Homeland K-9 Dog Training Academy

alright, a discussion board. 

mike, great idea. 

talk about a downer, mud and drizzle.  you go out for a few ball throws and have to follow your dogs around with a mop.  what is everyone doing to constructively work your dogs in the cold and rain, and of course the mud?

oh come on.  no one does anything with there dog in the cold.  maybe it is treadmil or some ball throws.  or maybe a trip to a warm petsmart to practice some ob.  personally i double there food to put them into a food coma, wink.

Call a friend with a pole barn or if you know anyone with connections at a fire station and a big open bay (wink, wink) all heated try that.   That is what I do!   Or, jump in the motorhome and drive to North Carolina like we did last week. 

We miss seeing you Joe!  Thanks for all your help, support, and caring about Kade.   I pick up the new lab puppy today.   So I'll be back at Homeland soon.   

that is great.  i am sure with mike's help you will do awesome with the new pup.

oh yes, the good ol'tradmill is a life saver in the winter for me & my dog. i can stand next to the treadmill and do my 30 min workout too! (arm lifts, squats etc.) or I'll get on the treadmill w/her and we'll both walk together for 30min (3-4mph). it's a nice little warm up for me.  i also play games in the house such as throwing the ball down the stairs, hide & seek, and i've made a make shift jump in my hallway! i've also found that the winter is a great time to teach tricks too.

Hey, I beg to difer with you, but some of us do go out in the cold with their dogs.  We've been out for the past two days.  As to the mud question, put a couple of gals of warm water and some towels in the car and wash off the paws before you put them in the car.  It works great for me.  It's a little bit more hassle to get ready to go, but it saves a muddy car and floors.  The dogs don't mind as much because the water is warm.  Hope that helps.

PS the cold doesn't seem to bother the dogs.    

The cleanest outdoor wintertime place I found was walk out onto the bike path that runs along the river.     The conservancy district does not mow the levy often so the grass is thick and has fallen over, on a well drained steep hillside.    You can stand on the dry pavement, throw a ball down the levy to the bottom and run the dogs up and down the embankment.  If you find the right place, you can see about 1/2 mile each direction for anyone walking or winter bike riding to call your dog to you.     The river is far enough away the dogs avoid it.     Miamisburg, West Carrollton have great spots.  Not sure about Franklin area. 

now that the thaw is happening the mud is returning.  along with that, a necessary evils of responsible dog ownership.  PICKING UP POOP.  today, half was frozen to the ground.  gotta wait til later.  i pick up with the scooper and then put it right into an empty dog food bag, strong and moisture resistant. 

as you can tell, i am not afraid to talk about anything.  i would like to hear from you all if you have any easier methods that might work.

i have an easy way to handle picking up the poop in yard...make the kids do it. It's fun to listen to them complain too. If you don't have kids try to borrow someone elses. Joe just like dogs, kids have to earn there keep.

Kurt

that is not a bad idea.  still thinking of beneficial uses.  we might be able to learn from our dogs.  it might not all be digested.  i will sometimes see ocho giving it a taste.   DISGUSTING

I have lots of training & experience in this area.  Im propably the #1 "picker-upper" at Homeland K9.  You'll notice that a novice "picker-upper" will bend at the waist, a beginner will bend at the knees and the experienced "picker-upper" will encourage their dog to poop in the neighbors yard or at Homeland K9! (just kidding)

This is so good, I am adding a new topic to continue on.  See POOP, POOP, POOP