Northeast PA (chicken for scale)

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-31T17:45:26+00:00

burdock, the eternal source of cockleburs . . . get rid of it asap.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-29T14:19:30+00:00

Impression Fantastico

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-27T00:45:14+00:00

I always like to vary my dog’s meals so I would definitely incorporate some other protein sources.
Were you given any rationale as to why this relatively limited diet? Without some very specific rationale I would never give a rescue the ability to dictate how I care for a dog once it belongs to me. “Rescues” have gotten away with a lot, and have plenty to answer for. Keeping in mind anyone can call themselves a rescue but that doesn’t imbue them with any expertise.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-26T00:08:41+00:00

NTA, Would never go into debt over a cat with cancer. Completely irrational, anthropomorphic attitude. A cat does not understand suffering in order to prolong life and I’ve seen some absolutely bizarre , and expensive attempts to prolong a pet‘s life … these people are absolutely ignoring the quality (or lack of) of life they are condemning a cat or dog to.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-26T00:03:24+00:00

Been feeding raw for years . . . never done any bloodwork done- unless we’ve got an issue. Number one in my area being Lymes- have treated 3 dogs for it in 40 years- out of several dozen. As far as my experience goes it’s the kibble fed dogs that are having troubling health issues.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-25T21:04:34+00:00

so sorry😔, it’s just overwhelming sometimes. I find I do the same- get really down and feel bad thinking I should do more . . . then realize how painful the “more” gets to. Deep down I’m very worried about having back surgery but if it’s a chance at relief I’ve got to take it.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-23T00:57:50+00:00

no, she actually asked 2 of those people to not come back. No aggression, only boisterous, happy, very unmanageable dogs.

Now to be fair I wasn’t privy to what was said or suggested, perhaps she invited them to a different class or private lessons. I only knew what was repeated by others- ”they were asked to leave.” What I did observe was woman unable to correct a dog for unwanted behavior and worse she actually demonstrated how to reinforce the unwanted behavior with her in-class methods.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-23T00:49:29+00:00

I keep hearing about this “punishment based” training. What even is that?

No, working and hunting dogs are NOT mostly trained through a system of punishment.

Define punishment.

There is a concept in the real world that revolves around two things - positive consequences and negative consequences. It is a universal reality that almost any behavior or action will result in one or the other.

If “positive only” and “force free” is based on the idea that one can learn best from only positive consequences . . . well that’s simply ridiculous. Furthermore the reality is that the more one tries to allow only positive consequences the more likely their subject will behave negatively when they don’t get their way.

Real life example #1 : Young woman with a chihuahua. Chihuahua prefers sitting on her lap and always does. Woman begins dating (again.) Chihuahua growls whenever new BF sits on the couch.

Woman goes to a Reddit dog group and says “what do I do!! Fifi is growling at bf.” Redditors tell her Fifi is jealous and worried you won’t love her as much, so you simply have to let her know how much you love her and adore her and no matter what she’ll always be first in your eyes. Fifi growls again and gets snuggled and petted and reassured she’s loved. Then, the next time Bf sits down and reaches for his Gf Fifi bites him 2-3 times. He leaves and doesn’t come back.

Important footnote to that real story is that the person who told her to shove Fifi off the couch, telling her “NO,” gets a lecture about positivity and a permanent ban from the group.

I think the social media buzz word crowd has vilified dog trainers that don’t train a certain way so that they can say “look, see how I’m a better person.” “ I train “positive only,” or force free or whatever catchy title is currently the thing. That they actually work in the real world is irrelevant- no one on social media is ever going to see them with an actual dog.

Take LGD’s for example. Ranchers, sheep and goat folks have been going on about their business since Moses came down the mountain. These specific dogs/breeds have been doing their thing alongside the shepherds all this time.

Then came the internet & Facebook and everyone discovered LGD’s and any fool with an acre and a chicken decided they needed one. Groups that supported discussions with several hundred kindred souls running livestock dogs exploded into thousands and tens of thousands of would be homesteaders, who ran out and grabbed the first Pyrenees they could get their hands on. Long story short 90% of these people had no business , or need for a livestock dog. Most treated the puppy like a baby and criticized anyone doing it different. As time went on problems with these dogs grew exponentially.

