A Happy Havanese

Wordless Wednesday - A Dog and Her Bone

2015-04-08T08:09:00.002-04:00

A Dog and her bones

Today I am playing with my friends on the Blog Paws Wordless Wednesday, come play with us!

10 Strange Dog Behaviors Explained

2015-04-06T09:33:00.001-04:00

Happy new week to you! Today I thought I would share this video I found on 10 strange dog behaviors explained. Does you dog do some things you just don't understand? Dogs can be funny and they do have personalities and quirks just like humans do. But some things humans see as strange behavior have actual reasons why a dog does what they do.

Does your dog do any weird things? I would love to hear about it! My mom says me moving the blankets on the bed so I can get to the bottom is pretty weird. Why sleep way down under the covers she asks?

Come on over on Twitter and Instagram today and let's play.

Today doing what I do and just being a dog is what makes me "Happy."

How Owning a Dog Will Help You Lose Weight

2015-04-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hello my friend! I am so glad you came by today. Today I wanted to do a cute little post that really says it all in one little picture. I have talked about Fun Ways to Exercise With Your Dog and also Walking your dog to help them lose weight. I know for my pet parent she suffers from arthritis and Fibromyalgia and she says all the time that having me has helped her so much because she is forced to walk with me on days she just does not feel like it. It has helped her to feel better and even lose some weight as well.

Finding some ways to get moving with your pet is a great way to bond and help them and you feel better. So today I am simply posting this cute little picture.....

In the spirit of getting out with your pet and exercising I am joining in with other bloggers today on the Fit Dog Friday Blog Hop.

Do not forget to come play on Instagram and Twitter today as well.

Getting outside and helping my mom feel better are things that make me "Happy" today.

Happy Dog Tales; A rescue dog makes it to the AKC Rally National Championship

2015-04-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today I thought I would start a new type of post. I am going to call it the "Happy" Dog Tales. I want these posts to be about stories of inspiration of fellow canines. There are so many who have overcome great obstacles, done something amazing, or was just being the best dog they could be. When I find a story that makes me "Happy" I want to share them with you.

Today I am starting this with a story of a dog who had a hard life in and out of animal shelter who makes it to the American Kennel Club Rally National Championship!

You must read this story about Turbo the rescue dog and his journey to the AKC Rally National Championships.

Want to know more about the AKC Rally®

Hearing stories of happy dog tales is what makes me "Happy" today!

Wet Nose Wednesday and Why Dogs Noses are Wet

2015-04-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of hastags out there in the world. One of my favorite ones is #WNW or #WetNoseWednesday which means if you do not know- wet nose Wednesday! Don't you just love a wet nose?

Did you know it is commonly thought that when a dog's nose is cold and wet that they are healthy but according to Dog Heath.com that is not necessarily true! Did you also know that a dogs sense of smell is 1 million times great than a human?

There is a great article that explains Why Dogs Have Wet Noses on Dog Health.com

You can also check me out with my Wet Nose Wednesday on Instagram and Twitter where if I am not here I am over there.

Hi it is me Kiki and my wet nose Wednesday

Today I am teaming up with the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop {even though I was not so wordless today lol}.

Wet noses and knowing that mine is healthy is what makes me "Happy"

How to Do the Heimlich on Your Chocking Dog

2015-03-31T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello my friend, I hope your day is as wonderful as mine is being. I have already taken a walk, played with my toys and napped! Speaking of taking a walk, each time we go on one I am always sniffing around trying to find some new and exciting things. My mom says I am like a vacuum cleaner because I walk, scoop something in my mouth and never lose my stride. The next words out of her mouth are always "drop it" and so I have to let go of my treasure I was hoping to take home and enjoy. Us dogs are like that, we find all kinds of things we find interesting and we want to chew on it and eat it! We do not understand that it can be dangerous {my mom says I do not know what dangerous even means}. That leads me to something I hope you or my mom never have to do but it is great to know, how to do the Heimlich maneuver on your chocking dog.
According to Dog Health & Nutrition For Dummies "A choking dog makes retching motions and will look panicked, often pacing back and forth and pawing at her mouth. Her chest may be heaving but she isn't making any airway noises." The author also says, "If you suspect your dog is choking, first examine her mouth. Pull the tongue forward and remove the foreign object if possible. If you can’t see the foreign object, use the canine Heimlich maneuver to try to dislodge the object."

