Just Some Ramblings & More!

🐕‍🦺DIXIE UPDATE: They say shelter dogs work in 3’s, which is 3 days for a dog to start decompressing, 3 weeks to settle in, and 3 months to feel truly comfortable.

School training is over for Miss Dixie, and she did very well. She learned her simple commands because she is very treat-driven. Sit, lie down, stay, come, leave were all accomplished along with learning with a clicker and listening to my commands. We worked on her fear of people and other dogs in her space. That will always be a work in progress, but she is learning that it’s ok to be around other people and dogs.

By changing to a “no-pull” harness, she walks so much better now. It caused her to keep a closer eye on me, rather than other distractions. I am also training her with a clicker to let her know that when she hears the sound, there will be a treat. If I see a distraction coming while we are walking, I will push the clicker, and she will turn to get a treat. She always sits before I give them to her. I use training treats because they are very flavorful and small. I recently found these bacon-flavored treats for training, too.

Dogs need to learn that they are not in charge to be happy. Even with Dixie being an older dog, she is smart. She doesn’t want me to know she is smart, but she is. She still REFUSES to learn to shake.

I hope she will overcome all her fears that haunt her. But if she ends up just being a lap dog and loves her walks, then life is good. Not every dog can be trained from bad experiences in life. All I know is she is living a great life compared to what could’ve happened if no one had adopted her.

Remember, when it comes to training a dog, practice really works. Just a few minutes each day will make a big difference.

🍳EASY BAKED CHICKEN: Cover a baking sheet with foil. Add chicken tenders, or chicken breasts that have been sliced in half the long way. Generously brush each piece of chicken with Ken’s Steakhouse Honey Mustard salad dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add some dried basil leaves, and sprinkle them on top of the tenders. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F. Let it sit for a few minutes before slicing. Make extra for salads, tacos, or casseroles.

🚌 FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS: Why is a school bus yellow? What is the fear of going to school called? School bus yellow, the iconic color of school buses, was formulated and adopted in 1939 for maximum visibility for drivers and pedestrians. The fear of school is called Didaskaleinophobia, which affects 5% of all children.

IN CLOSING: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone – Romans 12:18