Time for grooming the little gizmo

A real couch potatoe, originally uploaded by Crazy Chihuahua.

Smooth Chihuahuas have easy-care, wash and wear coats, so for grooming, they can get by with a quality shampoo that is pH-balanced for dogs, a natural bristle brush, a toothpaste formulated for dogs, a soft toothbrush made for small dogs or human babies, and a doggie nail clipper. Other items like cotton ear swabs are also useful in grooming your little Chi.

Long coated Chis like little Melvin are also easy to maintain, but require a few more things. Both you and your cute chi appreciate a coat conditioner formulated for dogs of course. Besides making his coat a cinch to comb after his shampoo, it keeps it soft and silky. A hard rubber comb is a must for keeping mats out of a Chihuahua’s coat, especially behind the ears. If you don’t use the comb often enough (don’t worry it will only take you a minute or two), you’ll probably need a mat splitter to put your pooch coat back in good condition again.

Caution!
Don’t buy a nylon or metal comb, or a brush made with anything but natural bristles. Natural products do the least damage to a dog’s coat, and if you comb your dog during the winter with a nylon or metal implement, you’ll probably zap him with static electricity. He’ll hate it and won’t want to be groomed anymore.

Melvin’s shopping list
* PH-balanced shampoo for dogs
* Conditioner for dogs
* Natural bristle brush
* Hard rubber comb
* Toothpaste for dogs
* Toothbrush for small dogs or babies
* Doggie nail clipper
* Cotton Ear Swabs

I am sitting, where's my treat?

I am sitting, where's my treat?, originally uploaded by Crazy Chihuahua.

Meeting the family

Of course I can be sweet, originally uploaded by Crazy Chihuahua.

Today Melvin met a large part of his extended family, on his mother’s side at least and that on Mothers Day!
After one hour drive on a day with minus 14 degrees outside, brrr!

My family consists of my mum and dad, babysister (soon to be 24) posing in the picture with Melvin, and next door my aunt and uncle, my cousin with husband and two kids, and my other cousin (visiting) and boyfriend. About 11 people to greet the newest part of the family + the cat of course who run away frightened of the little rascal called Melvin.

Melvin was very shaky and scared at first, but it didn’t take him long before his curiosity took over and the investigation started. After sniffing through every inch of the house he greeted everybody with tonz of love and Chihuahua kisses. He felt more secure and safe by every second he was there. Deep inside he is really a though little boy :-)

Hungry Chihuahua (Boss)

Boss, originally uploaded by Chopstiks.

Yes I know this is not Melvin... but this photo is just exellent and worth a blog entry on Melvins behalf. I am sure he doesn't mind sharing his space with a fellow Chihuahua :-)

Yes he can!

Although I was a bit premature when it came to saluting him for being completely potty trained. (We’ve had some accidents since my last blog entry). He is mainly doing well though. He is still developing quickly and is now mastering the "SIT" command.

Last night we spent some minutes rehearsing the “SIT” command. We actually started two days ago, but in his eagerness to have the treat instantly the outcome was not great. Instead of sitting down on his bottom he would rather stand on two legs, so much easier for a tiny dog with bunny legs! Teaching your dog to sit demands patience, and yesterday I was rewarded. He can sit on command hooray! We will continue to practice the command in different environments before we start on a new command. Next will be the “down” command.

Here is how we have been practicing the “sit” command (very efficient). Teaching your dog to sit is a good place to start the training because it’s a natural posture. Just remember that when your dog has more or less learned a command, don't give him a food treat every time he gts it right. Give him a treat every second time, or evry third time, or every fifth time. This makes the a dog learn faster because he's never sure when you are going to give him a treat. Never phase out treats completely and always give plenty of praise and petting.

Here is what you should do:

• Equip yourself with a treat. Hold it between your thumb, index and third fingers with your palm facing upwards.
• Call your dog. Puppies learn their names really quickly and he should come over to investigate.
• Show the dog you have a treat in your hand. Hold it in front of his nose. Let him snit it, lick it, paw it, but don’t let him have it.
• At this stage, don’t utter a command or say anything at all.
• Eventually, your dog will sit (this took some time for Melvin). Now here is where you need split second timing. You have to catch that action and reward it on the spot. Give him the treat, and praise him.
• Repeat the same procedure two more times. Wait for the action, catch it, give him the treat and praise him.
• The next step is to put in the vocal cue and signal. As your dog is in the act of sitting, say SIT and raise your wrist slightly. Repeat this five to ten times.
• Finally ask your dog to SIT, using the hand signal, before he has even started to sit. Repeat the same sequence five to ten times.
• If he doesn’t SIT when you ask him to, don’t repeat the command. Take the treat immediately out of reach, removing it up to shoulder level, and say UH OH! Wait a couple of seconds and try again.
• Always give lots of praise after a session.

We are progressing!

It didn’t take him long to find out where it is smart to do his toilette. Only one and a half day, and I am so proud and pleased! After reading about the breed where they clearly state that it can take some time for the Chihuahua to become completely potty trained, and especially with males I was worried for a while.

He is getting really tough now, feeling very secure and happy in his new home. In the beginning the bathroom was his only safe haven. His eating habits a coming along too. Although he still prefers his boiled chicken and sour milk before his pellets. I am just hoping that he gets all the necessary nutrition’s a growing puppy needs.

Melvin had four car rides after his first and unlucky try. He has not gotten sick once, and that without any sort of medication. I think it is all about habits and that he needs to get used to new things. On his last trip he actually fell asleep :-)

Meet Melvin

This is our new Chihuahua puppy Melvin, isn’t he cute? He is teeny weenie weighing only 600 grams. Just a bit more than a package of minced meat.

He arrived in our home two days ago (31st of January), very scared and shaky. Luckily he soon got over it and turns out to be a brave little fellow. At least inside our flat. Being outside is still very scary and very cold. And being in a car is even worse! He gets car sick! Vomiting on a car ride for less than 5 km.

Chihuahua puppies are often picky when it comes to feeding, which can be worrying for any owner. The first day he would only eat boiled chicken fillets, I could just forget about his pellets. Luckily he tasted some of it yesterday. It is important that he gets all of his nutrients. Today he had some sour milk full of calcium, good for his bone structure. And that he loved it!

There is no doubt we have a lot of work ahead of us training him. The key issues now are the potty training; he is not very good at it. And making him used to being outside. Walking on a leach and so on. He seems to be bright and I can tell that he is progressing every time I bring him outside.

I had to buy him a knitted sweater to make sure he doesn’t freeze to much the few minutes he stays outside. I bought the sweater in size extra small and it is still too big for him. Here you can see a picture of it and I bought it at http://www.petshopgirls.no/ which is not far from where we live.

Melvin actually enjoyed the visit because he met a cute Chihuahua girl, 1 year old and 900 grams, perfect size from him to play with and grown up Wheaten Terrier who he just loved following around everywhere.

I also bought him a new pet carrier which is very useful when I am taking him places. Today we have a pink Juicy Couture pet carrier, not very masculine. Here you can see some pictures of the new one from Grandmayard. Ordered from the US.