Chihuahua advanced training graduation
Thanks for coming back! I appreciate it.
We couldn't find a mortar board big enough so Farfl stood on top of it instead.....
Right before Christmas Farfl and her fellow chihuahuas graduated from their advanced training course at PetSmart.
Click on the title above or the "more" link to see all the great pictures of her displaying her advanced skills! (more...)
Farfl starts an all-chihuahua advanced training group
Farf and bouncy Bobby
I've been looking forward to this class for months - and it didn't disappoint! There were just three other dogs - Bobby, a very bouncy and friendly little chi, Mac, a long-legged cutie-pie with a barking problem and Charlie, a very shy fawn-coloured Taco Bell chihuahua.
Julian was our trainer this evening - I've seen him walking dogs on the Beltline where we live - and he was really fun. We went over some intermediate skills and I was so proud of Farfl - she did everything really well and wasn't as distracted as a couple of the other dogs. She played really nicely and wasn't overwhelmed by Bobby's rambunctiousness. She was also really gentle with shy Charlie.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the training sessions!
Aggressive Dog on our Walk
Ugh - it's been one of those days where through no fault of your own you get into something with a complete stranger.
I was taking Farfl on a long walk through the park and alongside Mount Pleasant Cemetery in midtown Toronto this afternoon. As usual, Farfl goes off-leash as soon as we're on the pathway - as do lots of other dogs on that pedestrianized stretch.
On the bridge a woman was approaching me with her miniature pinscher on a leash and a young boy on a tricycle. (more...)
Farfl Comes to Work
I was excited. Farfl was excited. Everyone in the office was excited.
I've been temping in a downtown office in Toronto and yesterday the office manager suggested I bring my dog to work. I was ecstatic! This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, but sadly haven't had the opportunity. I jumped at the chance! (more...)
Transitioning from pee-pads to going outside
It was going to have to happen sometime.
Now that it's warmer in Toronto and I want to take Farfl places, she needs to be properly house trained so that she knows that it's not appropriate to "go" indoors. But how do you make that transition? (more...)
Farfl Graduates From Puppy Kindergarten
Farfl and the mortar board....it's bigger than her!
She made it all the way through her eight weeks of basic training!
I'd heard pretty mixed reviews of training classes at Petsmart, but as soon as I met Heather I knew I was in the right place. (more...)
Farfl’s Foe
I wish I could tell you that my dog and my cat get on well together.
But that, frankly, would be a fat lie. Farfl is pretty good on the whole - she doesn't usually pick a fight with Jess, but sometimes the temptation to go and sniff her is just too much. Then Jess starts growling then Farfl starts play bowing and then Jess goes for her and Farfl barks. Oy. Here's a very short video of them in action. (more...)
A New Harness – A New Attitude!
Farfl was having problems with her nylon harness.
Farfl the Chihuahua in her pink harness
A few days ago I noticed a clump of hair was stuck in the plastic clip of Farfl's harness. I took it off her and, sure enough, there was a little bare patch of skin on her side. She scratches at the harness and shakes it all the time - at first I thought it just was taking some getting used to, but this morning when I put it on her and she yelped piteously I felt awful and was determined to get her something better. (more...)
Housetraining a Chihuahua
Small dogs get a bad rap when it comes to house training
Farfl in a sun patch
Because they're little, it can be easy to overlook a chihuahua puppy's accidents, because they're not as gigantic or disastrous as those left by a rottweiler or shepherd puppy. But this is a big mistake. (more...)
Leash Training Breakthrough!
I was a bit embarrassed at puppy kindergarten this week.
Farfl in her cosy parker
Our homework for the first week of puppy training was having the puppy on a leash tied to you at all times except if the puppy was tethered while you were doing something like cooking. Let's just say it didn't exactly go to plan. (more...)
Farfl is a small, black dog who was born on 2nd November 2008 in Windsor, Ontario. This website celebrates her exciting adventures and those of her fellow chihuahuas. 
