahahah

Are we excited...yep!!!!

Oh my gad..exciting times - puppies!!

If you are in Richmond Hill this Friday to Sunday - come see Treasure strutting her stuff in the ring.

Revealing Havanese Day

Well, it's the day of the ultrasound and the tummy is growing.

There goes my summer of swimming but mommy promised if I am to have little ones, Daddy and her will teach them to swim before they go to their forever homes.

Just like Risa - they promised me they will let me float in the pool so I can be comfie when my tummy is uncomfortable. They say its something about being in the water takes the weight off of carrying around a number of little ones.

The woman does all the work and the Daddy just - well the Katsura DOES play with the pups but I get all the work.

It's a man's world - after all - hahahahaha

Well, this is the Daddy. Really he looks better than here with that mile long tongue and the weeds growing up all over the place. These humans - grooming us - lovin' us and not having time for those pesky weeds. Who would have thunk it?

The Kat..short for Katsura is the son of a famous US Havanese and his mom lives with us here. We actually have 3 generations in our home. It's wonderful to watch.

Kat also has pups at Yvonne's - we think a couple left..or maybe just one..but today we get to see them..and so does Kat for the first time. We are sooooooooo excited. Photos will be taken and placed in our memory books. He does seem to have rather cute faced pups. As Yvonne said about hers - simply gorgeous! We're glad!

Meshing Packmates

What happens if you acquire a second Havanese and it doesn't play with your existing one?

This is how we have so many dogs but before you go, oh no - we have learned a thing or two since then.

First acquiring a puppy is always a hit unless your dawg is well into its senior years or is in serious pain. Sometimes even then, the puppy creates an enthusiasm for life as that is what puppies are all about.

This means it is easier to add a puppy if your goal is to create pals and fun in their lives but it also means you are back training etc. But if your first one is trained, good news - it's easier with the 2nd one.

Meshing an older dog is often more difficult. Some have lost that play be it yours or the new addition and you have to create opportunities to lay the groundwork for creating that spark in each of them so they find it enjoyable. With 2 dogs that have lost their play, it's not as simple as putting them together and just figuring if they like each other they will. We all get complacent and if you are a couch potato, we often have to see why we shouldn't be. This means it is up to you.

Shoshi was acquired as a pup but a tad too early (it's why we won't let our pups go early along with a number of other reasons). She was a pup who needed a lot of conditioning to people, other dogs etc. Oh she is a lovey from day one but we had to slow condition her to other dogs and people. We had to build up her self esteem and slow condition her in a positive way. She continues to change even as she gets older and the pack has been good for her. The puppies such as Treasure are relentless and not in a bad way. They insist on getting played with and as you can see, she accommodates but Treasure is an alpha even at 7 months. It means she often gets things first so we throw the item out and give Shoshi a lead and let the Treasure go. It empowers Shoshi and gives Treasure a part of the game - trying to get it from another, that she often doesn't have if we didn't create the opportunity.

That's what it is about - figuring out how to make the game fun for all - giving opportunities and mixing it up. But for Shoshi and all the rest of the oldsters - a puppy having fun has been good for them. It's as if a light goes on and they go - wow I remember this was fun and suddenly they are recapturing a missed opportunity.

There is nothing like more than one Havanese and I mean that. You can play with them all you want but there's something that's special - seeing 2 or more together - creating relationships - making you laugh.

But don't give up on the older dog. If you remember Kooba - well she was adopted by Jean and Quito and Kooba are the best of pals playing up a storm. You can play with your Havanese but you can't play with them like another Havanese. It's different. It's fun.

Sure you can have just one but two are often the best thing you ever did for you and for them. But you have to want it for the right reasons and you have to be willing to train and if you are - wow - you are in for a fun ride of two vs. one.

More later.>>

Another Kat Cutie

This is another of Kat's and Mystery pups showing his Havana roots with that lovely ahem in his mouth. ROFL

No smoking allowed - especially for Havanese dawgs!

I just love this pose and appreciate the new owners keeping us in the loop with photos. They sure know how to pose the cutie.

A few more days and we find out if the Wasabi is pregnant with Kat's pups. This time he will be able to charm them and play with them. We can't wait!

Treasure Bites the Dust

I thought this day would never come. Treasure collapsed in exhaustion.

All it took was attending a dog show three days in a row, which meant getting up and being bathed and groomed each day. Then driving to the show, showing in Breed and then again in Group. Then driving back home.

As an added bonus both yesterday and today after we got home we walked the dogs to the local school. That meant we took four dogs at a time, two for Darlah and two for me. At the back of the school is a soccer field and as luck would have it, looking carefully in all directions, there wasn't another person in sight. So off came the leashes and the classic Havanese run-like-hell game ensued over a good portion of the field. All of us that own Havanese realize our Havanese invented this game.

