Personality Plus

I was looking through old photos and noticed the crew have always really had fun with each other. Terra has always been a good egg.

Soon the good weather will be here and we wil have pregnant moms floating in the pool especially when they are close. The warm buoyancy is good for the as they don't feel like they are carrying extra weight that way.

I remember Risa with the Kat litter, we had her in as much as we possibly could and she loved it.

We plan to do a lot of pool time this year, if the weather ever cooperates.

Do you think it will?

Yeah Queasy Times

Next Friday my sis Wasabi and I are heading off for ultrasounds. Wasabi is now eating in the morning. I will only eat if I have filet mignon and even then, get it away from me. This too shall pass.

Then we will start doing a Wasabi and an Abigail blog so you can follow along each day.

Yes, Abigail is looking a tad under the weather but this is natural during this stage.

Today we put in the pool cleaner and the pup Truff thought oh a toy. This is not good. It's a good thing they don't go out unsupervised.

Big Dogs, Little Dogs

When your puppy is young, it is important to get them familiar with the larger set via safe play dates, classes etc.

Sure Spice has Terra so she has some conditioning but big dawgs come in all sizes, shapes and colours.

When Spice goes to handling class, she thinks it's grand that a Great Dane is right beside her. Hey, did you come to play with ME?

It's why we are are taking Truffie to class. He needs that same conditioning. It doesn't start out that way. We are talking about little them vs. the Jolly Green Giant. But once they realize the big one is no threat, they are opened to other big dawgs.

On another note, Wasabi seems to be eating well today so no signs of morning sickness. I suspect she's a couple of days further along than Abigail but we shall see. Last time it was 12 hours apart. Time will tell. Abigail finally ate tonight but this morning, NO THANKS! Nine more days till ultrasounds.

The weather has not been good, as of late. I washed the dawgs and they look like I never touched them. But we finally had sun and I let them run through the grass and they were delighted. We also did walks last night and they were drenched. They aren't pretty but rain is supposedly coming again tonight - joy - NOT.

Gidget came to visit today and had the wet chicken leg syndrome. She arrived after big rains and then the sun came out as if she brought it with her. It was nice. She was making the most of the sun as we all were.

I love this lull between litters that we are in. We are out and about doing classes, seminars, having friends and their dawgs come to visit.

Just a few days ago (should have had my camera going, we had Coco and Doozie's mom and dad here with the pups and Doozie and Spice was playing kissie face. It was a memory I wish I had captured. I have a feeling Doozie and Coco do this with each other all the time.

We are signed up in Ajax at Whos Walking Who for June 1st at 7pm for a class with Truffie. I hope other Havs can join us in Family Dog. It doesn't have to be our pups but anyone who is heading to their first class in the area. Boy would that be fun.

Well, the pool is semi clear. The pool cell needs to be repaired. The pool is sitting at 65F - chilly but better than 50 and that's what it was. So where is the weather? I know, they are waiting till the cell comes in - yeah right.

Handling Class for Spice

The Spice had another bath. I am conditioning her to getting used to frequent baths. Why? Well, at show time you get washed daily most times. So the more she gets washed, the more she gets used to it and a clean coat knots less and stays in better condition for the show. It's not something I advocate for a non-show dawg. I am washing her about once a week. That's a lot more than necessary - believe me.

Spice is off to handling class tonight to learn how to not go off to play with evryone and anyone when you are supposed to be doing conformation.

We shall see where that goes.

PS: Abigail and Wasabi is acting way preggie. No eating in the morning but making up for it at night time.

Treasure's Baby Sophie's Bath

Today was a big day.....Sophie had her first bath (1st bath from me (Karen), that is) and she needed it. All in all, she did very well. The tether was a life saver. We still had a small amount of "flooding" with her multiple attempts to get out of the sink, but I was prepared with the beach towels. The blow dryer was a breeze. All that excitement and activity really tired her out.

Right now she's on the couch, curled up in a baby blanket, asleep at my feet. Life is good.

 

Supplies gathered and ready to go.........

 

Before my bath.....not too sure what she's getting ready to do??

