Hey a big shout out to all that have added your ideas to yesterday’s blog on unique Tuggers. Keep them coming everyone and I will add my own later this week. I have also been getting a great response to this month’s “31 Dog Training Tips in 31 Days.” If you haven’t signed up yet (aaah, why not?) you can go to my website and do it today and still get the benefits of the next 14 days’ dog training tips. Upcoming are tips on building drive, how I raise my own puppies and more on walking courses. For those that have been asking, the sign up form for the newsletter is in the top right hand corner. I am having so much fun with all of this, that I have something new planned that I will tell you all about in April.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I planned my schedule this month. I just finished 3 days of camp yesterday, we have meetings all day tomorrow with various trades working on our new house (and those controlling the money:). First thing Friday morning I fly out for British Columbia where I teach 11 days of seminars starting on Saturday (oh yeah and I entered Feature & Encore in a trial while I am out there). When I get back home April 6th, I will have only 3 days before Puppy Camp! Whew, good thing I like to keep busy! I am looking forward to heading west. My baby sister lives in Vancouver and with her young boys and my crazy busy life we really don’t get to see each other very much. It is her birthday while I am there , so I took the day off so we can have some fun.
Funny, the theme of camp last week was all about balance, but today I realized I need to look at the lack of balance in my own life. So I did something for me, I signed up for a four day, non dog related seminar today. Really looking forward to it, it is not until June but anticipation of something wonderful really is half the fun isn’t it!
I am so grateful for the guiding hand in my life that always steers me in the direction I need to go.
I have a “tip” about how to use Tug with your dog. I have a sheltie that is *very* body sensitive. Even as a pup you could not pick him up without a screech–which we’ve dubbed his Squeak. You have to give him plenty of warning that you will touch him, unless you want to hear the Squeak. However, during games, all touches are allowed.
He’s prone to weight gain, so here’s how I check his weight. As we’re playing tug, I’ve always been able to push, tap, and thunk his sides. If I want to check his weight, I get out the tug toy. During the game I can feel for ribs and get a very good idea of his weight. All with no Squeak!
Looking forward to VANCOUVER!!
Kathy Smith
VAncouver Island
While I can’t claim to be any expert on the tea or Guayaki (http://www.guayaki.com/) products I can tell you want is says on the website about it:
–In South America, yerba mate has been revered for centuries as the “drink of the gods” and is drunk daily for optimum health, sustained energy and mental clarity. Of the six commonly used stimulants in the world: yerba mate, coffee, tea, kola nut, cocoa, and guarana, yerba mate triumphs as natures most balanced stimulant, delivering both energy and nutrition. The leaves of the rainforest mate tree naturally contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, abundant antioxidants. In fact, The Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific society in 1964 concluded “it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to mate in nutritional value” and that yerba mate contains “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” —
In reference to the caffeine question they say
“The term “mateine” has been used to refer to the stimulant in yerba mate. Some researchers feel that the stimulating compound in yerba mate does differ from caffeine. We have elected to use the phrase “Naturally Caffeinated” to share the most accurate scientific information currently available. Read More.”
It is quite a claim, but I can tell you that I love it. 🙂
I am grateful for your blog and newsletter and I am looking forward to the next 14 tips! I’ve especially appreciated the ones related to puppies, as my new pup was just born yesterday!!!!
Wow you sure do have a busy few weeks ahead! Not sure how you do it all and still find time for us (blog) and training your dogs! Do you sleep??
I know you are health concious….There is a wonderful tea, that I enjoy, that I’d like to recommend to you. It is a brand name called Guayaki but the contents itself is Yerba Matte tea. If you don’t drink other forms of caffine (not sure) that can give you highs and then crashes due to sugar content etc, this is a great way to give you a more constant energy without all of that. You can drink it cold or hot and I recommend Stevia sweetner over any sugar. It can be found in the US at health food stores like Whole Foods but sure you have something similar in Canada.
🙂