The Big & Small: Eating Together

Sometimes things are better with friends - even eating.

We had a full day today. Beth Obrecht came to visit to see her Miss Abs and visit for a bit.

We also did training with pups. Oh all I can say is class will be interesting. We are getting there but C-Bass best be ready for the gals to rule! Heh

Mommy is heard screaming this primal scream that makes dawg barks seem like gentle raindrops as she keeps crashing. She's working on that dog show video and I gather its too large for YouTube. She'll keep trying.

We played a game of retrieve the toy and they all got into that. That human son of my parents - Joe - well he was hanging out here. He loves the dogs so.

Two more days till Miss Fiona gets here. Crazy dawg house at Talemakers - and we can't wait!

All you Wasabi pups - practice, practice, practice. Stardom can be yours - just get that stay down.

Shots, Visit & Late Arrival Home

We went to get shots today for Miss Abs (3rd one done) who weighed in at 6lbs. She got her shots and so did a couple of other dawgs in our crew. The vet thought Miss Abs had great knees, perfect bite, nice compact body. He thought she was a beauty. He even commented how clean her bum was. I wanted to ask what kind of bums he saw but I held my tongue and thought to myself that I didn't want to know. ROFL!

Then we headed to Yvonnes and saw her pretty babies (pups) and got to play with Fiona - who comes home Thursday after her Baer test. Fiona has 4 white sox like her grandmother - our Risa. I got more photos of Yvonnes pups that I will post and we had lunch - thnx Yvonne and Alex - most gracious and then headed home. The dawgs were really happy to be home.

I have work waiting - the dog show video to do and all I want to do is crawl on the couch.

Here's a photo of Fiona (is that what we are calling her?) It's not a good quality but I had the camera on the wrong setting - gad - shows me to play with it. I promise better photos after she comes.

She's an Ever-Ready battery - at least at Yvonne's and then she crashes. It's going to be a ton of fun - ah puppies - nothing like them!

Havanese Game Time

I try really unorthodox things at times and when I saw two dogs getting a tad too aggressive in their tug, I put the toy in my mouth and was teaching them to 'drop it' so they understand the game isn't always about winning but the play.

It seems to have worked as they were seen playing and dropping and waiting and pouncing so the game became something entirely different and more fun than simply yanking . Even Risa got into it but I will tell you tomorrow how the jaw feels.

The photo here is the least of the ridiculous ones that Nathan clicked tonight.

Tomorrow afternoon we have 3 dogs going in for shots and a very busy morning so updates may be late in the day. I am also going to get a video up of the dog show, if possible to help you see it as if you were there - sort of.
So check back with the Talemaker Havanese crew and see what fun we are up to.

Puppy heaven, adult heaven - I just love them and you thought Nathan was the only one who lost his mind around this place. Maybe his sense of adventure with the dawgs is catchy. hehehehe

Woodstock Dog Show '08

We got to attend the Woodstock show today where 11 Havanese were entered. What a sight to see all the Havanese! Sorry about the quality of the photos but we got what we got.

Havanese Comforts

Well we are off to a dog show today to see all the dogs strut their stuff. I promise to bring home lots of photos for you to see. I best remember the camera and I best remember to take it out.

Our beloved Fiona - is that what you are calling her, Nathan? Well, she's coming on Thursday after her Baer and Abs gets her Baer then too. Monday we have 3rd shots and we can rest a tad easier.

Our home is really for the dawgs. We create comfort places all over the place. Here you can see Wasabi sitting under a table on a bed. This gives her a birds-eye view with the comfort of a perception that she is in a den. The dawgs LOVE things like this. It doesn't cost you hardly anything but a pillow under the table and it all works for them.

We try to give our dawgs a sense of really having the cush life and they do.

Our son came in from Japan and that was way exciting. Today is Super Bowl time and all I can think of is yeah Havanese - not yeah football so virtually shoot me all you Super Bowl fans but we are off to the dawg show and will be lovin' it seeing old faces, new faces and getting into a positive state of mind. More after we come back.

Second Class Down

We have the 2nd class down and the little ones did well. As you can see, Sebastian has that adoration thang - where's that treat down cold. He's so cute. You should have seen him playing with a big dawg after class and having a roaring good time at that. Miss Abs wasn't quite sure about the guy - wanted to play but wasn't sure about all that movement. After her next shot, we will be on a mission of making sure she finishes her socialization list and getting exposed to various people, dawgs so she also has that exhuberence to play with guys of all sizes etc Shots come on Monday.

The duo - Miss Abs and Sebastian needs to work on their stays. Sassy Lassy missed class and will have to play catch-up this week. Miss Abs actually seems to have that 'stay' thing going on. We even did off leash. practice, practice, practice guys as we expect perfection next week. hehehehehe

Here you can see Abs practicing heel - amazing considering she bucked like a bronco the first time we put a collar on her. Give me treats anytime daddy and I will do what you want. She's turning into an amazing dog and catches on quickly.

