Our pups give us so much to be thankful for, so we’re dedicating this slice of November to them. Learn some tips, try a recipe, and turn up the love for #Dogsgiving!
Teach your dog dining etiquette
Whether they’re eating their own food or eyeing yours, it’s important for your dog to have good table manners. Professional dog trainer, Erika Gonzalez of From Dusk Till Dog, shares her tips for teaching your dog proper etiquette during mealtimes.
Slow your dog’s eating
Spreading your dog’s feeding time over a longer period has the benefit of settling their stomach and giving them mental stimulation while they chow down. There are a lot of supplies that can help, like feeding puzzles and snuffle mats.
Teach your dog how to behave when you’re eating
Does your dog crowd you as soon as you sit down with food? Start by training them just by sitting in a chair without any food. Reward them soon after you sit down so they know that doing nothing in this situation is a good thing.
Teach your dog to ignore food
Start adding distractions like a bag of food that crinkles. Make a lot of noise while you grab the food. Reward them for staying in place. Once they’ve mastered this section, move on to a more “realistic” scenario like sitting on the couch.
Once you’ve put in the work of training your dog to have good manners, they’ll have another great trait for you to be thankful for!
Feast mode: dog-friendly recipes
Why shouldn’t your dog enjoy an extra special meal around Thanksgiving, too? These homemade recipes can be whipped up with just a few ingredients, easy as pie. Nothing says “thank you” like a full stomach!
Turkey woof loaf
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 cup oats
- 2 eggs
- 3 hard-boiled eggs
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. In a bowl, mix together the lean ground turkey, chopped carrots, and peas. Both are healthy for cats and dogs, giving them the nutrition they need for strong eyes and good digestion.
- Add the oats and eggs. Mix until the loaf mixture comes together. Oats help your pet’s coat shine, and eggs offer extra protein. Lightly grease a loaf pan with olive oil and then add half the mixture to the pan.
- Place the three hard-boiled eggs along the center of the loaf and then cover with the other half of the ground turkey mixture. Pop in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
- Cut a half-inch slice from the cooled loaf and feed to your pup. They’ll be woofing for more turkey time!
Pup peanut butter cake
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/4 cup applesauce unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons honey
*Safety tip: Make sure the peanut butter you use is safe for dogs. Some peanut butter contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is poisonous for dogs.
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 6-inch round cake pan (or a 9×5-inch bread pan) with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Stir flour, baking soda, baking powder, peanut butter, oil, applesauce, egg, and honey. Pour into pans. Bake 20-30 minutes, until browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Pro tip: Is your dog a foodie? Put it to use with training! High-value treats are a great reward for helping your dog learn new cues
Share on social
Sharing is caring (If on mobile, press + hold to save image). Celebrate #Dogsgiving on social to get the word out and spread the love for our dogs.
7 days of #Dogsgiving
It’s the little things that count
What’s your dog thankful for?
“Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts” – Unknown
What about your dog are you thankful for?
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Unknown
Be sure to follow @embarkvet on Facebook and Instagram for more fun discoveries. Give thanks!
