Healthy Hips in Large Breed Dogs

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Shows Us His Flexible

and Healthy Hips

While not exactly Breed standard, Tanner is a healthy Golden Retriever, at least so far. He is a good bit taller, leaner and has extremely short fur for the breed standard, but I love him all the same.

My veterinarian tells me that his flexible hips are often a good sign of healthy hips. If you have ever owned a large breed dog, you may be aware of their tendency to have hip problems. Vets often encourage large breed dog owners to keep their dogs active and lean. Tanner is certainly that.
Sometimes I worry that he should have a bit more weight on him, especially when people ask what his mix is. I just laugh and tell them he's on weight watchers. To be honest, though, he runs 1-1/2 miles most mornings, plays fetch in the pool most afternoons, visits the dog park a couple of times each week for an hour or two of running, and takes his weekly agility class on top of all that. 

Wouldn't we all be slender if we had this much activity in our schedules?

I've talked with lots of people who use products like this to aid in their biking:


Although I go along for the morning run, I am on a bike. Tanner's job is a bit more tiring than mine. Of course, after I finish Tanner's run, I have to give equal time to Oliver and Xena. Although Xena doesn't run, she does still enjoy her walk, and continues to keep a good pace for a 12 year old. She, too, has healthy hips, and her walks help to keep them that way. Oliver's biking pace is more like a greyhound. He outruns Tanner for longer runs, which surprises everyone who sees us, since Oliver is a mere 8.2 pounds. Perhaps as he grows out of the puppy stage he'll slow down, just as Tanner has. 

We'll see.

Meanwhile, I'm happy to keep Tanner's hips healthy by maintaining a lower weight and a good activity level. We'll keep tabs on this with the vet's advice, and lessen his activity when his age warrants a little less vigorous exercise. For now, though, Tanner is all about a good run. And I'm all about his healthy hips. Thankfully, we're both happy.

Child Safety at the Dog Park

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner and Toni

Demonstrate Small Child Safety

for Dog Park Visits

It may seem common sense to some, but apparently not to all. Small children can be at risk in off-leash dog parks. This is not necessarily because of aggressive dogs; however, it could be.

Dogs are much like children when they play at the park. They often run, while looking behind to see who is about to catch up to them. Bam! They run into someone. That someone could be a small child, and this accident could be devastating.

So what is my point? While I believe that dog parks are not really good places for small children--particularly the large dog areas--I see it often. Despite the posted rules of the park including "No small children" and "No strollers or wheelchairs", many families bring in their babies, toddlers and young children.

When I see them enter, I occasionally approach the parents and warn them of my gregarious Golden Retriever, Tanner, who loves nothing more than to give everyone a welcoming kiss as they arrive at the park. I know his hellos are not exactly proper etiquette, but he is the quintessential Golden Retriever; that is to say he loves people and is very demonstrative in this love. So far Tanner has not knocked any children over, but my friend, Michele, was run into by Tanner and a group of energetic dogs who were playing tag. She hit the ground hard, so imagine what would have happened if it she were a 40 pound youngster. Ouch!

So, what can you do to protect your little one, if you do choose to take him to the park? Two things come to mind for starters:

• Go with another adult, so there is someone to handle the dog, and someone to handle the child. In case of a problem, you cannot handle both safely.
• For her safety, hold your youngster in your arms and instruct her to remain quiet and calm while inside the park. This is her time to watch and learn.

Tanner and Toni are demonstrating this in the photo above. Kind of silly, I know, but Tanner loves to be held like this. Sixty pounds of Golden Retriever is not an easy load, but Toni is strong and she loves to spoil him.

Children can be trusting too. Dog parks are simply not safe places for small children. If you have a choice, leave children at home or take a neighborhood walk instead; their safety should be paramount.

Want to learn more? I'll have a few more dog park topics coming along soon. Meanwhile, check out a book at the library, or perhaps one like this at Amazon:

Our Adopted Cousin Jacque Makes an Appearance

This is Jacque, my mother's Papillon. When my daughter adopted Oliver, it didn't take long for my mom to fall in love. We had been urging her to bring a puppy home for a companion for years. I guess she just needed to find the right size and energy for her comfort level. Oliver did a good job of showing her what she needed.

We were thrilled to find Jacque available for adoption, when his first owner was unable to keep him. I hope they know he has a comfortable home and a loving owner. Adoption is a wonderful feeling.

