Chihuahua Blog

Running in the forrest

2008-06-30T21:06:00.001+01:00

Melvin, originally uploaded by janneja.

Normally I am not afraid of anything (almost), but there are to many sounds in the forrest that freak me out... Not like in the city where things are calm :-)

Yup, I am a cutiepie

2008-02-17T21:35:00.001+00:00

Melvin, originally uploaded by janneja.

Toyshaking Chihuahua

2008-02-17T21:34:00.001+00:00

21102007036, originally uploaded by janneja.

Catfight - playing with Hufsa

2008-02-17T21:30:00.001+00:00

A very very short video of me and Hufsa

Eating my toy

2008-02-17T21:27:00.001+00:00

Showing off some killer instinct!

My playmate "Hufsa"

2008-02-17T21:24:00.001+00:00

Hufsa, originally uploaded by janneja.

This is my funny kitten cousin, that I infact love to play with. She is only five months old, and on this picture she is taking a nap on her mums leg.

Yes I am cute in my new sweather... enough already!

2008-02-17T20:57:00.001+00:00

02022008085, originally uploaded by janneja.

Can you see my flag now?

2008-02-17T20:55:00.001+00:00

02022008084, originally uploaded by janneja.

Posing in my new sweather!

2008-02-17T20:53:00.001+00:00

02022008080, originally uploaded by janneja.

I got a homemade (knitted) sweather from my grandma. To match my feeders that is. It has a Norwegian flag on the back and should fit me well cheering the Norwegian skiers this winter. I am going in the mountain next weekend, and I will be sure to try it out!

Give me the ball!!

2007-07-02T21:09:00.001+00:00

Smile, originally uploaded by janneja.

Did I tell you the ball is mine???

2007-07-02T21:08:00.001+00:00

The ball is mine!!!, originally uploaded by janneja.

I love this ball :-)

2007-07-02T21:06:00.001+00:00

Chew some more, originally uploaded by janneja.

I am not giving it back!!!

2007-07-02T21:05:00.001+00:00

Melvin - 1 juli 07 024, originally uploaded by janneja.

The ball is mine now!

2007-07-02T21:04:00.001+00:00

Melvin - 1 juli 07 026, originally uploaded by janneja.

Standing still is an artform

2007-07-02T20:49:00.001+00:00

Chihuahua artwork, originally uploaded by janneja.

…especially if you are a Chihuahua! Trying to take Melvins picture require patience as he is always on the move and full of energy. Even when he suffers from a cold. The picture turned out pretty blurry but kind of arty :-)

Melvin in Pilestredet Park

2007-05-12T21:22:00.001+00:00

Melvin - 12 mai 014, originally uploaded by janneja.

A Sunny Day in Oslo

2007-05-12T21:18:00.001+00:00

Melvin - 12 mai 021, originally uploaded by janneja.

Melvin is enjoying a sunny day in Oslo!

Finally Spring in Oslo!

2007-03-18T21:05:00.003+00:00

We’ve had a lovely spring day in Oslo, 15 degrees Celsius and not a cloud in the sky.
Melvin has been on a long walk (to be him) in the park, and enjoyed him self (shaking from time to time) in the great weather. After all when he came to us 31st of January it was very cold and a lot of snow, it has been that way all trough February too, no wonder he had a good day outside.

My boyfriend just came home from China where he purchased a new camera for us, a Canon Powershot S3 IS, this was the perfect day for testing our new camera.

Both pictures in this blog entry is taken with our new camera.

Shopping Chihuahua apparel online

2007-03-18T19:22:00.001+00:00

A puppy needs a lot of things, in addition to nail clippers, combs, collars etc. there are tonz of cute stuff you can buy for small dogs. In Norway Chihuahua apparel is very expensive and the selection is rather limited.

Browsing through eBay has already gotten Melvin a few items. I found nice stuff in the following shops:

Icy Cool Product: http://stores.ebay.com/Icycoolproduct
Designs for Dinky Dogs: http://stores.ebay.com/Designs-for-Dinky-DogsDinky-Dogs
Woof and Wag: http://stores.ebay.com/Woof-and-Wag

Online shopping for a Chihuahua is rather comfortable. In addition to being easy and cheap, the packages always fit in the mail box and you avoid the whole toll issue.

Here’s some of the stuff I have bought for Melvin so far:

Melvin on MySpace.com

2007-03-01T22:52:00.000+00:00

Cyberdog or not? To be the real thing you need a page on Myspace. The blog will still continue on this address, blogger. Melvins myspace page is there in order to connect with other cyber Chihuahuas around the world. You can visit his page here:
http://www.myspace.com/melvinchi

Time for grooming the little gizmo

2007-02-26T19:40:00.001+00:00

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?

2007-02-25T22:49:00.001+00:00

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

Meeting the family

2007-02-19T22:41:00.001+00:00

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)

2007-02-19T22:14:00.001+00:00

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!

2007-02-07T12:21:00.000+00:00

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.