Paper Party!

And here's Alfie who seems to really love his tree!

Greetings from Chester nee Harry from the Harry Potter litter

Christmas cheer from Norway

This is Sonrisas Roo to Mithra-Shan - Roo

More good wishes for happiness and joy and all the best 2015 can bring.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our home to yours.

And Merry Christmas from our grandson!

Christmas greetings from Sawyer

Sonrisas Sawyer a Little Star is  asking for a steak, some toys and a few bones I think.  He also wants to send out Christmas greetings to all his Havanese friends and family.

Lola from our first litter.

Our first litter turned 12 on December 5.  All are alive and well except one that was hit by a car.

Lola looks just like Mojo doesn't she!

Allie has a new friend

When to spay or neuter your dog

Read about early spay/neuter - click here

This is a very complex issue, but I think every pet owner needs to be informed about the latest research.

Sonrisas Life is Surrey Us from the Lusa/Boomer litter.

Florida - the doggies love it and are allowed on the beach here in Fort Myers Beach.

Gypsie from the Lusa/Boomer litter.

They are almost eight months now.

Lusa wants to play with the squirrels

Our Newest Champion

Introducing CH Sonrisas Gotta Hava Q Charo. She earned her championship with style by gaining Best of Breed over specials. Thanks Jennifer Carr for your help.

Am/Can CH Sonrisas Mis Con Geni Ali T

Can/AM CH Sonrisas’ Mis Con Geni Ali T ROM

Ali - August 2003 to 2014

It is with a great deal of sadness that we learned of Ali’s passing as a result of a coyote attack. Fortunately, her grandson Dash managed to avoid the same result.

Ali’s greatest achievement was earning her Platinum Health Award at the age of seven and we expected for her to have many, many years left. Ali was mother to multiple Am/Can champions as well as Am/Can CH BG’s Salix LAPPONUM (Willow)(picture below), CAN CH Sonrisas Lil Pawz Koko CGN CDX RAE AgXs (picture), Sonrisas Picture Perfect Jpeg (picture), grand dam to Sonrisas Bubba O’Riley CGN RN AgJ AgN and Am CH Sonrisas Allegro Giocoso BN RA THD CGC (picture) who are still very much a part of our lives.

Ali was an extraordinary dog in so many ways and in a way her death was almost a reflection of her life. We use to call her our feral dog since, contrary to most Havanese, she always preferred to be outside no matter what the weather. Many times I donned an umbrella in order to carry her into the house in pouring rain, and she would refuse to come in when it snowed no matter how cold. She tried desperately to have her litters outside and would begin digging her den under the porch steps and have it ready for the birth weeks before the babies were due. As soon as the puppies were old enough to go outside, once they had played themselves into exhaustion, she would take them to her den and that is where they would all cuddle with mom and fall asleep.

Goodbye my sweet, sweet Ali, may you have huge open fields for running, bushes to hide under and soft earth for your den.

Happy Thanksgiving from Dunka and belated happy Birthday to the Thanksgiving litter.

Dunka waiting for her  turkey.  She and her littermates who were born on Thanksgiving eve are celebrating their fourth birthday.

Best Time to Spay or Neuter

UC Davis is doing further research into the timing of the spay/neuter and trying to determine what is best.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/when-should-you-spay-or-neuter-your-puppy

Some people are promoting vasectomies for dogs and removal of the uterus only in females.  In Havanese this is not particularly difficult but in larger more imposing breeds it may be a problem.  I have been told that most dogs in Europe are left intact and it does not seem to present a problem.  I suppose it all depends on what people are use to and the culture around this issue.

Lola nee Lady from the Lusa/Boomer litter

Do you think this pup is enjoying life!

Introducing Can/Amer CH Sonrisas Nena at Old Havana

Shown to her Canadian Championship by her novice owner, Myrna, they did it in style by winning Best of Breed.  I'm so proud of both of them.

Thanks to Trina for this picture of Mojo

Mojo at 14

Old Man Sleeping

Mojo wore himself out playing with Georgia and the gang.

A good article on reading dog food labels

How to Read a Food Label

Lucie nee Fredith - now has four more Havanese friends

Here's Group of Seven's the Puppy Formerly Known as Fredith - our Lucie. Interestingly, there are four more dogs in our extended family now. Seems we started a trend! Hope all is well with you and yours.


Here is one of Florida Allie's sisters.  Not hard to tell she's a Lusa baby and JJ is her father.

Roo in Norway

Well, our Norwegian friends have left and Roo has meet his new family.   Trina breeds both Tibetan Terriers and Havanese so some of these dogs may look like large Havanese.

