Training Never Stops

If you think of it, if you add something new at least once a month in the lifetime of your dog, can you imagine how you could wow your friends and you too?

Here is Miss Abs looking quite smashing getting ready to do some one on one lead time outside. What that means is she has to stand on the correct side, walk beside and not everywhere she wants. We have stopped doing long leads - play and do what you want. Next week or two handling classes will begin.

Fiona is a tad more reluctant to do the heeling practice but she is younger and has less practice. She has yet to get really excited about this lead business stuff.

It tells me how important it is to be consistent. Life gets in the way and we often don't make the time to do this daily but we must.

Here's an idea:
Let's teach our dogs to do a wave.

1. With the dog in a sit position hide a treat in your hand. Hold it down low.

2. Encourage the dog to 'get it' and give the command 'wave.' Reward the dog when his foot comes off the ground.

3. When the dog starts touching your hand with his paw, stand up and start moving further away each time.

4. Once the dog is doing well, stand far enough away so the dog can't touch you. Give the signal and command then reward when it is done right.

Let me know how it goes.

Big Dawg Play

We always manage to mix it up each day and make sure the crew really get their one on one time and play. At times we even manage to catch it on camera. Nathan was good enough to capture this shot this fine, chilly morning.

As I am standing outside, the thought - this is spring chillingly comes to mind.

Remember that you can always click on the photos to see a larger view.

Then I turn around with the camera now in my hand and Nathan is telling the Abs to STOP eating the plants.

Come spring like weather, those lovely shrubs that Nathan hates but really needs to be there to have some backdrop to the pool - well they won't be there.

Risa and Fiona was out riding the rails of the fence ignoring the rest - perhaps scavenging for hidden treasures. argh

As the snow melts, make sure you clean up as the snow fell fast and you may have missed something. We tend to always go out with ours, praise, clean-up and plain just have fun.

Today we have Louis till Saturday night late or Sunday. Tomorrow Bennie comes. It's exciting times. We may even go to the Pet show for a short jaunt. (hint hint to Nathan)

Louis has really found his nitch with the puppies. As usual, Abigail always persists till they relent - in a good way. Here you can see Louis on top of Abs. They have been playing for hours already.

We had mushy snuggles last night in bed where Abigail tunnels under the blankets and Fiona pounces and now Louis pounces too. What fun...and we love it. Someday I have to remember to bring the camera to bed with us - hahahahaha

More later as the day goes. Keep warm. We have training, heeling and all sorts of things to do.

A Louis Havanese In Our Life

We just adore having Louis visit. As you can see, he adores being here too. One should all have a little Louis in their lives.

He's going to be with us till Saturday late or Sunday so we will have a lot of tales to tell.

Louis is a Paris' (now known as Gidget) son.

Do dogs smile? Oh yes and they can smile in different ways to mean different things. The photo below is Fiona's - oooh am I going to have a bit of fun trouble here - and gee I relish doing so.

While out back, Fiona was seen smiling her mischievous little smile waiting to pounce on the newcomer - wanting to play her heart out. She can't help herself - lending delight to the moments we derive from the Havanese antics.

Nothing like more than one and if you pay attention...wow!

What - Havanese That Reads Ahem Paper

Really mommy, I am a treasure - really! It's 530am when I took this photo - (in the dark, I might add and that's why it's so flash exposed) of Fiona doing her part in digesting the newsprint. We want her to bring the newspaper to us but funny thing, it just can't seem to make it.

Havanese ADORE paper and sometimes we indulge. If a toilet paper or paper towel is down to the cardboard - we sometimes throw it down to let them have fun in tearing it apart into millions of pieces. We also throw down an empty water bottle as they like the noise that makes. It's funny the ones that they naturally like and others they don't.

I know it doesn't feel that way but the thunderstorms will be coming and I truly believe in 'slow conditioning' so I will be finding storm bytes online (just search on Storm sounds in google) and playing them low in the background and slowing raising the level. You probably think that's nuts and how could you stand doing such a thing or how do you have time? Well, not every dawg is sensitive to storms but those that are - well, I do not believe anything should be trapped in fear. If you can slow condition it out, well, you've done a great thing, imho.

More later from the stormy, paper strewn Talemaker Havanese home.

