Wasabi & Kids: Havanese

Wasabi is such a gentle soul - graceful as all get out - agile and she lights up with the pups. It's wonderful to see.

But she is already starting to wean them from a couple of meals a day. She knows that they all have to grow up - go to their forever homes and she will get to see them again when they visit.

It's something all of us moms go through. :-)

Then Wasabi will relish sleeping back with us - going on walks and enjoying life. She still has a month to go to teach them all sorts of things and that's good for them and their new families.

We started taking the pups out in our Sherpa bag to get them used to it. This is in case you want to travel with them or take them out to downtown Toronto to shop or eat. Some restaurants ignore there is a dog on the patio if it's in a bag.

We try to condition them to all sorts of things in hopes it helps you.

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5 Weeks Old Pups

The pups are 5 weeks old and are really getting to be delicious. We are socializing them with the pack now one on one.

Abigail was the first and then Treasure though Treasure didn't play with them quite like Abigail.

The pups are changing daily. They are loving the interaction. They are eating their mush well and mom is feeding them less. As weeks go on, we make it more solid.

The pups love the tunnels, climbing, playing and run to you when they see you. It's great fun to watch them. For us - they are growing up too fast.

Hope you enjoy the video.

First Visit Outside

Well, the gals got their first time outside but the boys haven't yet. They don't know what they are missing but will soon find out. The crew is all snoozin' and I suspect it won't be till much later when they wake up. Depending on the weather, the boys may not make it out till tomorrow. We shall see.

We had the pleasure of Linda and Bob visiting and we had an excuse to take the 2 gals out.

They have been on the list the longest waiting since Wasabi was bred the time before this.

Kat was even checking his gals out. Now that they are walking around - all the dogs are highly interested - even those that didn't show much interest early on.

Kat especially likes the gals. Go figure...

The dogs enjoyed the pups so much that human Daddy had to tell Treasure that she can't flatten them in play.

Today was the day of the firsts. They also each had a full bath. They actually didn't need it. Mom has been keeping them real clean with our help but our goal is to get them conditioned to baths to make it easier for their forever homes. My goal is to give them 4 full baths before they go to their forever homes.

I didn't hear a peep from any of them even when they sat in water and was shampooed and conditioned up. I think the most uncomfortable part was being wet and waiting for the dryer to dry them but I packed the crate with extra blankets - they settled in while one of my dryers blew them partially dry as I took one at a time out of the crate and used a comb on them and rubbed them dry while the dryer was pointing at them. As you can see in this photo, they didn't mind a bit.

As always, you can click on a photo to see a larger view.

We really enjoyed our visit with Linda and Bob and now to get some work done before the pups are up again. Can't wait.

Today Went Blip

Not sure what happened. We had someone come by to see the dawgs and I had a difficult page that I was building trying to figure out layout to maximize the look which did take my focusing.

I did my usual grooming. Didn't get to Wasabi or Risa yet but I do things here and there and work and pups and...well you get the picture.

Suddenly I was dizzy - nauseous...as if I was on a car ride reading with my head down. It came on fast and I couldn't get control over it so I said to the son - watch the pups - told the hubby - watch the dogs - the world is rotating and I am sick. I have to lay down. I did - and 3 hours later I am better.

Still have no clue what it was but glad it's over.

But in the meanwhile I missed puppy moments. sigh. Still - before and after then - they are giving me many camera moments.

They snuggle with each other, look out into the tunnels - play mouth to mouth now. It's a riot. Each day - each hour they seem to change and I rather find that to be fun.

Two of them hit the pad consistently today - another two - once. The half masked gal goes from one side of the pen to the other to get to the puppy pad. Will she keep doing it? Can't say but we will keep watching and moving and teaching. That's what our job is and yours when they come to you. It's all about consistency.

We will be bell training your dogs. You may want to try this as well. We use this method for the adults and the pups will learn from them but they do ring it when they just want to go out but they learn it is also a signal to say - I need to go. We then treat only when they use it to go out to go. Check out the bells here. You can make them yourselves or buy one in your own colours.

If you want one and can't find where to get them - send us mail - darlah@potechin.com or nathan@potechin.com.

Now back to the pups who arer really playing up a storm after feeding.

