I use lots of treats in my household.  Because I have four dogs that are all involved in dog sports and I am a firm believer in the old adage you get better results with treats than hard corrections, OK maybe that is my adage……..I am always on the lookout for good, healthy snacks.

If we have chicken for dinner, I will squirrel a piece away, cut it into tiny bites, stick it into a baggie and freeze it.  A bit of leftover roast?  Kids didn’t finish all their dinner? , put it away for the canine member of your family. When block cheese goes on sale, I will pick up a number of blocks and keep it available for training sessions.   My dogs love carrots, broccoli, apples, bananas.  Pretty inexpensive and healthy.

One thing I NEVER give my dogs is anything red, you know the treats that they sell for a pretty big price that are red.  Look at the ingredients and do a bit of research on what some of those things are.

I know this may seem like a lot of work and effort, but just like feeding your human family well, you will find a great deal of satisfaction from helping you canine member stay in optimum health.

Have you ever seen dogs competing in agility, herding, flyball, water sports, frisbee freestyle, freestyle dancing or other dog sports and thought, “Boy that sure looks like fun?” Have you ever said “I think that looks like something I would like to do?” Well MARL just might have the perfect dog for you.

When I retired and decided that I could now spend more time on volunteer activities, MARL was the first place I thought of. I have German Wirehaired Pointers and compete in conformation, obedience, hunt tests, field trials, agility and a new sport, freestyle dancing, which is choreographed moves to music. Before I started volunteering I had to promise myself that I would not bring ANY animals home as I have many (4 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, 1 bird) of my own. Well, I did really well for a long time, but one morning I walked in and there was this little black and white puppy sitting in a crate staring at me. Normally I give the puppies a greeting and walk back to the kennel and spend my day with the big dogs. But there was something about that puppy!!!!! I held her and the rest is history. People want to know what made me pick her and I can only reply that I didn’t pick her, she picked me.