Canine Good Citizen Classes: Weeks 1 & 2

My faithful blog readers know I have been in training pretty much my whole three years of life. First we did two rounds of Petco puppy classes, then Mom taught me all kinds of fun tricks at home, and finally we worked with  my trainer Jessica. Well Mom decided it was time to really kick it into high gear and put my knowledge to the test. 

Literally. There is a test. 

We started preparing, studying, and practicing for our Canine Good Citizen Test and this thing is no joke! Thanks to our wonderful trainers at Leap Dog Training we are coming along nicely so far (I think...)

A lot of what we've done so far is reinforcing what I already know (sit, stay, lay) but some of it has been very new. For example, I have to be able to sit and wait patiently while Mom shakes someone's hand and I can't get up until she tells me it's ok. I CAN'T GET UP AT ALL!! I'm slowly getting a hang of it but man, by the end of our hour-long classes, I'm pooped! I sleep all day Saturday!

Today we're at our third class in the series, of six, so I'm sharing pictures with you all from the first two weeks. Here I am sitting and laying oh so nicely, watching Mom closely for my treats.

I have to listen very closely to what Mom tells me to do and but it sure does make it easier that she has a whole pouch full of treats. Mmmmm I love treats! The only thing is that on the test she won't be able to treat me for good behavior, I will have to do it just because I want to. Hmm I'm not so keen on that idea yet but I'll keep it under consideration.

See? I love training!

I'm not alone in this adventure either, I have a few friends along for the journey.

Desmond really prefers to lay down. Sitting is just not his thing.

Koji is focusing very well and his owner Sandra is so proud of all he's learned already!

Max is a BIG boy but he's super calm and relaxed. 

Peach is a little sweetheart.

All of the dogs above were rescued through Pit Bull Rescue San Diego - man they sure know how to pick 'em! I'm looking forward to learning more in the next couple of weeks and making Mom really proud on the test. Keep your paws crossed for me! Oh and if you need any training and are in the San Diego area please check out Leap Dog Training, they have my stamp of approval :)

My Favorites: Homemade Sweet Potato Snacks

You know what I love? Treats. Food. Any kind of snacky goodness. So when Mom and Grandma set out to make some "Sweet Potato Chews" based on something they saw on Pinterest, let's just say I was all in.

This is a sweet potato. Not the most attractive when it starts but it sure does taste good!

Be sure to peel it. Skin is yucky.

Cut into even slices so they all bake evenly. Mom did mine about 1/3" thick

Bake in the oven at 350 until they are crispy.

Wait patiently while they cool. And Grandma does the dishes.

Act uninterested when Mom waves it in your face. In truth, try to keep from drooling on the floor.

Eat the equivalent of a whole sweet potato in one night. Success.

Now Mom wanted me to tell you that the instructions she found for this told her to cook the sweet potato slices at 250 degrees for three hours!!! Um, what? Who runs their oven for three hours??? Anyways, we're thinking that the lower temperature and longer cooking time would make them more like chewies whereas these were crunchy yummy snacks. I prefer these ones, they are done in about 20 minutes. Thank goodness, the waiting is torture!!

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Look what I got!

I hope you're having a wonderful day with your families -- both furry and human. Merry Christmas!

Friday Fun

Stick around for the last two seconds or so, it's worth it.

JENGA!!!

Barksters Krisps

Mom was contacted a few weeks back about trying a new dog treat called Barksters Krisps and I immediately told her it sounded like a great idea. What's not to love? Free treats? Count us in!

In fact, I was so excited to try the new yummies that I couldn't wait for Mom to open them, I helped myself!!

I was able to get through the outside package but they made the inside plastic bag dog-proof. Dang it! Once Mom showed off with her opposable thumbs I was finally able to enjoy the deliciousness. We tried two different kinds, Brown Rice & Beef and Sweet Potato & Chicken. I preferred the Sweet Potato and Chicken but both were very good. I even shared with Lilah on a recent camping trip. They are super crunchy and the texture is kind of like human potato chips. Mmmm!!!

Homemade dog treats!

