Fun Gift Ideas for Chi Lovers!

Just roaming around in my boredom and found some really cute and unusual Chi gifts for Chi lovers!  Now I just need to find those perfectly original gifts for the special Chi in your life....

Chihuahua Toothpick Holder

 The Chihuahua toothpick holder is a whimsical yet functional bit of kitchen décor. Toothpick holders are a hot collectible right now. The Chihuahua toothpick holder would be an outstanding addition to your collection, or a great place to start. Chef Chihuahua is decked out in his best uniform, ready to stir the pot with his spoon.

Now, doesn't that just make you want to pick your teeth?? 

Georgetown Mini Metal 4 Planter-Pepper the Chihuahua

 Animal lovers will appreciate this adorable Chihuahua-inspired planter. Its spring-loaded tail and head move when touched, further enhancing the cuteness factor. Made from steel with a baked-on paint finish, this whimsical planter is suitable for indoor or outdoor use

I soooo want one of these!  I means what could be more 'Chi' than this thing!  

El Caliente Chihuahua Figurine Salt Pepper Holder 

El Caliente Chihuahua Salt Pepper Holder Figurine

This little Chihuahua figurine has a sign hanging around his neck that reads “YOU WANT SOME OF THIS?” He is sitting between 2 dishes (1 blue, the other a yellowish orange) that hold the salt and pepper shakers.

 This one is really cute but I think he would look happier if they would put some water and kibbies in those bowls!

Chihuahua, tan and white Soldier Nut Cracker Ornament

Looking for a unique way to personalize your Christmas Decorations this year. Check out these wonderful Tan & White Chihuahua Nut Cracker Ornaments. The details are amazing. These ornaments are sure attention getters! The details on the faces of the dogs is phenomenal and the quality of the entire piece makes it stand out as a wonderful addition to any Christmas celebration. Do not miss out on this great product!

This is just an awesome take on a traditional Christmas item!  Such a cute little thing to slip into the Christmas displays!

Chihuahua with Sombrero Ornament

Feliz Navidad! Give a gift from south of the border to the dog lover in your life. This adorable 3¼" tall, resin Chihuahua is dressed in a sombrero and jacket and is ready to spice up Christmas! His adorable face and glitter accents will make this a favorite ornament for years to come.

Well, what can I say!  The Sombrero is just perfect for the little Chi!

And my Personal Favorite!! 

Cartoonize My Pet

I 'cartoonized' Susu and here he is on all kinds of stuff!  LOL  You can even add multiple dogs to items and they have tons of different breeds and even cats!  So go  have some fun!!

 

Fen Goes Missing!!

It was a Tuesday and a pretty uneventful one at that.  The usual.. work, a little laundry, etc  And of course lots of Puppy Playtime!  Even had a new toy for a bit of added fun! 

It was a little after 10:00pm.  Everything was quiet.  My Daughter was already in bed.. Dogs were all sleeping..  and I was ready for some much needed relaxation when all of sudden there were only 2 puppies in the puppy pen instead of 3!!  


At first we just kind of stood there looking perplexed, since obviously there should have been 3 puppies. I silently counted them a couple of more times.  Yep, definitely only 2 puppies in the pen. 

Fen was Missing!!

Of course we started with the most logical explanation and checked our daughters room.. But no, Fen wasnt there either.  And then the panic began to set in..  He's only 12 weeks old... where could he be?!
   

The search for Fen was on!!  We called.  We searched in, under, and behind everything we could think of.  But still No Fen.  I pulled out treats and toys.. I shook the kibbie bag.. We looked in every room of the house at least 3 times.  We looked outside on the porch.  We looked and we looked. But no Fen.

And then we looked at the washer and dryer that had been steadily running the entire time we searched for our little Chi.  I always do a head count of all the dogs before starting the washer and dryer.  Always.  But Fen wasnt anywhere to be found.  And we had been looking for 30 minutes. 

All three of us stood in the kitchen, no one saying a word as we began to pull things out of the dryer one by one.  No Fen.  


So then we opened the washing machine.  Jordan and I stood there quietly as Bill pulled things out of the washer and there was wave of relief through the kitchen when he announced that Fen wasnt there either.

We went back to our searching for Fen and making plans to look outside 'just in case' when I suddenly spotted a bit of white fur with a lovely cream spot!  And there was Fen!  Fast asleep!

I happily announced that I had found him and everyone came to look!  Fen, of course had no idea what was going on and certainly looked like his cozy nap was being rudely disturbed.

We are all so thankful our Fen is safe.  It was a horrible scare and I just cant imagine if anything were to happen to any of our little ones.  They are all so special to us.

Forget About Being the Pack Leader!!

 Dominance is not the problem.  

The problem with dominance training is that it simply doesn't work.   And for some temperaments, it actually does harm.   Chihuahuas are revered for their sensitive, expressive nature and their stubbornness.  Dominance theory and the Chihuahua simply don't mix. 

When I brought my first Chihuahua home almost 6 years ago, I was very interested in how to train him and have him be a great part of my family.  Unfortunately, virtually everything I heard on tv, found online, or was advised by friends and family was based on the dominance theory.


It all sounded so simple and logical too.  The Pack order.  Be the Pack Leader as Cesar Millan would say.  If you could just master that elusive title your dog would simply do whatever you wanted because you were their beloved Leader.


And the steps were also relatively simple!  Go through the doors first.  Have your pet sit before being fed.  No paws on their Leader.  No jumping on or in the lap of the Leader and so on.  I'm sure you've heard them all too. 

But I found that me and my new best friend soon went from excited and happy to stressed and discouraged. Susu was faster than me and always seem to get out the door first.  And I started getting infuriated at this.  He wouldn't always sit when I told him too.  And things I liked.. for instance being pawed at by my cute little chibaby were simply out of the question. 

I wasn't happy and it wasn't working.  My boy was unhappy around me and obviously just frustrated at trying to figure out what I wanted.  And then, I gave up and just lived with an entirely untrained and unmanaged dog for the next 2 years.  


So how did I get from there to being a happy Doggy Mom to 5 Chihuahuas?  I started working with them using the methods of positive reinforcement.  I started using calming signals, and treats and being very consistent. And I took the time to learn the different needs and temperaments of my dogs.  Problems that I had tolerated for years were resolved in days or weeks with some consistent direction.  My dogs weren't impossible - they were simply untrained. 


Chihuahuas are exceptionally eager to please and easy to train if you are gentle and kind in your approach.  They are not a breed to be bullied or pushed.  They need encouragement and approval to make progress.  They are sensitive little souls who become very in-tuned to their humans moods and emotions.  They can be greatly impacted by scolding or punishments of any kind.  Always be pleasant and encouraging when working with your Chihuahua.

I watch mine closely to be sure tails are wagging, eyes and ears are attentive and that they are eager for the time with me.  And I no longer care if they sit or stand or do handstands and I'm not worrying over who gets to the door first.  I simply enjoy their zest for life much as I would watching children run and play.  So relax, and enjoy your chi.


 I'm really very happy to not wear the title of Pack Leader.  I prefer to think of myself as the 'Mother' of the group and I teach and correct them they same as I would small children.... with love and patience.  Understanding and appreciating their differences as well as celebrating their successes. 

Susu is my oldest Chihuahua at almost 6.  He is very sensitive and easily frustrated and requires a lot of hands on affection and calm direction in his daily life.  I have learned a lot from this little guy.  

Leadership rather than dominance is the key to 
raising well behaved Chihuahuas.  
Training and teaching should be fun and enjoyable.  
-
It should be a bonding experience not a battle of wills.

Chihuahuas Do the Darnedest Things

After having an awesome dinner out of ribs,  we brought home a few bones for the dogs.  I gave one each to Susu and Ginger in their crates.  None for the puppies of course.

However, the next morning they were given little 'puppy sized' pieces by Ginger!  So I decided to let them have them under supervision since their doggie Mama thought it would be okay for them.

Of course, there were only 2.. and there are 3 puppies...

 "Hey Fen!  Where'd you get the bone?!"

 "What?!  Cinna has one too??!"

 "Mommy gave them to us."  :-)

"But I want one!"

 "Oh Come on Guys!!  Lemme have one!  Pleeeeeeeze!!"

"MOOOMMEEEEEEE!! Fen and Cinna wont share!!"

"Kids."

"You think we should tell him there's another one over there?  .. Nah.. "

 Of course his human "Mom"  

saved the day!

Can dogs eat beef rib bones?

Yes, Flat BEEF Rib bones are fine for dogs. Preferably uncooked, as the cooking process weakens the bones and can cause it to splinter easier.

If you look at ANY pet store, they sell COOKED "Flat" rib bones for dogs. of course, again you have to take the dogs size into hand.

If you have a large breed dog, I personally would not recommend giving him Smaller "Baby Back" Rib Bones, but if it is a medium or smaller dog it should be fine.

As with any Bone though, there is a potential for splintering or sharding, and that can cause problems if not attended to quickly by a Veterinarian. 

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_dogs_eat_beef_rib_bones#ixzz1fcLtlPEr

Please Research the issue and make an informed decision for your dogs.