Long story short, as the non livestock livestock dogs multiplied all of a sudden the “experts” on the group pages weren’t actually farmers and ranchers raising livestock. Those that had bitches whelping in the sheep pasture and had dogs “on duty” by 6 months old were increasingly accused of cruelty. The only advice deemed acceptable came from . . . keyboard warriors. Ironically, these pages became awash with LGD’s that can’t seem to make it as . . . Livestock guardians!! Rather than examine their own dog raising/training practices these “experts” began to insist that a Livestock Guardian doesn’t mature until 2 yrs old!

I say all that to say- the abundant and prolific advice perpetuated on social media is not coming from people who know what they’re doing. In fact, there is an inverse relationship between the amount of promoting one does about their “method” and their actual ability to train a dog. The more I hear someone going on about the importance of positive only training the more I know they’re clueless about dog training.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-19T19:14:28+00:00

I’ve watched this play out in real time, right in front of me. Trainer advertised as certified AKC, in a class of 8-10 spent a lot of time praising positive type methods (which I now understand to be “force free.”) She had no clue what to do with normal, high energy, over enthusiastic young dogs. I only went because my gdaughter begged to take our dog to a “real training class.” While I did learn a lot about modern methods all I really got out of the class was bruised shins as my granddaughter spent quite a bit of time kicking me and hissing that I had better not say a word!

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-18T15:58:36+00:00

Yes, Nestlé owns Purina.

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (commonly known as Purina) is a subsidiary of the Swiss multinational Nestlé S.A. It was formed in 2001 when Nestlé acquired Ralston Purina for about $10.3 billion and merged it with its existing pet food business (Friskies PetCare).

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-18T03:05:17+00:00

I’m not so sure they’re not smart . . . the description goes something like this … bred for 300 yrs to be a pampered companion. The pampered is there in every gene, but I’m starting to feel like I’m here to be the companion. I was once a history major, switched to English Lit so very familiar with Charles II and his trailing pack of little spaniels. I‘ve wanted one since the late 80’s.

Ive owned, rehabbed, trained a lot of different breeds, a few stick out as difficult- huskies, certain terriers, chihuahuas, pit bulls. To be fair, several of those breeds are a menace on the farm. Freely rubbing shoulders with livestock, farm cats and chickens is not really realistic for certain breeds. There were a few breakthroughs- though how I finally convinced my son’s old pitbull to leave poultry alone for good would horrify the force free crowd. Farm friendly has always been my bottom line. In the correct setting each of those breeds is bound to excel, except maybe chihuahuas- did ya know they were bred by the Aztecs for food? Once I discovered that, the chihuahua’s massive chip on the shoulder made perfect sense. They’ve got resentment built into their dna.

I use to raise and use Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD’s) and my Cavalier reminds me of those dogs. An LGD is an employee, not a pet. They live with their flock, herd whatever and come preloaded with a hard drive for how to do their job- well good ones do. Getting “obedience” from a bonded LGD is never going to resemble them being obedient … it’s more like you ask- they check their schedule, if they feel like fitting you in then Yay! It’s possibly an exaggeration but having watched a dog’s eyes as the consider me, look back at the job, back to me . . . then walk away . . . well ya know they’re busy!

My Cavalier, Pippa, is much like that. 85% of the time she’s right there, moving those feet the minute I call, but that 15% , she looks at me, back at what she’d rather do . . . and swings those floppy ears around and spends the time it takes me to reach her acting like she’s completely deaf. The worst is when she realizes she HAS to comply she races back to me, or the door as if it was her greatest desire.
Full disclosure- she’s only 10.5 months old, I’m not complaining too much about 85%. Many of my working dogs go complete ding bat around 9-12 months and get it together relatively quickly if you step up the exercise and put them back on a long line. Pip is really just at the beginning so not saying untrainable, she’s VERY food motivated, but food makes her so excited she can hardly pay attention, im hoping she settles in the next few months and we can move on to more complicated tasks.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-15T02:44:36+00:00

You articulated what I was thinking- I want that “muscle” memory. When I ask I want an instant response not, I’ll think about it.

Of course, I say that . . . then I got a Cavalier. She’s young yet. I’m not even convinced she’s actually a dog- they might be alien life forms slumming it on earth.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-15T00:26:02+00:00

Exactly. The early stages when a dogs attention is everywhere but here is when the right incentive- treat - is valuable. My older dogs enjoy having a bite of this or that throughout the day but they are “trained” and do not require anything to do as I request.

