Emmy Update
Monday, August 27, 2018 at 4:17PM 
Credit goes to Ulrich - her human Daddy for clicking this photo. To see more stunning photos, follow them on Instagram.
Dear Darlah and Nathan
Just a quick update on Emmy - We absolutely love her and she is settling in extremely nicely. She's learning a lot - consistent with sit, stay, come here. We are doing some leash training indoors and she's doing very well. Potty training is very good. 2nd round of vaccines done on Saturday. She's been out grocery shopping with us (in the Sherpa bag) and walking by the lake (in a carrier in front), and had no complaints at all, just sniffing and looking. She just has the loveliest little personality! Affectionate and attentive, and playful. She loves running in the garden and rolling on the grass! We will need to find some replacement active activities when winter arrives!
Thanks, Rosalie and Ulrich
Reader Comments (23)
Wonderful photos of your sweet Emmy. You have us thinking we should do some indoor leash work with Desi. How is Emmy tolerating brushing and combing? Desi is not a fan as yet; working at the +R. They are the most endearing little beings!
Try combing when you are watching tv. Persist. What they learn early on remains with them. I say tv time as that is when we are usually relaxed. when you are relaxed they are most apt to relax.
Lead work - try it at obedience school. You will be glad to go. You end up exposing them in a positive way, get them to walk properly on a lead and create a magnificent bond.
What a darling, love her.
Emmy looks like she has settled in to her new home and has charmed everyone.
Darlah, I have been doing it during TV time but he tries to wriggle free, I combed him lightly the second day home and he sort of tolerated it. Now that he's confident in his new home he's digging in his heels. I will persist....of course.
Re the lead work: we are going to Scholars In Collars but will have to wait for the October class. So you're recommending we wait and not prep him at home. Thanks, Darlah.
Emmy is beautiful! Great pic, sounds like training is going well too.
My daughter Maia combs and brushes Ellie daily, she seems to not mind it. We gave her her first bath yesterday. She’s clean and smelling fresh today 😊
Love the shampoos and spray Darlah. Ellie gets her shots this Friday.
Take care!
No, you need to put a lead on him and get him to walk on your left side.
What is he doing? Is he trying to snap or jump off or?? I ask as there are solutions. You need to be in charge - not him. He has to be combed or shaved. It sounds like he is trying to be in charge.
They don't have classes for 2 months from now? That's actually too long to wait. I believe they have play dates (drop ins). He needs to socialize and be exposed. It may be a good idea to ask about those. Plus it will give you an opportunity to ask obedience questions etc
Darlah, he tries very hard to wriggle free...no nipping or growling. I have tried a very gentle approach where I give himself a couple of very soft strokes followed by a treat. We haven't progressed beyond that. Should I just use a firm grip on him or perhaps involve Dick...one hold and the other comb? Seems a bit much: two big humans and a 5-pound puppy!
Good suggestions re Scholars in Collars. If September is indeed full, see what else is available in terms of socializing etc. I shall visit the school this week.
Desi is a joy in most every other way. Obviously this grooming issue must be resolved. We shall keep you posted.
Thanks everyone! Margaret, Emmy has been tolerating the brushing decently well. I say decently because she likes to have her back brushed (I can feel her relaxing after a few strokes) but it is a bit of a struggle to brush her face. My method for back and rear brushing has me standing and holding her against my body with one arm and brushing her with my other arm. I turn her around to get to the other side. With her head, she moves a fair bit and I'm cautious not to poke her eyes! And she tries to lick the brush! I recently sat her on my lap and held her muzzle (gently but firmly, if that makes sense) to brush and that seemed to work. This standing method was used because I stood outside to brush her initially (partially to distract her, which worked nicely). I also let her sniff the brushes and comb before putting them on her, and I brush her just before her bed time so she is tuckered out and her resistance is low! Emmy had her first bath yesterday as well! She's all soft and flouffy! Nathan gave us some great advice on pick up day about nail trims. Will try that tomorrow!
Rosalie, I so appreciate your comprehensive reply! I am taking note of the strategies that work for you. Yes, timing is important; I actually had some success with him tonight as he was about to fall asleep. "Resistance is low", I like that!
On another subject, what grocery stores allow you to bring Emmy in her Sherpa? I have only done Canadian Tire with Desi.
Thank you again!
Darlah, we had a grooming session this morning with brush and comb. Desi struggled but I held firm. Think I was letting his cuteness turn me to mush! No more little guy!
