Here is a photo of what my kids call the Annabella Town Ghost. He is on Cove Mountain just south of town. They say the ghost only comes out during the winter. You have to use a kid’s imagination. He has two eyes and an open mouth and two upreaching arms, and is spooooky.

 

Daily exercise is one of the key fundamentals in our training program. So, we are always looking for ways for our clients to get their dogs the exercise they need. Often a good walk for us barely gets the dog warmed up, roading the dog like we do here with a 4-wheeler isn’t possible for many folks that live in more urban areas, so we often recommend  a bike. It must be done with caution however.

Years ago when we lived in Nebraska, we lived right off a great Rails to Trails bike path that, at the time, went more than 20 miles out through the country side (I think now it crosses the whole state). We would regularly take our dogs out on the trail for good long morning run. Not having any other way to do it, we would just hold the leash in one hand while riding. I no longer recommend this, in fact don’t try this unless you have a helmet and body armor. My 2 year old lab took off after a squirrel, crossed me up and sent me over the handlebars where I landed on my forearms and the side of my head. (No helmet of course). I dragged my bike, dog and myself to a nearby house and scared the owner to death, standing there bleeding. She took me and my dog home where I luckily didn’t die from intracranial bleeding.

The “springer,” a setup to run a dog with you bike is a much safer option. The price seems fairly reasonable and has gotten several good reviews. If you are looking for another way to exercise your dog, this may be something to look into.

Image: Web capture. Dog in Copenhagen.

 

4 pheasant breasts (Boneless, skinless)
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1 can pineapple slices
bacon
salt and pepper to taste

Marinate pheasant in teriyaki sauce overnight in the refrigerator. Place a slice of pineapple between 2 breast halves and wrap in bacon. Hold together with tooth picks. Salt and pepper to taste. Grill on low heat, basting with marinade, rotating frequently for 20 min. or until cooked through. Serve over wild rice and garnish with left over pineapple.

The key to cooking pheasant, as with most game meat, is not to over cook it. Grill it until the center barely looses the pink color, but is still moist.

 

We are currently working with a young (6 mo.) German shorthair pup that had essentially no human socialization. Frankly, this dog is a wreck, but there is something about her that is really loveable. She has a sweet disposition in her tail-tucked way. The owner took her on rather than seeing her put down, and we are trying to see what can be done with her. It is a real challenge because the standard things we work on don’t even enter into the equation yet. We have had to step way back and work in small baby steps. Just getting her to come out of the dog house to greet us has been a major victory. We have been using classical operant conditioning and clicker training techniques, along with lots of socialization with us, the kids and the other dogs.

    

Nothing helps ease the loss of a dog like another dog. We are hurting from the loss of our 13 year old pointer, but the labs are helping keep us in the present. Especially the puppy, she is so fun and full of life. Just looking at her makes me happy. If you have reciently lost a dog, my recommendation is another dog. They don’t take their place, but they force you to move on and make another place in your heart.

 

Photo: costumedogs.com

 Tomorrow is Halloween. (I hope you remembered to buy some candy for the trick-or-treaters.) Before they start ringing the doorbell, think about the upcoming visitors and what’s best for your dog. Do you have a puppy that you are trying to socialize; you may want to have the dog with you on a leash when several groups come to the door. Along with the Halloween candy for the kids, you bring a dog treat and ask some of the kids (or parents) to give the puppy a biscuit, thereby providing the developing puppy a new experience with a positive outcome. (Concept: all novel experience are good! Build confidence in your pup!) Teach the pup that it is not ok to bark at people coming to the door. You are the one in charge of the house, not the pup. However, don’t overwhelm the puppy with too many visitors.

On the other hand, if you have an older dog, or one that is not comfortable having lots of people come to the door, in order to minimize stress, you may want to kennel the dog out of earshot of the door. Also, think about dogs outside in kennel runs. It may drive them crazy hearing myriads of people filtering by and them not getting to see what’s going on. Their most common response is non-stop to barking. Your yelling at them to “shut-up” every time only reinforces their barking. It may be best to put the dog in a kennel box in the house during the trick-or-treaters and work on their barking at visitors later when you have more control of the situation.  Happy Halloween!

I read a great quote today: “If your dog is overweight, you need more exercise!”