Other breeds might have a facsimile but it just isn't the same.

We actually got some video today which Darlah will place up when she gets a chance. We just got back with Terra, Shoshi, Fiona and Treasure. Terra, our six year old Golden Retriever, knows this game well, having fallen head over heals over the years more than once trying to catch Shoshi who makes impossible turns that Terra cannot duplicate. So Terra loped along with them but didn't really get into the chase. That was left to the three Havanese and did they go. I even tried to run with them for comic relief. I mean they slowed down and laughed at me as they blew by. Treasure was exhausted in just a few minutes.

Then we still had to walk back home, almost a mile. About halfway back we pass a church with a nicely groomed lawned. Treasure walks onto their grass, sniffs for a second with me waiting patiently for her to do her business. She finally finds the right spot but instead of peeing, she collapses into the grass, flat out. She literally wanted to take a nap, right there.

I got her back up and we continued home. She is now out cold on the floor outside my office. It is the first time she has been this exahusted since she was a pup way back a few months ago.Maybe we'll do it again tomorrow depending on how much my own legs are burning when I wake up.
Nathan

No Sun Havanese

We are seriously chillin' at Talemaker Havanese.

Yes, it's warm but not hot. There's no sun and I think I am allergic - anyhow. It takes all kinds and we have them here. I rather like it between the table where the sun doesn't shine.

Now back to some serious shade bathing. Hope you don't mind and you too are taking advantage of warm - not hot and time to lay out in the lawn chairs and read. Well - I don't read but Mommy reads her photo magazines to me and I do look at the pretty photos and try to eat them.
One is never too old for a dietary change. Yum!

Karma Came to Visit

Kat and Mystery's pup Karma came to visit today and oh my the gal looks so much like the Kat. She even has his mannerisms. It was interesting to watch. They are hoping she greys out like Kat. Time will tell.

I was washing Zack and Coco as they are heading home tonight so I didn't get to see her the entire visit but I did manage to do the fastest wash and dry possible and still do an amazing job so I could.

I am exhausted. We have a show tomorrow. I was eyeing some toy tables as an extra table. Shows are a dangerous thing.

Up to wash the Treasured one at 6am and roll out at 730 - ouch! Have a great night..I am off to snuggle some Havs..wait for the pickup and then go to sleep at the earliest I can get away with. What about you?

Havanese Undercover

It's way too hot for these Havanese today outside. They have yet to adjust. Treasure has never had a heatwave and Risa - well she needs to slim down like me. But still, Daddy got a walk in with every single dog here - that's 13 dogs, folks. If he can do it - you can do it with 1 or 2.

Can you find Treasure's face in this photo? I can't. The other puppy is Coco who is here till tomorrow. Boy has time flown by. It feels like they just got here. Her pack mate Zack is here too.

Treasure is in a show this weekend and she's the only Havanese, it seems. We thought 2 but we were told just 1 now. Usually it is many more than that. Then next week we are at Richmond Hill where there is more Havs. You need more to get the points but it's all show conditioning.

Tomorrow we get a visit from a Mystery/Kat puppy called Karma. Then Tuesday we get a Bichon puppy visiting till Saturday. Then Wasabi goes to the vet. Exciting times for sure!!

Hot Havanese

Oh my gad is it hot today! Mommy was washing all the doggies today - well part of them...Shoshi, Risa, Kat, Fiona and Abigail - 5 dawgies - yeouch and then she worked and is still working but taking a break to post this thread.

Treasure as you can see thinks she is all that. I have to laugh at her sometimes but she really is quite full of herself. She just loves the focus being on her but she's not so crazy about this hot weather.

She's a winter puppy so she LOVES the cold but this hot stuff is new to her. Will she survive...will we survive? Always something to complain about - :-)

Tomorrow we get to was who? NO ONE!!

Happy Thursday for dawgs and humans alike!

Retrieve and Wet Talemaker Havanese Uploaded

Just in case you want to see the videos we did today, we did a wet Havanese video - the Treasured one before her bath and Treasure Retrieving. Can you tell how much Nathan loves the dogs in the retrieve one?

Hope you enjoy. Can't wait till we can teach the puppies to swim but boy am I getting ahead of myself. Still another week and a bit till ultrasound day!

Chillin' Havanese

We had a really great day despite the human mom being sick. She gave me a bath - (Treasure) as I have handling class tonight and I like mucking it up and she took some wet videos of me. She's working on it now hoping to get a new video up (it's been forever) and another of me playing retrieve today.

When Daddy comes into the room to play the game with me, I have a bounce in my step and lots of fun is to be had. PS: I always manage to get the ball no matter when we play. I wonder what that is about...heh

Kat (our male chillin' in the background) says...I can touch it and get it first but why play that silly game. I much prefer diving in the pool. So, when is the pool opening up?

Look for videos coming soon. I know...it's been too long...

Havanese Connection: Sharing Matters

Do you know you can choose to connect with your Havanese or just be another being in your home. If you want a real bond with your Havanese, you have to create it. Sure, they will love you unconditionally but when I see Treasure climbing up her Daddy's chest to give him mega kisses all over his face, I realize to him, she's not just another being in the house nor is he just another to her. They have a real bond.

Sure, we get busy in our lives and there's always one more thing we have to do but there's nothing like watching that crazy guy stand out on the pool safety cover to grab that ball that the dawgs just won't get this one time and throwing it and laughing and allowing me to capture it on camera as a memory.

As that ball gets released and even in anticipation, the dogs are flying to get it. With camera in hand I get to capture that moment.

But you too can create your memories - like the photo book a friend did for her son's birthday with a Havanese called Sebastian.

Our moments are what we make them. Find a way to connect - to bond to make memories and celebrate a bond like none other. It can be as simple as massaging your Havanese while watching TV but take notice of your Havanese and don't just exist next to him. Touch and talk to him as if it matters - cause it does!

It's Mine Havanese Style

It's my toy - no, it's mine. There are so many games you can play with your Havanese and then with each other. It's not limited to retrieve.

Did you know you can teach them object recognition? Start calling a toy a certain name and get them to play retrieve with it. Then use a different toy and give it a unique name. Then put both toys down after they truly know the name of each object. You just expanded their vocabulary. You can also keep going. How fun is that?

Our dogs know walk, ambulation, W-A-L-K etc all for that great - do you want to go.... that they adore. We started using different words to each other so the dogs didn't understand but these smart Havanese caught on REAL fast! Try it!

Havanese Wind Blowing in Ones Hair

Have you taken your dog out and watched their hair blowing? Maybe it's the artistic side of me but hair blowing - messy as ever and that's my memory.

Really - Wasabi was perfectly brushed earlier..but that's not Wasabi. She just enjoys mucking and romping it up and loves that breeze flowing through her. You've seen those type of dogs - the ones hanging their heads out the window. That would be her, if we allowed. When I blow dry her - she just loves it when its on air only and it's blowing right in her face. Most dogs find this to be rather unenjoyable but not her.

Looking at this photo, she looks 50 lbs but she's a svelte 12 pounds - hopefully soon to be a heavier dog with pups. She's already getting that sucky - just need to be close thing they do and I love that as I am her one to cuddle with.

It's raining and all that tough snoozing is over for today. One does have to come in from the rain. It doesn't appear that the sun will come back out.

Zack and Coco is visiting for a week and fun is going to happen for sure this week. Let's see - we already had a run-like-hell session - snoozing - hiding in tunnels - retrieve game and more to come. Okay - we do need to get a life but our lives are the dogs - so excuse us for celebrating such delightful moments of the Havanese.

Your life will never be the same once one enters your life and you will wonder how you ever did without one or two or like crazy us...many!

Havanese and Warm Weather

Warmer days are coming and yesterday the garden furniture went out. It's about time don't you think? But don't put out plants just yet - cooler weather is coming tomorrow. Remember all sensitive plants shouldn't be placed out til the end of the month.

Well, we made progress. Nathan pulled a million and a half dandelions and I cut back some branches and shrubs and the dogs just had a grand old time dragging the sticks from my cutbacks from here to there.

The Havanese are like us - they can't wait til warmer times but when the really hot weather arrives - hey give me that pool or air conditioner - any old time.

Yvonne's puppies from our Kat and her Lola's are already 10 days old. WOW! We still have 12 days to go till Wasabi's ultrasound and tomorrow Zack and Coco are coming for a week to play. It's going to be great fun.

Then today Linda's mother and Linda of course are coming - 89 years old to be surrounded by all these dogs. It's the start of a great holiday weekend. What have YOU got planned? How about a walk with your fave Havanese. Did you know that they create conversations wherever you go? I find that to be rather nice and when that happens - you get to human socialize them. That's a GOOD thing!

Havanese Show Dog Struggle

When you show your dog you have to look at it without the glow in your eyes that your Havanese meets the standards and tends to stand out but that is all subjective.

Is there more?

Well everyone who sits and says their dogs LOVE the shows - well they aren't ALL right. There are some dogs that grow into it, others that tolerate it and others that never get their groove on but could be amazing moms and still can finish.

So, why do it when your dog isn't totally in love with the sport? I guess to say they achieved their championship.

There are various reasons why you may not show your dog to championship.

They are not in love with the sport but do adhere to the standards and would be amazing brood bitches etc. or in one instance that we had to deal with - another dog ripped out one of our dog's top knots all in fun. The dog didn't do it to delay the show career but rather to play.