Margaret: You have it down now for sure. Hahaha, I know all too well what you mean about their cuteness turning you to mush. I have two Talemaker Havanese, Patches and Radar. And, I had 8 dogs before that through my time. I have learned that not too many dogs love grooming and many will do whatever they think will work to get away. These are my first Havanese and they are very, very smart. Patches we got first and compared to Radar she was a breeze to brush. Radar, at 10 weeks, growled and nipped me the first day I groomed him, lol. I told him "oh no, young man, I am the boss for this". I then continued to groom him without reaction from me except holding him firmly and continuing to groom. The next day he growled to which I said "no, that won't work either" and continued to groom holding him firmly without hurting, just so he couldn't squiggle too much. Now, he lies on his tummy while I do his back, I say "over" and he rolls on his side, then I say "over" and he lies on his other side. Then I say "on your back" and he rolls over. He is 3 October 9. Consistency is the key.
Angela: I so appreciate you taking the time to recount your success story with Radar. When Desi tries to over-exert his power, your comments to Radar will echo in my brain. :-)
Happy that Darlah kept the Ella/Cinnamon blogs up....so helpful for the new puppy parents. Thank you again! Margaret
Margaret: no problem, no matter what, you can never go wrong with one of these beauties.
Re the brushing. Margaret, All dogs are different just like we humans. (And, I remember you said you had a previous dog, so perhaps Desi is different for you.) My last two dogs loved to be brushed, especially Tia. She was like Patches sounds. She would lay on the bed and roll on one side and would stretch out w/ each stroke of the brush or comb. I'd ask her to roll over and same thing. She'd lift her front legs up so I could do under them. It was like a scratchy massage for her. Now Laci, never liked being groomed. I treated her and tried everything, but it's just not her favourite thing. At 6+ yrs, she's learned to tolerate it, as yes they must be groomed or "mats!" Not fun for us to untangle, but they hurt them when they begin to pull and tug at their skin.
Ah yes, these beautiful and intelligent little Havs are very bright and are gifted at the manipulation game. Also, like Patches and Radar's Mom, I have told Laci often that, "I'm the boss lady and you're not gonna win w/ me!" :-)
They say dogs are like two year olds. I think the Havanese are like 12 yr olds. They think they're smarter than us, and sometimes I think they just may be. LOL
Rosalie - - Emmy is such a doll! Sounds like you're all doing very well and having lots of fun!
We're really enjoying our Grandog, Ellie too! She's such a happy girl!
Debi: I agree with everything you said, haha. My '12 year old' Patches taught me well, and we all do as she says. She is really something, intelligent, very sweet, and knows what she wants. Radar is a constant sweet play monkey and he really tries to do everything the way 'we' want him to. They are so different in personality but both so very adorable in every way.
Angela - Yes, we all love our children for their unique qualities! :-) And, like human children, we need to parent them individually!
Heck! That's what's keeping us all young - or should I say "young at heart!" LOL
Have a great long weekend, everybody!!!
Hi Debi, thank you for your email! Yes, our previous Havanese loved to be groomed right from the beginning. Thinking Desi might be even smarter and more of a manipulator....in the gifted class as you say!
We had our first vet visit today and Desi was perfect for her. She said, "You have a really good pup." My husband proceeded to tell her all about Talemaker. :-)
He is a solid 5 pounds. Perhaps your 'granddaughter' is more petite.
Anyway, Debi, thank you again for your reply! Margaret
Margaret - I really enjoyed meeting you and love hearing about Desi. It's lovely to hear how much you're enjoying him. He looks like a little doll!
Our granddaughter, Ellie appears quite petite, but we shall see this Friday. I'm sure everyone will compare notes. Not that it matters, but fun to keep up w/ what's going on w/ the siblings and co-siblings from Cinnamon.
TTUL
margaret - we essentially snuck her into the grocery store! we looked for a sign that said no dogs, didn't find one and just walked in! because she was in the sherpa bag with little risk of jumping out we figured she wouldn't disturb anyone. no one noticed :)
Thanks, Rosalie. Perhaps we shall try The Super Store. I'm pretty good at playing dumb! 😜 Margaret
Interesting to see all the posts about the grooming.
As Darlah has said and others consistency is the key. The great thing is that Darlah has been grooming them and bathing them when pups so they are not new to it but as they are so smart they will test the limits.
Breeze and Chinook are so used to it as have done it from day 1 of them coming home, and Darlas and Nathan recommended the different brushes and combs to use and grooming spray and having the right “tools” made such a difference.
As they are at the beach, in the lake and sand, of course they need grooming daily in the summer, and they are so used to it. I put a towel on my lap outside and one or the other gets up and groom them and they usually fall asleep and are like babies in my arms, and have to turn them over as they are too relaxed. Al does their nails and again just puts them on their backs in his arms and they start to fall asleep. So we really credit Darlah and Nathan for the conditioning they started and just have to keep it up and they know they can trust you so will just keep getting more relaxed as time goes on.