Training Treats

Over the past 2 years I have always made my own doggy training treats. And anyone that has ever had a Shar Pei will know that they are really hard dogs to motivate. It is only in the past 6 months that I have made training treats every week as Beau is rubbish if I use chicken or cheese, but is amazing if I make my own (she makes me work hard. The nice thing about this is that I am getting so much praise from my obedience  and doggy dancing trainers for Beau, and they say 'I should be really proud of how good she is and can rival any collie in the ring' (if i had food), I dont take complements well so I am not trying to sound big headed but just saying what they have told me.


These recipies have been taken from 2 books, links here to purchase;


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boxset-Dog-Tricks-Treats-Baking/dp/1407553569/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340490810&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooking-Your-Dog-Ingeborg-Pils/dp/1405495138/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340490856&sr=1-1


Now I have followed all of these recipes but they never taste of anything as you add way too much other stuff, so I dont add so much other stuff mainly flour or breadcrumbs. If you do make these then go by your instinct as when to pat into a ball and put in fridge, it took me several attempts to figure out what was best.


Beaus Favourite is Herb Fish Hearts


Handfull of fresh fish that has been poached (I go to the local fish mongers for a very large bag for a cost of £1 to charity as he gives me the off cuts.)


Add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (you may need more if it is too dry, so add a bit more at the end if needed)


1 egg (for binding)


Add Spelt flour until less sticky (this will really stick to your fingers so add a little more at a time until not as sticky as you started.


Pat into a ball and put in cling film in the fridge for 30mins.


Roll onto a chopping board that is heavily floured I go for 55mm thick.


Then for ease of supplying this to your dog in small chunks I Use a sharp knife and cut into strips, then I use the knife and indent the strip so that when it is cooked they snap off easily, if not then I cut down the indents with scissors.


Place on baking paper so strips are not touching and cooking in oven for 20-30mins at 180 degress celsus in a fan assisted oven or until one side is browning and turn over.


The strips should be slighty soft and the ends of the strip are usually harder, but I think thats my crap oven.




Bonnie's Banana Biscuits


2 medium bananas and slice into small bits and blend or crush with a fork.


Add 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil (you may need more if it is too dry, so add a bit more at the end if needed)


1 egg ( I used to do it with out but it doesnt bind very well and is too crumblerly)


Add plain white flower until less sticky (this will really stick to your fingers so add a little more at a time until not as sticky as you started.

Pat into a ball and put in cling film in the fridge for 30mins.

Roll onto a chopping board that is heavily floured I go for 55mm thick.

Place on baking paper so strips are not touching and cooking in oven for 20-30mins at 180 degress celsus in a fan assisted oven or until one side is browning and turn over.

The strips should be slighty soft and the ends of the strip are usually harder, but I think thats my crap oven.

Use scissors to cut into your choice of size chinks.

Vegetable Crackers

Grate 6 small 4inch courgettes or 1 large one.

2 medium carrots.

2 eggs

Add 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil (you may need more if it is too dry, so add a bit more at the end if needed)

Whole wheat flour ( I have only just got my hands on this as it is hard to find, but found it in Tesco, if not I used Rye flour)

Add flour until less sticky (this will really stick to your fingers so add a little more at a time until not as sticky as you started.

Pat into a ball and put in cling film in the fridge for 30mins.

Roll onto a chopping board that is heavily floured i go for 80mm thick.

Place on baking paper so strips are not touching and cooking in oven for 20-30mins at 180 degress celsius in a fan assisted oven or until one side is browning and turn over.

The strips should be slighty soft and the ends of the strip are usually harder, but I think thats my crap oven.

Use scissors to cut into your choice of sixze chinks.

Benji's Snacks for Guests

Sausage meat (I usually use a ball slightly smaller than a tennis ball)

1 Table spoon of Golden syrup

75ml milk

Chopped oregano ( I use mixed herbs or basil, but Beau loves all 3)

Add bread crumbs a bit at time until less sticky.

Pat into a ball and put in cling film in the fridge for 30mins.

Roll onto a chopping board that is heavily floured I go for 55mm thick.

Then for ease of supplying this to your dog in small chunks I Use a sharp knife and cut into strips, then I use the knife and indent the strip so that when it is cooked they snap off easily, if not then I cut down the indents with scissors.

Place on baking paper so strips are not touching and cooking in oven for 20-30mins at 180 degress celsus in a fan assisted oven or until one side is browning and turn over.

The strips should be slighty soft and the ends of the strip are usually harder, but i think thats my crap oven.

Toby, Episode 12 - New Home Update

Toby has had a week in his new home now and i'm told he has firmly got his feet under James and Tina's table.


He has got plenty of tennis balls and has paddled in the River Orwell, been on long walks off lead and seem pretty spoilt.


James and Tina sent these photos through.

Toby looks like a very happy dogy and we wish them all the best. 

Toby Episode 11 - New Home

Today I got a call from Jay who we are fostering Toby for, with some good news that she has got several homes for him but one really stood out. His name is James and wants to come and see Toby. I rang James and he came straight away with a 2.5 hour car journey. James and his partner Tine are ace and are moving to a big house with a huge garden that backs on to some woods and Toby would be the only dog along with Tina working from home. They took him for a walk and asked all the right questions and gave all the right answers, so we were more than happy for them to adopt him.  


Everyone keeps asking me if I will be sad to let him go, my answer is always not really, and I think some might think that I have no heart. But how I see it is that we are taking a dog off death row and giving him the best longest holiday ever. Beau was moaning at the window when he was put in their car and I was just happy that he was going to such nice people. It was however when I started to edit the video below of all his best bits that I had a tear in my eye and all the joy he has brought to this house and the people around him. 

the link if the video fails to play.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RonHW1K7JN4


So on a final note; Good luck to Toby and the many years he has in a happy house doing all of his favourite things. We loved having you with us and will really miss you, you were such a good boy.


James and Tina said that they would keep me updated, and so there maybe more I can put on this about him, I hope so. Don't think we will be fostering for a while as we have some holidays coming up, Rich was made redundant 2 weeks ago and we are going to the hospital to see his dad as he has cancer, so not the best time at the moment to start afresh. But as soon as I get a new foster dog I will start blogging again as I have loved doing  this.


Love you Toby, xXx.

Toby Episode 10

I know it has been nearly 2 weeks since my last post but there are not a lot of firsts to film and to write about so i saved the best from today. Toby and Beau went to a fun dog show today and for a change Beau got 3 firsts and Toby won a 1st in best rescue and a 2nd in waggiest tail out of 6 so he did really well. This is a blog that is a must to see for some laughs.

Toby is also putting on more weight and is getting along with Lotti my sister Whippet brilliantly.


As today was so fun I just had to make a silly video, please watch is and pass the link on if you want to make a friend smile.

 Here is the link if the video does not work.      


  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0fYFCYu7eM&feature=youtu.be

Toby, Episode 9, Scruffts

So Scruffts was on Sunday and we had a great day out and Toby was and Angel. There is way too much to write about so spare a few minutes to watch the video diary.

Also if you fancy a laugh then watch the montage of our 'Grand Day Out at Scruffts,' there are some funny moments at towards the end.

We had a great day.

Toby Episode 8

It's been 4 weeks now that we have had Toby and he now firmly has his feet under the table. He is putting on more weight and his ribs are slowly disappearing.


More saft footage of Toby on the video diary along with some more stories.

Found out this week that he has a phobia of a reals of small plastic bags and doesn't like it when we rip them off, however he is fine with bin bags, this is something that we only found out tis week and is something that we will work on.

Toby had his first psyc out in the garden just running round and round and falling over, it was funny to see as Beau has this mad ones as well, the husband thinks he is getting to comfortable.

Toby is doing really well at puppy school and some of the obedience people are asking a lot f questions about him which i never got with Beau even though I take her to the same people for obedience.

The Scruffts tickets have come for the London Pet show next Sunday and we plan on taking him down on the train, my Dad then raised the question if dogs can go onto the Tube, i rang and found out that it i fine so i look forward to this new experience for me and Toby.

Toby has discovered the joy of a good full Kong and he gets one when I leave for work and doesn't even walk me out of the door now.

Toby, Episode 7.

Another Video diary of Toby.

Another eventful week with Toby with the majority of the story in the video diary. All is still going well and his training is progressing really quickly and I would like to ask that the person who adopts Toby to carry on training him with either the Kennel club good citizen dog scheme and I feel even agility or heelwork to music he would be fab at as he just wants to please you and picks tricks up much quicker than Beau does.


Toby got his first bath a week ago and he was ace, he just stands there and takes it, and I think he thinks it's a free trip to the beauty salon as he gets a good massage and lots of attention. The only issue we had was with the hairdryer and he just barked at it, so next bath time we are going to try something different and in the mean time get him more familiar with it when I dry my hair.


Toby also went to the to the vets last week to have his stitches out and he was a super star, he just stood there and let the nurses take his stitches out without even flinching.


The best part of this week has to be that we got into Scruffts. Scruffts for those of you who don't know it is a dog show for cross breeds and Toby got into the London heats in 2 weeks. My idea is to wear a t-shirt that says "Foster Mom' on it along with my blog address and Jay's blog address who also helps find homes for shar pei resuce  http://sharpeiinneed.blogspot.co.uk/   please have a look.

Front

Back

The Web addresses will be a bit smaller,  if I ordered this online it would have cost me £47.50, a rip off so I'm going to a printing place  in Stafford instead. I got a nice response of the Kennel Club when they found out that I was Fostering him so fingers crossed.

Toby, Episode 6, (how Toby was found)

How Toby was found.


One thing I have not done in this blog is tug at your heart strings, so I think I will now.


Before we got Toby I was told how he was found, Not the nicest of stories so get the tissues.


Toby was found tied to a lamp post and locals who found him said that their was a man dragging him around by the collar trying to get £10 or nearest offer for him. This was in South Wales and areas around here are notorious for illegal dog fights, so if not found by Bluebells then he may have been used to fight, this would entail tying his back legs together to rev up other dogs and an eventual evil death. Thank God this did not happen and he is with us now. He spent  1 week with a bluebells trainer in his home with his 18 month old son. He was golden and I was given a glowing report about how he was. The trainer did have to teach him to sit and walk on a lead and the poor thing did not know what dog food was and it had to be put on the floor outside for him to eat it, he did however know what chips and white bread was. When we got him you could see all of his ribs and he had put weight on, he still looks skinny now but does look a lot better and when we took him to the vets to have his stitches out from his castration he weighed 25 kg, not a lot but the vet said not to worry and he will put the weight on in his own time.


Toby is now on the front page of Shar Pei rescue http://www.shar-pei-rescue.co.uk/   

Toby, Episode 5

Another video Diary done with more funny clips of Toby.

The first thing I would like to say is that the first week we got Toby was the week that I was planning for an OFSTED inspection at work. You can probably imagin that this is really stress full and the second week we had him was the inspection week. So most people would think that this would not be an ideal time to foster a dog. In fact it was perfect timing as I was on the computer most of the time and Rich was at work so Toby had to learn very quickly what quiet time was and it gave him time to suss our home out and us out.


He was not very well on Friday afternoon and had projectile diarrhoea all over out bedroom. It came out of the carpet but I have never seen such a thing before and he was really ill. But today, Saturday after 5 small meals of boiled chicken and rice he is fine and back to playing football in the garden and constantly looking for fuss.


Puppy school was a success if you watch the video, and everything is going great and is getting better all of the time. I have however brought two books about dogs and behavoiur. Both by Jean Donaldson, one called Culture Clash and the other Fight!: A Practical Guide to the Treatment of Dog-dog Aggression. I brought them on recommendations that I had read on the web, and although we have no problems I thought like a Brownie - 'always be prepared', It can't hurt to improve my knowledge, you never know we may get another foster dog who has some issues that need sorting.

Toby, Episode 4.

Did another video blog today after work, if work a watch as I can say more in 2-3minutes than I can type in this time.

Toby is still doing well and I hate to say this, is as good as my little girl Beau. Today they spent 1 hour at my mom and dads without me there. When i went round to collect them he was tired and seemed to have had the time of his life. Not sure my mom appreciates him at the moment though as he is moulting all over the dark hall carpet. Still getting on great with Beau and he has some new toys coming in to post to aid in training at puppy school (the kennel club GCDS). Still fantastic on walks at puts Beau to shame as he doesn't pull my arm off, walks to heel on a slack lead and is all over ace.


Not sure if I mentioned but I am fostering for Roma Brookes off Shar Pei rescue and is my first Foster dog ever. Still surprised to think how far he has come in 1 week.


http://www.shar-pei-rescue.co.uk/    for adoption details for Toby.


One thing I must also say is that if your thinking about fostering a dog then please do it and give a dog a good holiday till they can find there forever home, every day is brilliant as a little bit more of their personality comes out and they learn something new every day. Lots of my friends have said I wont be able to give him up, but my answer is that we are taking a dog off death row and giving him a new life. I have just learnt that a friend of mine has fostered before and had 50 dogs in one year and she would still do it if it was not for health reasons. So please ring Roma or your local shelter and help them out as all are stretched to capacity and desperate for any help they can get. Another thing that might help you decided weather its for you is that you are NOT left alone and they are always down the end of the phone for any help or guidance you need. I had a panic last week and spent 1.5 hours on the phone to Jay and she soon soothed my worries away, bare in mind Beau is my first ever dog and is only 2.5 years old and Toby is my first ever foster dog I think i'm doing well.


Next blog I will tell you how Toby was found, not a read for the fainted hearted or those that cry a lot.

Toby, Episode 3.

So we have had Toby for 6 days now and he is always a pleasant surprise, everyday's is a massive improvement on the previous, I'm not saying he is a bad dog, he is a very good on his best behaviour all the time and he seems to be trying his best. 


On Thursday was his first lesson at Puppy school to do his Bronze in the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme. I let them know before hand that we were going and was told that if he was not good then he would not be allowed to go. Not the case, he was ace and I think gained a few friends, even the trainers feel in love with that soppy face of his and we are planning on going again next week. He seems fine with new dogs and we have got as far as a brief 'hello'. it seems that i have to go back to basics with him with training so that will take some reminding as it was 2 years since i have done Bronze, but he will get there and he is such a quick learner. I have had both him and Beau in the kitchen training together and he can do a lot of the daft tricks already. I am trying to teach him watch at the moment as I feel that this is the best trick of all, knowing that I can get his attention at all times, It's taken 1.5 years to get Beau to to it every time so lets see how long for Toby to get it.


He seems to be getting along with Lottie a lot better (my sisters Whippet), we went on another walk on Friday and went back to my mom and dads, both dogs were on the lead and he was a real flirt, rolling on his back and kissing her. 


Today was also a test, I take part in a Heelwork to music Club called 'Westglen' and they had a show on today, so I took him to see how he will get on. I took the crate and he spent around 5 hours in it with walks in between and he was fine. There were other dogs and people around next to the crate and not a peep. The only time he cried was when he could see me. The only thing that upset me was that I gave him a rawhide chew and pigs ear and he never ate them, don't know if he knows what they are, maybe I will give him and Beau one together and maybe he will figure it out.


Overall a fantastic dog and I would be keeping him my self if I didn't fear divorce after only 10 months.

You can move the rug out of the living and the dog will follow.

Toby likes to hide his head when he is asleep.

Toby, Episode 2

Its nearly midnight but I managed another video diary entry, a funny clip of Toby on his back asleep.

If the video fails to play here is the Youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQlBhIQtR3s&feature=youtu.be 

So it's been 48 hours that we have had Toby and it is going really well, I had a bit of a quiver this morning and didn't think we could Foster him for much longer as I was worried about him not getting along with Beau and that my Mom and Dad wouldn' be able to cope with 3 dogs. This then all went out the window when Jay rang me and really helped me in realising that this is normal behaviour for dog and although we might get growls or snarling it will stop and rarely ends in big bust up. This was a good thing to hear as this big bust up was a worry. But saying all that I have had 5 growls all day and Toby has even taken toys up to Beau and rolled on his back in front of her so that he will play with him, so going a lot better. Beau is starting to like him more now and goes and sits next to him and so does Toby.


Toby is a very quick learner and I had both in the kitchen training them tricks today at the same time. Toby sits really well, lies down, gives you paw, waits and leaves food and gets off furniture when asked, he hasn't even jumped on the bed today.  This took me months to teach Beau how to do this. The most endearing thing is that he was not very good at paw on Sunday but today he looks over to Beau to see what to do to get the treat and does it every time. Another nice difference in the both of them is that he is not food driven like most Shar Pei and will do anything for his tennis ball.


One important thing that Jay did say to me today was that rescue dogs need to feel safe and the only way for them to feel safe is to have a pack leader. That would be me, and after watching some of The Dog whisper I was reminded how important body language is. When Toby brings you he ball you have to take it out of his mouth, he is very gentle but does want to play tug of war, not wise for a breed like this, so it's shoulders back, chest out and don't look at him, and hey presto you have got the ball. I told my mom and dad to try this today and I think even they were surprised that it worked and it made them realise that he does need a pack leader and that body language is important.

Toby, Episode 1

So we have had Toby for 24 hours and here's the video Diary that I said i would do, only took 30mins so might be able to keep this up.

Or if the video fails try this link   


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=874wBmqYA_4&feature=youtu.be  

He is a very sweet boy and we think he is a shar pei X mastiff of sorts with such a big head and ears. Today has gone a lot better than the day we got him which was yesterday and he seems to be getting on with Beau a bit better, I think Beau just thinks he's a yob. Not sure if i have done the right thing by Beau but she is the perfect dog as she is so calm and relaxed but I think she does want to say 'ay, this is my house and we have rules'.


Lets see how tomorrow goes.

Just a Little Bit More About Me

Hello, my name is Cara Keeling and I already own a Shar Pei called Beau. Beau is the bestest dog in the whole world in my eyes and I love her to bits. I'm 29 and Beau is 2.5 years old. She is the dog I always wanted as a child and despite me being allergic to dogs i'm not allergic to Shar Pei. We had her from a puppy and after so much research found out that they are not the ideal first dog to have due to the fact that they are stubborn as hell and can have a lot of health issues. She costs £30 a month to insure, which is huge in comparison to other breeds, even though I tried really hard to get a non wrinkly one the insurance companies aren't bothered, they have a label they have to stick to.


because of this stubbiness I decided to do loads of training with her, so we did the Kennel Club Good Citizen dog scheme up to gold and we still go as Beau treats it like a youth club. We have also been doing Heelwork to music for nearly 2 years and although not the best she enjoys it and has a right old moan if she just on the side lines watching. Here's a video of us doggy dancing last week, we came 6th out of 7 which was bad considering I had food, but was still proud of here and I looked like a right twit. 

If the Video doesn't work then click this link and it will take you to youtube or copy and paste it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCF7pMOT20E&feature=g-upl&context=G23bf0a3AUAAAAAAAAAA 

We have also started doing obedience for the past few months and despite my reservation about her enjoying it she loves it and is doing really well for such a short period of time, but yet again in competition you cannot use food so lord knows how we will do.


Here's some pics of Beau.

We are getting Toby tomorrow so this might be an ongoing blog if all goes well and he gets on with Beau, or a really short blog if he doesn't. everybody has reservations about me doing this but there are so many sob stories out there that it cannot hurt to try and make 1 dogs life a little better and take it off death row. If your interested in doing the same as me or looking to adopt a Shar Pei then have a look at http://www.shar-pei-rescue.co.uk/  






As well as this we have an extended family of 2 ferrets, Skye and Sparky.

And not forgeting two giant African Land Snails, Biggen and littlen,

About Me - Cara Keeling

Decided to start a blog tonight as me and my Husband are about to Foster our first dog, a Shar Pei Bone Mouth called Toby. We have never done this before and are hoping all goes well. So decided to start blogging about our experiences, some will be videos as we have decide to make a video diary for the new owners of any dog that passes our door, one because i'm a little lazy and will probably end up writing a dissertation as instructions for the new owners which could be off putting and a video diary is so much more fun. I plan to put it onto youtube to see if it will help any others out there or encourage others to dot he same as what we have done.