Hooray Three Weeks Old

Three weeks old and taking their snooze. Mom just fed them and they are out for a long snooze. It's time to cut nails Nathan said and weigh them. You can't do this while they are too active - well you can but it's easier when they are sleepy.

Then I get to wash Wasabi while they catch their zzz's. I didn't have much time early on - just a sprucing up as they didn't sleep long enough but these days with a 3 to 4 hour window - all is much easier.

What changes are going on with the pups? They are growing. They recognize toys and are fascinated when I shake and move them and even go after them. They react to noise - a clap will get them turning around. They play with each other and it's way cute - not that rough and tumble but those paws on back, rolling around and so cute. They all can climb out of the box but we are allowing it. We have pads down so it's soft and it strengthens their legs. All Mom has to do is get close and they smell her. Read about an article I wrote on their ability to smell here. You will learn all bunch of fascinating things about their sense of smell.

Well off to weigh and cut nails then wash Wasabi..then our 2 visitors as they will be heading home. Life will be quieter - I suppose - sniff.

Two Weeks to Two and a Half Weeks

Here are a few snippets of the crew in the two to 2.5 week age. They turn 3 weeks tonight and early Sunday. They are now walking pretty decent and are all escape artists. They are starting to really play and knock off toys off the pig rails placed there strategically so they can. I think of new ways to stimulate them in a variety of ways. Hope you enjoy their - trying to walk stage and the first signs of escapism and play.

Breaking Out Talemaker Havanese Style

We have had to Pish Pads and beds and all sorts of things all over the x-pen now. The kids smell mom and they climb right out of the whelping box.

It shows how strong they are.

One of them today - when I caressed his neck - well his tail started wagging and wagging. I guess he rather liked it.

We have had a low key day. Nathan is off to a show. I am holding down the fort. Been taking video each day - little snippets. Will try to get to it tomorrow. But pups are growing - making all sorts of noises now and letting you know if you take them away from feeding - well they tell you - I don't like that. We still move them around to make sure the smallest ones get the more full ones.

Off to snuggle with them. They are waking up now. The usual is 3+ hours of sleep. As they grow they will extend the time. More tomorrow...

Pups 2.5 Weeks

I pointed out the gals but no the boys as I figured by knowing who they are - you knew who the males are. Three are doing escapes these days. It means they are rather strong. This is rather early but both Kat and Wasabi are really agile so it figures. One doesn't like being on it's back so far - an alpha personality - who knows this early. a couple of them think this rubbing tummy stuff is the best thing since food from Mommy.

Enjoy the slideshow.

Iraq Bound & Puppies

The son was visiting before he left today for Iraq and I got to capture our Son, Joseph, his wife Julianna, Nathan of course and the pups. The pups were quite active and giving kisses. They are now making all sorts of noises - not barking - just noises and if you disturb one of them in their sleep - well he makes this noise that you know he was saying - buy I was sleeping!!!

Here's some of the highlights of yesterday. The pups are really starting to get to be characters. They even do this wrestling thing with each other though not so elegant. Still looking for the charger for the video camera. It's now dead. :-(

Sweet Visits

Our son Joe and his wife came over to spend sometime with us and the pups. This was Joseph's last visit before he heads out to Iraq. We are going to miss him but we are hoping his wife comes to visit from time to time. It's going to be a long year waiting for him to come back.

The pups are doing really well. they are starting to make all sorts of noises including purring.

The first born decided mom was outside of the box and he wanted to eat. Our daughter in law said look at that pup! He was up on the ledge and plopped right out onto mom. This is WAY early for that but guess we now have to put the side up and think about attaching the other box to this one. This way they can strengthen their legs by going from one box to the next.

I have to say - I am impressed.

Nothing happened to the little one as we have a soft bed outside of the opening and Wasabi happened to be sitting in it but who would have thought that they would be that mobile already.

Our daughter-in-law smelt puppy breath. Nothing like it...ahhhh

Frazzled Hairdo/First Video

Well, really there is a face beneath all that hair but when my pups need me - well who cares about the hair?

When you said you would show it all - messy and all - didn't you mean it? Well - you got it!

I am still looking for my charger but I did have enough time on the camera to get the past few days recorded - just a few snippets.

