Dogward Bound! Merryspring Nature Center - Camden, Maine

Located just off Route One headed toward Camden, Maine, is a 66-acre, privately owned park known as the Merryspring Nature Center. Though I've grown up in this area, I had no idea of the existence of the Center until someone mentioned it in passing when I said I was looking for new places to take the pups. Barely a mile down a well-traveled side road just behind the Camden Hannaford shopping plaza, I found just that place. Though it was a warm, sunny Sunday when I arrived, there were only two cars in the limited parking spaces off to the side of the road. Park hours are listed as sunrise to sunset, trails are well-groomed and dog-friendly, and wildlife is abundant. Hooray for the fun of a new place to discover!

The Center is comprised of an entire network of trails, several well-kept gardens, picnic areas, and an open meadow in which dogs can roam free. Dogs are required to be on-leash in all other areas of the park, and there are a couple of places where they are not permitted. These include the central office and gardens and a children's garden just to the back of the office. All areas are clearly marked, so there's no question as to protocol when you're moving from site to site.

On this particular Sunday, there was only one pup - a handsome golden retriever - happily playing fetch with his people in the "dog meadow." I ran into a couple of mountain bikers on one of the trails, but otherwise seemed to be on my own for the majority of my time at the Center. Of course, it's early in the season yet; I'll be sure to update my blog as the summer wears on, to see just how busy this dog-friendly oasis becomes.

Though Merryspring charges no visitation fee, regular pup-visitors are encouraged to become "Merry Dogs." The fee for this is $35 for one dog or $50 for the multi-dog household, and helps to support upkeep of the grounds. I just sent off my check for Killian and Adia, as I expect we'll be regulars there in no time! Though the Center does not have an extensive off-leash area and there are a number of places where pups are not allowed to roam, I would still recommend this as a great spot for an afternoon of hiking and pup-friendly revelry. Check out the website for more information, or take a jaunt over to the Center and see for yourself. You and your pups will be happy you did!

Cinema Saturday: Dogs and Bears

EnvironMental Monday. The Case of the Mad Pooper

In Dog Star Daily recently, there was a great article about how to properly dispose of your pooch's hazardous waste. And while EnvironMental Monday is typically about your home and immediate environs, it seems to me that there's nothing more pertinent to the world around us than the waste we put in it.

There is no dog park where I live, however there is a fairly extensive cemetery where many of the neighborhood pups go for their daily constitutional. I've always tried to be a considerate dog owner, cleaning up after my pups whenever we hit the mean streets or the quiet side lanes. After a bit of research, I've learned that such clean-up is about more than simply keeping the sidewalks clean. According to the Dog Star Daily article and some supplemental research I've been doing, canine feces has a wealth of micro-bacteria that are downright dangerous for the environment, and can pose serious health concerns if the poo leaches into groundwater. Check out the aforementioned article for some great tips on how to dispose properly of your dog's waste; I've actually just ordered a Doggie Dooley Pet Waste Digester myself, and I don't think I've been this excited about mail-order since my last Patricia McConnell shopping spree.

Unfortunately, however, not everyone reads Dog Star Daily. Despite having plastic baggies at our disposal, there are a few negligent dog owners sharing cemetery space here in Thomaston. One of my dog-walking neighbors has a ten-year-old daughter who has become slightly obsessed with the subject - she's a little like the Harriet the Spy of junior dog owners. She has nicknamed the worst offender the Mad Pooper, and apparently stalked me for some time before we actually met, convinced that it was I. Once she realized that I was not, in fact, the Mad Pooper, she turned her attention to others who frequent the "park." I have actually seen a few people there who turn a blind eye when their pups are squatting - one who even walked away while his dog defecated ON a gravestone! While I typically have a hard time making waves and don't want to upset anyone, even I feel that something has to be done. A woman whose young son is buried in the cemetery often writes letters to the editor of our local paper, pleading with dog owners to clean up after their pooping pooches.

So, how is it in this day and age that dog owners who otherwise appear very intelligent, can be so ignorant when it comes to a matter affecting not merely aesthetics, but the physical health of others? Are they really that callous, or merely uninformed? Now that I understand more about the potential health consequences of a poo-infested public space, I feel more equipped to talk to others when I see them walking without that all-important plastic baggie. With a little effort and some much-needed education, maybe we can eradicate the Mad Poopers among us.