OK, this isn't so bad..........SO FAR!!

OMG....get me OUTTA HERE!!!! Has anyone seen Sophie??

Oh, here she is....getting dry!

Aren't I just the cutest? Momma's already cleaned up the flood ;-)

Oh so fluffy and soft.............

  

Sophie.....15 weeks old today

Chillaxin with my caterpillar.....

Cute and cuddly as a teddy bear..........

----

Thank you Karen for sharing a big moment. 15 weeks already - wow!! It goes by way too fast.

Rain, Rain Go Away

It's a 'the floodgates have opened and rolled into my house' sort of a day. They go out, come in and the floors and dawgs are totally soaked.

More later... after I click some of those fond chicken leg shots. Yeah when they are all wet and that hair disappears, don't they look so funny?

Update on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3:41PM by Darlah

When we were at Pawsway, we got to meet Kat's brother, his human sibling pictured here and Spice just thought she was ever so cute.

Are Havanese great with children? Yes, but let me qualify that. If they behave and learn how to treat each other, they can be amazing bonded pals.

Spice is at the stage that she thinks kissing everyone is so much fun. I am not sure the human child thought the huge kisses was the best thing that happened to her that day but she seemed to not mind. But she already has a dawg in the house and is dawg friendly.

Raining, Wet and Relaxed

It's a really wet day out here and more often than not, you see Wasabi on her back catching some serious zzzs.

Both moms are refusing food in the morning, playing catch up later on and eating heartily at night. That's the norm during this stage.

But Kat went out when we got back (our 30 year old son was watching them while we were at Pawsway and looked like he had to go and it kept looking that way. He never did go. I got soaked and had to change my clothes and him he was drenched. So much for yesterdays bath.

It's a DAWG life for sure! At least it is around this place!

What's a Havanese Supposed to Do?

Get a bath, rub yourself right into that grass. Who wants the smell of shampoo and conditioner on me?

I just love it.

Well, at least I know there aren't any tangles.

What does your Havanese do after a bath?

Resident Dam

This is Risa after a bath but after a drink. One can't expect the grandma to stay perfect, now can we?

Besides, she has earned every right to look whatever way she wants. Well, that's my take on it!

I think she actually likes her grandson, Truff. It means she thinks he has some backbone.

She has never been one to respect one that didn't. Oh she's kind but she really likes the ones with backbones. :-)

Backyard Yuck

The pool was opened, the dawgs not brushed. What is this place going to? Okay, they were brushed later but that pool is still green. hahahaha The pool people promised they will be by to clean by the weekend.

Spice had a bath and a couple of more are getting a bath tomorrow.

Little by little the garden furniture is going out. WE are going to enjoy lounging outside.

Before pups come, we are getting our summer in - right! Then after they are 4 weeks old, they can have moments outside in the shade when the weather permits with us. We will be playing it as it comes.

New puppy owners will have to come in their bathing suits to condition their puppies to the pool. Just teasing...hahahahaha

Pregnancy & Demeanor

For some reason pregnant gals get way sucky and they sort of go partially off their food, at this time.

Both gals are doing this saddling up to me every chance they can get. They also are not eating fully till dinner time.

Yes, the gals do have morning sickness. It's not just us humans.

I am still not totally up to par but Nathan is off tonight to handling class with the Spice. Maybe she will get the hang of this stuff when she has her first show and if not, well she will do it again. hahahaha

Way sick

I am very, very sick. I think I got food poisoning so no update today. My son is doing a fab job while I stay in bed and crawl to the bathroom. It's really really bad.

Nathan here: It is a beautiful sunny day in our neighborhood. The pool is scheduled to be open in a couple of days and we are now feeling more confident that it won’t snow to commemorate the occasion. I know that Kat will be ecstatic to see the pool open again. To Spicy, she’s never seen it but if she takes after her sire and dam, Kat and Wasabi, I expect she will love it in short order. Truffie hasn’t seen a pool either. I can’t wait to slowly lower him into the water which we keep at a cool 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The very first thing we teach our dogs are how, and where to get out of the pool.  And of course when the pool is open they are never out alone, same as with a child.

