Inspiration Corner — Pam Fox and Bella We are amazed by the positive attitude and fortitude of Pam Fox. Pam and her dog Bella have been soul sisters since Pam adopted Bella in July 2016. At that time, Bella had a cancerous mass on her neck. Pam dedicated much of her time and resources
taking Bella to Med-Vet in Columbus five days a week for four weeks for cancer treatments. Thanks to Pam’s selflessness and dedication, Bella has been cancer-free for five years and three months! But Pam says that it is really Bella who saved her. Last year, Pam and Bella were attacked by another dog and both suffered serious injuries with lasting complications. Pam says that having Bella by her side through her recovery from that incident is what gets her through.
Training Your Dog Using Treats
The Right Way
Although Pam and Bella developed a new-found anxiety around other dogs after the attack, they have leaned on each other to overcome their fears. Pam has always loved all dogs, and before the attack, Bella was a social butterfly in the dog park. Supporting each other, Pam and Bella work together to get outside of their comfort zones and back to saying hello to every dog in their neighborhood.
One of the best things about having a dog is training them to do all sorts of cool tricks. Whether you want them to sit, stay, roll over, or speak, one of the best ways to train your dog is to use treats. Recently, people have begun to wonder if treats are really the best way, though. Some say they undermine the dog’s learning process. The first thing you need to understand is that using treats and food while training your dog is quite effective because they’re innately motivated by these. Yet, one potential drawback is that the treat can be merely a bribe to get your dog to participate in training. This can be true depending on how you utilize the treat. If you show the dog the treat before stating the command, then they know they will get the treat if they do it. This isn’t as effective as using the food or treat as payment for doing the requested action. The best practice is to keep the treats out of sight until the dog has completed the command. Keep it in a pocket or on the counter. When you begin training your dog on a new command, it’s okay to “pay” them a treat or piece of kibble every time. After they get the hang of the trick, start giving them the treats at random intervals. This teaches them to listen to you with or without using treats, but you do have to continue using treats intermittently. If you stop rewarding your dog altogether, they will stop responding to the command. Many different treats are effective in training your dog. You can try using their kibble, but some dogs will grow bored of this quickly. Instead, use soft and healthy treats so they can eat them quickly and continue with their learning. Training your dog is an incredibly rewarding experience. Like people, every dog is different, so you need to find the best way to encourage your dog to complete its training. If they aren’t responding to treats, you can always try enticing them with toys instead.
Bella and Pam are fighters who don’t take anything for granted. They appreciate and live every day to the fullest.
One of Pam’s favorite quotes is by Corrie Ten Boom: “When a train goes though a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS • 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour • 2 large eggs • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin • 2 tbsp peanut butter • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tsp water, or more if necessary These treats are not only tasty, but healthy too! You can roll the dough out and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter or save time by cutting them into squares before baking. Pumpkin is a great source of nutrients and fiber for dogs. The staff at the Humane Society adds pumpkin to the dog food for its residents!
1. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). 2. Combine flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir with a spatula until combined. 3. Transfer mixture to a work surface and work it with your hands until mixture starts to come together. Add 1 tsp water at a time (only if needed) to help make the dough workable, but don’t add too much as it should be dry and stiff. 4. Roll the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and transfer to a baking sheet. 5. Bake until dog treats are golden brown and crunchy, about 40 minutes. Let cool before serving to your dog.
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