Dogs are an integral part of the family and require similar attention to that of a toddler. Training a dog can be challenging at first, but it’s essential to be consistent with your messaging to ensure a happy and well-behaved furry friend. When Kudo was a puppy, his training required daily and intense effort. However, now that he’s grown a bit older, Kudo’s routines are like clockwork.
Before Kudo was diagnosed with cancer, his diet was less strict; Kudo would eat kibble with homemade chicken and rice, pretty much any treats available. During these years, Kudo had many bouts of upset stomachs and was mildly overweight at many of his wellness checks. Over the last 15 months, we have focused on his diet, sticking to lightly cooked foods and treats with limited ingredients. Many of Kudo treats are now single ingredients, either meat or sweet potatoes. Over the last year Kudos stomach issues have pretty much been resolved, with the exception of holiday periods when we tend to lose your grip and he end up with a mildly upset tummy for a day. He has maintained a healthy weight. Kudo now has access to water in the bedroom with a second bowl. This protects him from needing to go downstairs in the middle of the night.
Me and Kudo? We’re all about the adventure life, but when winter rolls in and it’s like a freezer outside, we switch it up to some good old hide-n-seek in the warmth of our place. Here’s the lowdown: I dash around the house, sneaking into the sneakiest spots I can find, while Kudo’s on a mission to sniff me out. And let me tell you, he’s not just good, he’s a hide-n-seek champ! Every time he finds me, he does this little victory dance that’s just too cute. We keep this up for a solid 20 minutes or until I’m pretty much gasping for air. Yeah, I might be the one ending up hiding out on the couch to catch my breath!
One of Kudo’s routines is potty breaks. At the end of every meal, he heads for the door to go outside. After going to the bathroom, he runs to the treat table for dessert. Honeybee has learned this, too. She watches as Kudo goes outside, then returns to the treat table and sits waiting for Kudo to come back in.
Kudo puts me to bed every night. Once it’s dark, he starts his routine by going outside, getting a treat, and having one more drink of water downstairs. Then, he continues to circle me until I follow him up the stairs to bed.
When Kudo was young, Brad would walk our property line with him every time they went outside. Kudo learned his boundaries and has never left the yard unless going for a walk on his leash. Even with the temptations of known friends approaching the yard, he still doesn’t cross this invisible line.
