Sweet Potato Dog Cookies

I tested this recipe out in dog class today and at the dog friendly coffee shop; it was a big hit at both places. I think these will be the next cookies I'll offer to sell online. That is right - I'm selling my homemade treats online! I had my first sale on Sunday.

1 cup puree'd sweet potato
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 TBLS Rosemary
2 cups brown rice flour

Mince the rosemary and combine it with the olive oil. Mix together the flaxseed and sweet potato puree, set it aside for a few minutes. Then add all the ingredients together. You should get a dough that sticks together, but isn't sticking to your hands (to much).

Sweet potato and nutritional yeast is flavorful and like the name might imply nutritious. Rosemary is suppose to be great for dogs, helping to support circulation and the immune system. I haven't tested this out yet, but optionally, I would add a small clove of freshly pressed garlic.

Garlic is actually controversial. Some sources say it is good for your dog, while others suggest that it is not. I've discussed this issue with several people who have - what I consider vast amounts of knowledge about canine nutrition and the consensus was this: in small or moderate amounts garlic is good for your dog and can boost the immune system. However, in large amounts it can be dangerous. So you'll just have to use your own judgment when it comes to adding or not adding garlic.

I rolled the the dough into balls by hand and then flattened them with the bottom of a glass. I wanted them super crunchy so I baked them for the hours it always takes to bake crunchy dog cookies at 250F

Training your bigger-than-lap-size-dog to go on the Subway

Boston is the only city I know of that allows well behaved dogs, of any size, to go on the train or subway; called the "T". In my limited experience, I have yet to see anything about training a dog to take the train. The train or T is loud, crowded, smells, moves, and is otherwise understandably scary for our four legged friends; meaning it probably requires some training.

Not only did I take Beckett on the train, it is his preferred way of travel, even now he would rather get on the subway then get into a car. Although this wasn't always the case.

Remember I'm not a dog trainer, I'm just a girl getting by with a dog, so that there might be a better way, but here is how I did it.

I think there are two big aspects to consider about the T, one the T itself, smelly, busy, noisy, and moving. The second is the people who can also be smelly, noisy, pushy, might want to pet your dog, might be afraid of your dog, or might even suggest putting your dog down.

Before you even get on the Train or T - remember in Boston dogs are only allowed on the T during off peak hours, which is probably best for you and the dog, peak hours means tightly packed highly irritable people.

The first few times you won't want to actually ride the T if you can help it, riding the train may be something you have to build up to. Once your dog is comfortable with public transit, be sure to schedule enough time so that you can allow at least one train go by, in case its packed shoulder to shoulder with people.

To start: No breakfast, if its in the morning, or no dinner if your traveling at night. I know it sounds cruel, but have no worries he or she will be eating soon and you want him to be very hungry. Instead put his or her meal into a ziplock bag to bring with you (maybe even a little extra), then fill up a second zip lock bag full of a mix of his or her absolute favorite treats, since these are inevitably the most expensive ones (because my luck is like that) and you'll be give them out hand over fist, I'd cut them up into small pieces.

Take a long walk before reaching the T station, because the T is pretty stressful and the only thing worse then a stressful dog is a stressful dog that has to go potty. Once you get close to the T station start consistently feeding the kibble one piece at a time until the platform, assuming the dog isn't stressing out, in which case turn back and take the process slower and starting from further away.

Anytime your dog looks stressed, won't take treats, or can't stay by your side give up taking the T on this day. It is a process and next time you can go further and the time after that further until your both riding in relative comfort.

Taking the treats is the easiest way to keep your dog attached to your hip, and the subway is a place you really have to keep your dog close. Have patience and think of all the new travel options (in Boston) you'll have.

So either one month later or maybe a day or two later (depending on your dog), you've made it on the platform. Now your like a kibble dispenser (which is why no breakfast). If your pup starts to get scared and won't take the kibble move back and try again. Anytime ANYTHING happens; the T announcement comes on, someone walks by, you hear a rat, pull out the treat bag and feed a treat then return to the kibble.

The first time, I'd suggest keeping people at bay, let them know its your dogs first time and he is nervous if they ask to pet him. (Watch out for people who don't ask before petting and a crazy smelly woman who wants to set your dog free). It would be best to secure his leash tightly around your arm, in case your dog bolts when he hears the train, which he will hear well before you or if he smells the crazy woman(true story).

Before the train approaches, have your dog stand close to the wall, with you standing between your dog and the train.

As soon as your hear the train commence the treat craziness, pull out all the stops, nothing but the best for your pooch while the train approaches - feed him or her like there is no tomorrow. Let the first train go by, see how your pup does, if he starts to show signs of being really stressed out, then be patient, you and your pooch have already come really far. There is another day and another time. If the pup seems okay, let a few more trains go by, with each train that comes so does the the treat extravaganza, when the train leaves so does the treats, return to the kibble. After a few trains, your dog will pickup that the train means treat all you can eat buffet, then head home.

If your pup is so busy taking treats that he only gave the train a quick notice - you may be ready to board. As the train approaches check which segments are the least full - head to these. Once onboard the train stand between your dog and the general populace. The general populace, can offer loving attention or they may, bump, push, shove, and step on your pooch. Protect your dog, so he or she doesn't have to protect themselves. Try to have your dog stand close to the wall while you stand between the pooch and the people.

While boarding the train, your still giving out pieces of kibble one kibble at a time. Keep this up for the rest of the trip, giving treats whenever the train shakes or someone touches him/her, the doors open, again anything at all means treat. If you can go with a friend, or group of friends your dog is familiar with this will be even better, that way you can be on either side of your pooch keeping everyone else away, your dog can learn to deal with the people on the train after he/she gets used to the train itself.