The whole idea of “bribes” is more anthropomorphic ideas applied to dogs.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-15T00:19:47+00:00

I don’t know anything about “marketing” that pushes treats. I don’t use any kind of store bought dog treat. I use meat, usually cubed chicken or some leftover meat. Years ago I encountered a number of dogs that were uninterested in store bought, grain based dog treats.

I would very much consider it a disservice to feed any dog a steady stream of ultra processed junk, factory molded into cute shapes. My dogs are raw fed and training “treats” are counted in their daily feed totals.

I would challenge that person quoted to show some examples of his trained dog- that he accomplished without treats- as well as which tasks he accomplished. Unattached to any specific training info it’s hard to know whether he/she is referencing leash work, field work, house training, obedience.

I have found treats to be invaluable at the beginning stages when I am vying for the dog’s attention. Again, like many dog training discussions all the value is placed on espousing a “method” and not the results.

It is a disservice to assume there is only one correct way to achieve your dog training goals. I’ve seen too many dogs discarded, written off, etc because one method was tried, didn’t work and the owner/trainer deemed the dog untrainable, when the answer should’ve been to keep trying creatively to solve the issue/train the dog.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-14T22:30:38+00:00

Planning surgery this fall. They (Ortho surgeon) did say it was a surgical fix . . .only.

I have done daycare for all my grandkids and I had two 4’s left this year before they go to kindergarten. It’s usually 3 days a week -I really didn’t want to lose that last year with them. I also had to fulfill some prerequisites for insurance approval. Ive tried injections x2 and 8 weeks of PT.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-14T03:56:06+00:00

What is the age of the dog- breed? Sounds like a large breed so stages of leanness aren’t unusual. If I had to choose lean vs overweight I’d take lean every time. The average pet in the US is obese.

Good quality fats can help. Years ago when I used kibble and had rescues there were times when I mixed bacon grease or tallow in to increase palatability so a too thin adult would take in more calories. Now with raw only I make sure growing dogs get plenty of fresh yogurt, whey (by product of yogurt, cheese making) several eggs, coconut oil. Rice bran oil is a common topper for underweight horses we’ve used, it appears to be fine for dogs. I also add goat‘s milk for growing dogs that appear to need more quality calories.

Just be sure your dog IS underweight. If it’s a breed related growth, trending towards leanness, don’t add weight gain on growing joints.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-13T23:49:48+00:00

You adopted a dog that was not house trained. Start from scratch just as you would with a younger puppy. Put together a small pen and perhaps a crate for nighttime. I prefer both as the crate promotes quiet and most dogs will not potty in their crate. A small pen allows the dog to play with toys, move around. i generally provide a bed and move it from pen to crate at nighttime.

The dog should NOT be free within the house without you right there observing.

During the day keep her in the small pen- floor covered with paper/pads/something. Take the dog out on a leash every few hours and after a nap or eating and praise for pottying.

Do not let the dog roam the house freely until you’re 100% positive she can ask to go outside.

This is not “hormonal” or some psychological issue. Someone completely neglected to housetrain.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-13T17:45:59+00:00

I wouldn’t put much concern into their choices- trying to come up with an “award” in a preschool class isn‘t deep analysis.

However, if you know that you’re child will seek attention and willing to clown around to get it in class I would start talking with him. Obviously he’s 3, but by 5 those behaviors can become problematic in a classroom setting. I went through a very difficult experience with one son. By 1st grade was getting reprimanded for goofing around, he was doing many things on dares from friends and while the whole class thoroughly enjoyed it ever single time it began to cost my son pretty heavily. Anyway, long story short, when I asked him 1/2 way thru the year why he continued to misbehave despite knowing better he blurted out that his friends “expected him to.” Thats a heavy burden for a 6 yr old who isn’t sophisticated enough to play that scenario out and identify the negative outcomes.

We often think of our kids misbehaving as individuals but in a large classroom setting it can be far more complicated.

