Friday, August 8, 2008 at 10:22PM 
This is Cleo. She's been staying with us with her packmate and goes home tomorrow. She has a super thick coat like our Shoshi.
She got a bath today as she has been mucking it up with the gang.
Can you say they will be missed - YEP!
More later when we are down dogs. ;-) The dogs get us FIRST!
Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 9:08PM 
Mommy is spending WAY too much time with that new dog we are watching - air drying her, snuggling and taking mats out.
What about me? Oh - I get daddy.
Hey but I slept with the mom last night as we have a dog in what they call heat visiting so we are sleeping in different rooms. Something about that boy dog....geez...
More tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 10:40PM Every now and then I need a puppy fix. Since our dear friend Yvonne refuses to bring me her puppies (how selfish is that?) (smile) I have to make do with watching our own videos from earlier this year. I just watched one of Sebastian, Coach and Sassy playing together that was delightful. Give it a look and tell me if I am wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJZh5qf3ASg
We had Sassy, Coach and Remy here today. I realize how much they have changed in the past 6 months but they still remain totally delicious. If you want to lighten up your day just scroll down the right hand side until you get to the list of the older videos. I promise you they will bring a smile to your face. They do mine.
Nathan
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 11:14AM 
Jazzy has been visiting us for a few days and is awaiting his owner's pickup. Jazzy has glorious hair and had a grand time mucking it up with the rest of the guys.
He's just had a bath and blow dry so he can go home smelling and feeling great. Yes, he got rather dirty but we allow that as they have great fun.
Whenever a visitor comes, the pack changes and whenever someone leaves, it changes again but it seems when they do go home, the pack tends to have a period of non play missing the one that left.
It's nice to see that they welcome another in. Even the meekest dog has been roped in by Miss Abs and made to feel welcomed. All it takes is one dog in the pack and the rest follow suit. It's why we introduce one at a time and then allow for pack play and human play.
Jazzy is a regular here though and he's adored instantly. He will also be missed too.
But Jazzy has the high life with his owners and you can but all hear him say - well it's fun here but it's excitement time to return home.
But there is nothing like the dawg fun here so if he gets excited to see us when we visit - well realize he's just yearning for a holiday.
All the dogs that visit get excited to see their owners but also get excited to come here too after they get to know what is in store for them. That's what it should be about.
More later and back to work and dematting. It may be a pool day if the weather cooperates.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 7:53PM 
Talking about wet - what do you do when you have mats? Brush every day or cut short.
I am dematting 2 dogs and my arm is going to fall off - no lie. It's a tough job when you let it go.
To make it worse, if you wash or they get wet, it tightens the knots. Many people do not realize this.
The Abs says - well mommy brushes me daily so I hardly ever get those things.
Back to watching TV and dematting...
How? Spray, separate and brush. It sounds easy but there is a method to it - believe me and I have got really good at it due to having dogs visit us with them. :-)
Monday, August 4, 2008 at 2:34PM 
How can you tell your Havanese is under stress?
There are many signals through which you may spot this condition before it becomes out of hand or critical to performance.
Common things that can indicate stress are:
-Yawning
-Sleeping Too Long
-Arching the Back
-Stretching
-Drooling
-Tense body
-Barking
-Whining
-Runny bowels
Why am I mentioning this? It is normal for humans and dogs when exposed to unknown events or things to feel some stress. It's our job as a human to enable them to find their coping skills.
How can you do this? By slow conditioning NOT avoidance.
Slow conditioning is exposing your little one to things that they feel uncomfie with consistently till it is not an issue.
Recently, we had our roof done and one of our pups started growling at the men on the roof. This was foreign to them and anything lauding over them so high up is perceived as something in charge but also not touchable or attainable. Instead of keeping this particular dog in, I kept taking her out over and over in small doses and correcting and saying a keyword which is 'silly girl or silly boy' and I say it in a really silly voice as if to say - gee there really isn't something to be afraid of. If your dog trusts you, the key words will help. How do you gain trust? You have to be consistent, give rules and boundaries and you must not give them the idea that their behavior is valid. Never hug when reacting this way no matter how much you want to feel you need to. Hug when they sit, calm down - whatever positive coping skill they use - reward BIG time and eventually that is what they will rely on when faced with an unknown.
