K9Kamp Week 4, Kamper's Choice--results...

It's hard to believe that K9Kamp is over! Paige and I had a lot of fun participating, getting a bit more active (not that Paige needed any help with that), and incorporating her training with the challenges. For the final week, we were able to choose activities from the previous challenges, choose from the suggestions given by the camp organizers, or come up with our own ideas.

Paige races around the
corner during a game of "fetch."

Since "fetch" is one of her favorite things (especially when she gets a training treat for placing the toy in my hands), we did that almost every day. As we progress with training, she'll graduate from bringing me toys to bringing me objects I ask for, and picking things up off the floor for me.

"Here I come. Get the
treat ready, Mom!"

And after a few rounds of "fetch," we played "tug-of-war." Sometimes I'd win, but mostly Paige did. And she seems to understand that when we play tug, she doesn't have to let go; but when I say "give," it's time to release the toy. She's very strong, and smart, too!

Paige and Mom play "tug-of-war."

We did some more stair-walking, and she really improved on letting me ascend and waiting for the "okay" to come up or down herself. This is very important to her service training so she doesn't bump against me and make me lose my balance, or trip me up.

"Colby may be Mom's grandson,
but he's my buddy!"

Our daughter Sarah, son-in-law Louie, and grandson Colby spent time with us Sunday and Monday while back in Vermont for the closing on their house here.

Paige enjoyed her time with Colby, let him play with her toys, and even sit on her bed.

"Colby can play with my toys and
sit on my bed because we're buds."

She is very tolerant of him, too, not even raising her head when he stepped on her tail once, and twice lost his balance and sat on her back. I just want to add here that, even though we trust Paige and she is well-behaved with Colby, we never leave her alone with him, and we're always watchful to make sure that all interactions between them are positive ones. And Colby is learning how to properly pet her with "gentle touches." (Way to go, Mama Sarah!) After they left, though, Paige was worn out!

After playing hard, Paige conks out
on the couch.

We also played with Paige's gobble ball and rope ball, played keep away, and practiced recall. All-in-all, it was a good week.

Thanks so much to Peggy Frezon and Koly for sponsoring this year's K9Kamp. Paige and I plan to continue the "Doggone Minute to Win It" challenge because that's the one I can do consistently, and appreciate all the other great ideas for exercises we can do together. We can't wait for next year's K9Kamp!

K9Kamp Week Two: Play with Your...um...Balls!...

Mindy never cared much for balls, so when we adopted Paige she inherited a fair number of them: tennis balls in various colors, hollow rubber balls that squeaked, a hard rubber ball that sounds like a turkey call when rolled or bounced (dubbed the "gobble" ball), balls on ropes, even a ball that looked like a relief map of the earth complete with blue oceans and green continents. Within a few minutes of being given each one, however, Paige had reduced most of them to unrecognizable shreds! She acted more like a puppy than a three-year-old dog. Never having had toys to play with, she didn't have a clue what to do but to chew!

Part of Paige's ball collection.

So, in addition to the three balls that survived (the gobble ball, a puzzle ball that holds treats, and a fuzzy, squeaky one that looks like an over-sized softball with a rope through it), we bought her a Kong ball (virtually indestructible) and a squeaky soccer ball.

Paige pauses to gobble a treat from
her puzzle ball.

Paige's favorite is the puzzle ball. Mindy never felt the amount of effort required was worth such a tiny reward, but Paige LOVES it! In no time, she had figured out how to roll the ball upside down to get the treats. She spends about twenty minutes rolling it all over the house, pausing to gobble its delicious contents (the liver-flavored treats are her favorites), before pawing the ball, or nosing it across the floor, and resuming the game. If it rolls under a table or chair, she will retrieve it and carry it in her mouth to her dog bed (home base), and the game begins again. We now use the puzzle ball twice a week as part of a meal.

Paige carries the puzzle ball
back to  her bed.

