[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Since immersing myself in the humbling, yet exciting world of dog agility training, I have learned one important thing (besides the fact that my dog is smarter than I am).<\/p>\n
Dogs will do almost anything for you if you make it worth their while.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Even things that don\u2019t come naturally.<\/p>\n At least one obstacle used on agility courses definitely does not mimic behaviors of canines in the wild.<\/p>\n Think about it. Where in nature does a dog run full blast, weaving in and out of a line of 12 poles spaced 24 inches apart? It\u2019s about as instinctive for a dog as saying, in English, \u201cWould you like me to vacuum up all that hair I left on the couch, and pour you a glass of wine while I\u2019m at it?\u201d<\/p>\n So how do<\/i><\/strong> you get a dog to weave through those poles? And love it? Obviously, you train him, but you must make it worth his while. How do you make it worth his while? Food, babycakes. Good food.<\/p>\n We\u2019re talking the highest value treats you can get your hands on.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.sassypantsdesign.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2989867199_f4551048f0_dog-treat.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”dog dressed in tutu and crown” title_text=”2989867199_f4551048f0_dog-treat” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Even that bully stick wasn’t enough for this. What was I thinking?<\/em><\/p>\n (Photo by MCCUN934)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”1_2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Now I know that there are those perfect dogs out there that are happy to work for a mere tug session with their handler \u2013 no food involved. (They remind me of other people\u2019s perfect kids who applied to Duke, NYU, and MIT as safety schools, but decided to attend Harvard since they got a full ride there. But I digress.)<\/p>\n I have never had that tugging dog. Mine are always highly motivated by food. Tugging? Give me meat! I think it runs in the family.<\/p>\n So I set out to find a tasty, high value dog treat that Ziggy would love.<\/p>\n I was thrilled to discover Happy Howie\u2019s<\/a> (on the recommendation of my trainer). They make a variety of natural dog treats, including \u201cgourmet meat rolls<\/a>\u201d (think salami). I purchased three different \u201cflavors\u201d of the gourmet meat rolls \u2013 lamb, beef and turkey.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I sliced them up, cut them into little cubes, and became the Pied Piper. Ziggy was working his little tail off, and thrilled about it.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.sassypantsdesign.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/10995775455_c5d96f2b98_funny-dog.jpg” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” alt=”surprised dog face” title_text=”You want me to do WHAT?” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ align=”center”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n You want me to do WHAT???<\/em><\/p>\n (Photo by RPAVICH)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n One day at class, a group of us were standing around, discussing the merits of various dog treats, and I was raving about Happy Howie\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\n Casey, my son, who had just stopped by to watch the class, was barely within earshot. But he caught this part: \u201c\u2026oh, is that the stuff that comes in the roll, like a salami?\u201d When I said, \u201cyes\u201d, he joined in and said, \u201cYeah, the lamb is great!\u201d<\/p>\n With surprise, I asked him, \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n He said, \u201cI made a sandwich with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Now with shock, just to verify, I asked, \u201cYou mean the lamb roll in the refrigerator?\u201d<\/p>\n Casey: \u201cYeah! It was really good!\u201d<\/p>\n After I could breathe again from the laughter spasms in my gut, I explained to him that Happy Howie\u2019s<\/a> is for dogs, not people.<\/p>\nBingo! I hit the motherlode.<\/span><\/h4>\n