You are their teacher - their pal, their leader of the pack and the reason they attain a balanced state of mind. Don't get frustrated. Stop and get your emotions in check if you do.
Here's a photo of Fiona who did her first show. She showed minor stress by yawning and sleeping. But as she keeps getting exposed to so many people and dogs and people prodding her - that will disapate. Between shows we will take her to handling class and get her 'slow conditioned'.
Fiona got 2nd place in her first show. She did well. She is an alpha dog through and through but even alpha dogs can feel stress.
Pay attention to your dog and act accordingly. You will reach an amazing relationship with your dog when you do always!
Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 10:54PM 
So - I am off to a show - yeah on Sunday and you think I can get away with wearing my hair like this?
Coco and Zack went home. Apple, Cleo and Jazzy are here. Daddy has half the dogs...me I have the mom so I can miss the dad when I wake up and then show really well for him.
Fiona is doing her first show TODAY with her sister Downsey.
WE are off. Tips to come tonight on dematting.
More Sunday night...
Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 7:06AM 
Just had a bath and I couldn't help but squish my face. So - I am a DAWG!
Day Two and our blogger lockout is FIXED. It was sitemeter. I deleted that block and voila - we are back rockin'
It tells me I need to do a blog or my own site elsewhere. Rather like it here but this is crazy. It will make the hubby happy - if I have to. hahahah
Well, we have 2 more dogs that came this afternoon - Chloe and Apple to play. Coco and Zack just went home. Jazzy is also here.
What are YOU up to? If you are in Orillia Sunday - come up and watch us at a dog show. It will be fun to meet you.
Friday, August 1, 2008 at 9:35PM 
According to Google (Blogger) this site is blocked by mistake and they are working on correcting this one as well as MANY others. I hope it will happen soon as you all know - I never miss a day of letting you know about our home and giving you tips on how to get through life with this loves.
Here's a photo to share: It's a sibling tango. Oh, what a riot it is to watch the entire crew.
We had Linda and John and their dogs over. Remy dropped in for a week. Zack and Coco go home tomorrow and Mary brings her two. Wow - crazy dog house and we love it.
It's late. The dogs need loving and I still have some work to do.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 3:36PM 
Coco is up on the deck in a 'safe' zone wondering what all the noise is about?
She's been in the pool once and decided although she can swim wonderfully - well its not the things she adores.
Zack...well he's another story. I have this feeling it's a 'boy' thing of competition. Zack sees the attention that Kat gets by jumping in so he tries it but only when he is lost in the emotion.
How do you get your dog interested in swimming?
Well it certainly helps if you are excited about it and you make it a game and it also helps if they shot the moon when they do, so to speak. Suddenly, your Havanese will be strutting and doing it again and again if he is into being all that!
Well, Zack just jumped in with his excitement at first but when he calmed down, he decided the stairs was an easier adventure. What is it about jumping in that is so overwhelming to most dogs? I guess the same thing that is scary for humans.
It's simply easier, I imagine.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 2:39PM 
Food time is an exciting time around here. After the group goes outside to do their duty, they come back in and wait for the human daddy to feed them.
One would think with so many dogs that a lot of invading other dog bowls would exist but it doesn't.
The crew really tells any new comer that we simply don't try to steal the food from others - of course when they walk away - they all think it's open season.
It wasn't always so easy. We used to feed in different parts of the room or even put others in different rooms or stand between those that don't know how to tell another please don't touch my food from the one that thinks they can eat and eat and eat and that means everyone elses.
You can teach them to respect the space by standing between the bowl and the offending 'I want that food - dog' but you also have to tell them it's not agreeable. After awhile of that, I won't say they will never attempt to eat someone else's food but I will say they will keep a healthy distance till the other is done.
It is up to you - the human to set the rules and follow through on making them follow them in positive ways. Even if you think they are cute about it - you have to say - these are the rules and just because you look at me all adoring like - well you can't have 'x'.
