Sassy & Coach & Snow

Fiona says: Hey, we had Miss Super Sassy and Coach over when the snow just started. We had tons of fun. We have to do it again. Check out the video of this crew and watch Miss Abigail jump in delight.

We also have a rumour that we will be seeing Louis overnight and Katsuro's brother Benny soon. Wow!

I am the only brains around this place. This was the start of the storm that just kept coming and coming and although I am in a small part, I did sit on the snowbanks to survey all and I mixed it up with that Lass Super Sassy but hey just being 4lbs - you get cold - you know. The rest of the dawgs are crazy dawgs as they just didn't care that this white stuff was over my head.

We hope you enjoy our fun.

More later>>

Havanese Living With Too Much Snow

Well, the storm is over but the snowbanks is high. We got a couple of feet of snow it seems and the snowdrifts and the shovelling gave us magnificent snowbanks for our Havanese to hang out on, climb up and down on and plain have fun.

We are still working on a video of the Coach & Sassy visit. We are hoping it will be up tonight but it's time to walk the dawgs. They need it but I certainly don't. heh.

The things you do for LOVE - Dawgie love that is!

More later>>

Huge Winter Storm, Coach & Sassy Visit

We had a wonderful visit from Coach, Sassy & Their Human Dad, John. We are working on a video but here are some precious moments inside and outside of the stormy weather.

When all was said and done, the crew here crawled on to the couch to veg. Too much snow shoveling - I tell you. Till later - maybe we will make the Orangeville show tomorrow.

A Happy Dawg is an Exercised Dawg

No class today due to storm - did you hear that Sebastian? We have an extra week to kick your ahem! We may try to go to the Orangeville dawg show.

Now that Miss Fiona has her 2nd set of shots, we started taking the dawgs out for some serious walks. Much to the delight of Abigail, she got to see the school, the forest where it was pristine as no one is using it. She wasn't crazy over those cars on the main street but she dealt and pranced on and yes she prances. She went with Terra and just adores the big dawgs.

Miss Abigail came back bouncing around yesterday and seemed to be wanting more but Miss abs and Risa laid their heads down and was totally conked out. We are going to try again today. It's a far cry from hating the collar and leash to this.

Now we are dealing with 'stubborn city' with Fiona with the collar. First day, Nathan takes her halfway up the street gently pulling her and ended up returning home as she would not walk. Yes, this 4 lb thing wouldn't walk.

I decided enough of this. I took her out and gently pulled her 3/4 of the way around the block. Finally she said to herself - hmm if I walk, she doesn't pull. So. yesterday I decided to take her out again. The gal hid. I took her anyway. She pulled all the way out of the driveway but because Abs was out on the walk too bouncing around, there were times she plain forgot she had the lead on. Still, those car sounds had her jumping back. We need some more slow conditioning as we did with Miss Abs. That's the issue with not walking them due to having all their shots, you have a tad bit more work in store. If I had this to do again, I would have placed a collar on the dogs from day one and walked them out back part of the time. Live and learn.

I expect by weeks end, Miss Fiona will be enjoying the walks. But for now, I may try treats to stop this hiding business. walks are supposed to be fun.

No matter what the weather is, walks are great - inside play is great but work that mind and body and you and your Havanese will be glad you did.

Miss Fiona has started a game every time she comes to bed to tunnel under the blankets and come up in different spots. she has all the other dawgs trying to pounce on the bumps. It's a riot. You too can do bumps under the blankets to get your Havanese playing, pouncing and having a grand time.

Well, time to shower - walk Havanese dawgs and just enjoy the day. We may tape 'My Cousin Vinny' just due to Marisa Tomei's acting in it. Otherwise, we are hoping to have visitors, go to a show, not get stuck in snow and just enjoy what this potential storm brings.

More later as the day unfolds.