This photo was taken during the holidays when it was chilly. Jacque is wearing one of Oliver's jackets, although he has now outgrown it and is bigger than Oliver, by 3 pounds. An 11 pound Papillon is at the top of its weight range, so mom is now monitoring his food and snack intake more carefully. He's still in obedience training so he is getting extra training treats, and that may be the source of those extra pounds.

The next time I post a photo of Jacque he will probably have sprouted into manhood and gotten his plumage, or fluffy tail and mane. I get the impression that my mom can hardly wait. She is so cute when she shows visitors the difference between Oliver's appearance and Jacque's puppy coat. It won't be long, though, til Jacque sprouts his feathers and will look much like Oliver. I particularly love his little white spot on his nose. It may not be considered a beauty mark by breeders, but it is endearing to me.

I'll be back one day with a grown up photo of Jacque, so you can see his new outfit. Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from you. Comments are welcome and encouraged.

Agility Training--Challenging and Oh So Humbling

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Jumps through the Tire

Without a Problem

Tanner was promoted to the next level of Agility training recently. Last week when we attended the first class, well, let's just say I didn't exactly do him proud. To top that off, my daughter was home from college for Spring break. She came to watch and that turned out to be a disaster. Each time Tanner spotted the tables where she was sitting, he took off to investigate and give her a kiss. So much for focus.

In agility training, focus on the handler is paramount. Well, almost. Having fun is even more important, and I suppose you could argue that Tanner had fun; therefore our primary goal was met. Clearly he enjoyed seeking out Toni for a check-in smooch, and he did eventually return to my side to complete the exercise. Hopefully, when Toni returns to university next week, Tanner will be more focused and we can make some small amount of progress. I really have no goal for being ready to go to competitions (they call them trials, I think). I'm trying to get into the FLOW and enjoy the journey.

You could say Enjoy the Journey is my new motto. Having MS and being a cancer survivor, I have learned that goals are for those whose only enjoyment comes from accomplishments. Nowadays my enjoyment comes from learning new things, and experiences with friends and loved ones, including my dogs. I suppose there is some gray area there. After all, good experiences often lead to accomplishments.

Being healthy and well is a good experience for me, so accomplishments, even running an Agility course properly, will eventually come. Perhaps when Tanner and Oliver are having as much fun as possible; that would be a well-earned accomplishment for both dog and handler.

If you haven't read the book FLOW, I highly recommend it. It has been around for years and is still quite a popular and helpful read:

Bow Wow Resort--Hang with the Ruff Crowd!

I used to use pet sitters when I had to leave my dogs at home while I traveled or simply was gone for a very long day. While there are some nice pet sitters out there, my preference was always that my dogs be able to be active and to play with other dogs. A few years ago a friend told me how she solved this problem with her dog, Mahon, by letting him spend the day at a local "Doggie Daycare". I have to say I couldn't envision myself taking my furry best friends to "Daycare", but after I visited, observed, and met the staff, I was sold. No more pet sitters for me. My original concept of daycare was way off.

Now my pups have a new home when I'm on the road, Bow Wow Resort. Located on Highway 436 at Bear Lake Road, I am lucky to have it so close to my home. I've also found it to be the perfect solution when I am having a party or other event at the house. There are times when a bouncy Golden Retriever may not be welcomed by my guests. It's understandable that you may occasionally need a dog-free home for a quiet or more formal event. Holiday parties can be difficult to manage, when your counter-surfing, big dog steals the food and runs wild around the house, sharing his excitement with your appalled guests. I've definitely been there.

If I haven't given you enough reason to check out Bow Wow Resort, I can definitely share more.