Visit to Chicadoro's (Yvonne's)

Well, the siblings got together and I will have to let Nathan fill you in on that.

He did tell me the snow was almost at the top of their fence - yeouch!

We hope the Wasabi woo isn't missing us as much as we miss her already but Katsuro is calming down and soon we shall see her.

Here's a picture of Fiona's sister taken today at Yvonnes. Look at those colours. I hear tell she also has Fiona's personality so watch out!

Remember you can click on the photos to see a larger version.

Wasabi Goes On Holiday

Miss Abs likes to mix it up with Fiona every chance she gets. Take a look at this face in midstream of doing just that.

The duo has gone to visit Yvonne with Nathan and Wasabi but Wasabi will remain till she is past her heat. It became intolerable - yet again - sleeping separate, whining, crying for her and panting, not eating nor sleeping. It meant I didn't get a heck of a lot of sleep. Next place we live, there has to be a live-in solution - such as a different wing - ROFL. Get that lottery ticket, dear!

I asked daddy to take photos of Abs, Fiona and her sister so I could post something. Good thing I called as he was about to leave and not take a single photo. Men...I tell you. Well, I am hoping I see a good photo out of what he takes but I suspect I get what I will get.

It's back to being quiet again after 98 minutes of panting, searching, jumping, whining and now he is sleeping. It's much quicker than the last frustrated time for him. Perhaps he is improving or getting conditioned - sigh. His time will come. ha!

Well, more later after we hear about the visit hoping Yvonne is feeling better than she has in the last 2 weeks. You are a gem for doing this, lady!

Wasabi and Kat

I was just flipping through a few pictures we've accumulated over the years and I came across this one of Wasabi and Katsuro when Kat was about 5 months old. They are both lying on the security cover we have on top of our swimming pool, which is bolted down in about 50 places. I can walk on it. When there is no snow on it, the dogs bounce over it as if they are on a trampoline. For those of you with dogs and a pool I strongly recommend you get this kind of security cover for the winter.

Nathan

Remy Graduates

Well, we just got back from watching Remy at class but they finished early. Arrrgh - wouldn't you know it!

We were told he did everything perfectly and we expected he would. I do believe that Wasabi is proud of the little ones and we are too!

It's amazing hearing and watching their milestones.

It was great seeing the entire family. It was also great to see Katsuro out and about with a distraction.

We will have to connect after Wasabi comes back from her lazing in the snowdrifts at Yvonne's place. Maybe we can convince John to bring the fierce-some twosome over as well.

Lost My Brain Dawg

Well dear old Wasabi is in heat again and she will soon be taking a holiday at Yvonne's. We can't show a photo of Katsuro as he looks worse than that sandy photo. Those boy dawgs lose their minds at this time and that's an understatement. They don't eat, they don't sleep - nada if the gal is around.

The moral of this story is get your dogs fixed and you won't have to deal with such craziness.

We are going to take him to Remy's class just to get his mind off ...well ... maybe a cold shower?

We will fill you in when we get back. We also have a CD of all our last 2 classes for Maryanne. Drop by and get it.

Last Class Results

Well, this was the last class of this round for Miss Abs and Sebastian.

The results are.... well click on the photo here to see a larger one and you will see 2 ribbons and his certificate for most improved. I have to say, Mr. Sebastian really brought it home. If Miss Abs had to lose out, well it couldn't have been to a better dawg.

We are so tickled to death when we see our dawgs go to homes that put their all into them and get them to be all they can be. Bravo - human and C-bass the dawg from the Talemaker crew.

We will fill you in on Miss Abs later. She did down and MOST things but heeling, running - :-) Miss Abs will be starting handling soon. We are thinking *I* may be the problem having mommy there.

We get to see Talemaker's Remy tomorrow on his last class. Can't wait.

More later and have you checked out the auction yet?

Dirty Sandy Havanese

When I look at this photo, I chastise myself for not putting jackets on the crew. Nathan took them for a walk and they all came back this way. Yes, they NEED the walks. Don't fool yourself. Watch them on a walk and you will understand that they love them so how can you take that away from them but.... My mind thinks about it when they come back looking like this. One person can only clean so many dogs. It's much easier being the walker although the walker may not feel that way.