Havanese Love High Spots

Havanese like to hang out on high spots, be it the top of a snow pile to the back of a chair or couch. We tend to feed this side of them by giving them interesting places to stand or sleep on top of them. Check out our Dawg Friendly Arrangements Here.

Our couch has blankets so they can rest their heads. We build up the snowbanks so they can climb them. We even dig out tunnels under benches to give them a hiding spot. What can I say. We are a real dawg house.

As we get ready for the big storm to hit us over this 'March Forward' weekend, we realize the weather people being what they are - predictors of all mother nature has to offer or not offer - we will be doing our part to have fun in the white stuff if it shows with video in hand. Think of it as an adventure - a back breaking adventure of shoveling paths so your little ones can have fun or think of it as a way to get your ahem in gear to exercise. It's all in the mindset - you know.

Anything for the dawgs...at least here!

More later>>

Havanese Puppy Training

Here is a photo of the fierce-some twosome - Fiona yawning not ready for the day quite yet. It's 5am in the Talemaker house and Miss Abigail decided it was time for her to 'get busy'. You ask what 'get busy' is? Well it's when she has to go and when she has to go - she has to go but I wanted to sleep in. So, I ignored, went under the covers and she went off the bed and my mind clicked in and said oh oh - she does have to go and she did. Tsk tsk on me and my not wanting to get my rump out of bed as she DID tell me. No, I did not get mad. I said 'no - outside' firmly, took her and her double trouble companion outside and she went again. The person I should be mad at is myself and I am. Miss Abs is pretty good at getting the 'outside' but if you miss the signals - and that's what it often is or you ignore - well then accidents will happen. If you have to go - you have to go.

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

So, as a snowplow went by at 5am with blue light flashing making all sorts of noise plowing streets that didn't need to be plowed as they were already done yesterday (such a waste) and the dawgs started to react to the sound.

I said my 'silly dawg' and they got that this was nothing to send to the pack to faciliate a warning. Notice how Miss Fiona has her eyes up cocked listening to the plow and Shoshi is sniffing her to see what its all about.

Well dear old Abs said now I am awake - let's play and here you can see her at 5am chasing Shoshi - who if you didn't look close enough - looks like a fur ball vs. a Havanese. ROFL People would shake their head if they saw my backyard at 5am. It comes alive.

Then after they came out, Shoshi, Wasabi and Katsuro came down. You didn't think Risa would - did you? Nah she stayed in bed with daddy till after 7am. Such is the life of those that are lucky.

Then it started getting lighter and good old Abs was still full of it (you should see the puppies first thing in the morning - CRAZY pups for sure - maybe I will tape it this weekend.

The moral of this story is the most fun to be had is early in the morning and don't think sleep is better than that. You will have a better trained dawg if you get into that mindset. Can you hear me laughing from here?

More later - and hope your dawg adventures are grand ones!

Havanese Vet Update

We went to the vets seeing the ice storm was coming in - we wanted to keep warm - yeah - at the vets. ROFL.

Miss Abigail got her rabies shot and Miss Fiona got her 2nd shots and goes back in 4 weeks to get her next.

Miss Abigail is now 8lb 4.5 ounces and Miss Fiona is 4lb 7.5 ounces. Remember that Miss Abigail is 2 days younger than the Wasabi crew. Miss Fiona is just 13 weeks last Friday.

Miss Fiona has gained 1lb 6.5 ounces in 5 weeks and Miss Abigail has gained 2lb 2 ounces. They do adore the food that human daddy makes.

No issues with rabies in regards to soreness for the Miss Abs but Fiona is way sore.

She is here giving Miss Abigail the evil eye and yes she has one - ROFL and it says - leave me alone.

I tried putting her in the crate and that was fine but she wants to be with the others. So, we are watching and figure by tomorrow she will be back to her usual feisty self.

More later and have you shoveled paths for your dawgies yet if the snowstorm hit you? We have.

The Best of Friends

Abs and Terra are becoming fast friends. Watch this goofy slideshow to see how they are doing.

