After our ol’ farm dog passed last fall it was a lengthy discussion about getting a new dog. Our hearts just weren’t ready after losing one of our family members, but a farm is not a farm without a farm dog.

This spring we finally stumbled across some free yellow lab and golden retriever mixed puppies nearby and fell in love with the adorable little fella we now call “Filson”

BUT, Filson has turned out to be quite a handful and he’s not very little any more. After 16 years of heavenly bliss with our previous well-trained dog our memories had faded about the time and energy that goes into training a new puppy. And apparently our dog training skills were more than a bit rusty.

Our new pup Filson follows his nose. He roams past his 20-acre farm border and thinks nothing of the farmer’s shouts calling him home. He gets so excited when our friends stop by and jumps, licks–or rather slobbers–all over anyone who comes near him.

Filson enjoys a mean boxing match with the cats, challenging a 900-pound pig at the feed trough and playing chase with the new calves. If Filson isn’t causing mischief he hasn’t a clue what to do with his boundless energy.

We called for an expert to train us on how best to train the dog. I say, the expert is training us because training a dog has to first start with the trainer/owner having the knowledge to know how to properly train the dog.

We’ve learned a lot in a short time. NEVER yell or scold your dog when he runs into the neighbor’s field and refuses to obey the word “come” when he FINALLY does return. As ridiculous as it sounds, you must praise your dog when he comes back to you in a very pleasant, preferably high-pitched tone of voice (without a touch of anger seeping through) when he FINALLY returns to your calls and the commanding word “come.”

It makes sense once you consider the dog’s point of view. Angry farmer yelling come. Angry farmer is going to spank my butt or chain me up when I return. Hmmm…Dog thinks and considers his options…not a pleasant thing to come so I won’t do it. Roaming the neighbor’s field, swimming in the pond or chasing the scent of deer sounds much more interesting.

Then there is the command of “leave it,” which in a dog’s view means I don’t get to eat that yummy hotdog sitting on the picnic bench or sit and gnaw at a disgusting dried up cow-patty. Both of which any farm dog loves. So, the farmer had to learn. If you take away you must also giveth.

If your dog does “leave it” as told, reward them with something equally as delicious once they have sat for a while and left the item alone. Filson learned this in just one day. Hold a piece of meat or cheese in your hand. Let the dog sniff it. Then close your fist and say, “Leave it.” Each time he sniffs, licks or tries to get the food repeat the words “leave it.”

Once he has left it alone then swing your arm to the right side and open your palm to allow the dog to have the treat. Praise him and pet him. He has done a good job. Lengthen the time gradually that you make your dog wait to receive the treat. By day three, after practicing this a couple dozen times per day, Filson was able to leave a juicy piece of meat on the ground between his paws until I picked it up and gave it to him. Of course, he hasn’t mastered what to do if I walk into another room yet…he gobbles it right up.

Filson can now sit, lay down, roll over and is working on containing his excitement when visitors stop by. Training a new farm dog is all about patience and taking the time to work several times per day on each new lesson. Praise the dog when he does well and he will learn quickly. When he doesn’t obey, just simply say, “wrong” in a stern voice and try again.

Only work with the dog about 15-30 minutes at a time. They grow restless and it is best to enjoy a little fetch or another playtime activity with them instead. Give them a rest and try again when the dog is more focused.

Dogs are loyal and eager to please their owners…even if their owners have to call experts in to train them to train their new dog. Eventually we will fall into the heavenly blissful relationship we shared with our previous black lab for so many years.

Wish Bone…RIP ol’  buddy. You sure were a great dog!

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I wished I could grow bananas in our forever cloudy, rainy climate. I once grew chocolate from special chocolate trees and my chocolate harvest was so bountiful I had to use a tractor bucket to haul it to the farmhouse–but then I awoke from my dream.

Yep, I still have to enter a grocery store once in a while to purchase a few necessities (like chocolate).  However, I have begun asking plenty of questions and my list of acceptable companies and food products is growing shorter. You would be amazed at the number of items you eat daily that contain some sort of GMO crop in its ingredient list without your knowledge–thus the need for GMO labeling. Support it whenever you can.

Until then, be wary and wise.  Shop with care and ask questions. Stop buying GMO food products and the companies making the product will be forced to purchase NON-GMO crop ingredients if they want to continue selling to Americans who want healthy food.  Until our country forces companies to inform shoppers what they are purchasing through proper GMO labeling, you might try the link below.

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