Cinema Saturday: Cat Versus Puppy

Thursday's Nutrition Beat: Stocking the Kitchen for Canine Health

If you've ever entertained the notion of making homemade meals for your pooch, you may have been dissuaded once you read a little bit on the subject. It can be overwhelming; in fact, there are still definitely times that I question my own sanity - particularly when I'm in the checkout line at the grocery store, with a few items for myself and a whole parcel for the pups. That feeling goes away when I not only see how healthy Adia and Killian are, but further when I know exactly what is going into their furry bellies each day. A little peace of mind goes a long way, in my book.

At any rate, if you're just starting out or would simply like to give the whole homemade food thing a try, here are a few items that you should always have on hand.

(1) Brown rice. There is some debate as to how great a percentage of carbohydrates are actually necessary for a dog's diet. I tend to stick somewhere in between extremes on both sides, with about 30-percent of my pups' total caloric intake. Brown rice is fairly affordable, easy to prepare, and highly digestible. FYI, white rice is not a good alternative, as it is difficult for dogs to digest.

(2) Veggies! Carrots, celery, yellow squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas... you get the idea. All of the above are super for your dog, as long as they are well-cooked. In the wild, dogs got their fruits and vegetables by eating the digested remains of whatever was in their prey's stomach. For that reason, dogs do not have the ability to digest raw fruits or vegetables (or carbohydrates, for that matter). An apple or carrot from the fridge isn't a problem, but anything beyond that may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation. Cut veggies into small pieces, boil in chicken broth, and add to your pup's daily portions. Remember, any change in diet should be done gradually; always introduce new foods in increments over the course of a couple of weeks.

(3) Quinoa or millet. These can be found at most health food stores, or in the health aisle of many supermarkets. Cook up the same way you would brown rice, and use as a tasty base for your dog's food. Both quinoa and millet are a little more expensive than brown rice; often, I'll mix a cup of cooked quinoa in with a couple of cups brown rice to change the texture and give a little variety to the evening meal.

(4) Meat. While there are many folks out there who believe dogs are just fine living as vegetarians, I am not one of them. For me, it is not as much about health as it is outlook... I am a vegetarian, and I am strongly opposed to the methods used by commercial farmers in raising and butchering livestock. But my dogs don't know about that stuff - they just know they really, really like meat. I compromise by using only free-range, organic meats sold at the local co-op. By doing so, I'm not only supporting local, organic farmers, but I'm able to provide the pups with a wide variety of choices: wild turkey, lamb, chicken, fish... They can devour every morsel, and my conscience is clear at the end of the day.

(5) Legumes. Black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and lentils are all great protein sources for your dog. Because meat is expensive, I supplement my pups' nightly protein rations with legumes - usually lentils, because they take the least amount of time to cook, and are pretty inexpensive. Make sure to cook properly and for a long enough period of time, in order to avoid gaseous upset (which isn't fun for your dog or you).

(6) Tofu. Whether or not your dogs are vegetarians, tofu is another great, relatively inexpensive source of protein. It's easy to prepare, and soy has excellent health benefits for dogs. As with the legumes, I typically will cook up some tofu with whatever meat I'm preparing in order to supplement the meal's protein requirement.

(7) Eggs. Oh, how we love them. Eggs are the only 100-percent digestible protein out there for your dogs. I'll often add a raw egg to a finished meal, or will boil up a couple of them when I'm low on other sources of protein. They do wonderful things for your pup's coat, aid in digestion, and are high in both vitamins and minerals.

If you'd just like to start your pup on a more healthful path but don't feel like you can commit whole-hog, try simply adding some homemade bits and pieces to your dog's kibble each day. The standard dog foods have plenty of carbs in there, so don't worry about adding rice or quinoa or anything along those lines just now. Instead, try cooking up some veggies and meat and adding a bit at each meal. Start with just a couple of tablespoons, gradually building up until you're doing a mix of half kibble/ half homemade. Before long, you'll see the difference in your pup's health, coat, and attitude.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to check in for next Thursday's Nutrition Beat, when I'll show you how to create a kitchen herb garden that you and your four-legged friends will love.

