K-9 LifeSavers

The sun is shining and the weather is warming up outside which means many of us are choosing foods on the lighter side.  Though few K-9s will turn down a treat of any sort, sometimes they might needs something light and refreshing too so turn to these cookies.

Be My Babies

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 oz jar Beef or Chicken baby food
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 2/3 cup non-fat dry milk

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly grease a cookie sheet.
• Mix all three ingredients together.  If the batter seems to thick, you can add just a bit of water.
• Use a tablespoon to drop cookies onto cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 F for 12-15 minutes, until starting to brown.
• Allow to cool before giving to your K-9.
• Store in the fridge in a tightly sealed container.

With just a few days until St Patrick's Day, there's still plenty of time to make your pup green treats to match yours.  Here's a quick recipe that's fun and tasty!

Spinach and Parmesan Cheese Pup Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 13.5 ounce can of spinach
• 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 375
• Lightly grease two 12-mini-cupcake pans or spray with a non-cook spray
• In a large bowl, mix all ingredients
• Fill each cup about 3/4 full
• Bake for 50-55 minutes
• Place on a baking rack to cool before serving

If you want to make the pup cakes even more special, add frosting!  Take 1 cup of low fat cottage cheese and blend it for about 30 seconds spread it over pup cakes and watch those puppy grins appear!

A classic trick to teach your dog: roll over!

• Start with your dog in a "down" position facing you.
• Kneel in front of your dog, holding a treat to the side of his head.
• Move the treat from the side of his head backward over his shoulder blade telling him to "roll over." Your dog's head should follow the treat, and his body will follow the motion of his head, prompting him to roll over.  Praise him and give him a treat.
• As he gets this motion down, begin to start working on only a verbal cue, while teaching him a hand signal (often drawing a circle with your finger) to match the verbal cue of "roll over."
• Eventually you should be able to cue him solely with the hand signal.

Trouble shooting:

• This can be a tough trick for your dog as it is a submissive position to show their belly and it takes a lot of trust in their human to master.  Take it slow and give your dog lots of encouragement, you may need to start with giving him a treat when he turns his body to the side, then work on the full roll as a second step.
• Your dog may be confused at what is being asked and attempt to get up and turn around to reach the treat. Calmly put him back into a down position and don't show him the treat until it's next to his head.
• It could be difficult for your dog to get his body all the way around, small dogs in particular can often turn their heads to the other side without moving their legs. Try to help by gently guiding his legs over to the side. Your dog may not love your help, so make sure to praise him after the completed roll, after helping once or twice, he should get the idea of what you want and be able to complete the roll himself.
• Tip: Though some dogs will be able to roll to both sides, most dogs will have a dominant side that they prefer.  You'll find this trick easier if you let your dog roll to the side he prefers.