Sand does not come out easily and I will tell you how to handle it, if faced with the same predicament. Rinsing does not sufficiently get the sand out. You will find it in carpets, all over floors and even your grooming table if you have it.

This is my trick, that I used yesterday but I still had a partially sandy bed as I ran out of steam. We use our laundry room tub to wash our dogs that has a sprayer that we screw in.

Use conditioner first then rinse thoroughly brushing as you go. The conditioner tends to let it glide off. If you have a spray on conditioner, all the better. Use a brush as you are cleaning and then a comb. It will stop the knots and help the sand to come off.

Poor Kat is the worse at the moment as he is blowing his coat. His hair is not conducive to many washes but sand - well he was the worse. It stuck to every nook and cranny. I almost wanted to cry. I conditioned heavily, brushed in through, washed then lightly conditioned again. I do believe I got all the sand out of him. I know I didn't with Risa as I rinsed not washed her and partially washed (just the under carriage on Shoshi. They will need to be washed in teh near future.

There will be no more walks without cover-ups here till there is no more muck. After having to wash 4 Havanese and rinse/partially clean the rest, my arm/hand is screaming, I was physically and mentally exhausted. The point of all this is - I tote the tote and say put something on them and here I forgot. Taught me a huge lesson. Can I go to sleep now?

Nah, as Miss Abs has her last class. She finally does 'down' somewhat. She does the rest like a star and then some but get her in class - well - we will see. She is an AMAZING and I mean amazing jumper. I am in awe at how high, how far she can jump even with her roundish tummy. She also has a special quality. She takes shy dogs and she persists, and persists till they give in and then they play. Nice.

By the way, the reason we put up the video of Nathan training was not to show how Miss Abs was doing a 'down' on her own time but rather the laughter that it created. If you have the right mindset and laugh as you go and not get frustrated, it all comes together. Some dogs beat to their own drums and therefore are more difficult to get there but they are also the ones that tend to be so interesting and fun in the end. They are not people pleasers but rather dawgs that will do it out of love but you have to give them a reason to do it. Our German shepherd was like that. highly intelligent, stubborn streak but amazingly gentle and loving to the kids. So each bring their own uniqueness to the home. Embrace that and love it and they will give back to you ten fold.

Well we will report how class goes later.
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COMMENTS:
Nathan said...
For the record ... The issue is that the sidewalks are covered in salt and sand. It is completely disgusting for those of us walking dogs. Combined with the melting snowbanks getting the dogs dirty is inevitable. I first took Risa and Kat. We went about a mile and a half down the street, over to the school, down a few more streets and back home, a large circle. Risa needs the walk more than I do. Then I took Abigail and Wasabi. We walked about 3/4's of a mile although Abigail could probably go farther. I hesitate to overdo it with her yet. Then I took Terra and Shoshi and went back up to maybe a mile and a half. Yes, I spent a few hours walking the dogs yesterday. Yes, they came back filthy. But they needed it and they loved it and truth be told, I could use the exercise too. Of course my legs aren't as tired as Darlah's arm but they, my legs, told me this morning that I did a lot of walking yesterday. :-) Nathan
March 15, 2008 10:04 AM

Havanese Comic Relief

Well folks, turn up your audio as half the fun is the comic relief you will get out of the human (Nathan) trying to get his Havanese to do a 'down'. Check out our latest video. The rest is our Havanese and retriever subjects.

This video follows the Abs doing 'down' on her OWN time, to Fiona saying not me, to well you will see. Training should be fun - you know but it certainly comes with its challenges! Enjoy! Leave comments especially if you have had this type of fun!

Then read about the Havanese Rescue Auction below!

Havanese Rescue Auction Begins

Fiona Says:

If you haven't ever participated, this is the year to do so. The HFC (Havanese Fanciers of Canada)sponsors the Havanese Rescue yearly (we are members) and tonight is the night it begins. Check out how to get there by checking out the links in the top right hand column. They have some really great items to bid on and more is being added all the time so check back. Your $$ go to help the dawgs.

Nathan Says:
I have to add to Darlah's post. This is important. Let me clarify. The HFC or the Havanese Fanciers of Canada is the national breed club for the Havanese. The members of this club do their very best we can at all times to make the breed we love the very best it can be. We are all also members of the CKC, the Canadian Kennel Club, and conduct ourselves accordingly.