The crew is out swimming and I am inside working. Who's having fun? Not I but the doggies are and Nathan is the 'excitement coordinator'. They can't get enough of the games he plays with them and the pool. It's nice!
One day I am going to film them all bombing out the door in excitement. It's so nice to see.
More later!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 3:58PM 
We are blessed with the pleasure of watching other people's Havanese when their owners go away on holidays. We offer a fun filled crazy dawg house for the visitors.
We only take in small breeds as its a way for us to socialize our crew, enjoy others of like mind and besides - we prefer it like that.
Most of the dogs are our pups that were born with us and some are from referrals. All are indulged. We even moved in an extra bed next to our king sized one so all the dogs could fit.
We placate the owners and take crates and we even leave them open but we find they enjoy the bed and when they return home, they know the rules. But if you INSIST - we will leave them sleeping in a crate. We do care what your needs are. The Havanese are really intelligent dogs. So - it's vacation for them too!
Well, this week we have Coco and Zack. Soon we will have Mary's crew and Jazzy and we think Remy. Then Coach and Sassy. What an exiting summer this is going to be.
Now where am I going with this? Whenever you leave your dog anywhere, there is always a transition the first time. The next visit the transition is fast and they know what they are in for.
What are the transitions? Where do I fit in the pack? Where do I sleep - top of the bed, bottom, next to that human or that one? Who will play with me?
But we are blessed. We have a really great crew. The Abs is who I call my fishing rod. The dog that sits on the outside looking in - well she just reels them in. Here she is with all that funny stuff in her hair.
She's now finished being a show dog and we will be breeding her soon. Here we are trying to protect her head from chewing by other puppies by wrapping it with paper and conditioner but does it help? Nah - just makes you laugh at how she looks. The things we do for the show ring. Abigail is glad her show career is over. She has too much playing spirit to be held back and we like it that way!
But the emotional aspect of the dogs are the most important to us above and beyond anything else. She has a 'calming' spirit. Some say she doesn't act like a puppy in the ring as she is more laid back but if you ran in front of her and you were another dog - well then her love of life spills out and you - the human that watches will laugh and laugh. She knows how to play.
Zack and Coco are fitting in real well. They are even enjoying the massages I give to all the dogs when they get brushed daily. I wait for their baths even if they get dirty till just before they go home and spruce them up in between with waterless bath unless they are here extra long and they will get the baths like our resident crew does.
I call it 'grooming conditioning.' Each morning their ears are checked, eyes cleaned and they soon get it that I sit here and let this crazy human do this and I get a treat for it. Then depending on how the day goes, at various times throughout the day, they either find themselves up on the grooming table or on my lap getting brushed. Nathan does the after pool brushes most times. I get kisses - sometimes complaints but always patience and consistency wins out and that massage and treat business tends to get them excited too.
We are lucky as we have a son here that walk dogs as does Nathan and I. The dogs adore their walks. We only take 2 at a time and we usually split pairs up rotating who they go with. If a dog is timid, they get the alpha more assertive type on the walks. There is truth to the fact that the emotion of the companion (dog and human) on the walk gives you a positive or negative experience. I have seen a dog that is jumping all over the place, pulling its heart out with one dog and calmly walking next to another. It's also the humans attitude and the bottom line is - who is in charge? It's not a 'grrr' I am in charge but an attitude that I expect you to walk and no - I won't allow this or we will go home. Even the most 'step over the line' dogs soon learn. This is the time frame that most learning occurs and we take advantage of it for our visitors and for our resident crew where the learning never stops - even for us, heh!
This human here is an avid picture taker. My camera may be lousy (update - I have a better camera but still not the one I truly want) but I love taking the photos. I am bucking for a better camera as I want to capture the action photos so my memories will always be with me. I want a wide angle lens too - hahaha. Such wants...
You can catch us in the pool or Nathan running with the dogs or any of us playing retrieve or the many other fun things we think up to keep them entertained and us too.