Darlah is upstairs in bed fighting off what she thinks is food poisoning. Her only worry was to tell me to make sure to update the blogs. I’m not going to run outside and take pictures. Darlah can catch up with new shots tomorrow when she is feeling better. But I will include this classic photo of Kat from two years ago as he leapt into our salt water pool in full length show coat.

Messy Daze

This photo was taken of Spice before she was brushed to go to Bark & Fitz. I swore for Mother's Day I would do NO grooming but when Nathan said we need to take her out too today, I broke down and did a quick brush on Spice.

Silly me cause does it matter that every once in awhile a brush doesn't come out? NO. As long as they are knot free, that messy look can be becoming.

But Spice, she's her mother's daughter. Give her a bath and she loves that natural mess and I do too except if we have to go some place.

That's MY issue and I recognize it. So conditioning daily is best but as they get older, knots starting then brush, no tangles, take a  break and find your balance. Who cares if they look scruffy if it means spending quality times vs. work. Sure keep them knot free but we all deserve a break.

It's Mother's Day after all.

Best Friends

Relationships in Havanese are interesting. After Fiona and Treasure had pups together, they bonded in a big way. Till then, they didn't really play with each other. Now thy do silly crazy things together and I love it! Both were a tad too serious about life till they truly got together.

It takes time but partners in crime, so to speak often bring out the best in each other if you allow it to sort itself out. Havanese do find their relationships.

But when Treasure had her pups go home and she decided she was going to take over Fiona's? Fiona decided best pals and all, that's not right and Treasure listened.

I do believe they have a mutual respect for each other that grew and developed vs. just an instant thing. I suspect when it happens that way, it is a truly lasting bond.

Windy Messy Times

Wasabi is a funny duck or is that dawg? She has excellent structure, very agile, mischievous and very independent. She's the dawg that comes to snuggle at night then finds her own place on the bed but when she is pregnant she snuggles much longer and becomes suckier.

She is also the dawg that teaches the pups how to investigate the backyard and gain confidence in doing so. She has the silkiest hair but after bathing she often rolls and gets herself messy again as you can see here.

She is a gal with strong maternal instincts and this is her very last litter. Our Spice is from her. With a bounce in her step and a level of confidence and excitement, she is her mother's daughter. Sure we cultivate it but that base is there. We are who we are due to genetics, environment and what we are exposed to via socialization and conditioning.

There's nothing like the Havanese.

Windy but Fun Times

Early today we had a lot of wind and it made for some interesting photos or at least I think so. I love it when their hair is flying.

Our son Dennis was busy putting nails in the fencing in the back so we can have litters outside for short periods of time when they turn 4 weeks old. We are starting to get ready for a warm weather litter(s).

Kat will be swimming again, diving in the pool. We will also be conditioning the pups to the pool. Each time we try new things and try to perfect what we learned.

For now the rain has stopped and I feel like I can get dawgs washed.

I am going to start shaving tummies and under the arms. This way they will have coolness and still look like they have long hair. I will have an easier time grooming long hair but retain the look.

Each month I check paws and cut the hair between the pads. I also check ears each time I groom and especially when I wash as water left in the canal can create ear aches. So make sure that area stays dry or gets dry. I also clean around the eyes, put a dab of corn starch in that area to keep it dry and I don't cut hair around the eyes so the hair grows and pokes them creating leakage. My adults don't have any leakage so to speak but if stressed or not feeling well among a number of other things, leakage and staining can occur. So I keep on top of it then I never have to deal with it. I used to use Eye Envy and that works to lift the stain slowly but if you are proactive, your dawg is balanced as you have done the work that we begin so they easily don't get stressed, and they are no longer teething - well you are on the right track.

Love them by taking care of them mind, body and dawgie soul. You wil be glad you did cause what you get back is 20 fold believe me!

Spice & Class

Did I take my camera last night to Spice's first handling class? Nah. Go figure. How did she do? She has a lot of strengths and things that need to be worked on but better than anyone else that was in handling class for the first time.