Did you notice that the ladies in this crew are not in the photos? What does that tell you? We got to sit, watch and critique - an easier job by far. Next week I will be taking Sassy around, I am told so that should be fun. More about that later.

Havanese Training Tips

Well, as you can see, Miss Abs really did a job on her abs - ROFL. She snow plows through the snow and ends up with all these snow piles all over her tummy. You can easily remove with tepid water or they will melt their way all over your house. Remember to brush after or you may end up with tangles.

We have a really busy weekend. We are going to have a puppy playmate today, classes and our Mom and Dad's third oldest child is coming in from Japan to get married. Wow! Then we may head to a dog show to see the Havanese on Sunday and applaud all their efforts. We promise photos from that!

Classes need practice daily but we must admit, we missed yesterday. There was too much going on. Mommy didn't sleep much - long story but life throws curves at times and you keep doing the best for all those you love. We do!

Here's some tips on making classes work.
1. Build training into your DAILY life. Take 5 to 10 minutes a day - that's all is needed and you will make a HUGE difference.

2. Keep the training sessions SHORT. Best to do several a day vs. one long one. Puppies get frustrated by long sessions unless you change it up frequently and make it interesting.

3. Use your voice properly. If you say 'sit X' and you say it as if you are bored as ever, don't expect your dog to get excited about it. Your emotion and enthusiasm counts so try even when you do not feel like it. It will become a habit and you will both be better off for it.

4. Use commands once - if you say 'sit x' 'sit x' - your dog will hear it twice and start reacting only to when you do it twice. This is a tough one as I fall into this one myself. Try to say the command once.

5. Go slowly - use each command as a building block. This is not a marathon. To make it an imprint, it must be done over and over.

6. Remember each dog learns at different speeds. It's not a mark of intelligence. Some alphas will give you a very hard time in going into a submissive stance such as 'down' but persistence in a positive way works and you are building a bond and your position as alpha - all important in the scheme of things. Patience is really important.

7. Recognize that distractions can make things difficult and you may want to minimize them at first but as you go along start introducing them such as asking your dog to sit on a walk when traffic is whizzing by. Eventually, you want to get your dog used to all sorts of noises and distractions to get him to be a balanced dog.

8. Use your treats before you feed - not after. Your dog can go without lunch if your class is at noon. You want your dog wanting the treats not being picky as he is full.

9. Always mark behaviours to get your dog to understand when he is getting it right. You can mark with your voice and a clicker.

10. Always be aware that if you give free treats - you are giving away the bank for free. Always and I mean always get your dog to do something for a treat. Don't just give it to him. Make him work for it. This may sound harsh but they actually enjoy working for a goal and therefore you have given him a challenge. Keeping your dog's mind stimulated is a good thang!

Most of all - remember to have fun. If you have fun, your dog will have fun and it will all come together.

Talemaker Coach Visit & Snowy Days

Miss Abs & Coach got along fabulously. Coach was more gentle with her than with his canine mom Wasabi. Miss Wasabi Woo was delighted and it's a joy to watch her excitement when seeing the pups. A great time was had by all. Now it's snowing and we are also including the photos of that - snow covered dawgs - such fun! Another grooming day...hehehehe

Snow tends to invigorate the Havanese. Enjoy the slideshow below!

Talemaker's Coach Visits

Miss Abs got a visit from her half brother Coach - one of Wasabi's pups. Wasabi was delighted to see Coach but this photo was taken just before he was going home. The kids were still mucking it up and Wasabi looks as if to say - kids - do they ever stop playing?

You can click on all the photos to see a larger version.

The crew had a wonderful time. Look tomorrow for some priceless photos of the gang in a slideshow.

We hope Coach sleeps tonight. We know Miss Abs and Wasabi will. Thanks, John for bringing him by. It was a real pleasure. Surely made our day!

More tomorrow>>

Havanese Puppy Education

We are practicing our growls. You say WHAT - yes, our growls. When our dogs bark at the door, we find the leader, say no bark and growl but you have to sound like you mean it. Consistency helps. A quick bark to warn you is a good thing but not if they continue - well at least for us.

We have a dog in the neighbourhood that howls all day long and our dawgs think it's their job to warn us about it.

Daddy was out this morning getting chicken to make for us and the doggies - spoiled lovees that they are.

Miss Abs is adjusting to the leash and daddy has been going out with her once a day. Let's see how she does in class in TWO days. Will she remember. Will she shine or will she forget it all?

