Some Tricks for Making HOWLaween a Real Treat!

The weather's cooling down, the leaves are changing color, and supermarkets have tripled the space allocated to candy. This can only mean one thing: HOWLaween is just around the corner!

I recently shared some of my top tips for a fun & safe HOWLiday for your fur kids with The Denver Post, but the information is pertinent... and important... for canines all across the country. Here's a link to the online artcle so you can read all about it!

Pumpkin Patch Dog Biscuits

Here's an easy-to-prepare, healthy & yummy treat that's ideal for your trick or treating Tailwagger! Preparation time is less than 10 minutes, and most of the ingredients are probably already in your cupboard or refrigerator.

• 1-1/2 C whole wheat flour
• 4 tbsp butter flavored Crisco
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 C canned pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1/2 C buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400. Combine all dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Mix egg with milk and pumpkin, then combine with flour mixture. Stir until soft dough forms. Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool before serving. Store in airtight container.

So You Think You Can Dance?

In response to the many who e-mailed asking "what is freestyling?" that was mentioned in my post of January 1, it is a fun and relatively easy sport that that combines music, dancing, and a few basic obedience commands for poochy parents and pals.

For one of the absolute BEST routines ever, click here (and get ready to smile!).

Don't be intimidated by what you see... it takes lots of practice and patience to get that level of teamwork between Carolyn Scott and Rookie down pat. 15 years in their case!

Begin by teaching your fur friend 3-4 different "tricks" WITHOUT the music. You can get him or her to weave through your legs, spin in a circle, and even back up by luring with a favorite treat (hint: keep the treats small or you'll have a ballooning bow-wow!) and a consistent command (such as "weave", "spin", "back"). The all important "bow" at the conclusion of the routine is always a big crowd pleaser!

Once the two of you have reliably mastered the tricks, select a piece of music to work them into. Make it a short piece... and don't be afraid to repeat the tricks a number of times throughout.

For those of you who have two left feet (like your dog... and me!), don't try incorporating any fancy shmancy moves. But be sure to add in a few extra twirls of your own so the tailwagger isn't doing all of the work!

There are canine freestyle clubs across the United States... and even the world... but even if you don't have one near you or don't want to compete, it's a great way to spend time with your favorite fur baby!