Another reason could be a blown coat that does happen once in a Havanese life or you are simply too far away from the shows, the costs - to name just a few of the reasons.

We struggle in keeping the hair intact, having a balanced Havanese that enjoys life and is not segregated from others and figuring it out.

Is this really that important and is it fun for the dog?

Treasure last night in class had a ball. Her body, her bounce, her smile - yep a smile said it all.

She loves the time in the ring but she likes to be the only one.

In Chatham she was 'on' just like last night. With company - well she wants to play. Is it that she wants to be the only one or having your pack mates just means fun and you can't do that while the focus is on so many?

This show business is tough. It's a dance between you and the dog - a view from a given judge and yes you can have an exquisite dog that doesn't win in a sea of professional handlers. Yes, that happens and we have watched it not just in the Havanese when we haven't had dogs in but in a number of breeds but being a judge isn't easy, I imagine and when you do not win even when you are on your game - your Havanese is on its game - well you did win as you achieved that special dance between handler and canine that should be applauded. Add that the dog and handler enjoys the experience and you have achieved more than any championship, imho.

When our dogs do achieve their championship - I celebrate. We relax in this hair business and don't worry as much when they play hard, rough and tumble style and life is good but we do manage to make sure they enjoy life before championship and just do it with less than perfect hair as the dog counts the most in all of this....at least for us.

Puppies are the things we celebrate - play - achievements - balanced - healthy - fun - all the things that if not in their lives here - well we would choose to forgo the shows as the dogs and their lives matter the most and we do not fool ourselves into believing that all dogs love the show ring - as they don't. But that's okay. Do you like to do everything?

Just call this written exploring - and food for thought!

Havanese Heat NO MORE

Well - not - never but it's done - ah...and till the next time. I adore male dogs - I do and I mean totally do. They are so lovees etc. but not stud dogs that are kept away from a gal in heat. They are an entire 'nother beast but today - calm...no interest - and tomorrow a bath as the marking outside has stopped.

We were going to take Kat out to class tonight to get him to get away from the scents but now it will only be the Treasure. She's practicing for the show coming up and we like to keep her exposed to kids, other dogs, different scenery etc. It's important especially during their fear stages.

Treasure hasn't been around screaming - running kids so last night I asked the kids to stop at class (class was outside) and say hello to her. All of this is done to make her realize that no matter how headache driven the screams are - it's all harmless.

Leaving Your Havanese Behind

Last night we went to handling class with just Kat and Treasure was miffed, to say the least. She rather likes the classes but she had just finished 3 days of show and we felt she needed a break despite what she thinks. Tonight she is back to handling class.

There's a fine art to balance when training. You can't do it so much that they get bored or don't find it as a treat to go to class so leaving Treasure behind at times is a good thing despite her - but daddies that she so prominently displays.

We bought these 'no bark' devices from Home Hardware and placed one at the front door. We had a few barkers that we were boarding at the same time and it got our pack barking in unison. I don't mind a few barks but then that should be enough. It hasn't stopped the barking totally but it has stopped the number of times. What it does is put out a high pitched sound that they can only hear. It doesn't hurt them. It's a sound correction. Will it work long term - don't think that is necessary if you use it as an attention thing and use your usual correction - you should be able to shut them off and still have the same affect with the anticipation. So far - day 1 - it's doing the attention thing so we can correct. We will see what happens when we get a boarder or two that likes to bark. We have one on our deck but may need another further out. We shall see.

Bad news - they need batteries and who knows how long they will last.

Two weeks till Wasabi's ultrasound. Why do the days string out when you want them to go by fast and zip by when you don't want them to?

Oversized Havanese or WHAT?

This weekend someone asked Nathan to show a 130 lb dog. Can you guess what it was?

When the judge said run it around twice, Nathan got his full workout.

Nathan really enjoyed the experience though a dog that size - when it wants your treats - well who is going to win? You, of course but it gives new meaning into getting your dog trained. This one was a rather well trained special who already had his championship.

Well, today was a catch-up day with much grooming. Due to rain, and not being here - well I had work to do and - well sometimes they say - there are days like this....

Can we have another day?

Abigail Championship

Well, Abigail now has 13 points - you need 10 for their championship and the question is - do we cut her down or do we leave her in full coat? What do you think?

That's it - Abigail can play to her heart's delight and muck it up, swim and not have mommy give her all those deep conditioning baths.

Life is going to be sooooooooooo much fun. ROFL

Abigail Finishes

Well Abigail does it with a bang - beating out all the specials for breed and finishing her championship and get this - with a blown coat.

More after today's show and a champion photo tonight.

Gad - am I tired or what and soon we have to pick up our friend Valerie Weston that helped us and continues to and I get to watch her TT in the ring today as she is on this afternoon while Nathan is on this morning with Abigail and Treasure. Fiona gets to hang out at home and enjoy already getting her championship just a few weeks ago.