Training Tuesday. Using Treats As an Effective Training Tool

Recently, I've heard a few somewhat disturbing comments regarding the misconceptions of using food in dog training. Because I've been working with dogs for a while now, I think I just assumed that using food to reinforce good behavior was standard practice. No one really thinks it's "bribery" anymore, right? Or that you're somehow spoiling the dog by rewarding good behavior? Well... Sadly, that seems not to be the case. Here's an excerpt from a dog training website I stumbled upon recently: "Be forewarned, the words 'Positive Reinforcement, Luring and Operant Conditioning' are code for bribing with food." Keep in mind that these folks are APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) members, seem to have a long history of dog training, and have an extensive website with lots and lots of information. Much of that information is misinformation, and I would be very curious to actually see what their methods are for getting the results they promise.

So, here are three common myths for folks opposed to so-called food-based training, and some tips for how you can avoid such pitfalls when you're working with your own pooch.

(1) My dog will only perform if I have treats.

This common idea demonstrates a misunderstanding of the basic premise of positive reinforcement training. On the first go-round when you're teaching your pup to sit - in other words, you are conveying the physical movement involved in sitting down - the treat should be at your dog's nose to "lure" him into position. As soon as he sits, he receives the treat, thus conveying that the word "Sit" means to settle on his haunches. The word now has meaning to him, and by performing that action he is rewarded. By your second lesson, you should start picking and choosing when the dog receives a food reward. If you're doing a round of three sits, give a tasty treat for the first good sit, none for the second, and one for the third. By now, you should not be showing the dog a treat before giving a command. Tell him "Sit," wait until he has done so, and then produce the treat from your pocket and give it to him.

(2) I am giving up my dominant position by rewarding him for good behavior.

The fact of the matter is that dogs respond best to consistency, affection, and clear boundaries. Think of it this way: You probably have a job of some kind, correct? And from that job you derive some kind of income. The equivalent for your pup is two square meals and a roof over his head; that's your pooch's base pay. Now, what happens to you when you get a bonus now and again, or a well-deserved pat on the back? These little extras make you that much more likely to perform well and enjoy the work you're doing. Do you have less respect for your boss after you've received accolades? Are you less likely to go the extra mile? It's no different for dogs. You can train your dog without those little extras, but studies have proven that it slows the learning process and decreases the level of enjoyment (and thus retainment) for the dog.

(3) My dog won't respect me if I use only positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement does not mean your dog never gets feedback when he does something wrong. Every trainer that I've ever heard of - even the ones who are all about positive reinforcement - understands that a dog must get some indication when he does something wrong, in order to avoid making the same mistake twice. For example, my pups Adia and Killian are required to sit and wait at the door until I give the "Let's go" command. When they do it properly, they aren't rewarded with food, but with the pleasure of hitting the pavement (and what's better to a cooped up pup than a walk on the mean streets?) When Adia gets a little too excited and won't sit, or Killian decides he's had enough and rushes the door, their "punishment" is to remove the thing they most want: the walk. I say "Unh-uh" and close the door, and we try again. It isn't stressful for them (or me), and by now they typically settle down after the second try. They respect me just fine, thank you very much, and - because our time together isn't about battling for status, we generally tend to have a blast together.

Whether or not you use treats is, of course, ultimately up to you. But just be aware that a great deal of research has been put into the subject, and most experts agree: a biscuit, triscuit, or tasty golden nugget makes training ever so much simpler for you, and more pleasurable for your pup. And isn't that what it's really all about?

EnvironMental Monday. Spring Cleaning With Dogs

For the past couple of weeks, coming home has been a little less of a pleasure than it once was. I find myself taking the pups and staying over at my mom's place far later than before; morning walks have gotten longer, and I tend to get to work just a little earlier than usual. The reason?

It's shedding season, and my apartment is a scene of true carnage. I have hardwood floors, which technically should make things easier, but my oh my... how the fur does fly. Both Adie and Killian are long-haired dogs, with an uncertain lineage that likely includes Newfoundlands, golden retrievers, and border collies. Killie's hair comes out in great, thick clods, while Adie's is fine and wispy and tends to accumulate behind doors and in darkened corners. This past weekend I decided I couldn't take it anymore, and laid waste to every stray hair, every errant furball I could find. Here's what I learned about de-shedding a shed-upon house:

(1) The Swiffer is a brilliant invention. I've had vacuum cleaners that were supposedly made specifically for pets, but I have yet to find one that's actually all that effective. In my experience, the most thorough way to go is to do a clean sweep first, and then follow up with a Swiffer. I honestly didn't think my floors would ever be that clean again.

