More questions

[GatorCH]

Hello all. Well, things are a little better. I had to go and purchase a chain and some clips as a temporary measure to stop Caesar from busting open the front of his crate. It seems to have done the trick.

The kong suggestion also is working. Maybe too well. The dogs seem more interested in getting back inside to work on them than they do at paying attention to what we're doing outside. I purchased some training "treats" but the dogs don't seem to like them (lamb & rice). Any cheap suggestions?

Also, do you recommend having them on a leash for potty time? As it stands now, my back yard is a mine field and I find myself spending at least 30 minutes a day washing it down into the grass. I know you can pick it up but, I'm using it as impromptu fertilizer. So, I was thinking if they were on leashes during potty time I could keep it contained.

[GatorCH]

The dog's crates are side by side. Should they be separated visually from each other?

[alex221]

I have found low-fat hotdogs work best for us during training. They leave no crumbs to go after.

For leash training at potty time, try having a previous "deposit" in the area you want them to go. I've found Alex seems to like to smell the area that he's used previously and make "further contributions" to the same spot. Of course, he's also a "traveling" pooper so that tends to be a bigger area then it has to be.

[Laura]

There is a good web site called bowchow.com they have easy recipes. I usually make the liver brownies, Chance loves them.

[Wookie'sMom]

At Petco/Petsmart you can buy what look like sasuage rolls of dog food. I take these rolls and cut them up into about 1/4 inch squares for training treats, it smells like summer sausage and is a real attention getter for my Wookie. A roll costs about $4-5, I think, and the "treats" last me a month (refridgerated when not using) with only one dog...you can also get bigger rolls (I get the smallest ones) and I'm sure that they would be cheaper in the long run. I also just use kibble as a training treat for less than spectacular achievements.

[Judi W]

And no, dog poop does not turn into fertilizer. Pick it up. Part of owning a dog.

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by GatorCH

I purchased some training "treats" but the dogs don't seem to like them (lamb & rice). Any cheap suggestions?

Sliced up boiled chicken franks or sliced string cheese. Very few dogs can resist either.

[GatorCH]

I beg to differ with you Judy. This is one thing where I know of what I speak (finally). Handled timely and properly washed into the soil, it is good for my grass.

[alex221]

Interesting article here about dogs vs green lawns.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/p..._problems.html