We are sooooooooooooo excited to have 2 champions in such a short time.

Another Show Day: Simcoe

Here's the 3 at the show yesterday. If you think it is easy showing 3 at a time - well it's a tad - well challenging the way we do it but that's okay. I had all three on the table waiting their turn to be brushed.

Last night I had to wash the crew. I fudged - I half washed Treasure - fully washed the other two. I was out of steam. Treasure wasn't dirty other than underneath and her feet and her face so that is what I did. My bad but it was almost a full bath and thinking back on it, I may as well just had done the whole thing but it did save me a bit of time. Tonight I get to wash only 2 as Fiona is staying home. It will be much easier with 2 but get this, we are on at 9am - yikes - yeah Happy Mother's Day to me.

I then went to bed crashing hard with Wasabi, Shoshi and Katsura. Kat would have none of that sleep stuff so I may be sleeping in the car. This heat business is getting old. It's almost 530am and I have to wake the crew up soon anyways so we can get back on the road yet again - to another dog show.

No dog show next week - hooray and the next one is only with Treasure - much easier for ME!

Well, today we are going to drop Val off and we are - well I am hoping to buy some plants. There are a bunch of greenhouses and nurseries out that way and that will be my Mother's Day or celebration to me for surviving. Don't want to do it tomorrow as it will probably be a zoo but hoping we find the time today. We shall see.

Hoping for a good day at the show. Win or lose - it's a great chat!

Abigail's Almost There

Last night Darlah bathed no less than three dogs: Abigail, Fiona and Treasure. This morning we picked up our friend Val at 7:00am and then headed for Simcoe, Ontario. Today was Abigail's day. In spite of the fact she's in heat and dealing with the fact that Kat wants her as much as she wants him, she was wonderful in the show ring. She won Winner's Bitch, then Best of Winner's and Best of Opposites picking up two more points towards her championship. She needs just two more to finish. She's almost there! Val helped. Rita helped on lead when I had to show two dogs at once. Darlah helped most of all by doing a wonderful job on Abigail's coat even though its still growing back. And right now as I'm typing this Darlah is doing it all over again in anticipation of tomorrow's show.
Nathan

Havanese Bitches in Heat and the Dogs Who Love Them

As those of you who follow the blog know, we have one male in our home, a single boy among eight females. Some of our females are spayed for various reasons and will live out their lives with us happily ever after but four are not. And when those bitches come into heat our boy, Kat, knows it. He also knows what to do about it. Last week, for example, Wasabi was in heat and right in her prime and he knew it. This time, lucky boy, he was allowed to breed Wasabi and breed they did, eleven times. As soon as her time was over she growled him off and he understood.

Then Abigail went into heat. Our bad luck she didn’t go into heat at the same time as Wasabi but one week after and this time he was not allowed to breed. So instead of last weeks’ experience, with Wasabi flirting and dancing and him flirting and dancing right back, tails wagging, snuggling, licking ears and generally loving each other, followed by a tie, this week as much as he is desperate for us to understand that Abigail is in heat, we don’t seem to get it. Worse, as much as he pathetically whimpers, whines, claws at doors, crates, barred gates and windows, we aren’t seeming to understand that Abigail is calling him and she needs him right now! As I look up from my desk Kat is standing in front of the gate across my office door which prevents him from getting to Abigail. Of course Abigail is playing right along, lying a foot from the gate on the other side slowly wagging her tail and batting her eyelashes at him. If there was ever a more perfect name than the designation ‘bitch’ for a female dog, especially one in heat, I’ve never heard it.

At night I am now sleeping in a separate bedroom from my wife so that Kat is with me and away from Abigail. Risa, Shoshi and Fiona join us. The rest stay with Darlah. Just about all night long Kat comes to me to ask if he can please go see Abigail now. It reminds me of our children, once upon a time when they were young, asking repeatedly “are we there yet?” In Kat’s case he jumps on the bed, off the bed, snuffles at the closed bedroom door, back on the bed again trying to make his suddenly dumb daddy understand that Abigail really needs him right now. “Don’t you understand, Daddy? Abigail NEEDS me” he says in his best telepathic manner, willing me to understand and let him out.

He has finally settled down sitting beside my leg and is looking up at me with these big wide open eyes. He’s not quite sure why I’m being so particularly dense but he’s no dummy and he realizes I control the gate. In fact, he is so very bright and alert at the moment I wish I was showing him this weekend. Instead, we’re showing the bitch and she is in a mood.

