I'm crazy

OK, so people have to watch me because I could easily become a hoarder.  I have volunteered to take in another starved stray.  This one is from KY and looks like a Pyr/Landseer mix, he looks a lot like Emma.  If things work out, I'll probably keep him.  He looks like he is as thin as Chance was.  If they can get him on a transport, he could be here this weekend.  Holy smokes.  Good thing my husband is supportive and loves the dogs as much as I do. 

Chance

Every waking moment with Chance is a training moment.  I think I've gotten him trained to something, change the location and he knows nothing again.  I can see where he is fearful of unfamiliar things.  I threw Cheerios on the garage floor and had to coax him to pick them up and eat them--I was really trying to get him to sit.  Today we worked on "the big yard really isn't scary so could you  please go out there and stop peeing right outside the door".  We also started working on a recall.  I have never worked with a dog like this before.  He is teaching me how to be a really good trainer and how to read and understand dogs.  He hasn't peed in the house in 2 days so maybe we are making progress there.  He likes to be outside more than inside but I think that's because it's what he is used to.  We will grow together and find him the right people when the time comes.

What I do

The other day I went to the vet and the asst asked me if I ever get tired of what I do.  I have to admit that I do get tired of it, for a few minutes at a time.  When Chance is dancing around waiting to eat and all my dogs are begging too, when Chance pees on the floor, when one of the kennel dogs is destroying their kennel.  But these are momentary frustrations.  The big picture is so rewarding.  In 2 week, Chance has learned his name and can now sit on command.  Bella and Sadie are getting over their dog aggression.  I see so many posts on facebook about dogs that need second chances and I want to help them all but my husband saves me from being a hoarder.  Helping dogs like Chance go from a stray to becoming an adoptable dog is probably the most rewarding thing I can do.  Helping rescue dogs overcome their issues so they can be rehomed is an amazing thing to do.  Not that this is all my doing, I have been given a gift and am very surprised that I can do this work.  I think this is a very special calling and am glad I was called.  I want to thank all the fosters who help dogs become what they can be.  This work is not for everybody but those of us who do it know how important it is--at least to one dog.  So I will continue to help one dog at a time--or sometimes 3 at a time--so that they can find that very special home where they will have all the love they have been waiting for.  And thanks to all who join me in this work.

Bonnie

Update

Gee, it's been a month since I've written.  That is not good.  The kennel business has been very busy which is good but exhausting.  I've added a new dog to my pack, Jake, and he has been generally well accepted, except for Penny, she is now unsure of her pack status and I am working on helping her with that.  One of my adoptees came back because he kept escaping, he can climb a 6' fence.  The woman told me she would never leave him out alone and then proceeded to do so.  I am in the process of training 5 of the dogs that I have here, 2 rescues and 3 of my own so I am staying pretty busy.  Classes start again in a few weeks and I am changing my classes to be geared more towards the pet dog instead of just obedience commands.  I will also be teaching an "Obedience with Attitude" class which is teaching your dog tricks to impress your friends. 
Here is a link to a ton of great doggy treat recipes
Homemade Doggie Treats

Remember to have fun with your dog and let them know when they are doing a good job.

Bonnie

Kenneling your dog

After reading this article, I feel that my kennel meets all the requirements for a good kennel.  I don't have a vet on site but I am a certified vet assistant and my vet is 2 minutes away.

How to Identify a Good Kennel 

Pupsicles

Keep your dogs cool this summer with some pupsicles.  My dogs love these.

Ingredients: two mashed bananas, one cup strawberries (fresh or frozen), one cup organic apple juice, and two cups yogurt (plain or vanilla). Instructions: Puree all ingredients in a blender, pour into ice cube trays or small plastic cups, freeze for one hour or more as needed, and thaw just so slightly before serving.

Rescue Remedy

I started using Rescue Remedy on a rescue/foster dog I had that had separation anxiety.  I was amazed at how well it worked for her.  She ended up being so well crate trained that she would come and look for me at night to close the crate door so she could go nite nite.  Since then I have been using it on my dogs for thunderstorms and fireworks.  I also use it in my grooming business when I need to cut toenails of a nervous dog.  This stuff is the best.  Someone asked me once if I had any experience with it and at that point I did not but now I felt the need to share it with all of you.