Rottweilers Ate My Laptop

Rottweilers. Computers. Cameras. World Domination. Not necessarily in that order.

Rottweilers.
Computers. Cameras.
World Domination.
Not necessarily in that order.

Rewards: favorite commercial dog training treats

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You read earlier this week about how I’m trying to switch off more between food, toy, activity, and praise rewards during dog training. Here are some more details about the food treats I’m using.

I’ve mentioned before that I usually prefer to use “people food” for my dog training treats. I am still using cut-up string cheese, SPAM, and frozen meatballs. But on really hot days, it’s nice to have something that doesn’t melt, squish, or disintegrate in your pocket. Sorry, once again I do not mean to gross you out!

The dogs have three favorite low-calorie natural commercial treats, and I’m currently using two of them for training. I reviewed the third type, Pet Botanics Healthy Omega treats earlier this year. Although they are still a favorite, I’m not using them for training right now simply because they are chewier and harder to break into smaller pieces, making them less suitable for rapid delivery of treats for some of the things we’re doing right now.

I have given up trying to keep Oliver Kittyweiler out of any dog treat home photo shoots. At least he adds some perspective, so you can see the small size of the treats.
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WellBites conspiracy over?

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They’re back! I can once again buy Wellness WellBites in the Chicken and Venison variety at the Pet Supplies Plus closest to the house!

As you may recall, I was convinced there was a conspiracy to keep that flavor, the favorite one to both Freya and Axel, out of my hands. Or at least force me to drive a few miles farther to buy it. Why, I don’t know. I didn’t think we were that important in the big picture of conspiracies.

I never did find out why they were not being stocked in my neighborhood store for the last several months. Freya and Axel do like the other flavor varieties, but the Chicken & Venison is a clear favorite. So I’m glad to see them back, whatever the reason!

(NaBloPoMo | July ’10: 25 of 31)

There IS a conspiracy!

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I finally made it over to Sports Authority this evening to pick up some cheap soccer cones to add to our rally obedience practice items. So instead of stopping at the Pet Supplies Plus in my neighborhood, I stopped at the one across the street from Sports Authority.

Apparently there really is a conspiracy to keep Freya’s and Axe’s favorite WellBites flavor out of Norwood Park! There were plenty of Chicken & Venison flavor, and in fact all five flavors, of WellBites at this store.

Hmmm. What is going on?

(NaBloPoMo | April ’10: 28 of 30)

Is someone watching me at the checkout?

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My husband and I have long suspected a conspiracy theory at our local Jewel supermarket. We think they decide what items to stop carrying by secretly gathering data from our Preferred Card purchases. I am sure that Jewel tracks regional purchasing trends, and maybe store-specific trends, and almost definitely uses the data to target advertising mailings. But if they are not intentionally trying to annoy us, then why is that they have stopped carrying several of my personal favorite Lean Cuisine frozen meals and Dan’s favorite varieties of frozen pizza? These are not weird meals like Squid Super Surprise, or pizza toppings eaten only in California either. So I have no choice but to believe it is intentional. Right HERE, Jewel.

This is obviously pretty minor on the scale of stress-causing life happenings. However, it is not good to see that the effects have spread to a different store and a different item. This one is earth-shattering because it involves… dog treats.

On my last few trips to our local Pet Supplies Plus, which is located in the same mall as the aforementioned Jewel (coincidence? I think not), they didn’t have any Wellness WellBites Chicken & Venison treats. Of the five flavors available, that is the one that Freya and Axe like the best. When I first noticed it about a month ago, I just assumed they were sold out, since stock was also low on the other four varieties. Yesterday I once again ended up buying their second-favorite flavor (if you’re wondering, Chicken & Lamb). I’ll need to check into this. The Wellness website doesn’t indicate anything about discontinuing or recalling the Chicken & Venison treats. I haven’t yet checked at any of the other nearby pet supply stores.

So, is this part of the same conspiracy that the Jewel folks are involved in? Or do all the other dogs in Norwood Park have a preference for the same type of treat, and are their moms and dads hoarding them?

What do you think (other than that I’ve obviously gone off the deep end)?

(NaBloPoMo | March ’10: 8 of 31)