We hear that Remy is now in classes - bravo! Here's a photo that his parents shared with us. We miss the precious guy. Nice to hear how the crew is doing.

More later...

Windy Havanese Moments

The dawgs need baths - the wind is blowing fierce and our dawgs are loving it.

But for some, the wind is an unknown and when it is this strong, it may throw them off a bit creating a fear. Be sure to not make an issue of it if they do react and be creative on ways to make the experience positive and a fun one.

For our old dawg - it throws her off but we offer distractions, act as if it's an enjoyable thang that is going on and it all works. Realize your dawgs react from your state of mind. If you are tense, they are. Practice your yoga chants - if you must - hahahaha and stay in that healthy state of mind for you and your canine pals. It helps them and therefore helps you. It's all in the head - you know.

Havanese Abigail Adjusting to New Home

Rarely do we get to see an inside look into our dogs going to someone else's home in the formative puppy stage but every now and then we get blessed with someone entrusting us to help their little one be all they are meant to be. Here's a small snippet of Rockhurst Abigail at Talemaker in her first few days finding an effective way to communicate and where she fits in with the pack. Thanks goes to Beth Obrecht for sharing her with us. We now know daily they make strides in fitting in, finding their place and really bringing laughter to your life. What else could you ever ask for... Look for another video of Abigail playing at Yvonne's with pups soon.

Havanese Video Comes Tomorrow

Well, it's getting late and as you can see in this photo, Wasabi and Miss Abs are waiting for me to go upstairs. You can find them close to each other an amazing amount of time. I do believe these two are bonding the deepest thus far.

More tomorrow>>

Havanese Monday Blahs

Nathan and Miss Abs did their class homework. Did Sassy Lassy and Sebastian? We will find out come Saturday - hahahahahaha

Just to update you, I am a bit under the weather. Not sure why but feeling chills. I usually only feel that in other places. We are still working on the video of Abigail making her transition and the video from Yvonne's house but it may take me till tomorrow. Still hoping but want to crawl on the couch. Also, Yvonne will have some photos up on her blog and I will put a pointer here when she does from the weekend. Look for it soon.

By the way, Miss Abs has totally made the bridge. She stole a tug toy from Risa and played with her. She plays with Wasabi and Shoshi every chance she gets. She hangs on Katsuro's back and on and on. But for those that know Risa - stealing a toy from her - well the gal has guts and she has made it completely. ROFL

Wasabi even plays with Abs just like she did Sassy so that gal has real get up and go. Oh my! What fun to see.

Where's All the Havanese Excitement?

Here's the wet duo wanting to come in this morning. As you can see, Katsuro's hair is growing in from Opal yanking it off short on top but now Abigail thinks she can do similar so we will be spraying Katsuro's head with fooey. Not the best texture but better not to have it never come in - I say.

What we noticed is after a very full weekend, the day after - the crew needs to relax - even Nathan, hahahaha. So, they are all up in bed - I am working and they are vegging. What a life - I tell you. Nathan will have to play catch-up but the dawgs won't have to.

It's important to give your dawgs downtime as well as exciting, fun times. Balance is an important thing. You can still play retrieve, do walks, play but also find the time to snuggle, nap and enjoy the comfort of each other. Miss Abigail has found her way to the bed every morning after she wakes up much like our Sassy Lassy did. She comes down to do her duty, yank at Katsuro, jump on Wasabi, listen to Risa grumble and get Shoshi running. Terra just looks at all this shenanigans with a grin - I tell you and Whitney won't go out till after she eats - plain and simple.

Then Abigail will run upstairs and all I can hear is the pitter patter of paws running across the floor looking for daddy who is usually in the shower by then. If she can't find him, she barks - oh my.

We are working on videos of our crew - of Yvonne's crew and more so check back with us. I am trying to get it done inbetween work.

More later>>

Talemaker Sassy & Sebastian's Playdate

Thanks goes to Sebastian's Human Dad for sharing these photos with us. We do appreciate it!

The Trios First Class, Visit to Yvonne's

Havanese First Class, Yvonne's and More

Well, Miss Abs, C-Bass, and the Sassy Lassy had their first class on Saturday. I heard great things about it but I was out in the car with the rest of the motley crew. Miss Abs was a tad nervous when all the large dogs came in but soon got over that. Daddy knew what to do introducing her around in a way where she got her grounding. We find the Miss Abs gets a tad nervous with new experiences but recovers FAST.

C-Bass and Sassy looked around, did fine with the environment and Sebastian remembered the Miss Abs as a playmate. As you can see in this photo, the trio was having a Havanese sniff-fest.