• Safety is the first thing I noticed, as each prospective guest is interviewed with a series of individual greetings with other guests, to evaluate his socialization skills.
• The facilities are exceptionally clean and the staff, well, let's just say they are the reason I am willing to take my furry family there. My gang feels welcomed and at home each time we arrive.
• Covered outdoor areas and climate-controlled indoor areas for play are all available for your pup's special needs.
• The outdoor play yard has various obstacles and play spaces, a splash pool for cooling off on warm days, shade areas and supervised game time. Tanner loves playing fetch with Ashley!
• Socializing with other dogs is extremely important to canines, who are by nature, pack animals. Doggie daycare provides the opportunity for dogs to socialize and enhance their skills in this area, with supervision to assure that everyone plays nicely. Like me, you may find that your dogs will become better at being friendly playmates in all of their dog encounters, even outside of Bow Wow Resort.
• Bow Wow's staff of dog lovers will make you feel right at home, always happy to provide whatever assistance or special care your dog may need.
• Grooming is offered so that your dog can get his new "do" or a bath while he's away from you for the day.
• Outdoor playtime is not a la carte at Bow Wow. Dogs play freely for the entire morning before retiring for a much needed nap, following lunch. Naps are taken in private rooms; no crates like you find at typical boarding facilities. After naptime, the dogs are again let out to play and explore until you arrive to take them home for the evening.
• Forgot to bring food for your dog? No problem. They'll provide the food or biscuit treats if you don't bring Fido's special chow from home, and there's no extra charge.
• Dogs who are boarding will receive their dinner, a rest period, and then once again have an opportunity to follow nature's call at bedtime--around 9 or 9:30.
• Overnight boarding is available nearly year round, and is quite popular with the dogs. I've talked to many owners who excitedly exclaim, "My dog loves it here!" My pack totally agrees.
• With a staff of 6, I feel confident that all my dogs will get the attention and supervision that they deserve, while enjoying their play time with friends. I leave them there worry free, able to concentrate on my day without concern for their welfare.
• Finally, Bow Wow's owner/manager, Julie Fisher, has years of experience in animal training, having previously been a Sea World whale and dolphin trainer for 18 years. If you need assistance with training, Julie is always there to help.

Now I'll let you in on a little secret. After writing all the reasons that I love Bow Wow Resort, I've realized that there is one thing that overshadows them all. When I pick up Tanner, Xena and Oliver, after a day of playtime with their Bow Wow friends, they are satisfied, calm and yet still ready for anything I have planned in the evening. Whether it be an evening walk or an Agility class, my boys are calm enough to listen and participate, but not too tired to enjoy the activity. This is a wonderful balance that makes the small daycare fees I invest very worthwhile. Tanner and Oliver hope to see your dog there real soon.


Tanner loves Zeus!

Dog Toy Safety Tips

© copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Loves his Toys

At 2 1/2 years of age, I think Tanner is only half way through his childhood. He still loves his toys as much as life itself. At our house, all toys belong to me. By establishing that rule early on, Tanner will always give up a toy if I tell him to Drop It. And thank goodness for that. A few times he has picked up something that may have looked like a toy to him, or perhaps was on the floor, but turned out to be something dangerous or precious. Drop It is a very important command to teach your dog. It could save your marriage if your dog takes off with your husband's favorite UNC Chapel Hill hat....ahem!

Stuffed toys are lots of fun and I don't deny Tanner his teddy bears. Yesterday he took one swimming; that was a hoot. But I do watch him closely. Unsupervised, a teddy becomes a mound of stuffing, which if eaten, could block his intestinal tract. We don't want any surgeries, so stuffed animals are definitely a toy to keep an eye out for when your dogs are playing with them. Especially bigger dogs who can destroy them in seconds if they want to.

I would be remiss if I didn't point out a couple of additional problems with stuffed toys. Not only is the stuffing fun to eat, but the outside can be too. It is just as hazardous in the digestive tract. Add to that the potential problems of stuffed toys that are made for older human children, and this playtime could turn really dangerous. Bears and other soft toys made for children over the age of 3, often have button eyes or other decorative items sewn on. These items can be a choking hazard, or can cause perforations in the stomach or intestines, if bitten in half and eaten.

For this reason, if you have children who collect stuffed animals, it is important to keep them out of reach of your dogs. If you have a dog like Tanner, who can jump straight up about 5 1/2 feet, that means top shelf of the bookcase is about as low as it can go. That may sound like an exaggeration, but I think he has a little of "Air Jordan" in him. Put a 5 foot fence between me and him and he can easily jump high enough to reveal his collar bone above the fence. No kidding!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Our Pack to Yours

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner, Oliver and Xena

Wish You a Fine Corned Beef Dinner!

If you're looking for a recipe for a delicious, traditional corned beef dinner, look no further than Organic Journey Online. I've also posted an Irish Apple Cake recipe that we devoured in 24 hours. Make a double batch; it is a great breakfast, as well. See you tomorrow.

Free Tug Toys for Your Dogs

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Toni is Losing This

Tug Game with Tanner!

People tell me all the time that they want to come back as a dog at my house, when they die. I suppose my dogs are lucky in many ways. My gang has a new batch of tug toys which I made after getting the idea from a friend, Carmen, at Agility class. She was using a cute, yet unusual tug toy with her little Corgi mix, Buddy Lee, when I spotted it and had to ask where she had gotten it. Turns out, she made it out of an old pajama top. Fancy that!

