The basics

• Food: just under 1 cup in the a.m. and in the evening
• Outdoor time / Walks 2-3 times / day
• Smart, but not around cars & intersections
• Food is your friend.

Play

• Favorite play is retreiving.
• If you play fetch with a stick, make sure to throw sticks far enough or in a different direction so she doesn’t catch up to it and get injured.
• Children sometimes get excited and hold sticks high above their heads. She may jump to get the stick and inadvertently scratch the child (or adult). Instruct children to hold items low or be prepared to be jumped on. He may growl during play but it’s just for fun.

Other dogs

• She is intact.
• She is friendly with other dogs, but can be a bit intimidated.

Food & Water

• 80% of a cup in the morning and in the evening. We are casual with exact feeding times – he always seems hungry no matter when we feed him! Breakfast is usually between 7 and 9 am, and dinner is between 5 and 7 pm.
• Treats are earned, like for doing tricks.
• Say “Gentle” if needed
• Water as needed. Keep some in the bowl at all times.

Food Begging

• She has learned that people food is better.
• Do not feel compelled to give her anything, but we give bites and scraps such as salmon skin, so he’s conditioned to think of human meals as opportunities. He’s also happy to help with the dishes.

Bathroom

• When we are at home, she tends to get out several times a day. She tends to goes in discrete areas – bushes etc. not in the lawn or near the house.
• She will go out as many times as you will take him if it is not raining, so the above is more of a guideline.
• She doesn’t like the rain and may refuse a walk.
• If she needs to go out, she may go to the door or just fuss a bit.

Sleeping

• Loves her crate
• She sleeps wherever (usually in our bedroom, on our bed, or on the floor). If he hops on the bed
• Not allowed on furniture unless invited and on a blanket.

Silly Pet Tricks

• Sit
• Stay (he’s not a star at this)
• Lie down
• Leave it
• Up up – to get in a car,
• Spin left, right, other way
• Fetch / Hand
• Recycle
• Wait
• Back up
• “Dinner, dinner dinner!!!” – it’s time to eat
• “Check your bowl!” – there’s something in the food bowl
• Get in the back
• Roll over – best to get him to lie down first
• Play dead / Bang
• High five – best to get him to sit first
• Other high five – switch the hand that is giving the high five
• Double high five / Do the wave
• Speak
• Do a trick – any trick…
• Do a different trick – must do a different trick for credit!

Medical

• Vet:  https://lvvsonline.com/our-veterinary-team/