Some Important Dog Training Knowledge

I was recently reading an article called “Some Important Dog Training Equipment”.  The article talks about a few different dog training tools, such as muzzles, harnesses, leashes, etc. used by people to train dogs.  I didn’t really think much of the article until the author made the following statement, “You will no doubt find that by using the right dog training equipment you’re sure to have success with teaching and training your beloved pet”. What bothers me about that statement is that the author is inferring that using this equipment will ensure that your dog will become well-behaved.

The huge point that is missing from the article is that all of these items are simply tools that used to help train dogs.  Any one of these things by themselves, or together, do not train a dog to do anything; it is how a person uses these tools that produce the desired results with your dog.  If I were to buy the most expensive pair of golf clubs available, does that mean I would be able to able to drive a ball 300 yards down the middle of a narrow fairway or compete on the PGA tour?

Even simple tools used incorrectly will not produce the results you are looking for.

• If my timing is off even a little bit, when using a clicker, I can’t effectively shape any behaviors.
• If I put a choke chain on backwards, what good is it doing my dog?
• Applying tension to a leash at the wrong times can help contribute to aggression.
• Treats can easily turn into a bribe if not used correctly.
• Improper use of a gentle leader can cause a dog neck injuries.

When someone hires a dog trainer they are not hiring them because they own “some important dog training equipment”, they are being hired for their knowledge, experience, obtainable results, and problem solving abilities.  Make sure that your dog trainer knows how to use the training tools that they recommend, and can effectively share that information with you.  If you live in the Austin area and would like Unleashed Unlimited Dog Training to speak to you about our training abilities, knowledge, or anything else, please feel free to contact us.

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Cotton Training Long Line

It’s a lot of fun to have your dog play and exercise off-leash, but all training must start on-leash to guarantee a happy and safe dog.

Consistency is one of the keys to effective dog training, our 20′ cotton training leads are a great way to practice what you are learning during your training classes while you are at home. The faster we can get our dogs to recall on a long line, the sooner they can be taken off-lead all together and really start having fun!

These are the same long lines we use in class, they are 20′ long, constructed of heavy duty cotton, and are 5/8″ wide.

Dog Park Dos & Don’ts

Many more towns and cities are adding dog parks to their list of community features.  In the Austin area alone there are over 14 off-leash areas.  Dog parks can be an excellent community resource for you and your dog, but they can also be a nightmare if the rules are not followed and the owners do not pay attention.  Besides the obvious ones like picking up after your dog and having voice control over your dog at all times, here are a few things to keep in mind when attending dog parks, just to ensure you and your dog leave having a pleasant experience.

Dog Park Dos

• Do keep your eye on your dog at all times – When you are not watching your dog, you will not only miss your dog pooping, but you also have no idea that your dog is pestering another dog, jumping on little children, guarding the water dish, or a variety of other things.  Unfortunately, a dog park is not the place to let your dog run free, out of sight while you sit at the bench and read the paper or engage in other activities.  Dog parks are a great place for humans to socialize, it just has to be done while at the same time keeping an eye on your dog.  In my opinion, this is the most important thing you can do.

• Do keep moving – Dogs in motion are less likely to get into fights.  It’s when several dogs are stationary in a single spot that a lot of unwanted social behaviors are practiced.  Help out by not crowding around in a large group of non-moving people and dogs.

• Do find a dog that shares a similar play style as yours – Some dogs like to chase, some like to wrestle, some dogs are fast, and some are slow.  In most cases, a high-energy dog and a slower, older dog will not make good play partners.

• Do learn a little bit about dog behavior and body language – Reading a dog’s body language is a huge part of the social process.  If you can tell when your dog (or another dog) is uncomfortable in a certain situation, you can call your dog out of it before anything escalates.

• Do realize that not all dogs belong at a dog park – It really is that simple, not all dogs can handle the dog park experience.  I know plenty of really well-trained, good dogs that just cannot handle a dog park for a variety of reason; there is nothing wrong with that.  Be honest with yourself and really ask yourself if your dog belongs there.

Dog Park Don’ts

• Don’t let young children run around or approach all dogs - There is a proper way for children and adults to greet a dog, and not all dogs are good with children.  When children run, dogs chase – it is what they do.  Teach your kids how to properly behave around dogs, and always get permission from the dog owner before any interaction occurs.

• Don’t over-react if some one’s dog growls at yours – Growling is a form of communication, it does not mean that a dog is aggressive.  There is a proper way for dogs to greet each other, if a stable dog corrects another dog for an in-your-face, inappropriate greeting, it is simply communication between them.

• Don’t crowd around the entrance – It can be a stressful experience for dogs when dogs first enter the dog park.  Imagine how much worse it becomes when 10 other dogs rush right up to him or her.  Most dog parks are big enough to spread out, even if your park is not huge, keep the immediate area around the entrance free of dogs.

• Don’t let your dog guard – Guarding the water bowl, a stick, or other toys is an easy way for a fight to start.  Don’t let your dog do it, and don’t let your dog bother another dog if that other dog is peacefully chewing a stick off to the side by himself, tell your dog to come!

• Don’t expect anyone else in the park to do the right thing – When it comes down to it, you are the only one that can only be responsible for your dog.

While there are several dozen more dos and don’ts about dog parks, if everyone followed these steps there would be a lot less incidents at dog parks.  Unleashed Unlimited is always here to answer any questions you may have about dog parks and your dog, so just ask it in the form of a comment below.

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Tennis Tug

This durable Tennis Tug from Premier Pet Products will create the ultimate tugging and pulling experience for your dog. 

It’s excellent for multiple dog fun, great for keeping the excitement alive during down time at agility training, and it’s also a great toy for helping to build drive with your dog, and playing fetch! This toy has multiple functions and will keep he fun going and going.

Tennis Tug comes in two colors, solid purple and blue argyle print and each toy comes with it’s own yellow tennis ball.

Small Dogs Rule!!

Some may refer to small dogs as “Yappy little things,” I just laugh.  Small dogs are just as trainable as large ones, small dogs are awesome!! You can really have a blast training them although people seldom do, many prefer to carry them around in a tote bag or pushing them around in stroller while they are wearing their new outfits (I thought strollers were for babies).  Small dogs have the same needs as larger dogs; they need to be socialized, taught to pay attention, leadership, and balance.

I met a small dog whose feet had barely touched the ground because she had been constantly carried around, there are a lot of great things down there for her to explore. It took her a few days to figure that out and then the fun began!!

I am the proud owner of a Cairn Terrier named Walter. I love this little dog, he knows all of the obedience work as any other dog in the house. I spend time now teaching him fun new tricks, building his toy drive and keeping him polished on his obedience work.  He is social with large dogs and small dogs and regardless of size, is often the biggest dog in the house, I think they call that “mini me syndrome”.  His nickname is Joe Pesci.  Some of my favorite small breeds to watch in action are Rat Terriers, French Bulldogs, Jack Russell Terriers and our friend Bill (a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix).

Small dogs have huge possibilities!!! They are intelligent, capable of learning and you can really teach them some great things!!  If you have a small dog that may need some training, contact our Austin dog trainers, we would love to meet your mini-me.

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