I ran home and dug through my son's closet, knowing that he had just discarded a bag of clothing that was torn, stained, etc. Perfect.

I used a variety of different strengths and thicknesses of fabric to see what kind of results I could get. The green one in the photo above is a polo shirt, with the collar and neckline as the handle. The experiment went well, and I learned a few things. First, I will NEVER buy another tug toy, when I can have free ones each time I have a discarded piece of clothing. Here's how you can make these toys:

1. Use the strongest external edge for a handle, like the neckline/collar of a top or the waistband of pants.
2. Remove all buttons, zippers and other attachments that could be choke hazards for a dog.
3. Lay the garment on a table and cut two slices vertically from bottom all the way up to the handle area. Don't cut THROUGH the handle.
4. You now have 3 sections for braiding.
5. I looped the handle over a chair knob to give me something to pull against while braiding.
6. When you get to the last eight inches or so, use the two longer pieces to tie around the third, and secure with an extra knot.
7. Trim all the ends to a fairly even length.
8. You now have a new tug toy. Total time invested=about 10 minutes. Total money invested=$0.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Various Tugs Toys Made by Me

Different Colors and Sizes

A few additional things I've learned in the process are:

• Thinner fabrics make a smaller braid for small dogs.
• Larger, tough-tuggers need a sturdier braid. Tanner, my Golden Retriever, likes the one I made out of my son's old blue jeans. It is very sturdy and longer than the others, because he is 6' 3" tall.
• You can also use strips cut from a variety of colors of damaged items to braid a more colorful toy. Simply tie off both ends to create a clean look.
• If you're braiding fabric that frays easily, try this technique. Roll or fold the raw edges inward as you braid, making as tight a braid as possilble. So far mine are holding up okay using this method.
• When braiding items with sleeves, invert the sleeve into one of the braiding strips. Likewise, after cutting two slits in a pair of pants, you'll have 4 sections to braid. Combine two of the thinnest sections into one and roll or twist them together. This makes for a unique look to the braid and seems to hold up well for my higher energy tug games with Tanner.

If anybody out there has any other creative ideas for homemade dog toys, I would love to hear them. With everyone pinching pennies in this tough economy, ideas like this can be very helpful. Go ahead and click that comment button just below this post. Thanks!

Senior Moments: Helping Your Older Dog Stay Young Longer

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Happy 12th Birthday Xena

Xena, our beautiful 12 year old Golden Retriever/Black Labrador mix is beginning to show her age. Sometimes she stares at the home across the street for long periods of time, while standing in the front yard. She takes longer to "pick her spot" in the yard. She can't wait till 9:00 a.m. to go outside in the morning, like she could a year or so ago. You get the picture.

The good news is her quality of life continues to be excellent. She is playful, on her own terms. When she wants to play, she invites Tanner to a tag game with the usual doggie Play Bow. On her elbows, she encourages him to wrestle or run and they play quite vigorously. He is intimately aware of her advancing age, and clearly restrains his play to her level. What amazing intuition he has.

She apparently is aware he does this. When we visit the dog park, Xena will invite Tanner to play--only Tanner. She runs alongside other dogs, but does not invite them to wrestle with her. I believe she has come to trust him, where she doesn't have the same level of trust with dogs who are strangers to her. Knowing her own limitations, she is playing it safe. Smart, huh?!

I find this mutual trust and friendship between Tanner and Xena to be quite endearing. Xena continues to "mother" Tanner in some of the ways she did when he first arrived as a small puppy. She often washed his ears and his backside, pushed him in the direction he was called by me, and shared the family room dog bed. Now her mothering takes more the form of discipline. If I give Tanner a command that he does not immediately heed, Xena will move toward him with a distinctive attitude that says quite clearly,"You better listen to her and do it NOW." She is still quite impressive in her leadership of our pack of 3, taking none of Oliver's playful invitations to wrestle, yet handling his invitations with a calm, firm "no." I guess Oliver is just too rambunctious for her comfort level...or too small to have fun with. Whatever. She's 84; I give her credit for having the energy to play at all.

