Holiday Times

For those that celebrate Christmas, we placed up an article on keeping your Havanese safe during this time.

This is a photo of one of the little ones after tuckering his little body out playing outside. One has to laugh as they didn't like outside at first but for short periods of time to do their business and run around and play - well they come in quite tuckered and need their rest for more exciting times as the day transpires.

For those of you that celebrate, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi, Eid and any I forget - my apologies from the Talemaker furry crew - may everyone's celebrations bring you amazing fur bearing celebrations that memories are created from and tales are told throughout the years to come.

More One on One Time With Pups

Teaching the puppies to sit seemed to come very easy to these little darlings. Tomorrow we are working on Puppies and Advanced Human Psychology or how to make your new owners sit up and beg!

As most of you know, we had five boys and a single girl in this litter. Naturally the girl is the feistiest of the lot and I love her personality. So, shhh, don't tell Darlah, I made a point of being so busy talking to all our possible new puppy owners about the boys that somehow the girl isn't going anywhere. I'm shocked. Somehow they all assumed the girl was taken. Go figure. Anyway, suddenly my wife noticed. I have orders to find our beautiful, intelligent sassy lassy a home. And I don't want to. So when I say pass the word, "serious enquiries from serious people only," I really mean it. :-) If you know someone interested in our beautiful little girl, please contact us directly.
Thank you.
Nathan (the little known other half of www.talemakerhavanese.com)

One on One Time With Pups

We took the pups - one at a time out to the kitchen to test them on how fast they could learn the command 'sit'. We need to do this daily to reinforce it but the gal and Tux wasn't doing so hot (then it dawned on me I can't teach Tux sit - duh as you do not teach a show dog 'sit' at this stage). We used small pieces of Baby Bell Cheese for treats (rewards).

We then changed to chicken pieces (tiny ones) and started taking the other dogs out and either we were getting better at the technique or they simply liked the chicken better. They got the treat/reward for doing something quickly. Nice! Then I went back to the gal and to Tux and tried it with the chicken teaching Tux 'come' between Nathan and I and the gal 'sit' and suddenly they were doing really well. Hmmm must be the treat that counts. We plan to do this daily so you can have a dog that sits on command. Maybe we will teach another command next week to at least get a couple of commands down. This way you will have a start in training.

It shows you that at 8 weeks they are quite receptive to learning. You just have to take the time and if you do - wow - it all comes together and it is so worth it.

Well, no photo tonight. We took a video of the dogs playing with their canine mom but I haven't converted it yet and after a busy weekend, I want to have some downtime so more tomorrow. The pups - they are amazing and quite the fun lot.

You Can Teach Your Havanese to Dive

Many Havanese really like to swim but it matters how you introduce them to the sport. If you create a high level of enthusiasm and a great deal of praise, you can end up with a dog like Katsuro that has a passion for jumping in the pool. In this video, you will see how Nathan started him out by getting them all excited at the diving board then coaxing him to jump in. Then he praised him greatly in a really upbeat manner and it created a swimming monster - hahahaha - well not quite that but he adores the pool and can jump a far distance now. We believe it's important to find that passion for us - for our canines and when you do, you have a truly happy dog that makes you laugh and smile and they look forward to what the next day will bring.

Our Wasabi was just finding her passion for the pool but ended up pregnant and on another life journey so the practice jumps didn't last long. There's always next summer for her and for you.

Be sure to continue our Talemaker Havanese adventures at http://www.talemakerhavanese.com/ where there's always something new going on for our crew. It's pups right now and then we will move on to other things.

Havanese Hanging Out Tunnel Style

There is nothing better than this tunnel for the little ones. Even Wasabi manages to crawl in but these little guys - well they just play, sleep and hang out in it. This morning we put it back in their x-pen for further enjoyment.

We have already been outside, had a run out back, kitchen play session and hallway run and the day is just beginning.

Mommy is no longer feeding us at all and she is doing fine making the transition. We still think about it but she manages to correct us and we 'get' it.

more later...

Havanese Life Lessons

Today the crew was full of it when they got up. Oh, they quietly waited till the downstairs pen was ready but they really wanted to run so human mommy took them out back where they perfected their leaps off the stairs, ran their heads off and enjoyed the outside.

Then human daddy took them out back, In-between they had dry Fromms food with a tad bit of cooked chicken mixed in and they loved it. No need to soften the food any longer. It's interesting what happens in a matter of days.

The guys are doing a lot of troubleshooting from jumping onto mounds of snow to cushion the jump to finding creative ways to get what they want. The manner they run through the tunnels now and play games is amazing. Each week brings new ways of doing things and perfecting what works.

What was funny was although we had a low water dish, a few tried to drink from the high one as you can see in the photo. Chico just saunters over and drinks - forget about climbing.

Here's another day of the pups wanting to feed from mom but mom and us not allowing it and they are getting it. I figure by mid-week next week, it will be a fond memory. Chico is trying his darnedest to get under her but what you won't see, as I didn't manage to capture it was her low growl telling him - the milk shop is closed. She plays with them - but as a first time mom, she is also learning how to get it across to them that I just want to play but your food is over there. It's all coming together. They are 'getting' it - some faster than others.

We have a full day today and human mommy and daddy's oldest son is watching the guys tonight while they go visit the grand kids. We are all sleeping and now its time to fit a shower in - human mommy says - so more later...

Long Havanese Day

Lots of visitors today. We did the outside thing and are doing rather well bouncing and running around outside these days. We keep perfecting our skills of stairs with icy snow, and paths and snowbanks etc. We are doing great! It's a far cry from when we first went outside.

Most of us have names now, Chico, Remy, Coach and Sebastian. The show potential Tux - well we need to name him - ideas? Then we still have that spitfire gal and need to name her something that speaks volumes about her personality and if we don't watch out, human daddy would keep her but daddy we have enough doggies - hehehehe still she's a absolute keeper.

Tomorrow Katsuro's brother and mom is coming to visit. Then we have Louis parents stopping by. We rather miss having Louis around for his visits so this will be a good thing.

The crew really enjoyed the visitors and the exposure is getting them used to people - all a good thing but oh so tiring.

Human mommy is already saying best crew we ever did have...sigh..going to miss them - for sure!

It's all Mine

To end the night on a fun note, human mom thought you may laugh at this incident of one of the pups saying - even in my sleep, I am watching you - now leave my food alone. It's all mine - you hear - all mine!

Wasabi's 8 Week Old Pups Life Lessons

It's so important that pups do not go to their new homes too soon. They learn valuable lessons the last few weeks that will help them throughout their adult hood.

Wasabi's pups are 8 weeks old now and full of vim and vinegar. The games they play are delightful and they really enjoy being outside.

Now that Wasabi has all but stopped feeding (they still are trying but we are not letting them), she can now play and teach them and that has already begun. Each day they perfect a skill or learn something new. It's nice watching them run through the snow and investigate all the world has to offer. There's nothing like the Havanese...nothing.

Havanese Raring to Go

Now that the milk bar is almost closed (mommy Wasabi is weaning the pups off) she is now getting to play with them. It's nice as she loves playing with the pups.

Well, daddy took us outside today and we had a roaring good time perfecting our run then came back in and then wanted out again. We ran all over the security cover then wasn't sure how to get back off of it considering we would have to plow through snow to do it but we all found our chutzpah and found a way off while Tux and Remy stayed on the deck. We are starting to run faster each day. Now we are worn out and sleeping.

Daddy got mommy a new dryer so we are going to get a bath today. Gee, human daddy - thanks a lot - heh. Well, human mommy says if daddy didn't give us lamb - we could have gone a few days but lamb did not agree with our tummies - first thing that has given us upset tummies.

Well, more later....

Eight weeks old today - oh my...