Just a week ago we went to the Doggie Street Festival and thank god we did because Mom walked away with a recipe for Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers, a truly delicious treat! Thanks to the Shelter Island Veterinary Hospital for the recipe and cute cookie cutter.

So here is what you need:

• 2 cups flour (any kind will work -- whole wheat, rice, etc.)
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 cup peanut butter (this seemed like a lot so mom did 3/4 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup honey for sweetness but I supposed they would be fine without the honey too)
• 1 cup milk (someone had "accidentally" poured out our milk *ahem, DAD!!* so mom used water and it was fine)

You will want to start by pre-heating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, in a large bowl begin by combining the flour and baking powder. In a smaller bowl mix the peanut butter and milk. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.

 

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface (Mom used a cutting board) and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

We found that the cookies were good both thick and thin. Thick ones puffed up a little more, like soft biscuits, and the thinner ones were more like a crunchy snack. Both were very good!

Bake for 20 minutes on a greased backing sheet until lightly brown.

Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. Be careful not to overcook because the cookies burn easily.

Happy baking!

How to: Transition to New Dog Food

When we first got Kayna at our house she was really gassy and her stomach did not agree with her food. We soon learned that in her last foster house they transitioned her to a new food too quickly and that was why she was so unhappy. Poor thing!

Our (dogs) stomachs can be very sensitive which is why we have to eat the same food every day. We can have bad diarrhea, vomiting and stomachaches if we eat something new or different. I've always had Blue Buffalo brand dog food though I have tried several flavors in the last couple of years. However, the truth is that sometimes we need to change foods such as when we grow from puppies to adults, as a result of a food allergy or if the company stops making our favorite kinds. We've changed my food a couple of times and we've got it down to a science!

This isn't really FOOD perse but you get the idea!

Here is the trick. Make sure that the transition is done slowly, over the course of 10 days or so.

• For the first three days mix 75 percent of the old food with 25 percent of the new food.
• Over the next three days mix 50 percent of the old food with 50 percent of the new food.
• In the next three days mix 25 percent of the old food with 75 percent of the new food.
• On the tenth day switch to 100 percent of the new food.

Remember that our bellies might still be upset a little bit so cut us some slack. Be sure we drink lots of water and always have access to relieve ourselves in the right place so that we don't upset you if we have to "go" suddenly.

I hope that was helpful...bon appetit!

Human food

Mom found this cool article about 10 Human Foods she should be sharing with me! There is also another helpful article on this same site about the right ways to share food with us, your loving pets. I get a fair amount of human treats but some of these are very new.

Squash? Herring? Cinnamon? Hmmm I don't think so.

However, I have been known to spend some quality time licking out the insides of a tuna can and crunching on some uncooked pasta. Cheese is another favorite, one which I likely picked up from mom since she can't resist it either. Last but not least I have been caught a few times eating the basil out of grandma's garden. It's such a lovely flavor and I do my best not to leave any evidence but apparently that taste lingers on the breath. Oops! 

What's your favorite human food to share with your furry friend? Leave me some ideas to pass along to mom :)

Mt. Woodson

This weekend I was lucky enough to have mom and dad home and extra day for a holiday! Woohoo! This meant plenty of time at the park, the beach (post to come later) and even a hike at Mt. Woodson in Ramona. It's about 2.2 miles each way, with plenty of bushes and trees to mark. The view from the top was worth the steep incline:

Check out my snazzy hiking backpack too! I am a big dog now, I even carry my own water!

Treats and water to refuel

While I posed nicely for a picture...

Maddie had a little bit harder time! This was the best shot we could get, with Aunt Ashley's arm to hold her in place...haha!



We will definitely be back here again :)

Books? Yeah sure, I could use a snack...

If you haven't already heard, dad started his classes at the community college and mom started her master's! There has been a whole lot of reading around here lately and let me tell ya, I'm not so sure what they expect me to do during all of that. Here's what I prefer to do with a book:

Because let's be honest...they all taste the same!

Now this guy's got the right idea: "It is all very well to be able to write books, but can you waggle your ears?" -James Matthew Barrie