I 've gathered a few tips, some mine and others from resources on helping senior dogs maintain their quality of life for as long as possible. Perhaps you will find something helpful in this for your own older dog:

• I'm sure I needn't mention it, but keep up the regular medical exams and vaccinations to protect your older dog.
• Limit the length and vigor of playtime and walks, to protect the hips of larger dogs. If you use a taller vehicle such as a truck or SUV for transportation of the dog, you might consider getting him a ramp.
• Smaller dogs often have heart conditions that show up with age, and your veterinarian can advise you on proper therapy.
• Maintaining a healthy weight is probably the most important thing you can do to protect your older dog's overall health. As he ages, his caloric need lessens, and you may need to limit his food and fat intake.
• Providing a bed for larger dogs will help to prevent calluses forming on their elbows from excessive time spent on harder floors.
• With a lessening amount of exercise, nails will need more frequent clipping, as they will not wear down from the extra walking.
• Louder barking can be your signal that your dog's hearing is being affected by age. Teaching hand signals in unison with verbal commands will help you to communicate with your dog if his hearing becomes impaired. Vibratory noise such as clapping and stomping will also help you to get his attention, when needed.
• Finally, vision problems plaque many older dogs. If your dog experiences vision problems, don't baby him. What you can do is try to keep his physical environment as unchanged as possible, to help him stay ambulatory. There are hundreds of success stories of families' dogs living for years with complete blindness, so don't give up on your dog. You could live without your eyes; so can he.
• If you have a larger dog, consider adding a supplement of Omega 3 and 6 fats to his food, to give added protection to his more fragile hips.
• Watch your dog's exposure to heat and cold. Just as humans lose their ability to stabilize their body temperatures, so too do animals.
• Balance his lessened need for vigorous exercise with added sensory experiences. Visiting new places, taking car rides and walking different routes will work their noses and eyes overtime to keep their neurons firing and the brain working.
• Maintaining your dog's dental health, both with regular teeth brushing and dental cleanings, as advised by your vet, will help to keep his systems as healthy as possible.
• For as long as possible, do whatever it takes to keep your dog active, as long as he is not in pain. Light activity will help him maintain muscle strength, burn calories, maintain bowel and bladder function, and much more.
• Finally, continue to be diligent about flea and tick prevention. Fleas and ticks carry numerous diseases that can be especially dangerous to your aging pet.

Sources:

Pet Education by Doctors Foster and Smith
The Sr. Dogs Project

Helping Your Dog and Cat Come to Terms

In addition to three lively dogs, I also have a cat, Patches. She's a feisty little girl who was adopted as a playmate for Xena, when Xena was just a pup. They played tag, napped together and have continued to be buddies, even in their advancing age.

Patches is not quite so happy to have Tanner and Oliver around, but we are making progress. Just as Cesar would tell you, bringing two animals together requires a calm human and calm animals. I am beginning to notice that after our runs, biking sessions and dog park visits, when Oliver and Tanner are more calm, Patches is much more willing to spend time near them. She is learning that they can be agreeable housemates, at least when they are well-exercised.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Xena's Playmate, Patches

First thing in the morning is another thing entirely. Patches wants nothing more than to be fed her breakfast, and she is quite vocal about that. I have to work hard to maintain my calm leadership with her in the morning. The message is supposed to be, "You will get to eat when I choose." She is coming around--slowly.

So cat and dogs are beginning to live together without taking as much notice of one another and I am glad to see it. Patches' playful days seem to have been left behind, but she still enjoys cuddling up near her beloved Xena. Do you think she remembers their tag games?

If you're missing my pup photos, you can visit my other blog, Organic Journey Online, today or any other Wednesday (Woofing Wednesday!) to see my canine family. Today's post includes a photo of Oliver with my mom and her organic orchids. Congratulations, Mom! You're going green.

Toy Dog or Athletic Dog?

© photo copyright Toni Boyko

Oliver's First Nap with Tanner

When my family decided to take the dog plunge for the first time, it was with much sales effort on the part of my kids. I finally was sold by the tactics of my middle son, who assured me that a puppy would provide needed companionship when they could not have a friend over to play. In addition, I envisioned a rough and tumble, high activity level type of dog to keep this middle son as calm as was possible. Fortunately, I was successful with our choice to adopt Xena, a Golden Retriever/Black Labrador mix.

I had purchased a book on how to choose a dog. It was a very helpful book which explored all the possible reasons for getting a dog, how each breed fits into your needs and explained what the special needs of each of these breeds are. I devoured it, enjoying every page, and emerged with a list of 2 possibilities that seemed to best suit my family--Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever.