If we see happy faces like we did today in these photos - well success and we haven't had a day where it hasn't been like that. The dogs - well I wish I was one of them at times and as I said - our lives - well they have certainly gone to the dogs and what memories we will have and treasure.
Obviously, we can only take care of small dogs in the Toronto area but I post what we do so when you are leaving your little one while you go on holidays - well now you know what to ask and what they should do while you are away. Your dogs deserve the best holiday too.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 8:38PM 
Who says an old dog can't be taught tricks? heh
Actually - no one is old here except the Whitney so she just watched and who can blame her.
You can teach your Havanese to retrieve and its a great game if you only have one. It allows you to do something fun together and get some exercise on your dog in mind and in body.
As you can see, all I did was throw a toy and the first one to bring it back gets a treat. You may think that we would have fights over that toy but no. They just try harder the next time plus I play it in such a way to give an advantage to one that isn't as quick - otherwise what fun would it be?
You say yours won't bring it back? Well no treat. Just be sure when you start that you throw it close extending the distance as their consistency with bringing it back sets in. They should know if they don't bring it back the game ends and you also don't cuddle, play or give them the idea they don't have to play by the rules.
If they still do not get it, find a hallway with just one exit and you sit blocking that exit. Start throwing it down the hallway. In smaller quarters, it's easier for them to 'get' it. Reward by click, treat or voice but be consistent. They should think this is the best game since EVER.
Nothing like plying with your Havanese.
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 7:13PM 
Well, Zack fell into the pool not once but twice in excitement so we taught him how to jump in and how to find his way out.
The point is, we turned it into a positive training process and he LOVES the pool. He is an excellent swimmer too. Though Kat went - hmm I WAS the center of attention - as Kat had been in and now I have competition. heh
Any ooops that you have, if you think about it can lead to a training session that ends positive.
How did we do it? We stayed upbeat - positive and then showed him how to get out over and over and then when he wanted to jump in, we showed him how.
We never just let the dogs out so we are not afraid of them falling in accidentally but we will spend the rest of the week showing him that he doesn't go in unless invited.
We will fill you in as that occurs.
Right now Abs and Zack are playing up a storm and after a good brush out - well he is air drying. More tomorrow....
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 9:20AM 
This fine - should be sunny Monday - bright and early - Fiona thinks she is holding court. It's not like the rest can't get up but she thinks she can hold them all at bay as if to say - hahaha - this is my top of the mountain.
Havanese play funny games.
Well the crew all needs to be washed but our visitors will get a waterless bath and come the day they are going home, they will get a bath.
We hear that Miss Mags pups are doing so well 1 gal - 2 boys. Well boys are such huge lovees anyways so if its the lovin' you want - well the boys are amazing!
More of their antics later...
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 9:45AM 
We came back from Queens Quay, at the new Paws Way building. We were - well the dogs were ambassadors for the breed. Yesterday Nathan, Alex (thanks, Alex!), Kat and Abigail did the socializing stint and today Nathan, Fiona, Kat and I did. Although they liked seeing the dogs and people - there is nothing like home and the fun things they do around here.
Here's Kat after his return with Coco saying, "Is it time to swim, daddy?"
Here he is brushed for the show and he wants to swim? Okay - mommy will spray and brush and laugh at you jumping in the pool. Who owns us? The dawgs!! Oh, but the love and snuggles they give you in return - well they can own me any old time.
So - daddy is it time yet?
Let me tell you how crazy it was. We - okay Nathan - if we are going to get the story right taught the 'no bark; and that's a tough one when the dogs are all worked up as a gang excited about going swimming. Even if they are not interested in actually swimming.
Terra barked - Nathan said 'no bark' and she didn't listen so in the house she went. Then Shoshi barked and into the house she went. Poor Zack was watching this all in amazement without a peep. He does like to join in but is easily corrected. This time not a peep. The rest of the gang got it and no sound but the game wasn't the same. Still Nathan kept at it putting his finger up as a signal not to bark and they tried to contain themselves almost appearing as if that emotion was going to burst right out of them. Then he let the barkers out and they also learned. Hmmm this works.