We are travelling to the dog show in our van each day. We are bringing Treasure, Fiona and Abigail. But we are also picking up our friend Val and she’s bringing her fantastic Tibetan Terrier and another male dog she is showing this weekend. Imagine, if you will, five dogs in the van together for no less than 4 ½ hours each day, back and forth from our home to Val’s to the show. My two other girls could care less that Abigail is in heat but Val’s two males are certain to be in a special mood by the time we arrive at the show. We warned Val but she says this happens all the time in the show world so the boys have to learn to tough it out. I think she’s nuts and I’m really glad I’m driving, leaving Darlah and Val to deal with the whining and whimpering while I zone out and focus totally on the road.

Wish us luck this weekend.

Nathan

Havanese & Wet & Nails and Ears

I have the wet blues. Mommy says I have a show tomorrow but I do adore the rain. I like to stand out in it, jump in the puddles, and simply get a terrible mess. Puppies are supposed to do that and usually she lets me but not the day before a show. I mean - she's going to wash me TONIGHT but she's afraid she will have to do it earlier and then have an extra long time keeping me clean. Mommy - can't you bathe me twice? I never thought I would say that ...but....

Well, if that wasn't enough, Wasabi is acting like she is the boss around here. That's usually Risa's job. Okay - even if you are preggie - don't you know *I* am the real boss around this place. Just watch..I give this look and everyone just does whatever I want - yeah right!

Last night Daddy did nails on the dogs and Fiona just HATES her nails done. So, he tried - she squirmed so Mommy held and he cut and all was good but if she had her way, she would have not had them done even though they were truly needed.

Some of us have strong willed dogs but you must persist with baths, nails, brushing tummies and feet - anything that they feel they don't like as it's necessary. If you can't do the nails many vets will but that costs and many groomers will. But don't think the nails are getting grounded down naturally unless you are doing marathon walks on cement daily.

Ooops and don't forget to check the ears - smell them and make sure you don't have an infection coming on. We do not usually have one but Wasabi had one that just wouldn't go away and after two different meds and lots of treatment - it went. It does happen - just not all that often.

After this wet - do a brushing to eliminate any knots setting in. You will be glad you did.

Oh well - shows - busy times and hopefully we will survive. Hoping you have an easier time and we get Zack and Coco a week from Friday - how cool is that? We are excited!

Havanese Males Intact Woes

This heat business....argh... We are sharing this lovely stage of breeding with you so you 'get' that its not all fun but despite it all - we are trying to laugh - and hope you laugh with us - not at us!

We are showing a semi-old photo of Kat as you do not want to see him today despite that I bathed him thoroughly and do semi baths daily.

Someone suggested I use lavender scented things to help but it doesn't work!

I tried using the disguise scent method but we must be in the height of things as he has reached an entirely different level. It doesn’t work. Problem with multiple females – they aren’t all in sync. If they had started at the exact time Wasabi did – all of this would have been history as today is day 21 for her.

The good news in all this is we really believe after all the mating that the Wasabi Woo is preggie.

Oh well – just going to make staying awake for the shows this weekend impossible. Think I will be taking the boy with me at bedtime so Nathan can drive and I don’t have to worry. I am hoping I can sleep in the car. Now, I get up and Nathan grabs the gals and goes to bed and Risa and Shoshi and Kat and the retrievers stay downstairs with me so he can get an hour of sleep. Then he has to take a nap to feel human. Not sure how he will do that at a show unless he goes out to the car himself and snoozes. If he wins – no rest for the weary. ROFL – Can you say HELL weekend for both of us? If it wasn’t for the points for others and the $$ we already paid or the extra person we are driving there that is counting on us – I would stay home.

But thanks…appreciate all tips. It’s just a dawg house at Talemaker Havanese….yeah…that’s it!

PS: If I won the lottery, I would design a house that only the male dog and human can frequent at this time with electric security gates that send out aromatherapy scents that distract the males at this time - yeah right - now can you see how much sleep we are getting?

Good thing this is over when Zack and Coco come visiting. ROFL

Pencil Drawing: Havanese

Each year we bid on some items at the auction. This year we won a pencil drawing. The HFC (Havanese Fanciers of Canada) auction ia a great event for the Havanese Rescue and this is how our winning item came out. Can you guess which one of our Havanese it is?

The auction that happens each year is for a good cause and we love this memory we ended up with. Now to frame and get it on the wall.

We are still dealing with gals in heat. Wasabi is done - but we have others and the dear boy losing his head but we are surviving.

We are off to a dog show this weekend a huge drive away back and forth and all day at a show. Will we survive? Time will tell.

Meeting of the Noses

You meet all sorts of friendly faces at all sorts of places. Here, Treasure was touching noses with a Beardie. This is a correct meet and greet and if you notice, both were ever so relaxed.

Treasure and Abigail was at handling class and tomorrow it will be Fiona and Abigail's turn.

It gives them practice but it also gets them out and about.

We have a busy week - and a show this weekend.