Each had its own pros and cons, but both were supposed to be athletic dogs, which I knew was a must with my 3 athletic kids. I wanted a dog who could run with them, play fetch, swim and wrestle without being injured too easily. After all, with two boys destined to be 6'2" or more, I wanted a dog who could take the punishing toughness of the upcoming teenage boy play. I had a lot to learn.

Although I don't doubt the information in the book, many of the passages about toy-sized dogs suggested that a lower energy family or no children were better for these smaller dogs. I can see, of course, how a rambunctious child could easily injure a toy dog, but my impression had been that these dogs were too delicate to go for runs or be athletic in any way.

© photo copyright

Oliver at about Age 4 1/2 Months

That's where my impression was dead wrong. Oliver, our 8 pound Papillon, pictured at the top of this blog, came to us a 3 pound ball of fluff with a cold. He was not only quiet, but cuddly, sleepy, and downright lethargic. My impressions from that book, read so many years ago, were cemented.

Then the cold went away, and the true Oliver emerged a bundle of energy and growing confidence. We taught our 2 retrievers, Xena and Tanner, how to play gently with Oliver. "Down, stay, play with your snout". When paws were used in play, I simply touched the paw and said to Tanner, "No paws." He learned quickly and well. Tanner and Oliver bonded immediately, playing a form of a floor game which can only be called "Tanner is the mountain." Oliver climbed all over Tanner, chewing on his ears, playing tug with his tail and washing his snout. Tanner basked in the attention as though he were a king and continues to love this playtime, even as it is entirely different from the big-dog style play that he and Xena engage in.

Now that both are involved in agility training, I have met many toy-sized dogs who are amazingly athletic. I realize every day how much more there is to learn about these fabulous animals we share our homes with. Some of our agility "friends" are Toy Poodles, Jack Russell terriers, and other Papillons, to name a few. When I visited a competition, I was surprised to see that Papillons and Jack Russells were the major contenders in their size category. Agility is sort of like wrestling, where dogs compete against like-sized dogs.

Oliver recently returned to agility training after a hiatus, and he quickly showed me that he was eager to accomplish the challenges ahead. He clearly was excited about the many fun things he was asked to do. So my delicate toy dog label is melting away, and a new one is coming into place. Oliver showed me this week that he can be athletic, and most importantly, that he enjoys it. I'm looking forward to seeing him run a whole agility course....except that he is much faster than I am. I guess I better take up sprinting.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner and Oliver Love to Nap Together

If you have a toy dog who needs some extra mental challenges and fun playtime with you, Agility training might be just the ticket. This is a kit of equipment that I have at home for practice. Although it is not exactly the same as the real stuff, it does provide good extra practice.

On Wednesday I will be sharing some tips on getting your cat and dog to coexist peacefully. Although I have had some success, we are still a work in progress. Hope to see you again soon.

Busy Bones and Other Boredom Busters for Home Bound Dogs

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Loves Rawhide Strips, but...

Perhaps your vet has told you the same horror stories I have heard about raw hides--perforated intestines and blocked digestive tracks apparently are a big problem. Fortunately my vet offer rawhide strips that are treated with a digestive enzyme to assure that they digest before flowing to the intestinal tract. This supposedly eliminates the dangers. Too bad it can't slow down the time it takes for Tanner to eat one. Xena and Oliver spend quite a bit of time working their way through a rawhide, but Tanner has power jaws--zip, zip, zip and he's done.

With this post, I hope to get some comments. I would truly love more ideas for keeping my dogs occupied when I'm gone for several hours. Here are the ideas I currently use, but I know you have more to offer. I'm challenging you to share your thoughts at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com or simply click the comment link at the bottom of this post and write your thoughts there. Commenting right here on the blog will allow my readers to read your thoughts, as well.

With two large retrievers I have learned that even the red Kong is no match for Tanner's jaws. After being told by a trainer that the Kong would be a safe toy to leave with him in his crate, I found otherwise. He ate half of the Kong in less than an hour. Now there is the super strong Black King KongUltra, which supposedly is tougher, but I'm still a bit apprehensive. How is your experience with the new Black King Kong?

My safest bet, after years of seeking, is still the filled or fillable beef bones that are "cooked" to feel like ceramic. I call them Busy Bones. The best Tanner has been able to damage one of these was a mere sliver, so they are my best bet with him. Fortunately, I can give Oliver, my Papillon, a puppy Kong, with no safety concerns. He's too small to pick up a Busy Bone! I have one that is smaller in diameter, but it is still rather heavy for him to handle. He has to leave it on the floor while he works it. I'm sure you know that most dogs prefer to hold these types of toys upright between their paws while they lick and gnaw at them.