(2) I'm not sure what it is about glass that makes it so appealing to pups, but my dogs have licked every single window, mirror, and picture frame within reach. I have no easy fix for this, even though this is supposed to be all about me being an expert in this stuff. Honestly, I'm at a loss. Windex, paper towels, and lots of elbow grease are the only recipe I have to help the sun shine through once more.

(3) Dog beds are your friend. There's something about having a fresh, clean dog bed in the room that - to me - just makes things nicer. It also helps ensure that your pups aren't shedding all over the couch, and makes the atmosphere more pleasant when you just want to hang out. I recommend having a bed in every room you spend time in - I splurged and bought five this weekend, which was pricey. Though I would love to say I go high-end on this stuff, I just don't have the money. If you have a Costco or Sam's Club nearby, that's the way to go. You can get a good bed for about $20 at either place; the covers are removable for easy cleaning, and they last a good, long time (provided, of course, your pup doesn't chew them to pieces).

(4) De-clutter your dog's toy box. For some inexplicable reason, I have a really hard time throwing out my dogs' old toys. It's not as though I have any sentimental attachment to them, but they do pull out that old, decapitated stuffed bear now and again for a game of tug... As a consequence, headless Charlie stays in the toy box, along with a whole slew of other, equally maimed puppy toys. This weekend, I started fresh. I threw out everything but the high-end toys (specifically the Kongs, which we still stuff and use on a daily basis), and paid a visit to the local Goodwill to restock. I picked up a canister of tennis balls for $2 and a whole pile of stuffed toys (no beaded stuffing, and I remove the eyes as soon as I get home to avoid a choking hazard) for $10.

I'm always amazed at how much more content I am in a clean house. My entire outlook changes - making dinner is a pleasure without a sink full of dishes, and bedtime feels almost luxurious with fresh sheets and fluffed pillows. I don't know whether my pups are merely responding to my change of mind, or whether they genuinely prefer things tidy themselves, but either way they seem more at ease at the end of the day. So, if dog fur and window streaks have you feeling down and out, take a day to regain control. A few hours of cleaning can make a world of difference to your state of mind - and that's great news for you and your pup!

Dogward Bound! The Wonder That Is Motel 6

There was an article recently in one of the many dog-related magazines to which I subscribe, all about pet travel. Glossy, full-page photos of pet-friendly hotels were scattered throughout; hotel rooms came equipped with hand-crafted doggie dishes, and there were even menus from room service especially for your canine companion. Which all sounds great, but... Here's the thing: Spending the night in one of these hotels was just slightly less than the gross national product of Namibia. Which is why I'm such a great fan of Motel 6 - the very same one that will "leave the light on for ya."

Motel 6 boasts that it is the "original pet-friendly motel," and I've seen nothing yet that says otherwise. During cross-country treks with my two monsters, Adia and Killian, I've been able to affordably and comfortably spend the night at Motel 6's from Nevada to New Hampshire. They truly do make traveling with pets that much simpler, with no added expense. If you are planning on staying in a Motel 6 - or any pet-friendly hotel/motel, for that matter - here are some tips to keep things running smoothly.

(1) Call ahead! The official policy of Motel 6 is that they will accept one well-behaved dog per room (as long as it is not in violation of local breed-specific legislation), however by calling ahead and giving some specs on my pups, they okay'd me having two in the room. And my guys aren't small - Killian is about eighty pounds, and Adie is forty-five.

(2) Be a considerate pet owner. That means cleaning up after your guys during walks, not leaving your pooches unattended in the room for excessive periods of time (particularly if they're barkers!), and bringing along a crate if your dogs are not well house-trained or are excessive chewers.

(3) Bring toys and treats. Once you're in the room, make sure to have some chewy treats handy for your guys, to keep them from chowing down on the furniture. A stuffed Kong, nyla-bone, or other heavy-duty toy should keep everyone happy and mellow while you recharge before hitting the road once more.

Follow these few simple tips, and you'll be on your way to having a great time exploring the globe with your furry friends.

Blast From the Past: Dogs and Writers

This is actually excerpted from an article I wrote back in 2005, when I was arts editor of the University of Southern Maine Free Press. I was in grad school for Creative Writing at the time, living in an apartment in a bad part of town with my sweet, now dearly departed old Moonshadow. Though my process is a little different with two pups, the sentiment remains the same, and it seems a fitting ode to dear Moon.