What did we learn? You 'can' control the bark. You must be serious about it showing you are not going to put up with it but we also found out that we sort of like the excitement of the bark but one can't have it both ways so 'no bark' it is. There are times for barks and times that you simply can't. Not all barking is bad but you have to get control over it so they learn when it is acceptable and when it is not.
Then after the swimming and running around time was done, the crew all found their spots on the lounge chairs (See Zack on Nathan) and settled in for a long day's nap.
The crew was all smooshed on top of us and next to our bodies. I think we must have slept for an hour all wet and then I woke up and said - oh no I didn't brush Kat and he's almost dry.
A dab of spray on the brush - spray all over him and brush and I let him air dry - no knots.
Then it was time to brush the rest. I think Coco looked at me cross-eyed then put her little head down and went back to sleep.
Who me..you want to brush little old me...well I suppose it's okay but wake me up when you are done, will ya?
I decided to do her last so she could catch some more zzzzzs. it's been a simply exhausting day but now you know you can teach 'no bark' even if YOU like the barking. ROFL!
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 10:58AM 
If a toy holds the Havanese interests long as this one does - well it has to be cheap. I tell you - they love empty bottles. Throw in some water into a bottle half way, throw it in the freezer then when it is good and cold and has ice in it, throw it on the floor and watch the fun. Just be sure to take it away if they happen to puncture it. It's a cheap fascination.
Here you can see Zack and Coco (Zack is one of Wasabi's that we used to call El Blanca Grande and (Coco who is Fiona's sister) and looks like her mom Maggie who is about to give birth to more little ones in a matter of days.
Well, here they are trying to bat this ball around. What is this toy? Well it's a cat toy and can be found at any Petsmart or any other pet store that carries cat toys. It usually has a wad of paper in the middle so the cats can scratch it. Your Havanese will bite it into a million pieces so if you don't want to sweep a million pieces of paper up - well throw that section out. The real fascination is the ball and why they can't get it out. Zack and Coco spent an entire 98 minutes playing with this thing. I timed it so I knew how long they kept at it. I think they hold the record of being fascinated the longest.
Today Kat and Abs is down on Queens Quay meeting and greeting people that want to know about Havanese and they will be there tomorrow. The rest of the Talemaker crew waves paws at those that are there!
There's NOTHING like the Havanese - I tell you - except 2 is better than one. ROFL!
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10:11PM 
We have Coco and Zack over and as you can see in this photo, Coco is smiling about the play.
We have had a busy day today. We went on walks. Everyone was groomed and we had some crazy play sessions.
ALERT: Check out the latest puppy photos on Yvonne and Alex's site at Chicadoro. All the pups are getting colour other than the colours black and white with the exception of one. Oh - and Mags - well she's still eating so no pups yet!
Then tonight Nathan played the guitar and Tal sang under the gazebo while the dogs hung out - Coco kissed my ear and Fiona couldn't figure out why Tal was singing or Nathan was playing a guitar. It's been too long.
Tomorrow Kat, Abs, Nathan and Alex are hanging out somewhere downtown to talk about Havanese. Me - I am going to catch up on work seeing I couldn't after grooming and getting stuff ready for this thing they are doing tomorrow.
Maybe I will get a quick dip in and it won't rain like they say it is supposed to or maybe I will be doing extra grooming with the rain.
If yours hate wet feet like some of ours, pick them up, put them smack dab in the middle of the grass and tell them to go. More times than not - they will. Years later Shoshi still hates her feet wet - funny for a dog that loves to roll in the snow but she deals.
More tomorrow...
Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 8:28PM 
Trying to get the Havanese cooperating - even saying cheese is I-M-P-O-S-S-I-B-L-E.
We have Coco and Zack for sleepovers and are having an amazing amount of fun.
Fiona, Coco and Abs is out walking with our son Jonathan and his girlfriend and Zack just came back with Nathan and Kat.
Ramona: Zack did great on the walk. He barked at one dog that barked at him once. He was corrected and didn't bark again.
Abs is really making Coco feel welcomed and it's all working ever so well.