Vacinations

http:

//www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/bordetella-does-your-dog-really-need-the-kennel-cough-vaccine/

Our visitors this past week

We had two breeders staying with us this week, Trina Brener and Rita Jansen who are both from Norway. Trina flew over here to pick up Roo from our last litter.  Roo is now officially Sonrisas Roo to Mithra Shan.  The house seems so quiet now without a puppy and our visitors.

Happy Birthday to the George/Willow litter!

Two years old already.

Here's Margherita!  Does she look like a George baby?

Misty who lives in Thunderbay

 This is Charo's sister.  Isn't she cute.  I love the puppy cuts when they are well done and it looks like this goomer really knows what's she's doing.

Here's Florida Allie again

This is Allie being certified to use a stroller in order to visit retirement homes as a Therapy Dog.

She is Sonrisas Allegro Giocoso or Allie and lives year round in Florida.

George did it again!

George finished his Novice Agility Jumpers with Weaves title last weekend and earned two legs toward the intermediate title.  Working with George is such a pleasure.   He is now Can/Amer CH Sonrisas George R Us CGN RA AgN AgNJ.

Happy Birthday to another George baby - Salsa

Salsa is out of Bea Sawka's breeding with George and lives in BC with Norwich Terriers.  Looks like she really enjoys her buddies.

Our German import who lives with Lisa Hockin in Michigan

This is Limited Edition of Velvet Dreams - Armani

This from the UK, but still applies here in Canada- How to buy a dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EhTu1TQcEc

Ali's daughter who has the same coloring.

This is BG's Salix Lapponum - Willow

Ali and her son JJ

This is Sonrisas Mis Con Geni Ali T (Ali) and her son Sonrisas Picture Perfect Jpeg (JJ).  This is what I would love to see in our next breeding or at least someday.  Just love this coloring.

What the law saws about selling puppies

http://puppymillsbreedmisery.com/buying-a-new-puppyno-papers-no-problem.html

We visited the Abby Lawn Manor yesterday

George did a bit of agility for them, but mostly enjoyed rolling in the rabbit droppings

Regarding dominance theory as a way of training dogs.

VETERINARIANS CONCERNED ABOUT OUTDATED AND
CONFRONTATIONAL ADVICE GIVEN BY CESAR MILLAN, THE DOG WHISPERER:

In an article written by Timothy Kim for the VIN News Services (5FEB09), an on-line resource for veterinarians, representatives of the AmericanVeterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) have expressed concern about dog training advice given by Cesar Millan, on his reality TV show, The Dog Whisperer. The AVSAB is so concerned that they have issued an official statement (Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals - http://tiny.cc/BoliX) to counter the unfortunate pervasive influence of Millan's show.

In their position statement the AVSAB demonstrates that the dominance theory which is the core of Millan's approach, has been rejected by animal behavior experts and can actually cause serious fear aggression in dogs. In the article, Dr. Laurie Bergman, of Norristown, Pa., a member of AVSAB's executive board was quoted as saying "We had been moving away from dominance theory and punitive training techniques for a while, but, unfortunately, Cesar Millan has brought it back."

Dominance theory has typically been presented as the reason for a dog's misbehavior. Its basic premise is that the dog is a pack animal like a wolf and all packs are ruled by the dominant alpha male. Millan essentially believes that in order to counter a dog's misbehavior, or as he sees it a "grab for power," a person must be the dominant alpha male and must use force and coercion to get the dog to behave and submit.

The article describes Millan as using a number of assertive techniques "negative-reinforcement,” or correction, Alpha rolls (the dog is rolled onto its back, a submissive position) and flooding (the dog is exposed to something that causes it anxiety and is not allowed to escape, to desensitize it). He also has been shown choking a dog on the end of a leash until it fell onto its side, gasping for air." These techniques are of great concern to the AVSAB which has also adopted a position statement on the use of punishment for training animals (http://tiny.cc/p5jYg).

The theory of dominance hierarchy was set into motion in 1922 by Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe and his research on chickens. It was popularized by the Monks of New Skete with their publication of How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. This now very dated book, takes the premise that if we want the best relationship with our dog then we should treat them like an adult wolf would treat a wolf puppy, at least according to the Monk's understanding of that scenario. Many of their key recommendations focus on fear and physical punishment.

Thanks to the work of Dr. L. David Mech, a senior scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, we now know that dominance theory does not apply to wolves in a natural, wild (non-captive) environment (Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs) (http://tiny.cc/ycQeU). Research by Dr. Ray and Lorna Coppinger (DOGS: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution (Scribner, NY, 2001; Univ. Chicago Press, 2002) has helped us understand that while closely related to the wolf a dog is not a hunter or a pack animal. Dogs are primarily scavengers and when living feral often live alone or in very loose groups.