This is How Havanese Play

Today Mommy Wasabi and Katsuro was playing inside and outside today while us youngsters watch them. This was mommy's 101 lesson on how your flirt with the boys and it was Katsuro's lesson on patience brings great things as he's been waiting a long time for Wasabi to get back into play mode.

She's also been having a roaring good time with the puppies. It's nice to watch. The pups tried the Merrick's lamb mixed in with the Fromm's kibble and only half is gone. It's not that they hated it but not so in love with it either.

More later. We have company and human mommy is not feeling all that well so nap time sometime before then.

Baer Test Passed & Much More

Well, the pups came home and Wasabi didn't go with us so she would start her conditioning of the pups leaving the nest, so to speak. They came home and she climbed up on the table to watch them and shook her hair tie out. Havanese love high spots.

All the pups passed their Baer. They have had a pretty busy 2 days and we are looking forward to getting them outside and unwinding.

Their respective weights:
1. The mostly white one is now 3lbs 13 oz
2. The gal is 2lbs 13.5 oz
3. Remy (black left ear 2 spots) 3lb even
4. Double black mask 2lbs 12.5 oz
5. Mostly black (tux) 2lb 11oz
6. Half mustache like his mom 3lbs 9 oz.

At birth they were:
1. 5 ounces
2. 5 ounces
3. 4 ounces
4. 4 ounces
5. 4 ounces
6. 4 ounces

They all grow differently and its not necessarily an indicator of their adult weights. Katsuro was the runt of the litter and is now a solid 12 lbs. He did most of his growing from 4 months on.

Our vet was impressed at how early they climbed and walked. I am finding the entire litter quick to catch on and patient as well. It's a winning combination, in my book. I have had wild thoughts of giving back deposits and keeping them all to myself. No worries - I wouldn't do such a thing but I just adore this crew and there's not a single one that doesn't amaze me in one way or another or make me laugh.

Well - more later....

Next Day After Vet & Before Baer Testing

The crew already ate and won't be eating till they get back from their hearing test. The lone gal is sore today and expressed it vocally this morning. No one else has. She is staying away from the others and this is highly unusual for her but we figure the soreness will go. No fever, no signs of anything else but soreness where the microchip is.

Mommy Wasabi is almost done weaning the pups (it means they are allowing her to play with them now - hooray) and she likes their food (Merrick's Wingaling) mixed in with softened Fromm's kibble that she ate it all so fast that we had to take her out of the room. This is the 2nd time she devoured this particular meal and the pups love it too. Wasabi - no fair - you are stopping feeding them so leave their food alone. :-)

Today, one by one I am going to work with each dog and see what they can do and how fast they comprehend. I tried tiny pieces of chicken as treats from my hand and they went CRAZY for it. So, now I know I can use chicken as a treat when training. Over the last few weeks, I will try other things.

We have found the dogs DO NOT like Fromm's salmon or duck but adore Fromm's chicken thigh, the Merrick's Wingaling, Puppy Plate, Grandma's Pot Pie, Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Cowboy Cookout and we will try them on others. We do know they like the Fromm's dry food softened with our own chicken and steak cut up or shredded in the food processor and mixed in and these two things also do well as training treats as noted above. We will try a few others but really like the quality of the Merrick and Fromm's foods plus adding our own rice, veggies, chicken, steak depending on what you have on hand. We are also giving them goats milk by itself and they rather enjoy that. Do not worry but we put together a package with things they do well on to hold you over for a bit with all the instructions on how much.

We are not finding they have any issues with bowels that some dogs experience with a variety of foods. Even the duck, and salmon that they did not like didn't create a problem but they simply smelled and ate very little.