I have experimented with various fillings to see which will make him work the longest to retrieve. The whole idea, after all, is to keep him busy with a mental task while I'm out. Peanut Butter is a beloved filling, but messy on the bedding, bad for the breath and teeth, and therefore only an occasional choice. Stuffing the bone with cheese has about the same effect--messy and not so good for his teeth or breath. He does love it, though, so I occasionally pamper him.

Since I eat almost exclusively organic foods, my dogs do too. I know, you probably think I'm really a nut. Decisions like this don't come overnight. I have MS and am a cancer survivor. With all this challenge in my life, I have to do whatever I can to keep the health troubles at bay. I've chosen to do the same for my best friends and my family. No preaching, I promise. I buy organic canned dog food and stuff the Busy Bones (what are those things called, anyway?) with the food. Then I bag and freeze them. Freezing them has a unique effect of making the filling that much more challenging to remove, which of course, means it keeps the dog busy longer. All the better!

Of course, I do use all these favorite fillings in Kongs, I just don't leave Tanner alone with one for a long period of time. It simply is not worth the risk. I was really nervous when he ate half of the first one, until it appeared in the yard. What a sight!

Friends have told me their dogs like frozen yogurt (plain) in the busy bones. After Thanksgiving, I stuffed a couple with all the little tidbits that fell off the turkey carcass when I boiled it for broth. This was a big hit, but they cleaned the bones out much faster. I also stuffed one with an organic hot dog and Tanner thought that was the bomb. I guess I should have called this post Tanner's Treat Review, huh?!!

I'll wrap this up with the vegetarian version of my info. My friends who have former Canine Companion pets tell me that carrots are a regular afternoon snack at the training facility nearby. I buy big bags of juicing carrots to make fresh carrot juice and when I drag it out, the dogs become my shadow. At first, I thought it would be really messy, but even when Tanner eats one on his family room dog bed, which is light tan, he cleans up every morsel and leaves no trace behind. Oliver does the same thing, but I have to give him a much smaller carrot. He's only 8 pounds to Tanner's 57. Xena is 47, and can generally eat anything Tanner can; it just takes her a little longer.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Naps in a Cuddle with his Treat Ball

Another seemingly safe toy is a hard rubber treat ball, seen in the photo above. This hollow ball has a small opening through which you fill it with treats. The treats have to line up with a tubular shaped opening to flow out of the ball, which only happens when a treat lines up perfectly with the tube. It's a cool toy that will keep Tanner playing soccer for a long time. He pushes the ball around the whole house, waiting for treats to fall out. This toy has its own natural motivation system built right in.

Apples are welcomed enthusiastically by my dogs, as well, but I have to peel and core them to know they are safe while unsupervised, so they eat them very quickly--not much of a time filling solution.

I hope some of these ideas work for your dogs on long days away. Send me your ideas for safe snacking and I'll post them. Have a great weekend.

Disciplining Your Dog Through Feeding

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver, Xena and Tanner Await

Permission to Eat

Today's post is a requested topic, and one that can be a very good disciplinary tool. What your dog learns from waiting permission to eat is more than it would appear. The myriad lessons include:

• You own the food, the dish, the home
• You are in charge
• You decide when the food is shared
• You choose the place a dog eats
• You establish behavior rules for eating among the pack
• You discipline members of the pack who do not behave properly
• You reward members who are the calmest and most patient
• The dog learns to trust that you WILL feed him eventually, if he exhibits good manners
• You decide who is given permission to eat first, second, etc. based on behavior
• You are a calm and patient teacher for your pack

And all of this leads to the ultimate lesson:

YOU ARE THE PACK LEADER

This must always be your goal, in order to maintain the peaceful, happy home you desire.
People who have seen my dogs being fed have often asked how I taught them to wait patiently, eat only when given permission and eat only their own food, without aggression. I'm no Dog Whisperer, but I guess I am a visual learner. I have all the Dog Whisperer DVDs that are out, and have read Cesar Millan's books. Although my dogs all went through advanced training with traditional methods (sit, stay, down, come, off, drop it, take it, etc.), I have found that combining Cesar's energy techniques with the more traditional methods has made for a good blend. Here's how I taught my pack to eat with good manners:

1. The dogs each learned the sit-stay or down-stay command at an early age and have continued to practice this every day at mealtimes.
2. Adding the Leave It command, when your dog is in a Sit-Stay or Down-Stay is as easy as placing your hand over the food bowl (or other item) for a second or two (at first) and then removing your hand when the dog is holding his stay. This is his reward--food for Stay.
3. At each meal this is practiced until you can gradually build up to 10 seconds, and then the hand is no longer needed over the bowl. Maintain a confident stance facing your dog, engaging his eye contact with yours while he performs Leave it. Build up his time gradually.
4. Any change in body language or a move toward the food is your signal to move forward toward the dog reminding him firmly, yet calmly, to Leave It.
5. Soon, with continued practice, including with treats or favorite toys periodically throughout the day, your dog will not need much more than loose supervision. I once forgot about Tanner waiting permission to eat and found him nearly a half hour later, sitting in a puddle of drool. Poor fella! He is soooo good at Leave It!
6. If you have one well-trained dog and bring a puppy or other new dog into the house, try training him within view of the other dog. It is always good to have an example to follow, as long as the example is a good one. Oliver quickly picked up good meal time manners from his older house mates, merely by following their lead.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Permission Granted

Bringing your pack together to eat:

1. When each of your dogs has a solid understanding of the skills above, you can bring 2 of the calmest, most patient ones together to eat near one another.
2. This is again a time for heightened supervision, as their mere presence may change the dynamics.
3. Your confident stance facing the dogs will help them to understand that you continue to lead this exercise and they are expected to perform as usual. Keep up any hand signals that you normally use, to give further input on the expected behavior.
4. Be sure to reward your dogs for good performance with a simple word of praise or a pat on the head. Keep the praise calm to continue this energy throughout the next step of getting everyone outside for their post-meal "business."

I'll leave you on that note with a simple commercial for Friday's post. I'll be tackling boredom busters for dogs who spend several hours a day in their crates, or simply at home alone. Join me for a few ideas, and feel free to comment with yours. I would love to hear from you at the comment link below, or just email me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com.

And one final note. Today, at Organic Journey Online, I am presenting a great idea, borrowed from Carmen at Agility class. She makes recycled tug toys with her old clothes, and they are wonderful. With Carmen's permission, I made some and wrote about them there. Feel free to follow the link and check it out. Free Tug Toys!

Dog Dilemmas, Photo Thank Yous and More

Pounce Herds

Herd, Pound, Herd!

Go Pounce Go!

Let me start today's post by sending a great big thank you to Kim and Nancy for sending photos of their pups. Kim's Border Collie, Pounce, is seen doing his "job" of herding in the photo above. Isn't that just a perfect name for a herding dog?!! Wish our school kids could concentrate that well!

Last week I got a big surprise when Tanner and I received word that he is being "promoted" to the next level of Agility classes. We're so excited! I'm sure I'll make a complete fool of myself next week at the first class, but then, I can laugh it off. After you hit my age, these embarrassments aren't such a big deal any longer.

Oliver, my younger dog, will remain at level 2, still having a long way to go to catch his big brother. That's good though, as trying to train them both in the same level was a tougher challenge than I had anticipated.

I'm giving myself permission to digress a bit today. As you may have noticed, I added advertising to this blog. It was quite a dilemma deciding whether I should jump in or not, yet. In the end, I wanted the blog to offer opportunities for dog lovers to shop for things they can't find at their local pet supply shop. For instance, my mother lives in a small town where there is just one small shop. You either buy it there or drive a long way to find it.

I have found better buys online and often do my shopping that way now. So, I guess that's the reason I took the plunge. I supplied a search box for Amazon in the sidebar, to make it easy to find things. I hope you find some of this helpful, and will offer your thoughts via comments or email at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com .

Speaking of Adopt a Dog Park, National Clean Dog Park Awareness Week is coming up soon. Feel free to pass this info along to other dog lovers. I welcome park adoptions from anywhere, and would love to receive photos of your dogs at your favorite park. When you write to me to adopt a park, I will gladly display your dog(s) photo on the website.

I'll be here Wednesday talking a bit about discipline and food aggression. This is a topic that has been requested, so I will take a stab, offering what I know on the subject. These are times when I wish Cesar Millan were here to help me through. It's okay, though, my guys are really good examples of this skill. Thank goodness! Although I am no expert, my 3 are well mannered dinnertime companions who know how to wait for permission and "take it" when given that permission. Join me Wednesday for some photos of dinnertime in action at my house. Also on Woofing Wednesday at Organic Journey Online, Oliver will make an appearance in a photo with my mom and her organic orchids. They are spectacular!