It starts out the way any of my writing starts out: I'm pacing the apartment, music blaring, talking to myself, while my giant, nine-year-old mutt Moonshadow looks on. The big dilemma this time out? What's a suitable topic for Lifestyle this issue, since your favorite columnist and mine, Miranda, is taking a well-deserved week off?

Lying on her side, sprawled half-on and half-off of her dog bed, Moon watches me pace. Gauging her reaction, I list possible topics.

"Being an arts editor."

She doesn't blink. She's right: too dull, and far too self-serving. What else do I know?

"Writing."

Moon averts her eyes, clearly pained at the thought.

"The decay of the English language. The decline of education in the face of standardized testing?"

Moon yawns. I've lost her. And then it strikes me: This is my column. Moon, and writing. Writers and dogs.

I shoot off a casual e-mail to my mentor, Lewis Robinson. Lewis has recently rescued Maggie, a sweet old Australian shepherd mix, and so I ask him: How has Maggie changed your routine? Does she help or hinder your writing? Within the hour, I get my response:

"I have to take (Maggie) out four times a day, and while the walks I take her on are endlessly fascinating for her... for me, they're really boring. But it's good for a writer to trudge around. Staring at square after square of sidewalk pavement forces you to clear your head."

Lewis refers me to someone else who might be helpful. Intrigued at his timely and insightful response, I send off another e-mail, this one to all the writers I know. Responses begin coming back almost immediately; some are just one line, some are lengthy diatribes, some are stories, some are poems. Lyman Feero, currently in his second semester of the Creative Writing MFA, writes of a dog that he once had named Grizzly: "Writing is a very solitary business and Griz kept me company... I could always count on him to just sit there and listen as I ran over some plot point or other."

Moon shares similar responsibilities. When I read aloud, she is generally at my feet, listening until I'm finished. She's well-accustomed to my pacing, to the random bursts of music when I'm stumped, to the frenetic schedule and the similarly-minded writer friends who come around. And as for my responsibilities to Moon, the few that there are must be stringently upheld. While Lewis and Maggie have four walks a day, Moon and I are just fine with two - one late in the morning, one in the early evening.

The morning walk is a casual affair, but the evening walk is serious bonding time. It's also the time when I've come up with some of my best story ideas. Every night, no matter what ungodly temperature it might be, Moon and I patrol the neighborhood. When the weather is particularly brutal, I make up scenarios to keep things interesting: I'm a Russian spy, Moon is my tracking hound; I'm a zoologist, Moon's my grizzly bear; the list goes on. Those walks connect me not to the mechanics of being a writer, the act of sitting down in front of a blank computer screen in search of the words, but rather to the essence of what drew me to writing in the first place. They are about imagination, and play, and remembrance that every corner is worth sniffing, every snowbank is there just for the roly-poly pleasure of fresh powder.

So, what is it about writers and dogs that seem innately compatible? From Ernest Hemingway to Alice Walker, there are essays and stories about the ways dogs ground us, reminding us of the need for balance. If writing is, as is often suggested, a quest for meaning and significance in the universe, dogs remind us that there can be meaning, and there can be significance - but there must also be naps and snacks and rolling in the snow.

Cinema Saturday: Carolyn Scott and Rookie

Okay, so I'm slightly obsessed with this video. I've managed to avoid the whole dog dancing craze thus far because it seems, well... a little silly. But then I watched this, and now I'm all about trying to get Adie to do the cha cha. Ah, the power of YouTube.

The Almighty Butt Sniff: What Does It Really Mean to a Dog?

Recently, I was talking with a friend who's been navigating the rocky world of new puppyhood. Her latest addition is a Golden Retriever pup named Buddy, now thirteen weeks old. He's a doll, I must say, and my girl Adie is SMITTEN! Brother Killian, of course, is not the least impressed, but Adia can't get enough of the little guy. Buddy's new parents, Kristen and Dave, are already taking their pooch to group training classes - hooray for responsible owners, I really can't get enough of them!