Image: Animal Wellness Magazine

Of course I am not a doctor and I do not play one on TV {not yet anyway} so I thought some tips from the experts at Pet MD on chocking and the Heimlich Maneuver for your dog would be in order.
And how about a visual from this vet.

I think now we are covered and ready in case an emergency happens, though I hope it never does.

Come on and let's play on Instagram and Twitter today!

Keeping me safe and having my mom know what to do if she needs to is what makes me "Happy" today!

How To Clean Your Dogs Toys

2015-03-30T08:10:00.000-04:00

Hello my PAWsome furriend {and even those who do not have fur} I am so "Happy" you stopped by today. I am enjoying the nice weather outside. It has been making for a great walk time with my mommy. But I do love to be inside and playing with all my toys in my toy box.
Even before my pet parents brought me home I had a toy box full of toys. My mommy had researched the breed of dog she wanted for a year and so she had a pretty good idea on how a Havanese behaves before I arrived. She knew that chewing was essential to me, so she had a beautiful basket full of toys for me to play with.

Me getting my toys all out so I can play

I am very good at getting my toys out of the box each morning. I search around and find my favorites of the day then I get them out and line them up. My mom keeps saying we need to learn to put away the toys because at night when it is time for bed she picks them up and I keep helping her take them back out. But that is a trick to learn for another day.

I noticed one day my mom was going through my toy box and setting my toys in piles. I knew it must be time to clean the toy box out. My mom does check my toys daily as she puts them away to make sure they do not need to be discarded, but you should regularly examine your dogs toys and look for cracks, separations and/or missing pieces, if they have seen better days, no matter how much of a favorite it is for your fur baby, you must throw it away. It is very important to clean your dogs toys because bacteria can build up and make your dog and you sick.

As I said my mom makes 4 piles of toys when cleaning out the toy box; one for those toys that go to toy heaven {let's not say they are thrown away}, one pile for fabric or plush toys {my babies}, one is for rope toys, and one pile for toys which are not fabric.

How to clean your dogs toys

For our fabric and stuffed toys just put them in a mesh laundry bag and toss them in the washing machine with some mild, non-toxic detergent on gentle cycle {please so my babies do not get hurt}. Then allow to air dry so as not to harm them.

For our hard plastic toys all you need to do is soak them in a mixture of ½ part water to ½ part vinegar. Allow them to soak for about 30 minutes then just use a brush and give them a good scrub. For hard to reach places like my Kong, my mom uses a bottle brush for the inside. She also puts it in the top rack of the dishwasher sometimes as well. Follow with a thorough rinse and allow them to dry.

For rope toys they need an especially good sanitizing because they are a breeding ground for bacteria. So my mom sanitizes them in the top rack of the dishwasher with no detergent. Then allows them to air dry really well.

To me the best part about getting the toy box cleaned out is that I get some new toys! Boy oh boy do I love getting new toys! Here are some of my favorite dog toys:

One special thing my mom does for me is get me a toy each month from Doggy Loot. I am enrolled in the toy of the month club where a new toy is brought to me each month by the man at the front door with a box! I love when that box arrives for sure!

I love toys and I love how my mom keeps them clean and healthy for me and that is what makes me "Happy" today.

Why Dogs Lick You

2015-03-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

I love my pet parents. I mean I really, really love them! I love them so much that I have to show them every time they sit down to pet me. I feel how much they love me and then I start to lick them. I lick a little at first and then more and more and more and......ok I hear you asking, Why do dogs lick you?

One reason we lick you is because we are trying to communicate with you.
We may be saying "Let's be friends" "Hi I am glad to see you" or even as a sign of submission to you. But sometimes I may be trying to tell you something like, I need water or let's go out. So you have to pay attention to what the moment we are in.

Another reason dogs lick you is because guess what!? You taste good! You may have small food particles on your skin or we just like the salty taste of your skin. We just plain love the way you taste baby!

Dogs lick you for affection plain and simple. When your dog licks you because they are being affectionate it actually causes your dog to release pleasurable endorphins that calm and comfort them. I like to being calm and comforted and I like licking!

So the next time your fur baby is licking away at you, remember these reasons and assess if they need something or they are just loving on you.

