In a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons of salt, and yeast. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of warm water. Wait about 5 minutes for the yeast to activate. It will start to bubble or foam a little.
Add the flour and oil, then mix until combined.
Drop the dough out on a smooth surface (we just use our dining room table), and knead for 7-10 minutes. If you are fortunate enough to have a stand mixer with a dough hook, just mix on low for 5 minutes. I actually enjoy the kneading!
Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for an hour. The dough should roughly double in size.
Preheat the oven to 400F and start boiling 10 cups of water in a large pot. Once you have a strong boil, pour in 2/3 cup baking soda. Also, get a baking sheet ready with either a silpat, or lightly oiled parchment paper.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces.
Roll each piece into 16 inch long ropes. The dough is very elastic, so it will tend to shrink a few inches as soon as you stop rolling it out - that's normal.
While wrapping the dough around the hotdogs, twist the rope of dough.
.Carefully lower the pretzel dogs into the boiling water, one at a time, for 30 seconds. They will initially sink to the bottom, but will float up to the top after 20-25 seconds.
Place on baking sheet. Bake at 400F degrees for 10-12 minutes, until you get a nice brown exterior. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning just before baking.