Self Sufficiency
Important Farm Dog Commands Every Homesteader Should Know
These basic farm dog commands will teach your furry friend everything there is to know! Practice these commands and you’ll have a trustworthy and loyal farm dog for years to come.
Dog Commands To Teach Your Buddy Become Obedient
Teaching a dog to obey basic commands is an important component of being a pet owner. Dogs, like people, need to conform to the expectations of the community in which they live, so they can get along and fit in. And since it is we humans who have brought dogs into our world to live among us, it is up to us to teach them our rules.
Country Dogs Vs. Rural Dogs:
There are plenty of fundamentals that every dog needs to know, no matter what kind of neighborhood they call home. Most people would agree that a good dog, at the very least, doesn’t bite or jump on people, comes when called, and performs a few other obedience tasks.
However, also like people, dogs live in a wide variety of settings that require many different standards of behavior. City dogs are often expected to be clean and quiet and to walk politely on a leash. Guard dogs need to be alert and no-nonsense. Dogs that live with a family with small children are asked to be gentle and loyal.
Out in the country, there are a few factors that are unique to rural living, and there are some specific commands that are useful to keep country dogs out of trouble. There is one in particular that I find to be invaluable – and it might not be the one you would expect.
Rural dogs are likely to have a lot of freedom, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I have a large fenced-in yard that keeps my dog Honey away from most dangers. She can’t access the road where she could be hit by a car or chase bicycles – even though she wouldn’t bite them and just loves the thrill of the chase, they can’t possibly know that, and everyone is better with a solid fence in place. She can’t go wandering off into the nearby forest, or into the neighbor’s yard to bother their chickens either.
That doesn’t keep her from tangling with my own chickens, though. She is a bird dog by nature, and it has sometimes been an uphill battle to teach her what are probably the two most important words a country dog needs to know and obey.
Leave It Command:
Honey and I work on that command regularly and she gets plenty of practice. And that one command, “Leave it”, has saved her skin more than once.
It has required a lot of patience and tenacity on my part. After all, I’m asking my Golden Retriever to behave in a way that flies in the face of her natural instincts. If something runs, she wants to chase it. And if that something squawks and flaps its wings, all the more compelling.
The chickens have their own fenced-in area away from the dog, but they really view fencing as just a suggestion. If something outside the fence looks appealing, they either squeeze through the mesh or fly over the top. When Honey steps out the back door to a lawn littered with chickens, her first instinct is to give chase.
After years of training, she is finally able to just walk on by. It isn’t easy for her, and I heap praise and rewards upon her for the Herculean effort she had to expand. “Leave it” isn’t easy when you’re a dog.
The chickens are just practice, though. The real deal happens when we’re outside the yard. Honey and I go walking in the woods every day, and there are plenty of four-legged residents on our eighty acres who happen to think of it as their eighty acres. In addition to the deer, hares, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats – all of whom might tempt Honey to give chase but none of which she is apt to catch, or even pursue very long – there is always the danger of coming across the forest residents with black-and-white striped coats or long sharp quills.
Honey has met up with multiple skunks and porcupines in her lifetime, all of which happened when she was young and we were inexperienced. Since then, the dog has learned a lot, and so have her people.
Obviously, the best method of avoiding trouble is exactly that – avoidance. I recognize Honey’s “there’s a skunk outside” bark and know better than to let her out when I hear it. As for dangers in the woods, I watch for them myself. I know the places where porcupines tend to hang out – there’s a den in the base of a certain hollow yellow birch, for example, and a grove of hemlocks that attracts them in winter – and I take care to keep Honey close to me in those areas.
But no matter how careful I am, I cannot prevent all encounters. They always seem to happen when I least expect it, as I am strolling down the woods road breathing in the fall foliage or deep in thought about something back in the farmyard, and suddenly there it is – that bright striped coat slipping through the brush just off the trail, or the ball of quills plodding its way across an open space toward a big favorite tree. Neither skunks nor porcupines are very fast, and a dog can easily catch them.