And if you are worried about bad breathe make sure you have read my post on brushing your dogs teeth.

Today I am looking for new friends on Instagram and Twitter so come on let's play and hey I might just give you one big lick when we meet!

Hey I am playing with some new friends today on the Thoughtless Thursday Blog Hop, come on and play with us!

Licking my parents is what makes me "Happy" today.

Wordless Wednesday is PAWsome!

2015-03-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Today is Wordless Wednesday and I think that is PAWsome!

Have a PAWsome Wednesday my friends

I am part of the Blog Paws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop, come on

and meet some new friends with me!

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

2015-03-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a big day for me. I started my basic training for my S.T.A.R. Puppy Program {the puppy level of the AKC Canine Good Citizen} and my mom said I did a great job.

Look Mom it's me and my instructor Karen.
I am having a great first day of class

I have had others ask me what is the S.T.A.R. Puppy Program so I thought I would share this info with you today.

The American Kennel Club S.T.A.R {Socialization, Training, Activity, and a Responsible Ownership} Puppy is a training program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. I get to spend some quality time learning how to communicate with my mom with commands like sit, stay, etc plus the training classes provide an opportunity for me to socialize with other dogs, and my mom learns how to be a good pet parent. I go to my basic training for 6 weeks then I will take a test and then be able a participant in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program {did you know that all dogs, including purebreds and mix breeds can come participate too, we can even earn a medal and more. But I like getting treats for doing a good job during class that's my favorite}. When I get done with this class mom says I can move on to some more fun classes and I am even looking at starting agility too!

Learn more about the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and find some classes near your home.{Mine was at my local Petco Pet Store. To me it is one big party with other dogs, treats, and playing with my mom. And I get a medal for that - Bow-Wow!

Make sure and come on over to Instagram and Twitter and be friends with me and check out the pictures from my training. Plus I always come to see what you are up to as well.

Spending time learning to be the best puppy I can be is what makes me "Happy" today.

20 Things You Should Know About A Havanese

2015-03-23T08:08:00.000-04:00

Hey it is National Puppy Day! Let's celebrate with something I know a lot about - being a Havanese! So you want a Havanese dog do you? Well personally I think that Havanese ROCK {of course I am a Havanese so I am a bit biased}.

This is me when I was almost 2 months old.
Look how long my coat was getting.

There is a lot to know about any breed before you bring that cute little puppy into your home.

A responsible pet parent will do research about the breed they want. If you are planning to rescue a dog, do some research about the breed you are getting. Not all dogs personalities are alike, just like humans are not all alike. I have some Havanese 101 over here to help you as well.

There are some personality traits about a Havanese which are important for you to know before you bring a Havanese home so you both can be happy and thrive. One thing I can promise is you will get a lot of love and attention from your Havanese.

I love toys and have a toy box full of them.
So give your Havanese lots of things to play with

20 Havanese Facts

Have a long coat which feels like silk {also called a Havana Silk Dog}
Coat can be kept long or cut short. {Keeping it long is work but my moms says it is worth it, she loves my long coat}
Little to no Shedding
Hypo allergenic so great with those who have allergies because it won't bother them.
Loyal to their family
Thrive on companionship
Loves to please
Loves praise
Great listeners
Intelligent
Entertaining
Easy to train to do tricks. {Some Havanese have even been performers in the circus}
Love to roughhouse
Love to break out in a run when playing {I have a few of my runs on Instagram}
Love paper and will shred it to bits {all kinds of paper}
Will follow you everywhere around the house {Sometimes called your shadow or Velcro dog}
Do not need a great deal of exercise
Will alert you to someone outside but are not yappie dogs.
Separation anxiety happens when family is gone. We are ideal for those who are home most of the time. A few hours a day left alone is okay but not much more than that.
Inside dog but love to go outside and walk for a bit.

I can tell you that we will love you more than you can imagine and we only want to make you happy and please you.

Hey it is National Puppy Day so let's play today on Instagram and Twitter!

My pet parents love me very much and did a lot of research before they brought me home and being with them and making them happy is what makes me "Happy."

Fun Ways to Exercise With Your Dog

2015-03-20T09:34:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday my friends! I know this week I talked about getting out and walking to lose weight and today I wanted to be part of a new group of fury friends and their owners I came across. It is the Fit Dog Friday Blog Hop! So come on and let's play........