The pups have started their games of rough housing and they are trying to walk. The little fellow that is really working at it has grey, yep grey around his nose. I suspect he will grey out like his dad but time will tell. Others got hints of it but not so obvious as his. It will look rather becoming once their nose color comes in totally.

We hope you enjoy the video. Not the huge action scenes you will see once they totally master the walk but this is early for them to be doing that drunken walk that they start out with. Mom will even go in to feed them and get up and move to another position in the box. When you realize she is doing it on purpose to help strengthen their muscles - well you say - you go gal.

Wasabi is an incredible mom. Sometimes she simply sits there and watches and has this - oh I am so proud face on her. I don't blame her.

All pups have their eyes open. They have hit the 2 week mark - even those born after midnight on the Sunday. Check out the video.

Ruff Life Talemaker Havanese

I tell you, eat, sleep, try to walk and build those muscles up and then lay back and have a siesta. It's tough being a dog around here.

Wasabi is now relaxing and allowing Fiona to be in the room. Treasure smiles in the most curious way when she sees the pups. Kat sniffs and stares at them at times. Risa wants to be in with them always.

Mom is relaxing and that's a good thing. They know when all is well.

The puppies all have their eyes open but one - the gal who looks a lot like Wasabi. It doesn't mean a thing. I suspect that she will have hers open by tonight. Eyes open between 10 to 14 days and it will be 14 just after midnight for her. Remember - they were all born on the 27th and 28th over that midnight stretch but CKC (yes I already registered the litter asks you to pick one date or the other. I guess it is too complicated for them to get the reality that some were born before midnight and others after.

We picked the 27th but I will write on those with the 28th babies a notation on your paperwork so you know the real date and exact time. :-)

I have to tell you, it's going to be a hard 10 weeks - well 8 weeks more for us. I hold and snuggle and smell that puppy breath and watch the personalities as minute as they are - you still get an inkling and I melt and fall in love.

They are precious.

Their ears mustn't be opened yet as the crack of the thunder and lightening storm today was pretty spectacular and not a reaction. I mean - me who LOVES these storms reacted to one that was too close for comfort.

Puppies...gad they are wonderful.

Sleep Positions of the Havanese Pups

The pups are changing every day but they eat, they sleep and now they get into all sorts of fun positions.

As you can see, this chubby little guy knows how to fill up at the milk bar.

There's no slouches here and even the smallest at birth are playing catchup eating up a storm and snoozing - and walking a few steps here and there. Only 2 with their eyes open - 1st born boy and one of the gals. You snuggle with them and capture moments like these and say - how precious. Can't wait till hey are running around.

Drunken Sailor and Nail Clipping

Exciting moments today

First one opened her eyes today - the gal.

No one else has as of yet but they are up doing the drunken sailor walk.

I will try to get it on the video. Didn't the first time I saw them really do more than the crawl as I was so excited - silly me. Might have enough of a charge to get it taped.

Today was also nail cutting day. How often do we do it? At this stage we are doing it weekly to eliminate their nails getting caught.

This growth spurt slows down plus they start walking and wear them down. But you do have to have them cut at the groomers or vets or do it yourself. They will be well conditioned to this and we will show you how to do it when you pick up your pup. No worries.

The boys are having a ball and outnumber the gals by far but we will see who has the strongest personalities - who is the most laid back and as time goes on, it all unfolds.

You can get an inkling of it early on but when they start interacting, you see so much more.

It's important to socialize them to humans at this stage. Throughout the day we pick them up, snuggle and hold them and caress them in various ways to get them used to humans.

Everything is so new that it is important to slow condition them without over saturating them to everything as they get older.

We invest a lot of time in exposures and sounds to get them to feel comfortable. We ask that you continue to expose them to a variety of places, dogs, animals, environments, buses, cars, trucks, airplanes and anything else that will occur in their life and treat it as a matter of fact thing and not coddle them and they will get that there is no reason to fear simply what they don't know.

Remember, they read what goes down the leash and we learn this ever so well in the show ring but it transfers to all sorts of experiences. If you are in a bad mood - well your dog will react to that. It sounds like the strangest thing you ever did hear but the Havanese are VERY intuitive and I swear - at least emotionally they know you better than most anyone else. So, as you are training, get in a good place and they will too. If you can't, put the training to another time or allow your Havanese to jumpstart you to a happier time. It's hard not to allow this even on the most difficult days when they cock that head and say - well let's gone on with it.