I was a little nervous about giving her the soccer ball because it's hollow, and I figured she'd have it demolished in no time. But she seems to have learned that if she wants to be able to keep playing with it, she has to leave it intact. She loves the loud squeak, chases after it, skidding to a halt (or into the wall or door, if inside), then bounds back proudly bearing her prize. 

Game called on account of rain?
No way!

Paige thinks the best part of the game is playing "Keep Away" when I try to retrieve the ball from her so I can throw it again, so I got a lot of exercise this week, too. When I say, "Paige, give," she will--but not until I actually have my hand on the ball. Until then, she'll bob and weave, duck and run, until she thinks I've had a good workout. Talk about a tough personal trainer!

Paige runs to score a goal!

In spite of a week filled with doctor appointments, thunderstorms, and farewell activities for our daughter Sarah and her family, who are moving out of state, Paige and I were able to do between ten to twenty minutes a day of ball play. By the end of the week another three pounds had vanished!

What do you like to do with your dog? Does she have a favorite toy? Does he love to exercise, or is he a couch potato? There's still lots of K9Kamp left, so why not join us--have some fun, shape up for summer, and enjoy special time with your furry best friend! For more information, just click a link below:


Kol's Notes


Peggy's Pet Place

February 23 is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day!

No, this isn't likely to be listed on your Hallmark calendar, banks and offices will NOT close, and mail WILL be delivered. There won't be any parades, special cards, or bone-shaped candies in colorful bone-shaped boxes or wrapped in pastel-colored cellophane. And it won't inspire family get-togethers or calls from out-of-town relatives and friends. It won't be the main news topic on CNN, not even a mention on your local TV stations.

There are no colored eggs to hide (though you could make a game of it by hiding a few biscuits around your house for your dog to discover), no hams or turkeys to buy, no loud firecrackers, no colorful costumes or knocking on doors, no candles to light or dreidels to spin, and no trees to decorate or stockings to hang. No shopping. No stress. Nevertheless, February 23rd is a holiday for our canine friends, and it is truly one of the easiest holidays to celebrate. So...

May I eat them now, Mom?

Woof, woof, hooray--Happy International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day! Go to your cupboards, get out the Mother Hubbard's (Mother Hubbard's dog biscuits, that is), and have a party with your pooch! The day may not have any special significance for you, but your dog will appreciate your efforts on his behalf. 

Here's a little quiz to test your knowledge about one of a canine's favorite treats. You'll find the answers at the end of this article.

1. What were the earliest known dog treats?

2. Who was the first person to make dog biscuits in the USA?

3. When were the first bone-shaped biscuits made? By whom?

4. After NABISCO bought Bennett's company in 1931, the name of Bennett's Maltoid Biscuits was changed to the name they are still known by today. What is it?

5. Why are dog biscuits and other dog treats an effective training tool?

Aww, there's only one left!

My dog, Mindy, loves Mother Hubbard treats in various flavors, but her number one favorite treat is Frosty Paws--a dog-alternative to a Skippy cup ice cream treat. When given her Frosty Paw, she carries it to her favorite spot in the living room, lays down, her half-closed eyes glaze over, her tongue makes contact with the tasty frozen treat, and she's in another world--her own private bliss.

Frosty Paws = Bliss

So, to Mindy and all our canine friends, a very happy International Dog Biscuit Day! What are you doing to celebrate with your dog?

Want to make some homemade treats for your favorite canine(s)? Check out this recipe from Martha Stewart-- http://www.marthastewart.com/article/homemade-dog-biscuits

Answers to Quiz:

1. In Roman times, people gave their dogs very stale, dry pieces of bread, called "dog's bread."

2. James Spratt, from Cincinnati, Ohio, got the idea while on business in England in 1860. He was the first to obtain a patent for dog biscuits.

3. In 1907 by F. H. Bennett, to try to improve sales of his dog biscuits.

4. Milk Bones

5. Because most dogs are motivated by food, though some prefer a favorite toy as a reward, or just a good old-fashioned tummy rub.