Training and Treats

Summer our gorgeous black and white Tibetan Terrier was nearly nine weeks old in September 2009, when she came to live with us. She hadn't had her jabs so could only walk in the garden. 

We took Summer to the vets two days later for a once over and to also see that going to the vets doesn't have to be scary (would definitely recommend this!). Then a day or so later, we went back and she had her first jab. I think it was worse for me than her. The vet was very gentle and she hardly noticed!

I think we had to wait a few weeks before her second booster jab, when we also had her wormed and she was chipped (a necessity from 2014).

We had to wait a further 7-10 days to actually take her outside, so she could reap the full benefit of the jabs. By this time, it was obvious that our garden wouldn't be a sufficient play area for our TT pup, and I'm not sure who was walking the walls more, her or us?!

So it was with great excitement that as soon as we could take our Tibetan Terrier puppy for a walk and as we live close to town, that that is where we headed. And did she love it?! Lots of admiring faces and lots of cuddles, for our Summer...

I had also booked our puppy into training classes, which started immediately.

What fun we both had! I was a real dog owner novice, but I quickly learned that even though my puppy may want to walk for an hour, that it isn't good for their growing bones, and two or more half hour or less walks, is much more beneficial.  We both learnt about walking on the lead and bought one of our trainers "training leads" (which we still use nearly 4 years later). The group was great fun, and Summer and a flat haired Retriever, became the 'naughty kids', wanting to play when they should be 'training'.

But Summer passed the Kennel Club Puppy Class, and went onto also pass the KC Bronze and Silver grades. Unfortunately, we got a little stuck at Gold, which we tried three times. The first two times she passed everything except the remote isolation. I had to tie her up in a location where she couldn't see me. And boy did she whine! On the third attempt, we'd practiced so much, that she passed this with flying colours. And decided she'd fail on 'stopping at a distance', which she had had no trouble at all doing in the past (this is where I stood at one end of a field, Summer at the other. I would call her to me and make her STOP half way down the field...except she didn't...)!

Never mind! I decided that we'd tried enough, and were accepted into Agility classes.

I can't recommend taking puppies to classes as soon as you can. You learn a lot. The puppy learns an awful lot. It's socialisation for both of you. And if you're having problems, the trainer will ALWAYS have a whole list of ideas from experience, which you can try!

TREATS
Training in class and at home is made much easier if you have a food orientated dog, and even if you haven't, a nice smelly treat, really does help.

At training class, it was suggested that we make home made 'liver cake', and Summer loved and still loves, it!

RECIPE
One pack of livers (any type - price about £1.20)
Bag of plain rolled oats (bottom shelf of the supermarket's cereal section)

Liquidise in a blender, ALL the liver. Gradually start adding the rolled oats. You may wish to remove from blender into a bowl and use a wooden spoon. Keep adding the oats and mixing, so the oats are covered in the gooey mixture. When it becomes difficult to stir and/or there is no more liver to cover the oats, then stop adding the oats. All the oats should be well covered with liver slush.

Next you can start scooping/pouring the quite solid mixture into a pyrex pie dish or similar flat based microwaveable dish. The mixture should be about 1 1/2 cm deep.

Place in the microwave for about 7 minutes. At 7 minutes check the mixture, if it is more or less the same colour of brown all over the top, it is done. If the centre is looking bloody, microwave for a further two minutes. The end result is spongy, not crusty.

You can use the oven instead, but be warned, the aroma of liver will live in your house a lot longer! Cook for 10 minutes in a pre heated oven (about Gas 6 / 180) and check. Continue cooking until brown all over.

Remove cooked 'liver cake' onto a chopping board and slice immediately whilst still warm (it is easier than when cold). Cut the pieces so they are about 2cm square.

Once they have all cooled down, package up about 5 pieces in cling film. Put one package in your fridge to use, and the rest, place in their 5 pack pieces, into a plastic bag and put in the freezer.

To use, take a mini pack out of the freezer the night before use.

The dogs just LOVE it!

Good luck...