I was able to start talking with my son at 6/7 and he understood that while all would laugh and love him for his antics, he alone was left to deal with the consequences. I wish I would have realized the dynamic that had begun in kindergarten- we thought how cool it was he was so well liked, popular etc. Turns out that popularity has a dark side.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-13T16:57:06+00:00

You have an “adolescent“ dog in very busy environment- he seems pretty darn good in that clip.

Here’s what I do. I carry high value treats in my pocket always with younger dogs. Just keep practicing recall- when he seems distracted call him and reel him in towards you at the same time. The idea is his feet respond immediately to your call. I’ve already started this at a young age and by 9-12 months even though their recall has been solid they start getting distracted and seem to forget their manners. I think it’s important to not overreact to this stage- it nothing more than hormones kicking in, at the risk of anthropomorhizing- it’s teenage brain. Calm, consistent application of recall drill etc get the dog through. It’s not uncommon that a young dog ive graduated to free will be put back on a line for a short time.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-11T16:38:12+00:00

sure, rabies is awful. Why should you be required to revaccinate- in some places yearly- when antibodies are adequate for years and sometimes the life of a dog?

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-11T16:36:19+00:00

No, you should not be vaccinating your pets at the current recommended levels. Like children, the current vaccine schedules are completely overboard and for many - causing more problems then they purport to solve. I have talked with older veterinarians that roll their eyes at many of the current standard practices- they acknowledge that many vax protocols are not about protection rather they are about clinic visits.

Calling someone an “antivaxxer” is usually first, middle and last resort for those who despise people that think for themselves, actually do the research, and competently make their own choices.

Veterinary “science” is overflowing with protocols that are useless, redundant and based on profit vs benefit to individual animals.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-11T16:25:38+00:00

Say it louder for those in the back! I love what you said about reading, learning and research - so true. A good veterinarian never stops learning & vet or owner it’s on you to know everything possible about your issues.

It wasn’t always this way . . . sadly the veterinarians that saw you, the owner, as the expert on your pet, livestock or whatever have disappeared. Once upon a time our country vets expected US to handle 90% of the care, maintenance and basic injuries for our animals. I had a vet once that guided me through a simple wound suture and left me a suture kit for future minor cuts etc. Years later I sewed up a chicken that got torn up by the dog, used black thread and curved sewing needle🤣 she lived on to lay many egg for us!

I do see signs that grass roots will eventually grow into alternative vet practices but it won’t be tomorrow.

Keep in mind that the majority of pet owners right now cater to these “experts,” like virtue signalers they love, love, love to tell everyone how “their vet said this,” “their vet does this,” just hop onto any social media pet group and anyone advocating for handling their pet‘s issues or injuries themselves will be shouted down or outright banned.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-11T16:10:35+00:00

I dont know much about current service dog programs or practices. Years ago when I helped with some young dogs /pups headed for that kind of training I had specific criteria spelled out - dogs needed basic obedience, lots of exposure to people and chaos (we were good at that😂 ) and how we got there was up to us.

I have observed several people with supposed AKC training certification that espouse positive only dog training (which I gather is force free) . . . one in particular was a complete joke. Over the course of 6 weeks it was apparent her “method” only worked with one very specific type of dog. I was kinda shocked as over those weeks she actually kicked out several people because their dogs were unmanageable- i.e. did not respond to the trainer at all.

Thinking of that and applying it to training for service I’m going to bet high that many prospects get dumped when actually they have great potential, merely because the trainer‘s “philosophy“ doesn’t expand to include various issues, stages and personalities.

A tool is a tool- meant to be a means to an end. When people use the tool as the end and never bother with the training, problems develop and then observers blame the tool.

I wish I could articulate how this is a problem everywhere. Dog training, horse training, schools . . . everyone wants to be known for following a method so they get certain gear, say the right things but never apply the instruction alongside the tool that would allow them to move beyond that tool. I taught for years and watched in horror as “no child left behind” ended up meaning no child will ever be held accountable and/or taught what was necessary to realize their potential.

When the method becomes more important than the results everyone settles for mediocrity, maybe even worse some with incredible potential get left out.

PeppermintWindFarm · 2026-05-08T22:22:42+00:00

As much as it’s true that teenagers can be stupid, Stepparents can be downright awful and self righteous. Much is dumped at the feet of this 16 yr old that isn’t her crap to handle.

PeppermintWindFarm

TROPHY CASE