So what does all of this mean? It means that the dominance theory spouted for years by many in the dog community is a poor model for describing wolf behavior and is an even worse model for training your dog. Unfortunately, just like there is still a Flat Earth Society there are still those like Cesar Millan, who hang on to a dog training model that is erroneous and based on creating confrontation and fear.

The AVSAB is not the first to question Millan's techniques. On February 23, 2006 the New York Times quoted Dr. Nicholas Dodman [veterinary behaviorist and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University] as saying ''My college thinks it [The Dog Whisperer - Cesar Millan] is a travesty. We've written to National Geographic Channel and told them they have put dog training back 20 years.'' Later that same year the American Humane Association stated "The training tactics featured on Cesar Millan's "The Dog Whisperer" program are inhumane, outdated and improper"

Kim's article concludes with a statement by Dr. Sophia Yin, a member of the AVSAB executive board, warning dog guardians to avoid dog trainers and others who: continually tell owners that they have to be the "alpha," warn owners not to use rewards too much, and uses pinch collars or shock collars on dogs in a training class. "The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians not refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that follow from it."

Happy 5th Birthday to the Sparky/Ali litter

Here's JJ and Koko out of that litter:

This is very accomplished litter, with Koko being a nationally top ranked obedience and agility competitor and JJ having sired top conformation winning puppies.    Koko is now known as CH Sonrisas Lil Pawz Koko RAE CDX CGN AGI AGIJ

Thank you to Joan Reid for her excellent training and care of both Riley (he too has his CD and is working on more titles )and Koko.  No one could ask for more for JJ who is loved and cared for by Cathy Boucher in Holland landing.  Thank you again to both.  And, of course, thank you to Elaine Cirimele of Lil Pawz

Havanese without which this wouldn't have happened.

George baby is doing well!

This from Judy Higgs. BOW, BOS, BP, and PG2 for Classical's Autumn Moon (Autumn) under judge Peter Green and a week later WB, BOS, BP, PG3. Autumn is a George baby.  Thanks to both Judy and Bea Sawka for this breeding.

Happy 1st birthday to the Drew Litter!

Happy Birthday to the Drew litter.   Here's Mia waiting for her birthday cake

Charo got to spend the day  with Eleanore as an only dog.  She was walked, played with lots of different dogs and was royally spoiled.  

Gypsie nee Rain from the last litter - is this cute or what.

American Ch Sonrisas Nena at Old Havana

Nena, already has her American championship, but  was in her second (I think) show this weekend in Canada.  She earned four points and hopefully will gain her Canadian title soon.  Nena is out of our Willow and George, and is owned by Chris and Myrna McCallum of Windsor.

Here's a link to the puppy training booklet I hand out with my puppies.

If you don't have one here is a bit about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS7VGLWhuWY

Another one of George's babies

Classical's Autumn Moon at Lackawanna Kennel Club Show won WB, BOW, Best Puppy and best of opposite over a special today and then took a puppy group 3.

This is a puppy out of George and Bea Sawka's girl Violet.

Spay/Neuter Discussion

If you have already spayed or neutered your pet you probably don't want to read this, but if you haven't read on:

http://www.caninesports.com/uploads/1/5/3/1/15319800/spay_neuter_considerations_2013.pdf

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

Viable options are a vasectomy for a male and a partial spay for a female.  However, many veterinarians may resist this as all changes are slow in coming.  One of these papers states a high percentage of intact female dogs dying of pyometra  which is why the partial spay is probably best for the female dog.  Some vets talk about the stress of the female heat cycle, but with the Havanese, at least my Havanese, there is little change in behaviour during a heat cycle.

Gidget nee Cricket

From an email I received from Gidget's owner.  Thank you very much btw.  It's news like this that make us keep doing what we are doing.

"I can not begin to tell you how amazing she is or how much we are enjoying her. What a personality! We’ve only ever owned large breeds but now I can’t even begin to imagine why we didn’t get a Havanese sooner. She really is a big dog in a little package. She is so funny and spirited, adores people and loves all dogs. She’s also really changed our golden. Their relationship has blossomed into something very special and as a consequence has really helped Maisy out of her shyness. These two are inseparable."

Great News

Visitors

Here's Baron and his owner who paid us a visit the other day.  This lucky little guy gets to spend the summer at the cottage.   The other picture is Allie who lives in Florida.  Baron and Allie are brother and sister.

Mojo turns 14 tomorrow - Happy Birthday Mojo