Hanging out with my sister's ball obsessed dog Belmont has been fun for these last two weeks. Having him in my home reminded me of my friend Kathy's yearly Ebay purchase of 100 used tennis balls.
Gotta love it!

Fenn unpacks

Molly enjoys the new purchase

Pictures courtesy of my friend Kathy Chittenden. They were taken at her home, Sugarbush Farm. I am heading west to Kathy's this weekend for a training seminar on rehabbing foster dogs with Pam Dennison put on by New England Border Collie Rescue. Kathy is our esteemed treasurer and as you can see, she shares her life with a LOT of dogs and has a need for a lot of tennis balls!

Even with a whole box full box, they all still want "the one".

Wouldn't it be something if I insisted that clients with the stinking farting dog get their farting friend under control by insisting that the dog wear one of these?

My kids took one look at it and dubbed it "the dog fart thong".

Uses our famous activated charcoal cloth (washable and reusable)! A starter hole is placed in the cloth in order to help you locate the suggested tail hole.

Washable and reusable. What exactly does that mean? Do I hand wash it with the delicates, or toss in with my regular laundry? What if my kids friends found out their Mom washed their laundry with dog fart thongs?

Seems like some good fodder for playground torture to me.

"your mother washes clothes in dog fart thongs..."
"farty farty farty, your clothes are a dog fart party"
"Hey-it's dog fart boy"

Click here to read or download and print Dr. Ian Dunbar's Before You Get Your Puppy.
Even if you are not getting a puppy, there is lots of good information to read and share.

Dr. Dunbar and his publishers James and Kenneth, are offering this book in an effort to educate owners and prevent dog problems.

I understand and I feel the pain in your aching throwing arm! After nearly two weeks of taking care of Belmont, my sister's dog while she visited my niece in Barcelona, I now have a new understanding of you-the owners of the toy obsessed dog. You know who you are, you have the dog who will fetch all day, everyday, for twenty four hours a day.

If I woke up to go the bathroom, he went and got his ball.
If I so much as looked at my shoes, he went and got his ball.
If I was sleeping on the couch , he brought me a ball.
If he came in the car, he brought 2-3 balls all stuffed in his mouth and then he would proceed to route around and rearrange them while I drove, until we got to the final ball chucking destination where he proudly scooped them up and took them on the road.

Yesterday when I threw his new favorite toy, (a rope with two tennis balls that he had perfected with drool and mud for days and days), for the 92nd time, I zigged when I should have zagged and this happened.

Now we have trauma!
He can smell it, but he sure can't find it. But it hasn't stopped him from searching his furry butt off.

I told my sister he would make a great SAR dog.

When we spoke on the phone last night, I apologized for roofing Bel's ball, and she told me stories of how she has done the same and worse. She recanted stories of how she has even managed to tree balls places one normally would not even be able to preciously place a ball with maximum effort.

Ballmont, I mean Belmont easily manages three balls in his mouth at once.

Training tips for the owners of the obsessed!

Always remember that training is not always about the "cookie", use toys as real life rewards. You will have a very attentive dog if you use the power of the toy correctly!
And more importantly remember that YOU control the toys.
Be sure to teach an "all done" or "chill" command.

What is the oddest place you ever lost your dog's toy?

Good stuff for pets (and more!) over at the Third Annual Online Cancer Community Center Auction.

This picture sums up my first day of spring.

Just look at the face of my sister's golden who spent about 15 minutes trying to dive for his tennis ball that sunk to the bottom of a small pond.
His mission was unsuccessful, but he looks like he lost a treasured item while undertaking a noble and worthy cause.

sunken tennis ball ='s Belmont's bliss.

"Congratulations", or as my kids say "props" to Jingle Belle who graduated from Basic manners class last night, undoubtedly one of the cutest puppies ever. She was so much fun to work with I have added a Petite Pals class for small dogs only that will address in detail training issues faced by owners of small dogs. Potty training can move really slowly due their tiny bladders, and small dogs have unique socialization issues. It is very important that the small dogs do not have negative experiences with bigger dogs or owners may find themselves with a fearful, problem dog. Of course the small dogs are so darn cute, owners tend to coddle them and treat them more like children than dogs, and small dog owners often need a lot of guidance in this particular department. My Petite Pal class filled up right away, so I am sure I will be offering it again soon.