There are many things to do with us dogs, we are ready and willing to please and to play. Playing is a great way to get exercise for us {and you too}!

Here are Fun Ways to Exercise With Your Dog

Playing Fetch is a great way to get us dogs up and moving. We love to chase, catch, and shake anything we can. Teaching us to bring it back to you is a great trick too. This activity can be done over and over and we like to run after whatever you throw as fast as we can. It's fun to do and make sure we get a reward when we retrieve for you what you wanted, that can be a treat or just a "good job."

Enrolling is an agility class is something that is fun for us and great exercise. Dog agility is a popular sport where a handler directs a dog through a variety of fun obstacles like a tunnel, tire jump, teeter-totter, weave poles, standard jumps and pause table. The goal is to attempt to navigate dogs through a course as quickly and as accurately as they can, but for us it is pure run and fun and a great way to exercise.

Picture courtesy of Cattell.net

Create a scent training game where we can use our noses to find fun things you have found. One my mom likes to do with me is show me my toy and then she hides it and I go look for it. I am up and moving, we are bonding and having a great time, and not only and I getting to use my nose I am even exercising and not even knowing it.

There are so many more ways to get up and get moving with your dog. And that is really to key, to get up and get moving.

Now to go and play with my friends on the Fit Dog Friday Blog Hop.
Do not forget to come play on Instagram and Twitter today as well.

Spending time with my family and getting up and getting moving are things that make me "Happy."

How To Brush Your Dog's Teeth

2015-03-19T10:37:00.002-04:00

Hello my friend, today I am going to talk about brushing teeth! I have to admit this is not my favorite thing. I do love my daily grooming I get from my mom, but getting my teeth brushed is not my favorite thing at all! I know my mom is always trying to find ways to help make it better for me so I thought I would share this video from my vets at Banfield Pet Hospital {I love them there} on tips on how to brush your dogs teeth.

Teeth brushing facts for your dog:

Do not use products made for humans to brush your dog’s teeth. Human toothbrushes and toothpastes can be harmful to your dog so get a pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste. Pet toothpaste tastes like chicken or peanut butter or many yummy flavors.
Take it slow and introduce tooth brushing in small steps so that your dog doesn't get overwhelmed and upset.
Teach your dog that good things always happen when he gets his teeth brushed like getting a treat when they are done, plus lots of praise – we love praise.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily, just like you brush your own. However, if your schedule doesn't allow that, brush your dog’s teeth at least several times a week. My mom makes it part of my daily grooming.
My mom also supplements my teeth brushing just to make sure she is doing a good job with ARK Naturals Breath-Less Chewable Brushless Toothpaste I am a gobbler when it comes to food and treats so she freezes these so I have to chew longer.

How to brush your dogs teeth

Do not forget to come and play with me over on Instagram and Twitter today!

Though brushing my teeth is not my favorite, getting treats and being healthy is what makes me "Happy."

Walking Your Dog To Help Them {And You} Lose Weight

2015-03-18T09:12:00.000-04:00

Hello friend today is a beautiful day here in the Sunshine State and I am already wanting to get outside and go on a walk. A daily walk is something I look forward to every day with my mommy. Walking is good for me and it is good for her as well.

My mommy found this article from the Royal Canin Newsletter about walking to help us lose weight and I thought I would share it with you today.

So here is how Royal Canin suggests you

Walk your dog to help them lose weight

Warming up. If it’s weight loss you’re after, you’re going to have to acknowledge that your dog needs the mental stimulation provided by sniffing every flower, shrub and mailbox you pass. Consider this the ‘warm up’ then apply some discipline to the exercise and get them moving. Leash them up and pick up the pace.

Pace yourself. At the same time, you might have to ease into the length of your walks. Otherwise healthy dogs that are overweight or obese might do well if they’re limited to five half-hour walks in the first week, with 10 minutes of brisk walking and 20 minutes of strolling. Build up from there, increasing the number of rigorous minutes and decreasing the strolling. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian before embarking on a rigorous walking regimen.

Keep track. Like any weight-loss program, the best way to be accountable is to write down your progress. That way, you know how far you’ve come and, if need be, you can bring real data into a conversation with your veterinarian. Track the minutes you spend walking each week, both briskly and casually. But remember that it’s a weight-loss program, so track your dog’s weight as well. Get him to the veterinarian at least once a month to record his weight.