Ice Storm Warning & Relationships

Sometimes that male dawg just snuggles with the human mom and us. Human daddy wasn't fast enough with the camera but they were seen nose to nose sleeping just before that.

The relationships in a multi-dawg home is mighty interesting and you can learn a lot from your canines from watching them. Katsuro used to want all the attention to be on him but he has learned that there is enjoyment in building his relationships with the other dawgs and therefore has become a more confident dawg understanding that there is enough love to go all the way around. Besides - nothing like a gal dawg to hang out with. ROFL!

Well they are calling for yet another ice storm and before you say - well we will just stay in - be aware that if your dawg slips the wrong way, they can hurt themselves just like we can hurt ourselves. Tread carefully and until the ice is not on the path of your walk, find fun ways to entertain your dawg inside such as retrieve.

Our son recently tested our dawgs for a paper he is doing for university and we had interesting results. We may try it again to see if the way it unfolds changes with the 2nd time around.

Games help to reduce the causes and symptoms of stress and build a strong bond of understanding between your dog and you and simply they are plain fun.

Games you can play with your little one inside are:

1. Fetch (find a hallway where you are at one end and there is no exit except past you and the learning will be faster.

2. Hide the treat. Show them you have it and then hide it. See how quickly they find it. Use the command 'find it' and you can graduate to toys and much more.

3. Soccer - yeah soccer - take a half inflated ball the size of a soccer ball and kick it around. I say half inflated as then your dawg can grasp it in it's teeth. We had a dawg here last summer that pushed a ball all over with it's nose. For some it comes natural - if given an opportunity and others you have to give them the opportunity. This can be a real joy to watch - inside or out.

4. Practice your commands in a really fun way by being upbeat and creating interest. Sit/stay/down etc Be creative with it. If you already know all the basics - well if your dawg does then try leading with a treat in a crazy 8 way through your legs. This is the first step to training them to do all sorts of fun things with you.

5. Agility training - there are cheap weave poles you can use, you can make a teeter totter and even use a hula hoop as a jump plus buy a cheap tunnel.

6. Hide and Seek - yes we had a German shepherd that played this with our youngest son but you can also play it. Just put him in a stay or have someone else hold your dawg and then when you are hidden call the dawg and let him find you. After he knows the game, just hide without the vocal and you can create all sorts of fun.

There's more but start with these and share your own games - please!

Havanese Guilt or Human?

But mommy the stairs are too high - come pick me up and carry me down?

We are all guilty of giving in to what we perceive as inabilities in our little ones but we do them no favours.

The only way to get past anything that your little one is unsure of is to create safe situations where they will try and then applaud them when they do. Once they realize trying creates positive results, then you will get a dawg that tries things that they wouldn't have if coddled. Do not foster insecurity. It will create all sorts of issues.

Sure my stairs are scary as they curve are open and there are many of them but after a few days of ignoring them placing paws down one step at a time and gently pushing her on as a mother would - she now runs the stairs. Use this philosophy with everything.

On another note, not all dawgs are afraid of thunder but there is a significant amount of those that are that I truly believe you should find storm bytes online that you can play in the background. It may drive you crazy but play it softly than tweak it higher over time. By doing so, before the storms hit, your dog will already be familiar with the sound and that's half the battle.

More later...

Havanese Let Down (Video is UPDATED)

Our wild and crazy day video is up now (updated - it was cut off at the end)

It's quiet today. Sure mommy and daddy hears the pitter patter of tiny feet running like the dickens but something about visitors that does our heart and bodies good. It's sort of like a holiday like those humans take - fun and then nice to get back to it and then we start dreaming of the next time.

Well, mommy has the video done of our fun event yesterday.