After the Baer, I will post all weights and results. If anyone else is looking for a puppy, please let us know. We *may* have one available and our good friends had puppies from our Risa's daughter. We saw them yesterday - well I saw them and dogs stayed in the heated car and Nathan snoozed and then Nathan saw them. I am hoping Yvonne posts some photos. In all my excitement, I got some great photos and some not so great - figures. Well, we were tired after the vets. This vet takes a long time checking, ears, eyes, lungs, knees, weight, doing nails, teeth, bone structure, shots and microchips etc. that a couple of hours later we were out the door after 6 pups. We are hoping the hearing test goes much quicker. Pups were amazingly good and the vet staff loved their crate and toys and bumper pads I created just from blankets etc. Toys R Us has some great baby toys that hang on crates or go on mobiles etc. and we are finding they rather enjoy the comfie environment. They initially fussed when they got into the car (they are not used to being in such close quarters with all 6 together) but they soon played and travelled well. I even brought an extra crate pad just in case we had an accident but it wasn't needed. Still, I will bring one today as it's that Murphy's law - if you do not bring it, you will need it.

More later....

First Car Ride to Vets

All 6 of us are in this crate and we all did really well going back and forth on a long trip to the vets. Everyone is really healthy - all have descended testicles - except the gal and you will be surprised at the weight - we were - some passed others by and we noticed it more as its been a bit since last weigh in from our usual daily ones that is no longer feasible in our type of scale as they are too wriggly now to get anything real accurate.

Tomorrow we are off for hearing. We will post the weights then and the results. Human mom is too tired but human daddy had them running all over outside tonight so pups are feeling A-OK after shots and microchips even with the 2 that didn't work and had to be done again.

More tomorrow!

Vet Visit Today - Shots, Microchip & Wellness

Human mommy got us ready for our vet visit in this fab crate filled with some of our fave things and the pups enjoy the activities. It will be their first time in the car and its a long trip out to Colborne and then out to Brighton to take a couple of photos of our friends pups that were just born and then home. We may be a tad cranky and sore after a microchip and shots but human daddy and mommy will take extra care, watch us close and tomorrow we get another car ride to get our hearing checked. But that is a closer appointment.

Today, mommy Wasabi will be going, the pups and human mommy and daddy. We will fill you in after we return. We just updated the photos (we got a tad behind) so take a look.

Talemaker's Pups Spill Over After the Snow

This is what happened AFTER the pups came in from the snow. As you can see, they are a growing concern. From early on at 2 weeks climbing on the pigs rails to - you think you are going to keep me in this basket - are you JOKING? You will also see - though I wish I had all the video (only could recover a portion) that the gal is an amazing character. She loves the tunnels, teasing the boys and having a grand time and she doesn't take any ahem from them either nor from Katsuro or Shoshi but she still has 'in awe' respect for Risa and momma Wasabi.

We hope you enjoy this part 2 of the snow adventure video. We won't be posting till late tomorrow as we have a vet visit, shots and microchips and then the next day our baer testing. So, at least a couple of days before visitors as we will be a tad sore and probably won't want to be held.

After Bath Snoozing

Somehow, getting a bath usually does us in and we nap and nap for a longer time than usual. Human mommy just covered us with blankets and towels and we settled in for a long winter's nap.

Soon, it will be fiesta time (we already have the coloured background thang going on) as human daddy may get home tonight albeit late but still home...ahhhh and one wonders if he will wake us all up and drive human mommy crazy as she will have yet another night of less sleep than usual.

Check out our video of snow days below...

More later..mommy may take a nap for her lunch.

Havanese Toronto Puppies Snow Days

It was just the pups and I yesterday, soooo the camera work is a bit jerky, do forgive me. But, the pups and older crew had a roaring good time outside before the icy rain hit. It was interesting as they did climb right out of the basket I was transporting them in and that made life oh so interesting and then we got inside and they plopped right out again and that video will come next - when I have time to edit.

We are all missing human daddy who is stuck out in Powell River on business due to the weather. But..as the song goes....oooh heaven is a place on earth - and it is with Wasabi's Toronto pups. I am going to miss this crew madly. Enjoy their snow day...

It's Mine Havanese 3 Way Style

Oh human mommy had big plans for us and that video camera but she saved it in VR mode - argh so until she figures out how to convert those to share, silly mom - must be the lack of sleep - well still photos will have to do.