Ah - Havanese heaven. Couldn't be better than this!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 4:33PM 
What you see here looks like a mass of hair and it is. In this photo is Shoshi, Abigail and Fiona.
We started this Havanese journey as our daughter has a Coton du Tulear and we loved to watch her Coton play with our Golden Retriever.
We are truly glad we made the plunge but there are days we check our sanity at the door.
When Shoshi came to us, she was too young, in my opinion and missing what the dam usually teaches those last critical weeks. Shoshi has been playing catch-up on how to be a Havanese since day one. She seems to have finally fully arrived.
Our Golden played with Shoshi wonderfully that first year placing her snout in the snow and throwing a spray of snow at Shoshi and soon Shoshi was doing the same in return. I have pictures of that memory that are truly precious. Terra and Shoshi fast became best pals.
Then we saw Shoshi playing with her sister with that run-like hell game and said - oh we need another. So our journey began to find a playmate that didn't fall on their face when Shoshi stopped on a dime - which often happened with Terra. Terra had longer legs but Shoshi could just outrun her by cutting corners and it was endearing.
Then Risa came into our lives and she just wouldn't play with Shoshi but she took a liking to me and would follow me around like we were connected at the hip. So, although she didn't play with Shoshi, well, she was ours. She is now Nathan's dog through and through since he sat and helped her through her last whelping.
After that, Paris and Wasabi came to visit and Wasabi alone played with Shoshi but with Paris - well Paris was her focus. I loved the antics of both Paris and Wasabi and when it came to picking between both to add another to our home, Wasabi won out due to her play with Shoshi. Paris only wanted Wasabi. But Paris was amazing - so difficult to choose. Paris could jump straight up on my hat box to an amazing height and curl up like a ball to sleep. But after we chose, Wasabi got in a funk without Paris and stopped playing with Shoshi.
Now if you are following this story - we got 2 dogs to play with Shoshi and neither would play with her. Now how did that happen? Then Kat was born in our home and well, he was Risa's and he was the one dog that climbed over everyone saying PICK ME - PICK ME and he took no backseat to his mom or to his grandsire, Mojo. He was one of the very select few that got away with challenging the Moj. Now Fiona also gets that designation, Risa's grand daughter, Mojo's great grand daughter. Something about that line and their personality. In their minds they definitely think they count the most.
Then we were lucky enough to get Abigail, to show and to bring some puppy life around this place. After 2 litters - we were really missing puppy-hood. Abs is an old soul before her time. She has this magic where she calms those around her and unites the pack. She has a delicious unbridled way about her in her play that all the dogs tend to gravitate to. They all want to play with the Abs - perhaps due to her being so accommodating.
Then we added Fiona, who has that 'pick me' attitude that makes you laugh. She also has that pouting thing going on much like Kat - no patience for taking too long and sees nothing wrong with walking up your body to get you to pay attention to her vs. anyone else.
The pups adore each other. To answer the question - are two better than one - absolutely. More work in training but once you get past that - and even while you are in the midst of it - the memories they create are priceless. But you have to invest time in spending one on one time with each so they bond to you not just the other puppy and that has happened here.
As you can see in the photo, due to Abs, Shoshi finally has a play partner that we were looking for when we started this journey. The introduction of the pups has helped Shoshi become the dog she was meant to be.
Shoshi and Abs are now playing wonderfully together. We started this journey for her to get her a playmate. She came to us at 7 weeks – way too early and it has taken her years to learn how to act like a Havanese from the pack. It’s hard to explain but she mounted Abs and I celebrated – not for Abs but that Shoshi finally has some perceived backbone in her mind. It’s a wonderful relationship Abs and Shoshi are developing and I have Abs to thank for that. Shoshi has made the entire circle to acceptance and becoming a critical part of the pack that has a job. No one should let dogs go at 7 weeks – as they miss so much learning from the dam.
That Abs…she is a heart dog – a calming force that reels them in and gets others to feel relaxed, loved and wanted. That’s a special quality she has.
So, are two dogs better than one... heh - do you now have the answer?