You can't teach an old dog new tricks~

There is an English idiom, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". From idioms.thefreedictionary.com it defines it as

# something that you say which means it is difficult to make someone change the way they do something when they have been doing it the same way for a long time #

I used to hear it a lot from people, when they give up in training older staff or the staff who works in the same company for few years. I couldn't understand the essence of the idiom until recently.

Coco is now 7 years-old. It's unbelievable that I have a dog, and she brings so much of happiness to my family. In her growing, she learns very fast, I just need to speak to her, and she understands well.

Those that she has learned, she remembers, even though some are not applicable anymore.

Coco usually showered and got dry in the same toilet where she showered. Due to my parents' maid just went back to her home country for holiday, my mom showered Coco. Mom tried to get her out from toilet to dry her at the kitchen. She refused, she wanted to get dry at the usual place.

Coco has her seat at our dining area. It is difficult to switch her to other seat. She would stand there and look at you, indirectly "telling" you that she wants her seat.

Coco has her sleeping hour and the room to sleep. There was once we travelled for an uncle funeral. We have got a cousin to come over to take care of Coco. Coco barked at her at 10pm that she wanted to sleep. My cousin switch on the air-condition for her, and she came down from the room to living room. Coco couldn't finish. She came down from the room and barked at my cousin again, "telling" her that it's time to sleep, my cousin should go to sleep with her.

Her habit is developed and she is following her routine. It's not easy for her to change now~

Coco, my lovely girl

Dog Philosophy

I have read about dog philosophy in one of the doggie book. But I have forgotten most of it, and I recall now. Thanks to Dogwork.com.

It's happiest always to see my dog Coco. I do not know where she learns these dog philosophy, but she practices them!!

So, what if we practice their rules? I agree with Dogwork.com that we will be happier person, coz they are much simpler. They fight for food and happiness ONLY.

Dog Philosophy from Dogwork.com:

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run and greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, always practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6.Take naps and always stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you're not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
13. Delight in the simple joys of a long walk.
14. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
15. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
16. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
17. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
18. No matter how often you are criticized, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.

Another Dog Treat Recipe

As per the previous two dog treats recipes, this recipe is also come from gourmetslueth

Bacon Flavored Dog Biscuit Treats

Homemade dog treats are fun to make and healthier than many of the store-bought versions.Homemade dog treats are fun to make and healthier than many of the store-bought versions.

Submitted By: Santa Clara County Humane Society

Yield: 40 Treats

Ingredients

5 cups Whole wheat flour
1 cup Milk
2 Eggs
10 tablespoon Vegetable oil or bacon fat
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Cold water
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil to grease pan

(I removed the garlic/onion powder from the ingredient)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients well. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll them into two-inch balls. Bake biscuits at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Let them cool, then store in an airtight container.
Originally from the Humane Society of Santa Clare Co., Santa Clara, CA.

More More...of Dog Treat Recipe

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Cheesy Dog Biscuit Treats

Homemade dog treats are fun to make and healthier than many of the store-bought versions.

Submitted By: Community

Yield: 8 Dozen Small Treats

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats (such as Quaker)
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup Boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons chicken or beef flavored instant bouillon
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 - 3 cups whole wheat flour.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.

In large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine and boiling water; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, cheese and egg; mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough.

On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2 inch thickness, cut with bone shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes on until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3 1/2 dozen large dog biscuits or 8 dozen small dog biscuits.

Basic Dog Treat Recipe

I found a dog treat recipe from Gourmetsleuth that I am gonna try it out. It looks good..

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photo by: gourmetsleuth.com

Basic Yeast Dog Treats

This very basic dog treat contains whole grain and all-purpose flour as well as cornmeal. The flavoring comes from chicken or beef broth so the better the quality the better the flavor. Because we use yeast we get a nice, tall puffy treat.

Yield: Approximately 4 dozen 3" treats

Ingredients

3 1/2 cup all-purpose (or unbleached) flour
2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup skim milk powder
1 tablespoon (or 1 package) dry yeast
3 1/2 cups lukewarm chicken or meat broth (about 2- 15oz cans)

1 egg beaten with about 2 tablespoons water (for egg wash)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.

Mix together all dry ingredients.

Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm chicken or meat broth. Let yeast broth mixture set 10 min. Then stir in flour mixture until a soft dough is formed. If the dough is too sticky you can add more flour.

Roll resulting dough out 1/4" thick. Cut dog biscuit shapes from dough. Put scraps back in bowl and re-roll out until all dough is used.

Brush biscuits with egg wash. Bake on greased cookie sheets at 300* for 45 min. Then turn off oven and leave in overnight to finish hardening.

Makes 60 medium-sized biscuits**


**Recipe Note
We used 3" medium dog-bone cookie cutters as well as a few 3" dog paws and fire hydrants. We made about 4 dozen treats. Additionally, we did not use the egg wash in the batch we photographed.


basic yeast dog treats - image by gourmetsleuth.com


Storing Dog Treats
In general you should store dog treats the same way you would homemade people cookies. That being said, there are two main variables that determine storage time - the amount and type of fat in the recipe and your local weather conditions. If your recipe uses fats such as butter, or meat bits or juices then it will be more prone to rancidity than a recipe that uses some vegetable oil or shortening. Your treats may mold or spoil much faster in humid or very hot climates.

Refrigeration and Freezing - Refrigeration will prolong the life of more fragile dog treats. Make sure to store in a tightly sealed container or zip lock bag. You can also freeze most treats in zip lock freezer bags. Allow to thaw completely before use.

Coco's Birthday Preparation

My beloved daughter, Coco's birthday is coming soon, on 10th July!! She is turning 2 yrs old!

I have been thinking what cake to make her. I have now decided to make her apple cake since she loves apple. I found quite a good recipe online, from seefido. Why I say it good? It contained better ingredients that do not hurt doggie, and less oily.

I can't wait to make the cake...

Dog Apple Cake Recipe

Ingredients2 cups of all purpose flour
½ cup of oats2 teaspoon of baking powder
2 and ½ teaspoons of cinnamon powder
6 tablespoons of canola oil
½ cup of molasses
1 and ½ cups of applesauce, unsweetened
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 apple, core and chopped

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Oil and flour a 13 X 9 inch baking pan.
3. In a bowl mix the flour, baking powder, oats, and cinnamon together, then set it on the side. In a separate big bowl mix the oil, molasses, applesauce, egg and vanilla together. Then put both mixtures together until you obtain a smooth batter. Finally fold in the chopped apple.
4. Evenly spread the batter out over the pan. Put it in the oven and bake it for 25 to 30 minutes or until when poking a wooden pick in it, it comes out clean. Then cut the cake into the amount of pieces you want.
5. Allow it to cool completely before serving it out.

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for no more than 4 days, or wrap in freezer wrap and keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Serves 20 to 24 cake servings.