We have dog school again tonight, and I just finished preparing Miss. Boo's treats for the evening. Since last week's treats were woefully inadequate compared with the trainer lady's smokey cheddar cheese, resulting in Boo paying rapt attention to her and blowing us off, I decided to up the ante.
With hotdogs and some sharp cheddar of my own.
It's amazing how obedient my ferocious pit bull becomes when I carry the scent of processed meats upon my hands. The command "watch me?" So totally unnecessary, as her gaze is determinedly fixated upon, if not my eyes, my hands.
At first I was worried that Miss. Boo would become obese being stuffed with treats every week. Somewhat revolting, fois grois inducing treats at that. However last week she puked not once but TWICE on the ride home, a motion-sickness-bulemia if you will, and purged her very obedient body of the pound of treats she'd just consumed. It was highly odiferous smokey cheddar cheese puke, and it was all I could do to restrain the Boo from re-consuming it.
We have a system for dealing with the puke in the car, since this is not an uncommon occurrence and we're not about to load the Boo up with drowsiness-inducing anti-emetic for every car ride we take with her. We take a plastic bag, and loop one handle over Miss. Boo's neck. Then when she pukes, it's easy to position the open bag below her mouth so that all the puke is caught.
I have mixed feelings about the puking. On the one hand, I hate to see my fur child puke her guts up, as I know that motion-sickness is no fun. On the other hand, I can't say that I was sorry that I wouldn't have to deal with the torrents of diarrhea that were most certainly going to follow the administration of so much people-food.
Anyhow, we'll see if her obedience -- and her puking -- is any better this week. We've been practicing "watch" "here" "find it" "sit" and "down" all week, at home AND in the dog park. Hopefully she'll flip out a bit less when she sees the other dogs this week since our new treats will be so much more enticing to her.
9 Pearls of Wisdom:
Hahahahaha!!!!! I LOVE that you hang a plastic bag around her neck! That's BRILLIANT! I just keep a tupperware in the car (or next to the bed) and stick it under their faces when they start heaving, but I can't always get to it in time -- a bag would solve that problem completely! You should patent this. I bet there are people out there who would buy it! You could sell a durable outer bag in several decorative prints, with disposable liners. I'll think about what you could name it . . . .
Hi. It's Shelley, the pharmacist who is trying to get into medical school. Thank you for you advice about taking as many practice exams as I can. I have a question about practicing the verbal section of the MCAT. I think I have a weakness in evaluating literature and I constantly keep scoring low on that section. How did you practice for the verbal section of the MCAT? Hope you can help me out. Just curious how you named one of your dog's Miss Boo? Cute name.
LIVS -- :-)
I was totally expecting someone to comment that the plastic bag was a terrible idea and a choking hazard. I'm thinking having a stiff rim for the top of the bag -- to make it harder for the dog to miss -- plus what you suggested.
Shelley -- You just have to figure out what works for you. For me, I just really had to practice remembering where various things were in the passage as I read it (do you still get to make notes now that it's on the computer?), going quickly, and staying engaged. Then when you look over your answers, really try and understand why you got some questions right, and some questions wrong. That and practice practice practice.
totally wicked idea for the bag.
left over steak is another great traing treat. I cut up leftovers in small pieces and freeze it. Pull it out just before you leave for class and instant treat.
You have completely confirmed me as a cat person :)
Freeze-dried liver. Unlike cheese or half-thawed steak bits, it won't make your hands (or pockets) smelly and yucky, and it will bring the attention of the average dog to a laser focus. Lasts pretty much indefinitely, too. Just use a sharp knife to cut them the chunks into small pieces at home - there's no need to hand poochy the whole treat. http://www.petco.com/product/6439/Gimborn-Pro-Treat-Freeze-Dried-Treats.aspx
Zebra -- Unfortunately, the freeze dried liver was insufficiently delicious for the dog school environment as well. It works well at home though, when there are fewer distractions.
You guys are committed!
*shudder*
P.S I like the new look. The color scheme is really nice.
The freeze dried liver doesn't cut it for my furkids either at class.
Cheese and steak/chicken get the attention though..
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