It's updated as the end was cut off with Sebastian and his human crew. We had so many moments that we had to cut so if Sebastian's mom wants an unedited version - my human mommy will burn it for class next week. It's over 15 minutes long and we had so many moments the camera wasn't out. It's always like that. The Chico video was unrecoverable and we are heartsick. That disk is in the trash now. Got to plan another sleepover. We miss the guy already.

We wonder how Remy's classes are going. We hope the Sassy and Coach and livin' it up and not driving their humans crazy. But hey - such is a dawgs life that fills you with tales you can talk about for years to come.

Here is what we said about the video in the description at YouTube.

Sebastian came to visit after class and found all the nooks and crannies we set up to make our house dawg friendly. Enjoy the antics of this crew and how even a well behaved trained dawg can give you paw vs. listening.

Class is Almost Done

Next week is the last class of fundamentals and this cutie, Sebastian is doing everything perfect. I believe he is going to get the certificate of most improved.

Miss Abs does everything perfect at home - except down - even with enthusiasm but I think she's going to win the prize of most stubborn in class and we haven't figured out why yet.

She's not spooked by the large dogs. She goes and meets and greets with tail wagging. I think daddy needs to stop feeding her at all that day till class. (hint)

Here you can see Sebastian doing down and Nathan decided that he would do stand seeing she is going to have to learn to stay standing. She did do that but as you noticed from her tail, the gal is not happy. She loves the class - and did great till last week and this.

The moral of this story is often people give up when hit with an obstacle but this is the time you should persist and plug on to get past this point and figure it all out. We have no doubt that she will get back to it and soon she will be joining handling classes and we will see how that goes.

Well, we have a video we need to edit and get up of Sebastian visiting us with his human mom and dad for lunch. We hope this one came out. We shall see.
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COMMENTS:
Mark and Maryanne said...
Am I biased or is Sebastian just gorgeous!!
March 1, 2008 5:06 PM
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Nathan & Darlah Potechin said...
Oh, he is a cutie. He's going to make all the gal dawgie's hearts melt.
March 1, 2008 6:32 PM

Havanese Sibling Rivalry or WHAT?!

Oh, gad not another day with all these dawgies - but oh, it is. Miss Abs said, check me out in this video with my best pal, Fiona and her sibling. See how the pups play. Is it sibling rivalry or just plain fun?

If you ever wanted a 2nd Havanese or dare I say three, check out this video before you do.

Mommy had a lot of trouble as she had over 8000 sectors munged on the CD but she managed to recover some and we are trying to recover more. We are missing the Chico portion and another very important part but we are trying. Rewritable cds only last so long folks.

More later - enjoy the video.

Markham Show Videos

Mommy said that I have to really watch these videos so I know how to do this show thang! Catch the Markham Show part 1 here. Then when you are done, come back. Part 2 is NOW uploaded. Hope you like it, learn a thing or two and enjoy this unedited view of the Havanese at the Markham show.

If you want to see a clearer version, visit this site here. Due to YouTube choking all ^%&* night, I uploaded it to my other site that takes video uploads. Just have some patience - let it load and wow clearer version and put it in 200% as it's a clearer version than full page.

You Be the Judge

Oh my gad - aren't I simply .... You be the judge. Post your replies. ROFL

Well, it's just another Havanese day - oh hum and what do they have me watching? Well, look at that TV. We already watched the National Geographic channel and I *like* watching those. They tend to have animals in them and I want to pounce on the bugs, watch intently at those bigger animals and just am curious as all get out. But all those judges on TV and please - no Judge Judy - get that off MY TV. It is my TV now - the humans just don't get that yet.

Still, nothing better than snuggling on the couch and chillin'. I am trying to convince Fiona of that but I think she needs a sledgehammer or wisdom to get that!

Remember you can click on any photo to see a larger version.

Fiona seems to always want to mix things up. You can see her mischievous side as dear old Abs wants to sleep and Abigail keeps yanking on the blanket. She keeps it up and keeps it up till Miss Abs says enough and comes back on the attack - all in fun you know. At this very moment all I can hear is their tiny feet running back and forth over and over non stop. It's a riot.