I will let Nathan (daddy) fill you in on the rest as I was hanging out with the other canines. Next week it will just be us and the Abs and maybe I will get to see the Talemaker crew for a tad longer. Gad that enthusiasm of C-Bass and oops that bark like Miss Abs and that strut of Miss Sassy. Boy does she strut and prance with an air of - 'I am all THAT - you know'. Shh - C-Bass knows she's a gal and let's her believe she is. ROFL! Wise guy!

Then we went off to Yvonne's and had a sleepover. The crew knew where they were going other than Miss Abs who walked in the house - went hmm where am I and fell in playing with Flora Dora. Here she is in this photo trying to find Flora. They ran around this chair jumping on each other that one can't help but laugh and laugh.

You can always click on any of these photos to see a larger view.

Then they would catch up with each other and play and play and play. Miss Abs ended up downright exhausted.

The best part of Yvonne's house is first their company but also the heavy amount of socialization the dogs get. Our Shoshi was a timid dog and no longer is. We owe that to not just letting her nervousness be and the amount of socialization she has had. it really works in giving your Havanese a balanced and secure feeling with new things when they have had positive exposures.

Talking about exhaustion, Whitney, Terra, Katsuro, Shoshi, Wasabi and Risa all got their full play in. We have a ton of photos that I am hoping to put in a slide show. We also saw puppies and Miss Abs got to play with them too and loved it! It was great to see.

As you can see, Wasabi was totally exhausted and wet from all that snow. She was drying all cozy like in a blanket in total comfort.

When a new pup comes into your home, there is always a period of adjustment between the humans, the pups the other dogs etc. Miss Abs has been continually getting more and more comfort to the point that she is looking forward to new events and the dogs are really connecting with her. She has found her place in the pack and they have accepted her as a part of it. There is a difference from day one to now and it is nice how it evolved - naturally with all. She's won our hearts even with that wolf howl - just like the C-Bass but his is a tad different sound. Still - puppies sometimes like hearing their voices. As long as we direct it to using it for things you want to and not use it when you don't, it all works. we are a work in progress in this regard.

Now we went through a period of Risa being withdrawn when her pack left and Wasabi was starting to do the same and not totally ignoring but not connecting with Miss Abs and she has made that bridge with her - doing 'run like hell games' under the deck and just a few minutes ago, snuggled up against each other on the blanket next to my desk. she has also used her charm to get to Katsuro, Shoshi, Risa, Terra and Whitney.

It's nice to see Miss Wasabi Woo (as we so fondly call her) getting connected again with puppies as she adores them. I tell you, she was so excited to see C-Bass and Sassy Lassy that it did our heart good! We were too. :-)

The usual exhausted stance these days is a snuggle in the arms, on the couch, on the legs - wherever she can get close and enjoy being with you - nice!

Well, seeing we were on holidays, the dawgs got wet, messy and just plain had fun and we also get wet, messy and had our own fun. Good food, good friends and puppies and our dogs having a grand time. How can it get any better?

We have a video that we are hoping to convert and put up in the next day or two. Please be patient as we are exhausted from our trip. We are chillin' watching TV, relaxin' and playing catchup. More later....

Training Class, Sleepovers & WHAT!

Dear old Abigail already ate and here she thought she could just edge herself in without Wasabi even noticing. When that didn't work, she tried Shoshi and then Risa and Risa said no one eats my meal except ME!

This is Miss Abs first class and she is looking forward to seeing her half siblings in class - sassy lasy and Mr. C-Bass as he is called.

It's already starting out fun. We couldn't find the lead we usually use so had to find something else. We aren't packed totally yet not are dishes cleaned and mommy is sitting in her PJ's. Oh my - and we are late.

Miss Abs now decided that if you do not listen IMMEDIATELY, she will bark to get your attention. Things like - bark, bark I want to go out now - so what if its the 40th time in this last hour. HAHAHA and Katsuro adores that she is doing it as he is getting away with the in and out. We need a doggie door, for sure. Still, we like to go out to see what they are doing and if their tummies are alright but can't wait till it gets warmer.

After our class and sleepover - Sunday night we will fill you in on al the antics. Till then....Mommy has to get her act together NOW!

Havanese TV Time & Dreams

Well, I am just finishing up getting things ready for tomorrow - charging cameras etc. and I couldn't resist putting up Miss Abs laying on our long leather ottoman that sits up against the couch. Do you think she is worried about anything?

I sat watching TV grooming and she was already done and decided to conk out. Well, I will tell you a funny thing about what happened while Miss Abs was snoozing. She must have been having one heck of a dream as she had her eyes closed, making noises and her tail was wagging but she was indeed sleeping. I would LOVE to know what fun dream she was having. It had to be a good one.

Well - off to bed myself as we have a full couple of days. Miss Abs and all of the crew except the Shoshi and Katsuro is up in bed with daddy.

One more update tomorrow morning then not again till Sunday night.