I've seen a lot of people encouraging their dog to lie down (non greyhounds, I've never seen another greyhound on the train), I think this could work, but Beckett doesn't curl up into a ball he sprawls, making a great target to be stepped on, so I encourage him to stand or sit, especially while people are moving on and off the train.

Depending on your pooch it may take a day, or a week, or longer, but Beckett loves
the T now, he is always tries to herd me to the T station during our walks, since you might not be aware, but T is FULL of treats, petting, and food.

P.S. I was so busy giving out dog treats, I never got around to taking a picture when I lived in Boston...

Pondering Jumping into the Car

Beckett loves the car but getting him to jump in the car? well it doesn't happen. He is a healthy big dog, in good shape, it shouldn't be a problem. But, I've never seen Beckett jump, ever. In fact, until recently, I was sure he did not even know how to jump - never mind jump the two feet into the car.

The first clue, that I was sorely mistaken came in the form of a dog toy on my lofted bed, a bed that is easily three feet off the ground (the bed posts are 4 feet). Perhaps, I thought, Beckett tossed it up there. I straighten the covers and waited, the next day I came home and noticed a dent, a suspiciously dog size dent in the covers. But really, as I may have mentioned earlier this bed is over three feet off the ground and Beckett can't even jump into the car. So with Beckett near by I tossed a few treats onto the bed, without the slightest hesitation he jumped.
And the truth became apparent, maybe Beckett wasn't keeping himself from jumping into the car, maybe it was me.

I had been inaccurately reading his limitations. Not that dogs don't have limits. In fact I know they do, I'm just proposing that maybe as people we aren't always seeing those limits as clearly as we might. This is one of the reasons I love operant conditioning. Operant conditioning gives the dog a choice. As owners it can be difficult to know when we are pushing the dogs beyond their limitations or like in my case, are so far away from their limits that we are doubting our own dogs abilities.

So with the knowledge that he was capable I resolved to train him to jump into the car. What was lacking before? I decided it was real motivation on his part and patience on my part. After all when you put the dog into the car you usually have someplace to be and if your me - your probably running late.

To solve Beckett's motivation deficit, I employed a brand new super annoying squeaky toy. To confront my own lack of patience, we started practicing when I didn't actually have to be somewhere at a certain time.

After several enormous failures, I decided to take the two person approach, one person in the back of the car squeaking the toy (me), the other holding the leash making sure everyone was safe and no one was going to run away in frustration (this could be either me or the dog). It took maybe 4 or 5 minutes, I could see him working it out and then... jump. It was epiphany: for me, I'm not sure about the dog.

It is still a work in progress. Beckett doesn't understand that I am not always going to lift him into the car - as experience has taught him is usually what happens. The process requires quite a bit of patience on my part, as I have to wait quite awhile before Beckett will even consider jumping into the car. But it is working and with time, patience, treats, and a squeaky toy that could give anyone migraines, we are beginning to get the hang of it. Now all I have to do is keep it up, which means leaving extra time to get the dog into the car, something that takes a lot of effort for myself who is always perpetually late.

Maybe I'm not alone? when training a dog maybe at some point we all have to take a step back and ponder what are my limits and what limitations actually belong to the dog. I'm relatively certain just as often as people underestimate certain aspects - they are overestimating others.

Is the problem with your dog jumping really that she is a puppy or is that you haven't taught her a better way to greet people. Maybe the limitations are your time and effort - not the dogs ability. Consequently, maybe your dog is well past her limits if in a place like a pet store she can't take treats, respond to commands, and all you can see it giant the whites of her eyes? Maybe your pushing your dog so far past her limits, he or she can't even function.

How does one know? Something to ponder.

Dog Treats: Grain-Free Herbal Dog Bites

These wheat-free grain-free herbal bites, might not be your dogs favorite dog cookie, after all its not my dogs favorite, but my pup will still do a boat load of tricks for them nonetheless and they are filled with health promoting herbs.

I wanted something a little more healthy, a little less treat, specifically for my neighbors dog who has some pretty bad breath. Not ready to try the suggestions of changing their dogs food or brushing of her teeth, I thought maybe some wholesome crunchy bites might help.

The treats on the dog shop shelf meant for fresh breath shelf contain parsley and mint. I've had some luck with a yogurt mint carrot treat, but I didn't notice any difference in breath, so I went to my references and found a excerpt in the whole dog journal book of a few kitchen herbs that might help ailments of the mouth and digestive system. I felt comfortable using herbs from my kitchen and thought that their strong flavor might prove a nice counter point to the strong flavor of chickpea flour. So a few trials later I got something that well it tasted .. okay. (I do taste all my homemade dog treats). I was pretty sure they would be completely unpopular with the dogs.

Surprisingly, I was wrong. (Though I have yet to do extensive testing.)




To make these dog treats, I've used a new-to-me technique to deal with the sticky-ness of the chickpea flour, a pizza cutter.

Ingredients
1 TBL Thyme
1 tsp sage
1.5 tsp rosemary
1 cup of well packed Parmesan cheese
1 tsp olive oil
2 TBLS ground flaxseed
1 cup of chickpea flour
1 cup of pureed sweet potato

Mush the herbs and olive oil together, then set aside. Mix the ingredients together, and don't skimp on the cheese or the chickpea flour will overwhelm any cheese flavor. Then add the herbs covered in olive oil to the mix.

Spread mixture out on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet. The thinner you spread - the quicker the baking. Bake for an hour and half at 275 Fahrenheit or until the dough is not at all sticky, remove the parchment paper and place it on a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small square sized treats. Pop the dough back onto the cookie sheet with the pizza cut treats back into the oven until it reaches the desired crunchiness.