Then we wait and find out if the Wasabi is pregnant and with all the ties, I would be very surprised if she wasn't. But we won't know till the very end of the month so stay tuned...

Kat and Lola puppies will be making their debut any day now. We can't wait!

Tomorrow....rain...sigh or so they say...

Visiting Friends: Havanese Style

Remember Lil' Man? He's now known as Milo!

Well we went to see his human pack leaders, Helen and Suzi and Milo of course and then lo and surprise, they got a Bichon called Hugo to keep Milo in line or is that keep the humans in line or???

Well, you know these precious little ones. They tend to wrap you around their fingers and look at you with those eyes, and it's all over.

Here, Treasure was hanging out on Helen's shoulder doing her neck warming job of playing, cuddling and standing on high and Helen was kind enough to accommodate her.

Isn't it wonderful to spend time with like minded people who adore their dogs?

Milo just had the snip, snip so he gave us loving but he also was a tad more subdued than usual.

Wouldn't you be if you were snipped, snipped?

I know *I* would be....

Milo couldn't wait to introduce us to his new pack mate, Hugo. We have a feeling Hugo is going to be a delightful playmate for Milo who is a dog who just adores mucking it up with him. It was really nice to see.

Of course Suzi and Helen was way too generous as usual offering us pastries that were delightful and fruit and coffee. Oh my - will my stomach ever fit into a bathing suit.

Then Nathan just had to stop to get that fatty, smoked meat sandwich that is to die for - oh well - tomorrow is another day. Besides - if Wasabi is preggie - who has time for such things.

Shows, puppies - gracious puppy lovin' friends - how much better can it get? I know - a crazy partner (husband/wife) that loves the dawgs as much as you do.

I'm Going to Get You Havanese Style

Who says big dogs can't play with little dogs just fine? Treasure just adores her Terra and I can understand why. She has the patience unlike any others despite Treasure acting like the puppy she is. She yanks on Terra. She jumps at her till she says okay, I will play and I do believe she loves it!

Are two dogs better than one? You bet but 2 Havanese can do that famous run-like-hell game unlike any other but still the Terra tries - and oh does she try.

The weather is getting better and it's time to take photos. Look for photo opportunities. You will be glad you did!

Havanese Communications

More dogs die as a result of behavior problems than all preventable medical problems combined. Frustrated owners simply give up, and their untrained dogs often end up in animal shelters with uncertain fates. Luckily there is a Havanese rescue but the answer is to find a way to make it work - not give up or you will be wondering why things happen as they did.

Part of the problem lies in miscommunication. It's easier than you think to teach your Havanese the wrong thing. Well meaning owners do it all the time. We've all seen owners yell and yell for a dog to come as the dog blissfully ignores the command, madly chasing squirrels instead. When finally the dog comes, the frustrated owner may pop the dog on the nose and yell some more. The message? Would you go to somebody who might hit and yell at you? Consistent training and positive reinforcement with treats and praise work a lot better to enforce the right message.

Teaching a dog proper behavior means knowing how to correct him when he does something inappropriate. There are both good and bad ways to correct your Havanese. Owners should avoid spanking, kicking, rubbing his nose in it, or yelling at a dog. Besides rarely communicating the message the owner intends, this type of correction can cause even more behavior problems.

If you spank your Havanese for going to the bathroom inside, the message is, don't do it when I'm looking. Havanese are intelligent but they need to know what you are asking.

A common history in dogs with behavior problems is that they are not walked regularly. Owners may have difficulty walking a dog that pulls or barks, so walks become less and less frequent. A Havanese that is not exercised regularly will find other -- often destructive -- ways to vent his energy. That's why teaching your Havanese to walk calmly on a leash is so important. If your Havanese pulls on the leash, change directions suddenly. Whoever determines the direction has leadership. The idea is to interrupt the bad behavior and praise the good.

Learning to communicate with your Havanese is complicated. But when it comes to your Havanese, a little patience and consistent training will earn you years of enjoyment. Enroll in a local training class to master the communication tools you need to make the most of your relationship with your Havanese. You will create a bond and learn how to achieve the 'desired' behaviors you are looking for.

Not all schools are equal. Ask others that have attended or visit an ongoing class and then join. If you practice what you learn, you will end up with an amazing Havanese doing what you want it to with personality thrown in.

Teeth & the Havanese

I am a puppy so my teeth are still coming out and new ones are coming in. My teeth are rather white but what if you have an adult with plaque? What should you do?

Someone who follows the blog mentioned that they took their nail and scraped it off - well you can do that and many a show person does. It surely beats going to the vet to be put under.

The tartar can be irritating to the gums and can cause an inflammation called gingivitis. This can be seen as reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It also causes bad breath. At this point it is necessary to remove the tartar with a special instrument called a scaler - that works much like your fingernail does. Problem with this method is it works but it also doesn't polish the teeth. If plaque is bad, you may still want to have it done at your vets office. They not only clean them but polish them.