There is just a split second window in which I can influence Honey’s choices.
“Leave it”, I command in the deepest voice I can muster, conveying as much stern conviction as I can. When we’re training with a treat, holding her favorite food in the palm of my hand under her nose, I have her full attention as she stares sorrowfully up at my face, drooling. But with the tantalizing aroma of wildlife under her nose, it’s hard for her to remember I’m even on the same planet.
I raise my voice to get her attention.
“HONEY!” I shout, and with any luck, I see a slight flinch in her body language that lets me know she heard and registered my voice. She hesitates, and that’s my only chance.
“LEAVE IT!” She pauses just for a fraction of a second. “Leave it”, I repeat. I can tell there is a battle raging inside her. She is wavering, and in the time it takes her to make up her mind, the animal scuttles to safety.
She’s tempted to run off and chase its trail anyway – but the rustle of the treat bag distracts her and she makes the choice to let it go.
Good Dog Command:
“Good dog!” I gush, feeding her treats and caressing her head. “What a good, good girl!” I praise her like she has just done the most awesome feat in the world. We both know she truly has.
I won’t say it’s easy and I can’t promise it’s successful all the time, but I can say that it has been years since my dog has tangled with an unsavory creature.
How To Get Started:
We started small – a low-value treat on the palm of my hand, the command to leave it along with physically preventing her from accessing it, and a high-value treat given when she withdrew from my hand. Later on, we progressed to an increasingly higher-value treat and the command to leave it, and more rewards are given for obedience. And there’s always praise. Praise, praise, praise.
Nowadays, I can place a high-value treat on her front paws – one on each – tell her to leave it, and she will. Anything. I could put a bite of steak on there. We’re playing for keeps, and she knows it. I point to one of them and tell her, okay, and she gobbles it up but continues to leave the other one until I give her the release word.
Want to see more dogs with cool tricks? Check out this video from Schlauwauwau:
Honey is now so good at the “leave it” trick! I admit I show off with her a little. It’s fun to wow onlookers, and I think she enjoys it too. Honey likes the treats and attention and it makes a cool party trick, but she and I both know that “leave it” is about so much more than fun and games. It’s about being the most important command a country dog can learn.
What about you, how you do you train your farm dogs? We’d love to know! Let us know in the comments section below.
Up Next: How to Train a Hunting Dog To Retrieve | Duck Hunt Dog
Follow us onFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andTwitter!
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on February 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Suggested Videos
This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article
Self Sufficiency
NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls
Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead
Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
UP NEXT:
- Freezing Herbs with Olive Oil for Long Lasting Flavor | How to Freeze Basil like a True Homesteader
- How To Make Herbal Infusions | Herbal Remedies
- Spinning Yarn: How to Spin Raw Wool Into Yarn | Homesteading
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Comments
comments
Suggested Videos
This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article
Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
RELATED: Microgreens Growing Guide
In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
UP NEXT
- 50 Gardening Tips And Tricks To Become A Successful Homesteader
- 10 Vegetables To Grow Indoors For A Productive Garden
- Self-Sustaining Ideas For Living The Homesteader’s Dream
Comments
comments
Suggested Videos
This Article Was Found On pioneersettler.com Read the Original Article
DIY8 years agoDIY How to Build a Cabin in 7days for Under $5k
DIY8 years agoDIY How to Make a Powerful Mini Foundry
DIY7 years agoPillow Floor Lounger
DIY5 years agoTry these Cute Christmas Rock Painting ideas for Kids
DIY6 years agoHow To Make An Outdoor Kitchen Upcycled Pallet Outdoor Grill
DIY7 years ago15 DIY PVC Projects You’ll Love
Uncategorized5 years agoBug Out Cabin Tips | How To Build The Ultimate Survival Shelter
DIY8 years agoDIY How to Build a 16 Brick Rocket Stove