Canine training: Week 1

[spacealien_vamp]

I finished my first week of training, and I am definitely ready for the weekend. It has been pretty cold here, with temperatures from the mid-20s to mid-40s, which takes a toll when one is running around outside a lot. Also, the heat inside the building isn't working well; our classroom hovers around 60. We wear heavy coats all day.

So far, we have learned how to clean the kennel where our dogs are kept, which we will be responsible for doing every morning. We have also gone over the daily health check and grooming routine for the dogs. We have gotten to walk the dogs several times, and we have practiced the official way to hold the leash. Today we did a couple basic odor training exercises to see how well the dogs work.

At this point, we all have a pretty good idea of which dog will be the primary dog for each student, though that is always subject to change. I'll start taking pictures next week, and hopefully I'll be able to upload something interesting.

I have survived one week of microwave-only food. It wasn't too bad, but I'm sure it will get old very quickly. I'm thinking of maybe purchasing a slow cooker so that I can at least make some "real" food without worrying about setting off the hotel's smoke detector.

Comments

[mangaroo.livejournal.com]

Curious: what would you prepare in a slow cooker?

I'm looking forward to the pictures! Also, to hearing what you did with the weekend. Explored the area, I assume, though the weather makes that sound a bit unpleasant.

[spacealien-vamp.livejournal.com]

Curious: what would you prepare in a slow cooker?

Potato soup!

Also, to hearing what you did with the weekend.

1. Read books
2. Played Warcraft
3. Went comparison shopping for slow cookers

I found a nice one on sale, so I decided to go for it. I made a batch of potato/kidney bean soup in it today, and it turned out all right, particularly considering I didn't have any measuring spoons for spices. (I went out and bought some afterward.)

I bought a plastic steamer that's supposed to make rice in the microwave. It worked middling well. The rice is edible, but stuck together on the bottom. Next time I might just put the rice directly in the slow cooker with the soup.

[megory.livejournal.com]

It sounds as if you'll get some of the variety you are used to in your meals. Vegetarian choices for frozen meals are kind of limited. I'm glad you were able to find the slow cooker.