How to Cool Off a HOT DOG !

OK I have officially had enough summer. It was HOT in Spring and now it is even HOTTER in Summer. If three days of over 90 degrees equals a HEAT WAVE what does two months worth equal.

It is so hot outside that I hate to even work with Heddy. But train we must so we try to work early and then I try to come up with something FUN and Cool to end with. I got kind of tired of her swimming in the river and ME standing in the sun tossing her toys in for her. SO I saw on Facebook that one of the Dogs over in England loves to DIVE FOR SAUSAGES. So I figured we would come up with an American version and cool Heddy down at the same time. I took a Hotdog  sliced it up into little pieces then micro waved it to get some of the fat out.

Filled up a pan with water and …. TADA 

HOT DOG becomes Wet Dog.  I was amazed at how fast she figured out how to get the Hotdogs. and was soon vacuuming up two pieces at once.

Now that is a nice COOL HAPPY DOG

DEALING WITH A HEAT WAVE

Our average daytime temp this week has been 95 degrees and Heddy is not a very heat tolerant dog so I have been busy trying to find ways to keep her cool.

I saw what I thought would be a great new toy for her a toy that was supposed to float  “ The FLOATING FLAPPY” I figured it would be safe to throw out in the boat slip for her to retrieve and keep her swimming. So I ordered her one. It arrived yesterday and after work we headed down into the boat slip.

On the very first toss I realized we had a problem. The “Flottie” SANK …. BUT….. SO DID HEDDY…. She trotted into the water and just dove right in after it as if she had been doing it all her life.

SO I may not be able to toss the FLOATING FLAPPY out into the boat slip for her to retrieve but she sure is having fun with it in clear water.  I wonder how deep she would go if we had a swimming pool?

BOX PLAY

Ahh the things you can do with a BOX from the store. We are still basically house bound so I am still trying to find things to keep a very busy puppy entertained.  Heddy is not the Boldest puppy in the world so we spend a lot of time introducing her to new and different surfaces or spaces.

I took some large boxes and put treats in them.  The small tight Cheerio Box was more than she was ready for.  But it only took a little while for her to manage to go into the larger box and find her treats. I then put her toys in the box and to play with a favorite toy she has to go into the box get it and bring it out.  We are now adding a sit and wait while she is in the box.  Sometimes when physical exercise is lacking mental exercise will have to do.

Puppy Games

Well after a week of shoveling snow we were just thrilled to get another 24 inches of SNOW.  We were lucky to only lose power for a few hours. Looks as if some folks will be out for days.
Our biggest issue has been how to wear out a 4month old ACTVE Border Terrier when you are stuck inside. Heddy LOVES the snow BUT I do not. And even she can only be out in it for short periods of time. We decided to Play PUPPY GAMES inside.
We worked on Crate training. Door to the crate is open I toss a treat into the crate tell Heddy “Crate” and then as soon as she enters the crate and finds her treat I tell her to sit and then wait before I call her to me for anther treat.
  
Next game was climbing onto boxes of different heights and surfaces ending up on a foot stool .



Our final game is Heddy’s favorite FIND IT.
I would hide a piece of liver under a box and then let her search for it. then I would hide her favorite toy and let her find it. Of course I always have to trade piece of liver for the toy!

A tired and HAPPY PUPPY!

Where do you Poo In The Snow ?

Well it is 8 PM and Heddy is on a POO strike. I can not say I blame her she gets lost in the snow when ever she goes out. Jumping and FLYING thru the WHITE STUFF is so much fun but OH she just can not seem to figure out where to squat. We have made 5 trips outside and I HATE the cold. Last time I measured it was 8 inches up near the house and much deeper out in the yard where it is blowing around.

But we have had a fun day of kitchen games. Heddy is the smartest puppy I have worked with in a very long time she really seems to enjoy our time playing. Thanks to all of the wonderful hints and ideas I have gotten from everyone online we are having so much fun. I never looked at training as games before it was always commands to to be obeyed or else negative reinforcement was applied. This is just so much more FUN. Today we have been working on going in and out of her crate on command. And sitting and down in the crate as well as waiting before coming out. As well as all of the wonderful things she already does. I know I sound like a proud MOM. But you know what that is just what I AM!

Well guess we will give it another go. The snow is so deep now that we will have to shovel a path and a spot for her. hope this helps. I am amazed that she has not had an accident in the house.