To Crate or Not Your Havanese

Some people think of crates as a cage and I guess as a human we perceive it that way and some dogs do not like it but maybe we are impressing on them our own feelings? We make sure all our puppies are comfie with crates by putting one in with them with an open door early on. This way if they ever have to stay over night at a vets, they have their comfort level. We also leave them open under our desks and use them at dog shows when I am doing two or more dogs. This way, one can sit safely while I am grooming the other but I don't walk away and leave them in it.

I will never feel safe just walking away at a show and leaving them in one. I would rather walk them around with me. Pros with many dogs have to but we will never be at that stage.

But what if you don't do dog shows? Well, I find with toys in it, my dogs LOVE their crates but I use it as a bed - a retreat and they rather like that. You will always find one or two hanging out in one just because they want to be close and have the cushy comfort.
Our dogs sleep on our beds, lounge on our couches and chairs and enjoy all the comforts but we owe them to get them to feel that a crate is safe. That way, if they are ill and have to stay in one, well a crate will be comfort not stress.

One hopes they never get ill but you never know.

Fiona Gets Her Championship

Just had to share that Nathan and Fiona got their championship. I say that as it was Nathan training her every step of the way and making that connection with the Fiona.

I am truly proud of this duo. Now Fiona gets to be a dawg and only be taken out to have some fun - when she wants to.

PS: The bad parents that we are - well we indulged her with chicken and part of a milkshake. She deserved every bit of it - so did Nathan.

Huge thanks goes to Yvonne of Chicadoro in entrusting us with this delicate beauty. She certainly has a mind of her own and that lovely scat, scat is - well it's precious. Thanks for letting us brag...

Katsura's State of Mind

This is what happens to a male Havanese that has lost his mind as his gal Wasabi is in heat. Boys - what can we do with them and lord knows we certainly can't do much without them. Besides - they are so bloody cute.

Okay human - isn't it time to brush this cutie?

Well, we had a day - the human daddy was painting. I was getting ready for a show and doing much online work.

Tomorrow - baths for the youngsters so they can look pretty at the show. Wish us luck...

Playing Havanese Wet Stylin'

With all these wet times that spring brings - I should be going - oh no - its raining but I get my camera out and click away and enjoy and worry about the dirt and muck later.

They come in wet and mucky, I take towels, put them in my lap and brush away unless the mud is so thick that I have to dip their feet and underside in water.

Dogs have to be allowed to be dogs even when you have show dogs. It makes the process harder but it does our hearts good to know they are emotionally balanced and having a grand time.

Havanese can and do swim - not all like it but many of ours do. We tend to make sure the pups swim if we have a litter in the summer to get them lovin' it. But at this time of the year, they run on top of our safety cover - all of the dogs and create this trampoline effect. It's fun to listen to and watch. Nathan even walks on it so we know if its safe for him, it's safe for the dogs.

This will be Treasures first summer. I can't wait to see if we have another swimmer. Are you in that summer state of mind? I can't get into it - yet! Shows to do - championships to achieve - and much more exciting times are in store.

Pack Leader: Havanese

Treasure and her sticks - oh my - spring begins and will my garden ever survive?

Here's an interesting philosophy of being the pack leader. Some believe that you need to calm your dogs, walk in front - not allow them to play or jump or act crazy on a walk. We tend to control the walk but we also allow them to enjoy. So - who really is in charge?

If you have a dog trying to pull and do everything they want but not what you want - try this.

If your dog is pulling or acting out while you are walking, stop and just stand there calmly till they calm down. That first walk may take a long time especially if you have to keep standing there till they calm down but eventually they will 'get' that if they want to go anywhere, they must do so in a calm and relaxed state. Why do it this way? It beats struggling with them and by leaving the frustration behind you, you convey to your Havanese what you expect and it puts you in charge - as it should be. I am not saying don't allow them to sniff but do so when you want - when you have the time.

Back to stick eating Talemaker Havanese style - and how do we stop that!!!!! heh

Neutering Your Havanese

Why neuter your Havanese?

Some say - why should I do such a thing but there are many reasons you should - least of all having to lock the raving maniac up when a gal is in heat - well not literally but they stop eating at times - their tongue is down to their knees - well it looks like it but it really isn't and you really need to know what you are doing. You also do not want to be around a male that has only one thing on his mind - do you? Plus - if you do it right - between health testing, training, showing etc - well there's only love in it.

Wasabi is in heat so Daddy gave him steak juice on his food or he would never eat today. He's on a mission but Wasabi is not ready and he knows it - he just doesn't want her to go anywhere - so he follows her around like he's in love.

It's okay. In a day or two he will get his wish and we will mate the two. Then hopefully in a couple of months - puppies - and we can't wait to smell that puppy breath. Dreamin' Talemaker style!

Shows, Oster Dryers & Conditioning

Fiona had a good weekend. She didn't start out liking the shows but she now sees the benefit of going and being the only one. She used to not like the noises but with slow conditioning - she's past that.

We came home today and fell fast asleep - well I did. Will I sleep tonight - who knows but I was WIPED! Shows are very tiring.

I also bought an Oster dryer tabletop from Rens and the prices went up $45 but we got it for the price we ordered it from when we pointed out it was still on the site at the cheaper price. I would have said forget it and tried to get it elsewhere though they toted they are going up everywhere as Oster increased the prices - cute in this economy.

Look at Fiona's face - now she's happy in the ring and that's the only way we would do this. Our dogs - well how they feel matters.

Wasabi is also in heat so we are crossing our fingers we will have puppies this summer. We are hopeful!

So, next week when I am doing two dogs - ooops this week for the show - well I will be drying 2 sides at once.

It seems my boarding $$ goes to helping the dawgs one way or another and helping me but any dog likes to be finished faster when it comes to drying and now they can be. I am jazzed!!!