Attempted Rescue

As we were leaving Raven Rock when Tracy noticed 2 dogs wandering beside the road.  We pulled the van over and Tracy went to see if she could befriend and catch them.  They were young, probably 5-6 months old Chow mixes.  They were seemingly healthy, in good physical condition but one was limping a bit. We didn't have any slip leads or even a crate in the van but we didn't want to see them get hurt.

Armed with yummy treats, she patiently tried to coax them to her.  They were very skittish, grabbing a treat and then backing off.  She did get the bolder of the two to take a treat from her hand a few times though but as soon as she moved even so much as a toe, they were gone.

30min and many treats later, we decided we were just going to have to leave them.  We moved the van and then attempted one last effort by bringing out one of our dogs to see if they wanted to play.  They decided enough was enough and ran back into the woods - away from the road.
We can only hope they are okay.

Archie & Bella Field Trip

Today we headed out to Raven Rock State Park with 7 of the dogs for a hike.  Raven Rock is about an hour from the farm and looking at it online it looked like a nice hike along the Cape Fear River.  We got a map and planned to do the Campbell Creek Loop Trail and head out to the falls.

We got there around 1:30pm after a very good van ride from the dogs.  Archie & Bella rode very well and waited beautifully when I opened the back of the van.

We hit the trail heading out to the falls in much warmer, humid weather than we anticipated.  Needless to say we were sweating bullets!

The dogs were all very well behaved.  Archie and Bella started the trail in typical Lab pup excitement.  I put Bella in a waist loop and Archie was on umbilical.  Once we got going they really settled into stride and by a few miles in were walking beautifully.

Overall they did a fantastic job!  

Pawtential Profiles: Archie & Bella

Names:  Archie & Bella
Breed:  Lab x
Sex:  Male & Female
Age: 7 months

Duration: On trial week then possibly 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Recall, Loose Leash Walking & General House Manners

Archie and Bella are with us until the 11th on a trial Boarding basis.  Like any young large pups, they are full of enthusiasm and manners like not door dashing and keeping all paws on the ground are a bit lost on them.  But that is what we are here for!

Initially a little shy around the Pawtential Pack - they have warmed up nicely and their favorite is Luka, a rescued Giant Schnauzer x and the newest additions - the now 4 month old Australian Shepherd x Border Collie pups.

Boarding at the Pawtential farm can be quite exciting with all the farm animals next door.  Archie especially is interested in the guinea fowl making a ruckus this morning while we were out on the porch.

Bella meantime was finding out that the glider seat was not such a stable bench after all...

And then it was a case of Monkey See, Monkey Do as Luka and Piper decided to give it a try...

Archie was not too sure about Piper who has a bit to learn about doggie communication...

In the end, everyone had a good play session but were more than happy to get in out of the wet and settle down with some breakfast and a good bone.

Cooooooookies...

Finding which treats work to really motivate your dogs can be a bit hit and miss...something that seems really good to us may be only mildly interesting for them.  

Take for example Gourmet Tails:

I thought for sure these would be a winner with my guys so when they went on sale I bought several containers.  During our nightly crate games - I rewarded with these new delicious treats and was met with blank stares.

"Really?  This is it?  Come on...where is the good stuff?"

*sniff, sniff*

*eye contact*

*Sit*

"Maybe if we look cute enough she will give us the REAL treat!"

Pretty to humans does NOT equal loved by dogs!  At least not my guys.

Over the years I have found several types of store bought treats that they DO like however:

HANDS DOWN FAVORITE:  

Natural Balance Roll

Coming in closely behind:

Marinades by Sergeants - hard to find and expensive but they love them!

Processed meat products - Hot Dogs, Vienna Sausages, SPAM - cheap, easy to find, great choice in moderation

Pet Greens Chicken & Beef Jerky by Bell Rock Growers

Moderately priced and can be hard to find - best ordered online.  

You notice there isn't any dry crunchy treats in there - that's because most dogs want something smelly - the stinkier the better.  This isn't to say my guys wouldn't eat a Milkbone - they certainly would...but would they work for it the same as a piece of hot dog?  No way.  

That would be like someone giving you 25¢ to wash their car vs $25.  If you saw 25¢ you would probably pick it up but spend time doing something that was important to someone else when you could be doing something you enjoyed for it - not going to happen.

The same applies to training treats - don't be stingy with the good stuff - especially for difficult behaviors for them.  You won't always carry hot dogs, but if it keeps your reactive dog focused, your barker quiet or your arm in it's socket - does it matter?

Bubbie Update

Bubbie's mom came for a visit today to check on how things were progressing and say Hi. She was very happy with his progress and couldn't believe he was as far along in some things, like being offleash, as he is.

Pet owners are always welcome to come a visit their pets while in our care.  We welcome the chance to show you how they're doing.  

Here is where he is up to:

An Ounce of Prevention...

We just had a scare.  I let the dogs out to potty and for the first time in the entire 2 year period I have had her - AYLA took off.  I am not sure if she was chasing something or what happened but when I called the dogs in a few minutes later - both she and Knoxx were not responding.  A few more calls and Knoxx was back but no Ayla.

I was about to get in the van and go look for her when my phone rang.  She was across the paddock at the neighbors house maybe 1/2 mile away.  She was just sitting on their porch with their dog pretty as you please.  And in a direction I would not have looked - not like finding a black dog in the dark would have been easy in the first place.

So this brings me to my point - if she had not been wearing her ID tag - who knows what would have happened.  I had just ordered tags for everyone else as well that arrived yesterday.  Knoxx had some damage on his, Luka lost the collar his were on and the J's didn't have any yet.  

Guess who'll be getting new tags tonight!  They are part of a discounted line from Lucky Pet.

So where do you get tags?  Obviously most pet shops and even some Walmarts can engrave tags, vets offices can do them and don't forget online.  Some of my favorites are:

DOG TAG ART

ISLAND TOP DESIGNS

LUCKY PET

BIRDIE ROAD CREATIONS

So if your information has changed, the engraving has worn off, or you just don't have a tag for your pet - get one - it can save their life!

New Board & Train pups

We have new guests with us over this week who will be joining us again in a few more weeks for Board & Train.  Archie & Bella, 7 month old sibling Lab mixes are here for a trial run.  I will get pictures soon.

They are coming back to work on recall, loose leash walking, jumping and general obedience.