But if you are simply trying to stay on top of the issue, you can brush daily, use a scaler to take off minor plaque and/or use a product called Leba. Leba works but it is pricey.

What else can you do? Bones - chewing on bones helps scrape the plaque of naturally and most times it does an excellent job.

Well, today was bath time for some - hang out time with daddy outside but now it's raining yet again.

Now where is that sun? The lack of it surely didn't stop this play.

Moody Havanese

Mommy gave me a reprieve - no bath till Friday - ROFL So, I am a tad messy but I rather like it that way...hahaha

The weather is gorgeous. The dogs are hanging out and we enjoying it before the rain comes...yeah rain yet again. Oh well, the garden will grow.

At Talemaker Havanese, we have a house filled with girls in heat and 1 male. Only Wasabi is getting bred so it's interesting times. This too will pass. Let's just say - it's keeping dogs separate - washing tummies and just lovin' them. They tend to get a tad - please just love me during this time and I rather enjoy the moments. I do not enjoy separating them. Good thing there is two of us so we can manage it easily and this is just twice a year - remind me of that - will ya?

Soon, Kat/Lola pups wil be born and we can't wait to see if we get Wasabi/Kat pups. I want to have puppies swimming this year - oh how fun!

Handling Class: Socialization

When you go to handling classes, you meet all sorts of dogs, from big to large to SUPER large. It's a great way to socialize and slow condition your dog to all sort of breeds.

It takes time to do classes with your dogs but it can be ever so rewarding. It doesn't matter what type of class - from obedience to tricks, to agility to handling - it's all fun but you do have to practice in between.

Today, I did day 2 of exercise, planted plants in the rain and the dogs got muddy and wet. Then had a backup and cleaned out the laundry room - wow - huge mess then handling class and oh yeah I did lots of work too. I know Fiona has knots from today so guess what I am doing next...sigh --- and that bed is calling me - and you?

Craziness at Talemaker Havanese

I woke up and exercised today as I need to get back into that groove - the you know - nothing fits groove so I have no choice and it's HOT and why did I wait so long. But that's okay - Nathan is doing the same running around the backyard like a banshee with the pack and walking the entire pack two by two - the usual.

We have a weekend home doing nothing but dawgs and gardening, I suppose.

Running with the dogs is grand fun. Why don't you give it a try? Maybe all this exercise won't kill us and we will become healthy - yeah - right - and you?

Talemaker Havanese Brags

We had a busy weekend this week with good company and fun moments - like Fiona's sister getting her first 2 points this weekend.

We are excited for Yvonne BIGTIME! Fiona thinks her sister is so fabulous dahlink!

Treasure and Fiona and Nathan had a fab weekend - Fiona finishing her championship - which isn't all that easy to do - it just looks easy to some, I might add and Treasure collecting enough points now to put her halfway to her championship at 6 months old.

You can't show them till 6months and Treasure just turned that.

One thing that has become evident that this showing is a roller coaster ride. You are excited as everything comes together or you are shaking your head wondering what went wrong or you are realizing you are always on a learning curve or all the above. There's more to show handling that putting a lead on a dog.

You have to do classes to perfect your skill and just when you think everything is perfect, the real show comes around, a balloon pops - the judge doesn't see what you do, your competition leaves a show early so you don't get points needed - and then some.

Then of course there is the grooming and that's a learning curve unto itself. It's not easy. You make a lot of mistakes and learn from them. But you get there you think and then you learn some more and you are always perfecting and that is what is true in the ring as well.

What is evident in this photo above is Nathan has a good time with his dogs. He laughs in the ring, he has a great attitude and it shows.

None of this is easy and not all dogs are meant to be show dogs. Some are meant to romp and be dawgs - perhaps get into rally or agility and just enjoy life but some dogs - well they just think this runway stuff is all that. I don't get it but it's true. Not all dogs in the ring have that something extra that makes you smile but some are born with it - some grow into it and some have better things to do. None of that is right or wrong. It's just life.

Thank you for allowing us to brag as we are so very proud of Nathan and his gals. They are everything to us and they make me proud.

Now that Fiona is a champion, I can woo her over to my side. tee hee... I can hear Nathan saying - not likely but we shall see. It's hard for me as I have to love them, care for them but try not to allow them to get too close as a bond with a handler and their dog can make all the difference in it all but when they achieve that championship, you can decide to go on and special them or be proud and find another passion for them and have fun.

I just adore the Havanese and those that do not have one or two in their lives (we have 7), well you don't know what you are missing. It's hard to explain but it's truly amazing.

Thanks again - and now for more shows and more challenges and more ups and downs and on to perfecting our skills I gather. That's life!