We have had a roaring good time this weekend. Today started out with a bang or a wet one that is. Human daddy is away on business so it was just the human mommy and the gang and we started it with finding goats milk was pouring out of the fridge. What was THAT! So, priorities, priorities - pups got fed first, brought downstairs and human mommy got to cleanup then go outside and shovel paths in the snow. Oh, I do hope this video converts as its priceless. The crew is really showing their personalities. Oh, we know the old saying - girls are a tad more independent and boys are more snuggly but this lone gal we have - well if you get to see her in this video, she's not only a born snuggler but she holds 2 boys down and wrestles them at the same time and they cry uncle. Oh, yes, they are just having fun but she's a gal that isn't afraid of anything thus far and - well the world is her oyster and she gets that point across to her brothers in a way that makes you smile as it's almost like she is cajoling them. Oh, I will play with you, if you'll do this for me...oh my - it's already begun.

In the photo above, you can now see the little ones are learning a sense of fair play and cooperation. It takes both to play a successful game of 3 way tug and they seem to do it quite well. As we play more games with a variety of items, they tend to perfect and play a tad different with each of the toys.

Today the crew has gone outside twice, played in the family room and hallway twice and in the kitchen 3 times. Human mommy lays in the x-pen at times and has to go yeouch as the teeth are coming in and they are learning how to mouth vs. bite when you make a noise.

The goldens were out playing in the snow with the crew and having a roaring good time. Terra often can be seen now at their level trying to play. It's so important to get them to be exposed to all different environments, larger dogs, different humans and all sorts of experiences.

We did household noises today as background conditioning. The pups thought the vacuum was a toy that they could play with - no reaction to the noise even when laid down. We tested them on the food processor, blender, coffee grinder, door bell, intercom and not a single negative reaction but they would cock their ears as if to say - what is that and then go off and play. Our goal is to get them familiar with all the everyday noises. This week, if the weather cooperates, we get to go in the car, get our shots, our baer test and see how we do.

What we are finding out about this crew that they are truly team players. We hope the way that we play with them helps this along. What is also coming out is their mischievous behaviour. If we EVER get that video converted, you will laugh seeing the antics in the tunnel. I know I did.

There is nothing like Havanese...nothing...and the payment you get is laughter, smiles and sometimes shaking your head at their wonderful antics. I swear, they were put here to remind us that laughter - well we all need that!

Well, the video converter is still sitting at 11% and human daddy tells us no planes are flying out of Powell River - for shame so we will have to do without him another night so its just mommy and the crew and we hope he gets home tomorrow as we have doctor visits on Tuesday. We also miss him madly. He's as crazy about the dogs himself and even told human mommy that he watches the videos to stay connected - how nice.

Well, we are all snoozing now till our next big kitchen play session that we have everyday just before bedtime. Usually this tuckers us all out and we all sleep but last night - well it got us even more excited and we played loudly for another hour - later than usual then crashed till 7am. Not bad...

More tomorrow as human mommy needs to get our beds ready upstairs before we wake up.

Havanese Roadkill?

Okay, did we get your attention with that title? Our human mommy was at Globals in Richmond Hill and Eva - quite the nice lady gave us a toy that she fondly called roadkill. Some of you will remember that this past summer, our Havanese mommy was sprayed by a skunk and human daddy had to sleep with her outside.

Well, in that honor, we get to play with a flattened skunk that has a squeak in each end. Can you even see it among us? We just adore it and she's getting more - skunks, squirrels, foxes, rabbits etc all flattened out. Best part is we don't have to deal with stuffings coming out and have a roaring good time playing tug - yes, we now play tug. Mommy has to get a picture of it but with human daddy gone, she sort of has been doing cleanup, playing - tons with us and dogs, dogs, dogs and well, this is the first time she sat down today and guests are coming (Helen and her son) shortly with rumoured giggling vegetables that we can play with - wow. That ought to be fun. Right now though we are snoozing and mommy is going to take a quick nap so more later. if you go get this roadkill toy - tell Eva we sent you. She's getting more in this week.