Then Wasabi has a chewie and Fiona decides SHE wants it so she starts barking at her. Yes, she has suddenly found her voice. She barks, she pounces and Wasabi just eats away and ignores. Oh to be a frustrated Havanese. What can one do?

Not to worry - they all got chewies eventually after that behaviour ceased.

More later>>

&^%$ Havanese Brrrr Cold Out There!

Fiona says - you want me to go out in THIS!?

It's really cold today and its getting colder they say. Be sure to double layer your dogs on a walk, watch for cold feet (lifting paws) and be prepared to carry home if you are midway and the paws are hurting. A shorter walk today is wise. Fiona runs under the ottoman when you mention outside today. What is she trying to tell us when she usually loves going outside? I guess at under 4lbs - well mom it's plain too cold.

Gidget is getting picked up today. We will miss her immensely.

More later>>

After Bath Hanging Out

Gidget had her bath today and I blow dried her and brushed her and she came out amazingly soft and way fluffy. Let's see if it lasts till tomorrow when her mommy Audrey comes and gets her.

She was great to wash. I got the idea that she was enduring it all until I took out the treats and it was if I did something magic. Oh - sure have that blower in my face - just give me those treats and i will forgive ya!

She was the only one I bathed. Still under the weather. We have our son from London coming in tonight. His B-day is tomorrow.

Daddy didn't get to train Miss Abs again - still too sick so hoping tomorrow is it. I can hear Sebastians mom saying - excuses - excuses. You know who rules!

Well, I guess we do as it surely is not us in this condition. Usually we care but beyond brushing, throwing the ball around and snuggles - we are napping and trying to get rid of this whatever that has visited us.

I found some 'no more stain' stuff that is actually supposed to remove all stains but not up to trying it out. Will let you know.

That's all for now, folks.

Havanese Bonding

Friends often blend together like they were placed on a canvas with one brush.

Miss Abs says - Terra - I know Shoshi used to be your best pal but you have to admit, I have found your heart and at the very least, you make a great pillow.

Gidget goes home tomorrow and she will get bathed later today.

I am not up to it but her mommy is off on another trip and I want her to look fresh - not like the cat dragged her under the deck - ooops that's Wasabi who did THAT! Oh, you say Gidget doesn't need dragging? Well, then you would be right!

Fiona is playing her climbing games and trying to get Gidget to come chase her. Fiona is an interesting thang as she tends to have this teasing personality. She hides under ottomans, on top of couches - any place high or under things to get her in a stance to pounce.

Then after she pounces, she gnaws. Gidget is saying - what is that gnat on my leg and what does SHE think she is trying to do?

There's nothing like Havanese and how they play with other Havanese but that doesn't proclude them from deaking out a retriever or two. It's half the fun of life - is it not?

Remember you can always click on any photos in this blog to see a larger version.

Creating Our Own Havanese Fun

Well, if the humans are going to act sick around this place then we have to make our own fun. To top it off, the human mom was trying to transfer the video and she got an obscure error saying part of the video is munged. Fun. When she is feeling better, she will see if we can find a work around. The human is so frustrated but no energy nor is she feeling well enough to do anything about it. Sorry.

The crew is continuing to play and have a roaoring grand time despite the ill humans.

More tomorrow....

Havanese Dawg Day Letdown

It's a Havanese Dawg Day letdown. The humans are sick. First it was that kid that snuggles and plays with us Jonathan and then that human Dad Nathan who couldn't come to the dawg show. Then mommy is feeling chills and will be crawling into the couch with us so we don't D-I-S-T-U-R-B daddy. Then that other kid who watches these shows with animals so I can go crazy watching them is complaining about feeling cold.

Where does that leave us? No excitement today - guests have all left except that precious Gidget - just snuggles, and eating and playing out back. Video much later - sorry.