Hope you enjoyed photos of the boys. As they progress, their looks will change and their personalities will unfold. Me..I am waiting for the rest to open their eyes and for them to do that drunken sailor thing again.

No matter how many times you do this - it's exciting every single time to crazy dawg people like us.

Feed and Girl's Day

Wasabi has about 2 hours off lately in feeding and then 35 minutes of straight feed non stop time. The pups are growing really great and are making it all over the whelping box doing the wriggle, crawl thing that they do at this stage.

Wasabi is such a great mom and she has plenty of nourishment for the crew. They keep gaining and she keeps feeding.

Each day I take her, cuddle - brush her out and make sure they are not being too rough on her. A couple you can hear them eating. It's a riot. can I say food hounds?

Well, as you know we had 4 boys and 2 girls. Here's a photo of the 2 girls.

Click on each photo to see a larger view.

One is going to look a lot like Wasabi.

The verdict is out on the other.

As you can see, one has a half mustache like Wasabi and when it flows down like it does on her - it looks quite attractive.

If she ends up looking like Wasabi and has her hair - lucky gal!

The other is a cutie patootie but a wriggle monster. I don't think any of them are unattractive and yeah I am biased but wow Wasabi is attractive - Kat is attractive - how could you not get cute pups. hehehe

Boys tomorrow... or maybe later tonight..we shall see.

Nose Colour

Often when a pup is born, their nose is pink and they may or may not have a scattering of black on their nose. They are usually born with a little or no pigment that comes in and sometimes if pigment is strong, it is totally in. We have one that had a totally black nose at birth but of course the cute little thing is mostly black with a tad bit of white.

I find they look cute this way but they do change.

If I look close enough around the nose at a couple, I am starting to see a shade of grey. Going to be interesting to see who retains their black and white and who greys out in parts or all.

That's the fun of a Havanese - you just never know. It's like a present that keeps evolving.

Tomorrow I promise individual pics so you can see who are boys - who are girls. After washing 3 dogs and grooming the rest and all the rest of the play and fun with the crew..well time just slipped away.

Pups: Just a Few Photos

Stretching Times

Dr. Michael Fox conducted a study showing mildly stressing puppies during the first five weeks develops dogs which are superior when put in learning or competitive situations. They are better able to handle stress, are more outgoing and learn more quickly. Mild physical stress at an early age will actually increase the size of the brain.

What type of stress? Taking a puppy off a nipple and moving it to another can be a stressor but in doing so, you are also introducing patience. You are starting to pave the way for the rest of their lives.

It is important at this stage to pick them up, snuggle, and touch. This introduces them to their environment in a positive way.

Mom cleans after them but we trade out their pads daily and help keep their environment clean. This way they get used to a clean environment in hopes that pad training and outside training will be easier.

I take care of mom, cleaning her tummy, brushing and grooming her and giving her all sorts of attention so she can be all she can be for the pups. It's nice to feel needed/desired and wanted. It's good for their mental health. How they feel helps them face the challenges of motherhood. All of you moms out there - I know you can relate to this.

In another week they will be opening their eyes and Nathan will be hoping they see him first. I just will celebrate another milestone - where they will start to hear and see instead of feeling and smelling only. If they see me first, well that's okay too.

We each play a special role in helping them become all they can be.

Today they are eating and sleeping very well. Sleeping an extended amount of time means their bellies are full. This is a great thing.

Puppies - well they are totally delicious - don't ya know?

Puppies Update

The pups are all gaining weight.

We are excited. Wasabi is excited - as you can see.

She's hanging outside and rolling all around enjoying herself. What does this have to do with pups?

It means they are sleeping and she is enjoying. The more weight they gain, the more break she gets and she's making the most of it.

If you notice, the littlest one is climbing up on top of Wasabi's tummy to eat now with no issues - a determined thang.

I can't believe that just before midnight till just after they will be a week old. My - does time fly.

Looking forward to their eyes opening.

We have to start getting individual pictures for you..soon...