Sometimes, due to circumstances outside of our control, a Havanese dog of any age ends up in a rescue situation. I'm not going to get into the myriad situations that can cause this to happen, some are sad, some make you angry, some are just tragic, but in all cases the end result is a Havanese dog that needs us. So the HFC has a Rescue committee and that committee acts to take responsibility those times that a Havanese needs our help, needs veterinary care, needs a forever home. Thank goodness this does not happen often but when it does we must be prepared.

One of the ways you can help is to participate in the annual auction which starts and ends tomorrow and can be found at this link http://www.hydabrek.com/HFCauction/ Darlah has more information on the right hand side. There are some really cool items being auctioned off but that doesn't even matter. We need your support. Please register now and help.

Thank you.
Nathan

Katsuro's Brother Was Over With Olga

Benny, Katsuro's brother and his person, Olga came to visit. Benny is getting reacquainted with the crew and will be staying with us a week from Friday.

We are excited and are positive Benny will have an amazing holiday while his person has hers.

Benny loves to pose for photos. It's nice. I don't have to worry about when this camera will actually click to shoot the picture. He waits for the camera. Can't ask for a better subject.

Remember you can always click on the photos to see a larger version.

Then we have Sebastian and Louis coming - different dates but sleepovers none the less.

It's always a crazy Talemaker Havanese house around here and we love it!

Havanese Action Shots

It's really difficult to get a good 'action' shot with a digital camera that is not a digital SLR but if you persist and shoot, shoot, shoot, by accident eventually you 'will' get some. Due to the way that the pups bounce around, I may get an action shot out of 100 photos taken that I like. Either get a better camera. (Eventually I plan to) or if you can't afford to, keep at it and click even when you think its not a good selection. By the time the camera clicks, it may be. The best part about having a digital is you can delete even before you put them on your camera.

This was Miss Abs jumping at a toy and I was the one with the toy coaxing her and trying to click at the same time. Multi-tasking - I tell you.

We also took a walk today. Actually Miss Abs got 2 walks - one with the Fiona to motivate her and she did wonderful and one with Terra.

If I had the right angle, you might even see a flash of paw. Miss Abs prances on her walks. Now to see what she does on her last obedience class.

Just looked out my window and that means more snow photos today. Yikes, it's snowing YET again.

We have Risa's son coming over again today and we are hoping to get photos of him. We had Coach and Sassy over last night, Benny over earlier but we were too focused on Benny to remember to take out the camera. For shame on us!

More later today. Keep clicking/shooting!

Coach & Sassy Hung Out

Havanese Puppy Play & Visits

What a day - what a day - fun filled days - what we live for - what the Havanese live for.

Okay, human mommy is playing in Photoshop and the pups are playing full steam this morning too but off the computer and all through the house.

Remember you can always click on the photos to see a larger view at anytime.

Fiona really keeps the Abs busy trying to deak her out. Here she is 'thinking' she is hiding but really she isn't. She does hide under the couch and ottomon that Mis Abs can't fit under any longer. Fiona's days are numbered. It won't be long till she can't fir either. She's growing in leaps and bounds.

Looks like we may have Benny for a visit today and tonight Sassy and Coach. Wow - fun times.

More later today.>>

Creative Havanese Times

Get Inspired

Have fun with your dawgs inside especially in this messy weather. Do something for your body like Nathan is - doing push-ups off the ottoman and playing with the dawgs at the same time.

Imagine if you did this for 10 minutes daily how sculpted your arms would be and how distracted you can get playing with your Havanese at the same time. You may actually find you like it.

Hmmm....I need to get back to that exercise thang too. Got some Havanese - good for your body inspiration for me? If so - send it my way. I need it!! My dawgs do too. They just adored those 4am wake-ups - hahahaha - well some did.

Messy Havanese Weather

We are playing more inside today than outside.

Tip: In this messy, sandy, salty weather do yourself a favour on a walk and put a sweater/coat something on the dawg otherwise you will be washing the sand, salt and ice out. Yuck. That is what I did yesterday on how many dawgs? Crazy... This way - with a coat that completely covers the under carriage, you will only have the legs and feet to do. You will be glad you did. Some waterproof jackets even go down part of the leg.

Just Some Winter Havanese Fun