Keep a short leash. Experts recommend keeping your dog 2 to 4 feet to your side, with your body between him and the street.

Consider the breed. Maybe it’s obvious, but a greyhound will need more room (and time) to run than a dachshund. If you have more than one dog, consider varying exercise times and activities to give each what it needs. High-energy dogs especially benefit from varied and more activity.

Look for extras. You can knock off a few extra calories by throwing in a few extra activities. Toss a ball and play fetch. Run up a hill. Skateboard along to help keep up the pace.

Get the right equipment. A simple collar and leash might not be right for this task. Consider using a head halter or walking harness instead. Around-the-neck collars can restrict your dog’s breathing. Meanwhile, consider the weather and your dog and adjust accordingly. The latest statistics from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in 2014 show the need for physical activity in dogs is especially urgent. Nearly 53 percent of dogs are either overweight or obese — with nearly 17 percent in the latter category.

A serious dog-walking session can kill three birds with one stone — exercise for you, exercise for your dog and a solid opportunity for some bonding.

Tips to Take Away

Let your dog ‘warm up’ with some mental stimulation, then get to some serious walking.

Have the right equipment for the job.

Keep track of how often and how long you walk.

I personally love Royal Canin food because that is what my vet has recommended for my mommy to give to me. If you want to sign up for their newsletter and learn more about their yummy food just check it out Royal Canin Dog Food.

Have you joined me over on Instagram or Twitter? I would love to be your new friend. Hey I think my mommy is getting my leash and that means we are headed outside!

Eating a good dog food that is good for me and talking walks are things which make me "Happy"

Happy St Patrick's Day

2015-03-17T11:41:00.001-04:00

Happy St Patrick's Day and here is an Irish Blessing for you:

May you always be blessed with walls for the wind. A roof for the rain. A warm cup of tea by the fire. Laughter to cheer you. Those you love near you. And all that your heart might desire!

Come on over to Instagram and let's be friends

Holidays with family makes me "Happy"

Save your shoes, give your dog a Nylabone!

2015-03-17T10:42:00.001-04:00

All my Nylabones make me "Happy"

10 Reasons Not To Use A Retractable Leash

2015-03-17T10:29:00.002-04:00

Hello, this post is one my mommy read about from Dr Becker, my mommy loves to read important info to make sure I am safe and I thought this would be a good one to pass on to you!

I love a leash, why you ask? Because when my mommy picks up my leash I know we are going outside! My mommy even likes to buy coordinating leash and collars and even gets me collars for different holidays! {Check out my Instagram for pictures that show some of the goodies my mommy gets for me!}

So here are 10 reasons you should not use a retractable leash on your fur baby.

1. The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.

2. In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.

3. The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. Not only can that put the dog and whatever he may be chasing in danger, but also the cord can snap back and injure the human at the other end.

4. If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.

5. Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated tracheas, and injuries to the spine.
Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."

6. The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.

7. Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog's fear is then "chasing" her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can't escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes, but also of being walked.

8. Retractable leashes, like most retractable devices, have a tendency to malfunction over time, either refusing to extend, refusing to retract, or unspooling at will.

9. Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractables train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.

10. If your dog is well trained, gentle mannered and smart enough to master a regular leash and a retractable leash without being confused, you could be one of the rare guardians that can walk your pooch on any kind of leash without increasing risks to either one of you.

Read more from Dr Becker over here

Taking walks outside are fun for me and your fur baby, being safe while we walk is what makes me "Happy"!

Hello World! My First Post

2015-03-17T09:16:00.004-04:00

Thanks for stopping by! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Yukiko {which means happy in Japanese} but my family and friends call me Kiki. I got my name when my breeder was so happy to have me and my siblings born, that she named us all happy in a different language. When my forever home mommy came to get me she called me KiKi. Yukiko also means snow and fortunate child. My forever mommy calls me her snow queen because I am the queen of the home for sure!

Here is a picture of me when I was just 2 months old. I was cute huh!

I will be sharing here on my blog, Instagram and on twitter all the things I enjoy like my outings, treats and toys I get {my mommy gets them in boxes that come in the mail!} and also some important info that us dogs need you to know. I hope you will follow along with me!
Meeting new friends is what makes me "Happy!"