At any rate, Kristen was telling me last night about an interesting discussion her trainer had regarding dogs and butt sniffing. The gist of the discussion? That a dog who greets another dog by sniffing the behind is rude and looking for trouble. Huh? Because I obviously was not part of the initial conversation and so may very well be taking things out of context, let's shift the focus to the question at hand and away from the very troubling notion that a trainer may be giving complete misinformation to his students.

The question: What does it actually mean when a dog sniffs another dog's hind quarters?

There are a few answers to this question, but that action in and of itself is rarely a bad sign. The one instance in which it may mean trouble is if you have one dog who is tensed (tail up, body rigid, ears back) and is not reciprocating in the sniffing, while the second dog misses those clear cues and continues to sniff. This is a clear boundary violation that may well lead to trouble if someone does not intervene.

With that said, in most cases the "butt sniff" is simply two dogs saying howdy-do to one another. According to www.wagntrain.com, "When watching your dog interact with others, the general rule is to let the dogs decide what is and what isn't appropriate. Butt-sniffing, rough playing, barking in each other's ears, mounting, and other actions that dogs do would not be acceptable in human company, but are perfectly normal dog behavior." You can click here for some great, illustrated tips on reading dog body language. As far as the "butt sniffing" itself goes, it is more likely that the real issue is with the human guardian, not the dogs. The textbook "Teaching Dog Obedience Classes: The Manual for Instructors" has this to say on the subject: "...some people find a dog's method of greeting another dog to be objectionable. They are offended that a dog will sniff the genitals of another dog. When they understand that this is normal greeting behavior, that this is how dogs assess each other's status and stature, the behavior becomes a non-problem." (195-196).

So... Butt-sniffing? Not really a big problem, and certainly not an indicator of aggression or impending doom. There are a number of websites, blogs, books, and videos on the subject of dog body language, if you're interested in learning more. And for every dog owner out there, I truly believe that knowledge is power. There is so much information available on the subject of animal behavior today, and much of it is genuinely fascinating. Pick up THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH, by Dr. Patricia McConnell, read a few blogs, ask questions... You'll have a better understanding of your pooch as a result, you'll be more empowered when you get questionable advice from people supposedly in the know, and you'll have a better behaved dog at the end of the day.

For a little more info on this debate, you can read my mentor's blog post on the very same subject. Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Thursday's Nutrition Beat: Low Cal Treats Your Pudgy Pup Will Love

Yesterday, I talked a little about upping the exercise ante for your pudgy pooch. That is often easier said than done, however, particularly when you have a dog who has become used to the sedentary lifestyle. An overweight dog may find exercise uncomfortable, taxing, or downright painful. Your job as a responsible, loving caregiver, is to turn that around. The best way to do so is often by incorporating food into the exercise regiment. However, you'd be amazed at how calorie-dense many of the commercial doggie-treats are. Here, then, are a few healthful alternatives that will get your pup running for his leash

(1) Reduced fat string cheese. One "bar" is about 70 calories, and most dogs are wild about cheese. Cut it into pea-sized pieces and refrigerate prior to the walk, so that you can grab a handful on the go.

(2) Apples. Yes, that's right... Apples. Unlike carrots or celery (which many dogs are actually nuts about, as well), apples are sweet enough to satisfy most meat-and-potatoes pooches. If you have a dog that is easily food motivated, apples may be just the thing for him. Excise the core and seeds, cut into small pieces, and refrigerate.

(3) Sandwich meats. Oh, the response you'll get. The thing to know about processed sandwich meat is that it's often packed with salt and preservatives. To avoid that, choose an all-natural turkey or chicken from your local deli. As with the other treats, cut into small pieces and refrigerate.

(4) Doggie treats. Rather than using calorie-dense, preservative rich bones, try for a higher quality treat like freeze dried lamb or liver. Pea-sized or a little larger is the most desirable size for training, and will keep the calories to a minimum.

I like to make kind of a doggie-version of GORP for my walks, mixing in apples, deli turkey, string cheese, and high-quality dog treats like freeze-dried lamb. I make a mix with enough for both the morning and evening walk the night before, and keep it in a sealed container. That way, it's a simple matter to just go to the fridge, fill the Treat Tote, and get going.

One final note to keep in mind when you're up against the battle of the bulge: calories definitely do count. Talk to your veterinarian or read this post to find out how to calculate the appropriate calories for your pooch, and remember to factor treats into the daily calorie allocation. Consider replacing breakfast with treats given during walk time in the mornings, and you'll be sure to see results!