I left work early today and drove out to the feed store just on the other side of the city.I was on a hunt for clover to patch up our backyard. I've done a little research, and it seems that clover is the answer to the bare backyard that the dogs have uncovered. The only concern will be when it flowers and the bees come....I sure hope nobody is allergic.....
Apparently, unlike grass, clover doesn't turn yellow from dog pee, it only needs to be mowed about a third of the time, and it's hearty enough to be trampled over non-stop and still keep on growing.
And the best part? Our yard is partially clover anyway...so instead of trying to have one of those perfectly manicured grass only lawns....we have opted for the new motto, "if you can beat 'em".....
While at the feed store I picked up some funny bones for the dogs...no, really the brand was "Funny Bones" and they were smoked humerus....how clever.....
I also decided to give some Halti's a go, so I bought one for Pepai and one for Bandit. I had tried a Halti before on our old spaz of a dog and when I'd get it on him he would turn into the Tasmanian Devil and spin himself around for hours trying to get it off....so I had very little faith that these would be the answer to my prayers, but I thought I'd try them anyway.
Both of the dogs pull when we are walking them. It is exhausting and frustrating to try and teach them because Bandit puts his nose to the ground and completely ignores everything, even telephone poles in his way (kinda funny actually), and Pepai has enough strength to drag a Sumo wrestler around on his belly.
So, I got home and fitted the Halti's onto the dogs. I should have set up the video camera to record this workout. I was in a full body sweat. But I got them on.
So, please picture, for a moment, the scene in my diningroom with Pepai spinning counter-clockwise at a rapid speed, and Bandit spinning clockwise at a comparable rate of speed, and each one rearing and bucking like bulls in a rodeo, trying with all their might to free themselves of this horrible halter....I was caught in the middle, and dug my heels in, and although I was bumped I didn't fall (yay me!).
Pepai did manage to get hers off, so I had to tighten it a little and then we were all set.
I took them to the park first, because they way they were acting, thrashing and stop-drop-rolling, I wasn't about to take them in public. While holding their leashes I cannot really pretend to not know them.....
Anyway, 10 minutes in the park practising sit/stay and letting them figure out that it became uncomfortable to pull so therefore they should act appropriately and it wouldn't be so aggravating....that is all it took.
I then took them on a big walk, where the heat caused them to pant and drool and snort.
I cut the walk shorter than I planned, so that I could get them home for a drink.
But it was awesome.
I would even attempt two dogs and a toddler in a wagon....yes...they Halti's were THAT awesome.
Next order of business. Time to rake and seed the yard. I should probably take some before and after pictures, because I'm sure there will be a huge transformation!
Thanks for checking in.
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