Congratulations also goes out to Jack and Jack's owner for passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Jack, a 2 year old Corgi came a loooonnng way from the stressed out dog with a bite history who came to manners class barking his head off. It was a very satisfying experience for me to help them get focused and back on track.

His owner sent me a lovely email for my brags page and here is a snippet:

"I hadn't realized how much energy Jack had nor how tense he was about not having a “job” to do, as I don't own cattle and don't need him to herd animals, Jack needed something else to do. I hadn't realized how often I was saying “no” or stop to Jack. Nancy was able to show both Jack and I how to work together to establish a positive and productive relationship.
"The classes were so good for Jack and me that we've signed up for a third one…"

I love my job!

Mostly Bob is the sweetest celebration of a dog's life. Author Tom Corwin originally wrote the book as a letter to friends in tribute to his rescue Golden Retriever Bob, and he was urged by family and friends to publish the tender memoir. It instantly takes you back to saddest, yet most wonderful moments of your own life with your own dogs.

Mostly Bob is a perfect gift for someone who recently lost a dog. While I was reading it, I couldn't stop thinking about the two people who will soon be receiving Mostly Bob from me as a gift when their old dogs pass and I could barely see.

It is a 5 minute read.
Don't forget your tissue box.

Ok-so it snowed. I can still see my spring bulbs popping up and our latest precipitation will be gone by lunch time. I refuse to shovel it and instead shall turn today's musings to Fenway Park. Yes, I still have spring fever and to most of us spring means Red Sox.

In training class yesterday I brought a client's puppy who proudly wears a Red Sox leash and collar. Can't take that pup anywhere without people asking me where they can buy their own.

Are you running for your credit card to get your dog ready for spring with a few Red Sox licensed pet products? Leashes, collars, bandanas, bowls, clothes and toys are just a click away.

I did a web search and you can buy them at many locations online, but I was strangely drawn to Chowdaheadz.com because I love their slogan "WICKED PISSA STUFF".

You can take the girl out of Revere, but you can't take the Revere out of the girl.

Been meaning to blog the Red Sox pet products for some time, but I was given a sign that the time was now because on the drive home from dinner last night, the kids and I saw a bumper sticker that said...
Yankees still suck!

Maybe I will pick up some Fenway Franks for training treats this week.

Gotta love this bat dog toy
It squeaks and chants
Lets go Red Sox woof... woof... woof... when your dog fetches it.
From Chowdaheadz
15.99

Meanwhile...back at the frog

It was too perfect a day not to take a walk at the Evergreen Woods again today.

Today's crew consisted of myself and my 4 year old daughter, Ruby, our Rotti puppy guest, and Sophia, a 7 month old Labradoodle client.

Again I would like to reiterate that taking a walk in the woods with overjoyed dogs (or in the case even better cause they were puppies!) is the cure for whatever ails you. Both my daughter and I loved watching them romp and play.

Ever notice that even with 150 acres to romp on, puppies will play right on top of your kids?

Oooopps!

If you haven't gotten your dog outside recently what are you waiting for? The ground is not quite thawed yet and the weather is sunny and wonderful. Remember mud season soon come!

The first day of spring may not officially be sprung until March 20th, but spring fever sure has struck at my house!

Spring bulbs are already popping up everywhere around here...

really!

Ruby, a Rotti pup visiting with us for a few days, proudly shared with me a dead frog that she found off the path in the woods, that surely had been covered in snow and ice for some time. Here she is with the poor frozen being.

Charlee and Ruby had a full tilt romp and both my four year old daughter and I couldn't stop smiling while we watched the two of them race and tag.

Walks in the woods with overjoyed dogs is a good cure for whatever ails ya.

Best part about spring fever with out the actual spring?
No mud!

Chihuahua/terr. cross is new drug dog in Ohio.
If you need a large dose of cute in a small package to get through your day, click the link!