She wasn't crazy about dogs following her so closely and she was looking for treats non stop but she will get there. Nathan has a couple of weeks to whip her into shape.

All Nathan had to say is Spice let's go to class and she ran for the door. That was nice to see.

I will tell you that Truffie did quite well. I was impressed. Nathan even had him recalling last night consistently.

Recall Class at Whos Walking Who in Ajax

We were in class last night, a total recall class at Whos Walking Who in Ajax.

This is a photo of Baxter who is a Wasabi and Kat pup. He was one of the Havanese in the class. We had a number and that made it ever so much fun but we also had big dawgs so they got exposed to them too. As you can see Spice thinks all dawgs are there to say hello to. That came with expose, expose, expose. It actually works.

I took photos but they aren't the best. Lighting was bad, I was too busy enjoying vs. paying attention to what I was clicking but still you can see that fun was had by all. Check out the photos.

Total Recall is a class that lasts for an hour and a half. It goes by rather fast but over and over again via fun ways you solidify a come with distractions. It's a must do class, imho.

Tonight Spice heads to handling class and we are taking truffie in a carrier so he gets exposed. He needs it. He won't be on the floor as he hasn't had his second shots but he will be in a sherpa bag looking around, getting exposed to sounds and dogs and people. It's never too late to expose. It should be something we do always without thinking. Our dawgs are better off due to it.

I constantly learn and think up new ways to help the pups along. It's important that we do as much as we can to give them a headstart. With Spice we took her in the car daily to Petsmart, Global, parks, stores, homes, walks etc. Her first car trips she would drool and vomit. Some dawgs do, some don't but keeping them away from the car is not the answer. After a solid daily ride in the car to fun places, Spice has no worries. We will do the same with Truffie. With more litters coming, I may just be doing it with them before they go home. It's a time intensive thing but they are so worth it.

Now Raylan never for a second worried about the car. He wants to go and he never had any concerns. He just wanted to go. They are all different. Our pups go into the car twice. Once to the vets and once for their hearing. We have the odd one shake or have a spit up but conditioning works. Each litter we learn and try to perfect just as you would with your kids. We never stop learning.

So, do take the Total Recall class if you can. Invite a Havanese or two and have FUN!!

Wish Spice good vibes at handling class tonight. Wish Truffie a great start to car conditioning. Spice is great in obedience but that doesn't mean she will be in handling. She has to be exposed in a fun way and that's what we will be doing. We will be doing the same with Truffie. You should too.

You will like the results.

Spice Heads to Class

Spice is heading to a 'Total Recall' class at Whos Walking Who in Ajax and we hear tell there wil be a number of other Havanese that we know. The human will be taking photos but at times you need two people in this class. It's a fun paced class that we adore. It's always fun and the dawg does end up learning and so do you.

So, Spice had a bath and then went out and got into everything. So, she is a total mess. Giving a bath when it is wet outside is a joke.

I have to laugh as she is just like her mom. Check out her other photos here.

Tomorrow we will post pix from the Total recall class.

How Often to Groom

As you can see, it's been raining, it's been busy and how often do I groom? I groom daily but with the odd day of a break here and there. But I am a tad obsessive about it. When it rains like this, they never look brushed as you can see in this photo of Miss Abs. Ponytails go the wrong way, they get wet and you wonder why try. But I don't like mats in the dawgs as mats hurt. I know, I have had them when we used to go camping in the woods and I forgot a brush.

If you keep your puppy in a short coat, you could probably get away with once or twice a week. If you keep it in a long coat, you should brush every other day but when they are puppies, do it daily. Get them used to it. It's not that your puppy needs to be combed but they need the conditioning. Always use spray conditioner.

Hold them in place on their back, brush and treat. It may take 2 of you or maybe just you. You are not hurting them. You are simply holding them in place till they relax. When they relax, treat. The goal is to have a dog that will lay there when you groom. Eventually they will get it. The more you do this, the faster they get it. What you do now in puppy hood will last their lifetime and you wil be glad you did.