Puppy Reward Treats (that won't eat your lunch)

My Baby Boy, Oliver, really, really likes his treats.  He's giving me the stink-eye because he's wondering why I am calling his name for no apparent reason, and if he will have to give up those chewy bones.  No worries, Ollie.  Just wanted to take your photo.

I've been training Oliver how to do the regular doggie stuff, sit, stay (working really hard on that one),  come-right-this-minute,  don't pee on the floor,  all that.  As all dog trainers know,  dogs  respond fast to edible rewards.  And faster to really tasty rewards.

However, a person could go broke buying store-bought doggie treats!  In desperation I searched online and this has worked like a charm.  I never would have thought of using hot dogs, and doing it this way saves you from having a stinky wet mess on your hands or in your pocket.

1.  Buy the cheapest weiners possible.  Fud!  Why does that make me think of Forrest Gump? Or those Hukd on Foniks jokes?  Anyway...

These were about $.79 for a package of 6.  A package of 6 will make a ton of treats if you do it this way.  Cut them in half lengthwise, turn a quarter turn, and cut again. Then cut them in slices about the width of an uncooked macaroni noodle.

 

 2.  Spread them out on a paper towel, and cover with another paper towel

 3.  Roll the towels up like a burrito.

 4. Put the paper towel burrito in the microwave for 4:00 on high.

 And when they are finished, take them out and let them cool, then separate any that got stuck together.  They should be almost completely dry and crispy.  They will keep almost forever in an air-tight container.  Ollie and Josephine think they are the best thing they've ever tasted, ...with the possible exception of cat poop.

A good idea for doggie health.

I was noticing that Josephine and Shady were searching for grass to eat.  I think dogs need grass like we need Metamucil.  This was an easy fix.  Just don't cut the grass in a patch, leave it for the dogs to eat.  They love their grass!

Shady's Digging Spot

When we built our house, I knew we would have Shady for a while.  Shady is my Dad's dog and when he moved to the Assisted Living Home, we took her on.

Shady loves to dig.   When she was younger, no amount of fussing by my Mother or scolding by my Dad would stop her.   So we made her a place to dig.  Just a space filled with soft sand.  I wet it when it is hot outside so she can make a cool spot.

 

She loves it!!

My friend and landscape designer suggested this, and she said many people bury a kiddie pool in their yard to hold the sand.  Makes much more sense than scolding a sweet old dog.  Especially Shady.