Potty Training

Whoever said potty training/ house training was easy? I don't think so.

First Potty accident: On our first day home. As I said on my previous post, I just went out for a bit and Chloe had a potty accident on the floor mat. Second accident, third, fourth, fifth, i can't remember anymore and it's too many to count.

I'm aware that having a puppy is going to be a handful. You have to devote your time, especially on potty training. I live in an apartment, I do not have a patio, I go to work for eight hour periods, there will be times that she'll be left alone, and the vet told me not to take Chloe anywhere outside because of the risk of puppy diseases. Wow, isn't that really convenient?

I have no choice but to resort to disposable puppy pads. At first, I have no idea how to get her to pee or go potty on the pads, so i figured out on some ideas to accomplish this:

• I'll watch her till she goes, catch her on the act, stop her, carry her to the pads, and praise her when she goes. 
• Watch her EVERY minute, or even every second. Just one moment of not paying attention or looking, she will have an accident. 
• Nature's Miracle, as the name implies, it works like a miracle. It removes stain and odors on carpets and floors that has been soiled by your pet.
• Put a little piece of her poop on the pads, leave it there and let her smell it.
• Change position of the pads. Chloe goes and relieves herself in the pads, but she also had a lot of accidents in a certain corner of my apartment, so I decided to put the puppy pads permanently on that corner.
• Potty training aid. It's a spray with some kind of substance that attracts the dog to go and eliminate when they smell it.

It took me one to two weeks to house train Chloe. She goes in the pads now, but she still misses sometimes by a few inches from the pads.  Here are some important key points I learned from this whole process: Always praise when she eliminates on the right place; Be thorough in cleaning accidents, to make sure no trace is left and to make sure that they don't eliminate on that spot again; Consistency is the key; and lastly, Potty training never ends.

First day Gift

February 16, 2011 - Wednesday

(entries were dated by the time it was composed)

As soon as we stepped inside the apartment, Chloe inspected the whole place as if she's looking for something. So I let her freely roam around and gave her time to get used to her new home. I went back to my car for a moment to get all the puppy stuff (her crate, food, play pen, toys) and as i came inside the apartment, she left me a little surprise. 

Poop.

That's for leaving me behind here! -Chloe

First video of Chloe at home:

Puppy Going Home

February 16, 2011 - Wednesday

(entries were dated by the time it was composed)

Finally, I acquired my own Shiba Inu Puppy after three months of searching, and now it's time to take the little one to her new home. She's a female Shiba Inu puppy born December 18 of 2010, red colored, and currently eight weeks old at this time. I'm giving her the name Chloe, and don't ask why i chose that name because I don't know either. I just found the name cute. She did very good with her first car ride going home and kept quiet during the trip. 

I wonder how both of our lives will change from this day on. Exciting.

Here are some of the first pictures of Chloe:

I wonder where I am right now?

 If you could kindly tell me where you're taking me?

 That ride was tiring. No fun.

Introducing the breed "Shiba Inu"

Designated as a "National treasure" in Japan, the Shiba Inu is one of six breeds in the same family of dogs native to Japan. No one knows precisely why the term Shiba was used to name these dogs. However, there are common theories that are presented: The symbol for Shiba in Japanese writing  has multiple meanings. One meaning if for a type of wild shrub frequently translated as brushwood, either because the dogs were used to hunt in wild shrubs, or because the most common color of the Shiba Inu is a red color similar to that of the shrubs. Also, in an old Japanese dialect, it also means small, maybe in reference to its small size. The term "inu" simply means dog in Japanese. Therefore, the Shiba Inu is frequently translated as "Little Brushwood Dog."  (And don't call it Shiba inu dog cause it will literally mean "shiba dog dog)

 In Japan, they often use three words to describe the Shiba's overall essence:

• "Kan-i" embodies the confidence of a dog that knows her own worth. Defined as a boldness of spirit with alertness and a keen sense of awareness that allows them to distinguish friend from foe. The confident Shiba stands her ground ready to protect herself and her family when the need arises.
• "Ryosei" means good-natured. The shiba is loyal, faithful, obedient, respectful of her owners and obeys commands when given.
• "Soboku" literally means country-girl beauty. What you see is what you get. The Shiba is beautiful in a manner that is natural, simple, yet elegant, unsophisticated, yet poised. The "girl next door" of the dog world.

 According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), the Temperament of the Shiba Inu is:

"A spirited boldness, a good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which together yield dignity and natural beauty. The Shiba has an independent nature and can be reserved toward strangers but is loyal and affectionate to those who earn his respect. They can be aggressive toward other dogs, the Shiba is always under the control of his handler."

What else can I say? It's the perfect companion for me.

Here are some pictures of the breed I fell in love with: