What I Had To Do To Become A Certified Master Groomer.

Here is the criteria for testing to become a Certified Master Groomer. It takes 2 days of testing. The first day is the written part, and the second day is the practical part. The practical part consists of actually grooming the dogs listed by the National Dog Groomers Assoc. of America. My final score was 99.5% overall. I became certified in 1994, at Intergroom in Newark NJ.

Certification is the standardized method to obtain professional recognition for those pet groomers whose knowledge, techniques, abilities and skills have been tested and thereby Certified as having met the high standards set forth by the National Dog Groomers Association of America. Certification can only help our profession. Individuals wishing to certify must display exceptional knowledge and skill in both the written and practical skills testing procedure. Only then will you earn the prestigious title of "National Certified Master Groomer"®

• Practical Skills - You are required to demonstrate your grooming skills on one breed for each group, two for Terrier exam. You will be graded by our certiers and upon successfully passing both practical and written portions will attain certification in that group. It is strongly advised and highly recommended that you attend at least one accredited NDGAA workshop, this and obtaining official NDGAA breed profile guidelines will help prepare you for the testing procedure.

• Written Portion - A written exam will be administered with each phase of the practical skills testing procedure; Non-Sporting, Sporting & Terrier, of 100 questions each.

• National Certified Master Groomer® Exam - This written exam consists of 400 questions covering all of the groups not previously taken including working, toy and hound groups, anatomy, breed standards, breed identification, glossary of canine terms, general health, pesticides, clipper I.D., and cat questions. Applicants will be allotted two hours to complete the written master examination. In order to attain NCMG status you must obtain an 85% overall average of all phases.

Random Bred and Purposefully Cross Bred Dogs.

***NOTE***I got this idea from the Herald Dispatch's Dog Blog. Some of this information was posted by me as I felt this was a good subject to expand on. Thank you.

Cross Breed Dogs on Purpose:

What is a Labradoodle? In 1989 Wally Conron of Kew, Australia, began crossing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle, trying to create a guide dog suitable for blind people allergic to dog hair. This is a classic example of logical, planned breeding - the aim is to create a new "breed" with the best attributes of the originals. It is still too early to say whether this particular cross - between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, using the Standard Poodle, as it is comparable in height, will be successful. Wally Conron's objective is to breed assistance dogs that do not shed. Labradoodle guide dogs have been successfully trained and placed in Australia and Hawaii, but so far the nonshedding characteristics of the Poodle have not been fixed in the breed. When it comes to temperament, though, it appears to be a successful combination.

There is also the Bichon/Yorkie cross. The Cockerpoo - a cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle - is growing in popularity. Like other crosses, the first dogs were the result of unplanned matings, but more recently, as numbers increased, matings between Cockerpoos have become planned. The Poodle is evident, both in the face and coat texture, and in the personality of this new "breed." Like the Poodle, the Cockerpoo is an intent observer, not given to the hyperactive excesses of many American Cocker Spaniels. An added bonus is that the Cockerpoo has a much lower incidence of skin problems than the American Cocker Spaniel. Then there is the Bull Boxer. This is a cross between the Boxer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The resulting dogs of this cross have characteristics that make them in some ways superior to their parents. While Boxers seldom outgrow puppy behavior until they are over 3 yrs. old, Bull Boxer puppies mature earlier. Although many Staffordshire are unreliable with small animals, this cross is less inclined to chase; it has also inherited the Staffie's gregarious nature. It is possible that this crossing reduces the Boxer's predisposition to skin cancer and the Staffordshire's predisposition to heart disease. More and more crosses are coming. Unfortunately, until the breeders of these dogs get it right, more and more litters of puppies are being born with slipping knee caps and other genetic faults. So, the ones paying the price for breeders to play Darwin, is being brought into a world where they will have to be euthanized early in life because of a genetic defect, that was caused by a human.

Random Bred Dogs: Referred to by different names at different times - mongrels, mutts, or strays - random-bred dogs all share a characteristic trait. They have not been bred for an exclusive purpose and are therefore far less likely to suffer from a wide range of inherited medical problems, such as blindness, heart disease, and hip dysplasia, that occur with distressing frequency in certain purebred dogs. However, random-bred dogs are also inexpensive and plentiful. As a result, they are valued less by society than purebred dogs, even though the companionship they provide is just as rewarding.

Genetic and Environmental Influences: A dog's personality is determined by many factors, the most important two being genetics and early environment. Genetics are profoundly influential - breeding dogs of similar temperament is more likely to produce dogs of like temperament than breeding dogs of random temperaments. This, of course, is the basis of selective breeding - if you choose a specific breed it is more likely that you will acquire a dog with known behavior than if you choose a random-bred dog. Genetics, however, do not determine the whole personality. Early environment is very critical. Random-bred puppies raised properly in a family environment grow to become reliable adults. Unfortunately, random-bred dogs are often the results of unplanned litters, and owners sometime disregard or even discard them. These individuals consistently show a high level of anxiety related behavior problems.

Feral and Stray Dogs: Feral dogs breed randomly; they eat, breed, give birth, and survive outside homes, but depend upon the detritus of human habitation for survival. Few feral dogs exist in North America and Northern Europe, but they are common in Central and South America, in parts of the Balkans and the former Soviet empire, in Turkey and the Middle East, and in Africa and Asia. Although they breed randomly, they often breed true to type - if their breeding were brought under human control, regional random-bred dogs would be re-designated into categories of purebred dogs. Stray dogs are different. Unlike feral dogs, they are raised in homes and often return to them after a day of wandering. However, random-bred dog's desire to wander is no stronger than that of purebred dogs. It is lack of human responsibility that produces this kind of behavior.

Acquiring A Random-Bred Dog: The best place to acquire a randomly-bred dog is from a neighbor or from a friend's litter of puppies. The mother's temperament, and possibly also the father's, can be observed. By selecting a puppy, you eliminate the unknown variables of early learning that can be so dramatically affect later temperament. Random-bred dogs make up the majority of dogs in most countries. They certainly form the vast majority in dog shelters, which always have a surplus needing homes. Some organizations that train service dogs for people with a variety of disabilities rescue random-bred dogs that have been brought to shelters and find that they readily respond to both standard obedience training and complicated sound-responding-training. These "throwaways" are now in service as dedicated helpers. Eventual adult size can be difficult to estimate with some random-bred puppies, and can vary dramatically among members of the same litter. So, too, can coat length and texture. Random-bred dogs are less expensive to buy than purebred dogs, but this can be curiously detrimental to their well-being. When a substantial investment is made in the purchase of a dog, owners typically wish to protect that investment. One result is that the dog is likely to receive good veterinary care. Random-bred dogs are just as susceptible to infectious disease, but because they are inexpensive to buy they may not always receive the same degree of care. Bearing this in mind, good dog shelters now charge reasonable adoption fees for random-bred dogs and screen potential buyers for responsible attitudes.

Temperament Testing: There is no doubt that dogs have been housed in animal shelters have more temperament and behavior problems than dogs that remain in stable homes. Pragmatically, this means that random-bred dogs have a higher potential for problems that are caused by a lack of socialization and training, including destructiveness, fear biting, excessive barking, and simple bad manners. When you are considering offering your home to a rescued dog, ask the shelter staff whether they have carried out temperament testing. If not, do your own tests with the dog, concentrating on areas that apply to your family and circumstances. For example, if you have children, take them with you to the shelter and observe the dog's reaction to them. By carrying out a few simple tests, you can roughly determine the personality of any dog.

Grooming: Always keep in mind that the more hair, the more maintenance. Your smooth coated dogs only require a bath, nails and ears cleaned out. Your coated breeds will need grooming. This entails a trip to a groomer and brushing daily at home to keep the dog mat free. Most groomers have cute styles for the random-bred dog.

No-Kill Shelter Overcrowding.

The Mason County Animal Shelter is overcrowded with dogs, which could force the shelter to start killing.

The shelter currently has more than 300 dogs, but the county wants it down to 50 dogs. “I can't look at him and say you're number 51,”Shelter Co-Director Alicia Ridenour said.

If Ridenour can’t reduce the dog overpopulation at the Mason County Animal Shelter, the city commission may ask her to do just that.

Before the previous shelter burned in November 2005, dogs were coming in at an alarming rate. Despite adoptions and dogs sent to other states as part of rescue missions, the numbers just keep growing.

Less than a year later, a brand new, bigger shelter opened in the old one’s place. Within weeks, dogs already exceeded the increased capacity to 150 dogs.

Now, nine months later, the number has doubled to more than 300 dogs. There is no longer a waiting room, just another small area to put the dogs.

Ridenour is determined to adopt out these dogs and lead a crusade to prevent the dumping of more.

“We would love to see that, but the community is going to have to spay and neuter--when pets become a nuisance, they bring them to us,” Ridenour said, “dogs are hit and they say when they're vetted--call me. I want it back.”

She is working to secure a grant that would reduce that $85 cost. In an effort to find a solution, the county commission called in the Humane Society of the United States. Their evaluation showed some euthanization may be necessary.

Ridenour said they're not opposed to euthanizing if it's absolutely medically necessary and the animal can't be helped. That alone, may reduce the numbers enough to make a difference.

Animals from the Mason County Shelter will be available at a pet adopt-a-thon in Gallipolis Saturday from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tractor Supply Company.

Thousands of pounds of food has been donated to the animal shelter but they need a vehicle to go pick it up. Anyone looking to donate a vehicle or make any other donations can call the shelter at 304-675-6458.

Just Exactly What is in Commercial Dog Food?

www.doginfosecrets.com/movie
Check out this link. Interersting stuff on what goes into commercial dog food.

Homemade Dog Treats and Food.

I submitted this post on the Herald Dispatch's Dog Blog - 6/19/07.

I feed BilJac dry kibble and brown rice every feeding. Brown rice has much more fiber than white. You can also add a bouillon cube to add flavor. Remember, feeding only rice with nothing hard, like dry dog food, will cause your dog's stool to be loose. Boiling the chicken is the best way to fix it. You are boiling off all toxins that may be on the raw chicken. You can also add cooked carrots and a small amt. of green beans or peas. But always make sure you have some dry kibble. For the geriatric dogs that can not chew, the brown rice will fulfill most of the fiber requirements. Most importantly, rinse all vegetables before cooking. ***"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."***


Cheesey Dog Cookies.

2 cups All-Purpose flour -- un-sifted
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese -- shredded
2 cloves Garlic -- finely chopped
1/2 cup Vegetable oil
4 tablespoons Water -- (4 to 5)

Combine everything except water. Whisk in food processor until
consistency of cornmeal. Then add water until mixture forms a ball.
Roll it into 1/2" thickness and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased
cookie sheets about 10 min. (depending on size of shapes) at 400.
Cool and store in refrigerator.

Biscuits For Dogs.

1 cup oatmeal -- uncooked
1/3 cup margarine
1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
5 1/2 cups hot water
1 tablespoon garlic powder -- optional
3/4 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup cornmeal
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 whole egg -- beaten

Pour hot water over oatmeal, margarine, and bouillon; let stand for 6
min. Stir in milk, cornmeal, and egg. Add flour, 1/2 c. at a time;
mix well after each addition. Knead 3 - 4 min., adding more flour it
necessary to make a very STIFF dough. Roll or pat dough to 1/2"
thickness. Cut into dog bone shapes with cookie cutter. Bake at 325
degrees for 50 min. on baking parchment Allow to cool and dry out
until hard. Store in container.

ANTI-FLEA COOKIES.

2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup brewer's yeast from the health food store
2 cloves minced garlic
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup chicken or beef stock

Combine the flour, wheat germ, and yeast in a bowl. Mix the
oil and garlic and slowly add to the flour mixture, alternately
with the chicken stock. Continue until all of the ingredients are
incorporated into a smooth dough. Roll out on a lightly floured
surface until 1/4 inch thick. Do it in batches if you're not used
to working with dough. Use a 2-inch-round cookie cutter to cut
into biscuits. Put on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 400
degrees F for about 20 to 25 minutes, until browned.
Cool in the oven and leave for a few hours to dry out.

ANTI-FLEA FOOD ADDITIVE.

This is a simple additive to your dog’s food to keep the fleas away.

1/4 cup cottage cheese
Vitamin E 1001 U
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tbl bacon grease
Sprinkle of Brewer’s Yeast

APPLE CINNAMON DOGGIE COOKIES.

5 ounces dried apples
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 cup ice water
1/2 cup corn oil plus 1 tablespoon
5 cups flour
1/2 cup carnation powdered milk
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place in a food processor the dried apples and finely chop.
Place the apples, cinnamon, parsley, garlic powder, water, oil,
flour, dry milk and eggs in a large bowl and mix well until
dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough
to a 1/4-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on cookie
sheets and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
I sometimes roll the dough into 1-inch logs and cut it into 1-
inch pieces.
Mix all the ingredients and add to food daily.

APPLE POOCH PIE.

1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 Fuji apple (peeled, cored and finely grated)
2 Tbl. olive oil
2 Tbl. milk
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups all purpose flour

Grate the Fuji apple into a large bowl. Add vanilla, egg, olive
oil and milk. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar,
cinnamon and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the
wet ingredients until completely mixed (you want it to form a
stiff ball of dough). You may need to adjust the amount of milk
to get the right consistency. Roll the dough out on a lightly
floured surface until it is approximately 1/4 inch thick. Cut
into cute shapes with the cookie cutter of your choice and bake
at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. For
a softer cookie, remove immediately, cool, then refrigerate in
an air tight container. For a crisp cookie, turn off the oven and
leave the cookies in it for an hour or two before refrigerating in
an air tight container.

APPLE TREATS.

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups rye flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 egg beaten
1 tablespoon safflower oil
1 apple (grated)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 - 1 1/2 cups cold water

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, except the apple and water.
Grate apple into mixture and add part of the water. Turn out
on a floured surface and incorporate more water if the dough
is too stiff while kneading for 2 minutes or more. Roll out to a
thickness of 1/4". Use a knife to score the dough vertically and
then horizontally so you have squares.
Don't cut right through the dough. Place on a non-stick cookie
sheet and bake at 325* for 1 hour or until golden brown.

BABY FOOD DOG COOKIES.

3 jars baby food
1/4 cup cream of wheat cereal
1/4 cup dry milk

Combine all ingredients together, mixing well.
Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
Flatten each ball with a fork.
Bake at 350*F (175*C) for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool on wire rack.

BACON BITES (for doggies).

3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup bacon fat or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
3 or 4 slices bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup cold water

Mix ingredients together thoroughly. Roll out on a floured
surface to 1/2 to 1/4 inch thickness. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes
at 325 degrees F.

BACON DOG BISCUITS.

5 cups whole wheat flour
10 tablespoons melted bacon fat
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon onion or garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients well. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll
them into 2-inch balls and place on a well-greased baking
sheet.
Bake at 350*F (175*C) for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

BANANA BISCOTTI BONES.

Although these are treats for your favorite four-legged friend,
humans like them too!
5 cups flour
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups pureed bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Water

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and set a rack on the middle
level. Have ready one or two ungreased nonstick baking sheets.
Mix the flour, peanuts and baking soda together in a large bowl.
Gradually stir in the remaining ingredients, except the water, until
lumpy but blended.
Add enough water, a teaspoon at a time, to make a stiff dough.
Knead by hand until thoroughly mixed. Or blend everything in a
food processor.
For very large biscotti, form the dough into 2 logs, each about 2-1/2
inches high, placing one on each baking sheet. Flatten each log so
that it is 6 inches wide and 1 inch high. For medium-size biscotti,
form 4 logs, 2 on each sheet, and flatten each into loaves that are 3
inches wide and 1 inch high. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove to wire
racks and let rest for 10 minutes.
Leave the oven on. Transfer the logs to a cutting board and slice
into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces. (It's easiest to slice them on the
diagonal, using a serrated bread knife.) Return the slices to the
baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes longer, turning once,
until they are golden brown. Cool on racks. Store in a tightly closed
tin at room temperature. Makes 30 to 60 dog (or people) biscuits.

BANANA BITES.

2-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 large egg
1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef bouillon cube dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on
a floured surface. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness.
Use a 2-1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter (or any one you
prefer) and place on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 300*F (150*C) for 30 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

BARKING BROWNIES.

1-1/4 pounds beef or chicken livers
2 cups wheat germ
2 tbl. whole wheat flour
1 cup cooked barley
2 eggs
3 tbl. peanut butter
1 garlic clove
1 tbl. olive oil
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350*
Liquefy liver and garlic in a blender. When the mixture is
smooth; add eggs and peanut butter. Blend until smooth.
In a separate mixing bowl combine wheat germ, whole wheat
flour, and cooked barley. Add processed liver mixture, olive
oil, and salt. Mix well. Spread mixture in a greased 9 by 9 inch
baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Cut into portion sizes.
Freeze or refrigerate leftovers.

BASIC DOG TREATS.

1-3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/4 cups oatmeal
1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup warm water
Options: 1/3 cup finely grated cheese,
1/4 cup peanut butter

Mix the dry ingredients together. Then mix the wet ingredients
together. Blend both mixtures until a firm dough is achieved.
Shape dough into an oblong roll, wrap in plastic wrap, and
chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly grease sheet pan.
Slice roll into 1/4-inch slices, place on sheet pan and bake for
about 1 hour or until treats are done, checking after 45
minutes, and then every 5 minutes thereafter.
Let them cool before giving to your best friend.

BEAGLE BAGELS.

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped spinach
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup water

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the first 5 ingredients.
Stir in the carrots and spinach.
Combine the egg, oil and water together and add to the flour
mixture, mixing well. Turn dough out onto a floured work
surface and knead for 3 to 5 minutes.
Shape pieces of dough into 1-1/2-inch sized balls. Flatten, then
poke hole in center, forming bagel-like shapes.
Bake at 350*F (175*C) for 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on wire.

BEAGLE BISCOTTI.

2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
1/4 cup oil
1 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cold water
1 cup carob chips

Combine flours and baking soda in a bowl and stir with a
whisk. Add egg, oil, peanut butter and vanilla and stir with a
wooden spoon until lumpy. Add carob chips. Slowly add cold
water 1 teaspoon at a time until a stiff dough forms. Do not
over-mix.
Form dough into 2-inch diameter logs. Place on lightly greased
baking sheets and flatten logs to 1 inch high and about 6 to 7
inches long. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove
from oven and cool 20 minutes.
With a serrated knife, cut logs into 1/2-inch slices. Return slices
to cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes, or
until golden. Cool and store in airtight tins or plastic bags.

BEEF BURGERS FOR DOGS.

This recipe is a "sure-fire sure to please your dog" dog treat!
4 oz diced stew beef
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp flour
a little gravy (if required)

Boil 2 cups water and throw in the diced beef and cook 20
minutes. A fork should sink easily into the meat. Drain water
from meat.
Put meat, yolks and flour in food processor and process until
well mixed. Let cool.
Roll out the mixture on waxed paper to 1/8 inch thick and cut
with cookie cutters or into bite-sized morsels. Broil for a few
minutes on each side until hard.
Cool and serve.

BEEFY DOG BONE BISCUITS.

3 eggs
3 tablespoons soy flour
3 tablespoons wheat germ
3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
3 beef bouillon cubes dissolved in 6 tablespoon hot water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 cups whole wheat flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Beat eggs slightly in large mixing bowl. Stir in soy flour, wheat
germ, dry milk, bouillon, and Worcestershire. Add flour and
work into a stiff crumbly dough with your hands.
Divide dough into two balls. Divide each ball into 12 pieces. Pat
each piece into a 3-inch rectangle, 1/2-inch thick, on ungreased
cookie sheet. Using a biscuit cutter or knife, trim to the shape
of a dog bone. Bake for 25 minutes.
Turn biscuits over with a spatula and bake 25 minutes longer.

BEEF GARLIC BONES.

6-1/2 cups rye flour
1-1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon garlic
4 tablespoons parsley
2 cups no/low salt beef broth

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl (make sure to skim
all fat and oils from beef broth before adding to mixture). You
can add flour or water as needed, until a firm but sticky dough
is formed. Knead dough on a rye-floured surface until smooth.
Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes. Bake
at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until edges are browned. Let
cool overnight for extra crunchy cookies!


Chewy Cheesy Chihuahua Pizza

Crust:

2 cups cake flour
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup olive oil
1 egg
1 cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda

Sauce Toppings:

1 tomato
1 cup tomato puree
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup parmesan cheese -- grated
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
2/3 cup cooked rice

CRUST: Mix all ingredients together. Knead on a lightly floured
surface. Spray a regular sized, 12 " pizza pan with nonstick spray.
Next, spread the dough to the edges of the pan, forming a lip around
the ends. Set aside.

Sauce & Toppings: In a food processor, blend tomato, tomato puree
and garlic. Spoon the mixture over the pizza crust. Sprinkle the
cheese
and spices evenly over sauce. Cut the pizza into slices with a pizza
cutter or sharp knife.

Bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 minutes. Take out and sprinkle rice
evenly over pizza. Return to oven and bake 25 minutes more.

Yield: 1 - 12 in. pizza

Pet Party Mix

2 cups Cheerios®
2 cups Chex mix
2 teaspoons gravy, dry mix, brown
1/2 cup Bacos®
2 cups Shredded Wheat® -- spoon size
1/2 cup melted butter -- or margarine
1/2 cup American Cheese -- grated
1 pieces Beef Jerky -- dog treats (pupperoni, Jerky Treats, etc.)

1. Preheat oven to 275 .

2. Pour melted butter/margarine into a 33x23 cm baking pan. Stir in
cheese,bacon bits, and gravy mix. Add cereal and stir until all
pieces
are coated.

3. Heat until crisp, approx. 45 min.

4. Let cool and store in tightly sealed container.

Potatoes Au Canine

3 cups boiled potatoes -- sliced
2 tablespoons vegetables -- grated
1/2 cup Creamed cottage cheese
1 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
2 tablespoons Grated carrots
1/4 cup Whole milk
1/4 cup Grated cheese

Layer in a casserole dish the first 5 ingredients. Then pour the
milk on top of all; sprinkle with cheese. Bake about 15 minutes at
350 until cheese melts and slightly browns. Serve cool.

Notes: As a potato substitute, you can use 3 cups of cooked oatmeal

Snickerpoodles Dog Treats

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup honey
2 eggs
3 3/4 cups white flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Mix vegetable oil, shortening and honey together until smooth. Add
eggs and beat well. Blend in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar.

Knead dough until mixed well. Shape dough by rounded teaspoons into
balls. Mix the cornmeal and cinnamon together in a bowl and roll
balls in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet that has
been sprayed with a nonstick spray. Press the balls down with a
fork twice going in 2 different directions or press with your
favorite stamp.

Bake 8 minutes at 400. Remove from baking sheet and cool on a rack.
Pasta recipe. form into the desired ravioli shape and size. Cover
with damp cloth and set aside.

In a bowl, mix yogurt, whole wheat flour and eggs. Add salmon and
parsley mix a few more moments.

Depending on ravioli size, place 1 to 4 teaspoons in center of
each, moisten edges and fold.

Ravioli can be boiled or baked. If boiling, place in rapid boiling
water for 10 to 15 minutes or till done. If baking pre-heat oven to
375, place ravioli on a baking sheet, put in oven for 20 to 25
minutes.

Note: use leftover meat such as beef, chicken, lamb etc. Also
shredded veggies like carrots, sweet potato, etc. or chopped
veggies such as green beans, broccoli, kale etc. raw oat meal and
cooked rice or cooked barley, can be used in place of meat.

Traildog Biscuits

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup rye flour
1 egg -- beaten1 cup oats
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cornmeal
1 3/4 cups beef broth -- or chicken
1/4 cup liver powder -- available in health food stores

Preheat oven to 300F. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add
egg, oil, and beef broth. Mix the dough, adding enough additional
flour to make a dough that can be rolled.

On a floured surface, roll to 1/2" thickness, then cut into shapes
or squares. Prick with a fork. Bake for 2 hours. Turn the oven off,
and let biscuits stand in oven overnight to harden. Store in
airtight container.

Vizsla Stew

2 cups barley
1/2 cup wild rice
9 cups chicken broth
4 cups rabbits -- boned, *See Note
1/2 cup kale -- chopped fine
1/2 cup asparagus -- chopped fine
1/2 cup lima beans -- chopped fine
1/2 cup carrots -- chopped fine
1 cup potato -- chopped fine
4 cloves garlic -- chopped fine
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup yogurt, skim milk

In a large pot, place the bones and chicken broth. Bring to a rapid
boil.

Add the long cooking Wild Rice and Barley, reduce heat to a simmer
and cover. After 20 minutes and the rabbit, cook another 30 minutes.

Wash and chop the vegetables, place in a mixing bowl, add canola
oil and yogurt, mix.

Allow Barley and Wild Rice to cool. Remove bones. Drain liquid if
needed. Pour into the mixing bowl and mix well.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in portions in separate containers.

*Note: 2 rabbits, 4 to 6 pounds, bone the rabbit and cube to the
size for your dog. Add the bones to the chicken broth.

Note: frozen vegetables may be used, run under cold water to defrost.

Beef and Rice Moochies

1 jar babyfood, dinner, vegetables and beef, strained
2 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rice
1 package unflavored gelatin
1 whole egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup powdered milk
1 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 beef bouillon cube

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl.
Add yeast, egg, oil, baby food and dissolved beef bouillon. Mix well.

Mixture will be very dry, knead with hands until it forms a ball.
Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness, cut in 1 or 2
inch circles. Bake on un-greased cookie sheet 30 minutes at 300
degrees. Store in refrigerator.

Chicken Flavored Dog Biscuits

2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt -- optional
1 egg
1 cup chicken broth -- slightly warmed
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rye flour -- optional
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 cup cracked wheat
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add salt, one beaten
egg, and the warmed chicken broth. Add all flour except the
all-purpose flour and mix well. Slowly add all-purpose flour until
a stiff dough is formed and it can be kneaded by hand.

Knead for only a couple minutes, just enough to get the dough to
hold together. Roll out dough about 1/4" thick and cut with cookie
cutters, Place biscuits on a large cookie tray and place directly
in a 300 degree oven, they don't need to rise. Bake for 45 min. and
then turn off the oven.

You can let them sit in the oven overnight and in the morning they
will be real hard and good for your dog's teeth. You could also
vary this recipe by adding milk for a milk-bone type biscuit or
shortening for a little extra fat.

Try different liquids and even honey or molasses, Check with your
veterinarian for any other nutritional suggestions.

Classic Canine Cookies

4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup cooked rice
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Juice from a small orange
1 2/3 cups water

Mix all ingredients together well. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thickness and cut out desired
shapes... doggy bones, paws, balls, etc.

Dipping Sauce:

#1
3 cups vanilla chips
1 Tbsp. spinach powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. vegetable oil

#2
3 cups carob chips
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. turmeric powder


Melt chips in a double boiler or microwave. Add oils and seasonings. Dip tips of cookies, when cooled, into desired sauce and place on a pan lined with wax paper until set.

Dog Oil Supplement

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup cod liver oil
1/4 cup flax seed oil

Place oils in brown bottle and shake well. Store in refrigerator.
Add two teaspoons to the dogs food each day. Can be add to dry food
as well.

Safflower and Sunflower oil may used as well.


Ellie's Dog Loaf

2 1/8 cups water
2 cups brown rice
2 large potatoes
2 large carrots
1 1/8 pounds pumpkin
2 cloves garlic
3/4 bunch silver beet
1 cup whole meal pasta -- or Soya pasta
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole meal flour
1 1/8 pounds mince (or liver or fish)
3 eggs

Boil the rice in water for 10 - 15 minutes and chop the veggies (I
put them through the food processor) Add the veggies and pasta to
the rice and cook for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave to
cool (not vital if you're like me and in a rush!) Add mince, eggs,
herbs, rolled oats and flour and mix together. Add more oats or
flour if mixture is sticky (should be like a fruit cake mix).
Spoon into oiled and floured loaf tins and bake in a hot oven 180
degrees CENTIGRADE for 1 hour.

Remove from tins ,turn oven off and return loaves to oven for 5 -
10 minutes to firm bottom crust. Take out of oven, leave to cool and use immediately or wrap in foil and freeze.

Makes about 3 - 4 loaves.

Glazed Beagle Biscuits

2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/3 cup Canola Oil
1 cup boiling water
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup milk
1 cup grated cheese
1 egg -- beaten
1 cup rye flour
2 cups white flour

Add bouillon and oil to boiling water then add oats. Let mixture
stand for a few minutes. Stir in the cornmeal, milk, cheese, and
egg. Slowly stir in the flours. Knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick and cut
into bone shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spoon topping over biscuits. Turn them over and repeat with other side. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until lightly browned on bottom.

Turn off the oven and leave biscuits in until cool.

Homemade Liver Treats

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound beef liver

Pre-heat oven to 350.

Liquefy liver in blender, add dry ingredients. Grease cookie sheet.

Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto cookie sheet and flatten with
bottom of glass dipped in water and cornmeal. Bake for 15-20
minutes. You may store baked or unbaked dough in freezer.


2 cups Whole wheat flour
1/3 cup Butter -- melted
1 Egg -- beaten
6 tablespoons Water
1/4 cup liver -- dried or jerky-style treats -- chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, butter, egg, and water.
Mix well. Blend in liver bits. Turn onto a greased baking pan. Bake
20 to 25 minutes. Cool and cut.

Lhasa Apso Lamb

1 pound lamb, ground -- cooked
2 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups cooked white rice1 cup yogurt, skim milk
4 cloves garlic -- crushed
1/4 cup green beans, frozen -- chopped
1/4 cup carrots, frozen -- chopped
1/4 cup kale, frozen -- chopped

Cook Lamb and drain off excess fat if desired. Defrost frozen
veggies, but don't cook them and chop to desired size.
In a large bowl mix cooked lamb, cooked rice, chopped vegetables,
garlic and yogurt.
Slightly heat if desired to serve.
Refrigerate or freeze portions in zip lock bags. Should yield 3 to
6 servings.

Meatball Mania

1/2 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons grated cheese
1 carrot -- finely grated
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup bread crumbs -- w/w is best
1 egg -- beaten
1/2 tablespoon tomato paste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients together; mix
thoroughly. Roll into meatballs - whatever size is appropriate for
your dog. Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-fat cooking spray. Bake
for 15-20 minutes, or until they are brown and firm. Cool and store in the fridge or freezer.

Essential Equipment For Your Dog.

The dog's basic equipment requirements are simple. It needs to be properly identified, safely controlled, securely housed, nutritiously fed, and kept mentally and physically active and alert. Choose a collar, and walking and training leashes, according to your dog's weight, strength, and level of activity. In some circumstances, a head halter or body harness is advisable. Provide your dog with its own bed - this is its own personal space. Dogs are generally content to use crates as beds, provided they have been trained to do so from early puppyhood. Use sturdy, hygienic food and water bowls, and provide a limited number of well-made toys for your dog's amusement, for playing either on its own or with you. Inexpensive, easy-to-clean, soft nylon collars are excellent for growing puppies, and can be replaced with larger models as a dog grows. Rolled leather collars cause less damage to the hair on the neck than flat ones. Attach an ID tag with your name, address, city, state, zip and most importantly, your phone number. You should include your cell phone number, too, if you have one. Augment this with temporary contact information when you take your dog on a trip. Use a reliable, strong, short leash for walking your dog. During training, use a long training leash to make sure your dog responds to your commands. If your dog is unreliable off its leash, use the long training leash for exercise, as well. A head halter is excellent for controlling a powerful dog. It should not be used with a dog with very short legs - its nose would be pulled too close to the ground when it surges ahead. Body harnesses eliminate tension on the neck, especially in the area of the windpipe. Well-designed muzzles prevent scavenging and reduce the risk of bites.
Immediate Needs: Quality equipment is usually an excellent investment. It is not likely to be damaged and will last a long time. The most immediate needs for a newly acquired dog are food and water bowls, a bed, a collar and leash, and an ID tag with a telephone contact number. For health as well as practical reasons, avoid using your own tableware for feeding your dog. Provided sturdy, shatterproof, nonslipping food and water bowls, as puppies love to play with them. It is useful to place these on a mat that absorbs water that might splash while the dog is drinking. Consider buying a special can-opener and knife and fork for preparing your dog's food. Bedding should be comfortable and easy to clean. Wicker baskets are attractive, but easily chewed, especially by puppies, and extremely difficult to clean when they get soiled. Beds made of molded plastic are easy to clean. They appeal to dogs because they provide secure "walls" to lie against. Bean-bag beds are very attractive to dogs, since they provide both comfort and insulation. They usually have a removable cover that is machine washable. Finally, a useful piece of puppy equipment is a crate, which provides the dog with a safe space to keep out of trouble.

Equipment for control: When selecting appropriate collars and leashes, your dog's temperament and size are important considerations. Your local veterinary clinic or dog-training club will provide experienced advice on what is best for your dog. In virtually all outdoor situations, you will need a soft, light training leash - these are often made of cotton or nylon mesh. Available in various lengths, they can be geared to the size of your dog and the level of training you have reached. Start with a 6-ft. (2m) leash and use this both indoors and outdoors to ensure that your dog responds to commands. For exercise, a body harness may be appropriate for breeds with delicate windpipes, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Chihuahua, and Whippet, or for breeds with thick necks, like the Pug. Head halters act much like horse halters and are extremely useful for controlling large, enthusiastic young dogs. When the dog surges ahead, its momentum pulls on the halter and draws its head downward. The dog stops pulling on its own.

Crates and Playpens:

A Safe Space: A crate is an ideal den for a dog. Puppies should learn that it is a comfortable and secure bed and personal territory. By training a puppy to eat, play, and sleep in a crate, you train it to accept and enjoy staying in its den while you're in the car or when the dog is home alone. Crate training provides the solution to a variety of behavior problems before they happen.

Practical Play Area: A playpen is an expanded version of a crate, useful for puppies that are not yet house trained. When a puppy is left temporarily unattended, soiling accidents in the home are avoided if it is restricted to a newspaper lined playpen. Never use a playpen or crate as punishment - both are meant to be enjoyed.

Crate Training.

I posted this in the Herald Dispatch's Dog blog. Here is the correct method to crate train. All dogs are den animals. The crate becomes their sanctuary, or den. You start out by placing the crate in the bedroom, next to the bed, and right before bed, you take the puppy out. Praise greatly when the puppy potty's. Take the dog back in, put in crate, along with a favorite toy, and go to bed. Ignore the crying, they will stop. First thing in the a.m., you take the puppy out, praise after the potty, come in and feed. After they finish, wait 10-15 min. and take them back out. Same routine. Put crate in a place where the puppy can see the door you come in, put puppy in just as you get ready to leave the house. Don't put puppy in and then hang around for 20 min. When you come home, take puppy out, immediately go outside, praise and then go about your after work routine. Same routine as before for nighttime. Soon, you will be able to leave the door to the crate open and the dog loose in the house. They will go into the crate to sleep while you are gone. Put a super soft towel or bed in the crate and a few bits of kibble and a small amt. of water. Too much food and water in the crate when you start the training, will only make the dog have to potty sooner. Always remember, 99%(dogs), will not potty where they sleep and eat. So, when purchasing a crate, make sure that the dog can stand and turn around, but not enough room that they can go to the back of the crate and potty. And, never, never use the crate as punishment. This is their own little cave. Their alone place. I call this there hidey hole.