The AKC recently announced their annual list of the top ten most popular dog breeds in America.  Some of the list may surprise you, but others may not.  Check out the list of the top 10 most popular dog breeds.

10.  Shih Tzu

9.  Poodle

8.  Dachshund

7.  Bulldog

6.  Boxer

5.  Beagle

4.  Golden Retriever

3.  Yorkshire Terrier

2.  German Shepherd

1.  Labrador Retriever

What do you think it is about the Labrador that makes them extremely popular year after year?  Is it their size, personality, versatility, cultural viewpoint, or something else?

As the owner of a Labrador (that is my dog Boomer pictured above) I chose the breed because of the high energy level and the ability to excel is many different disciplines (obedience, field work, dock dogs, etc).  For those of you with Labs, and those of you who don’t have Labs, what is your input; why did you chose the breed you did?

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our dog training blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.

It has always been said that Dog is Mans’ Best Friend, well I think that bond may have just gotten a bit stronger!

Bark4Beer makes a dog collar that has a retractable bottle opener built right into the collar!  This means no more time spent searching for that pesky bottle opener, and more time spent enjoying time with our dogs and friends.

While I don’t see this product comparing to other great and useful dog products like the Manners Minder or Dublin Dog Collars, at only $15 it is an easy impulse buy!

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.

We are proud to announce that our Trick Training 101 course is starting in a few weeks!  In this class, you are going to be working hands on with your dogs and teaching them some of the basic tricks that all dogs can easily master.

In order to get a complete description of the tricks we will covering and to see all of the registration info, class dates, and other details, please check out the Trick Training 101 page. Hope to see you out there!

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.

We spend much of our time earning what is necessary for survival; food, shelter and clothing and if we’re lucky, the little extras. We go to work and perform our daily duties and in return earn a paycheck  to pay for the necessities. Thinking and problem solving  at work exercises our minds and by the end of the day, has proved to be tiring. Take for instance, being in a meeting for a day; while physical exertion does not play a part in the equation, by the end of the day we can be just as exhausted from thinking.

Why not have our dogs working and thinking for their food? There are several ways to have your dog earn their own paycheck; one of the ways are interactive, food dispensing toys, they are great ways to feed your dog as they have to think about what gets them the food and can entertain them for hours. A proven sturdy favorite in my household is the Tug-A-Jug. The bottom of the toy unscrews which allows you to easily load it with food at mealtime and then the game begins. The dogs quickly figure out which end the food comes from but the most challenging part is how to manipulate the rope toy to dispense the food. This has kept my dogs busy for hours, which is an added bonus after a long day of work.

There are also some good choices for the dog that looses interest easily; such as the Twist and Treat. What makes this toy unique is that you can control the level of difficulty by adjusting the size of the gap in which the food is dispensed. It can also accommodate dry food or treats and even peanut butter.

Many dogs need more mental stimulation than is being provided on a daily basis, and it is equally as important as physical exercise.  So whether you are having a short training session before mealtime, or using interactive toys, or doing something else, having your dog work at meal time may be your missing link!

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.

In recent years we have all heard a ton about going green, but did you know you can take steps and “go green” with your dog?  Here are a few ways…

Scoop That Poop

While regular plastic poop bags can immortalize your dog’s No.2 in a landfill for hundreds of years, using biodegradable poop bags is a great way to be green with our dogs when cleaning up after them in public.  However, when cleaning up around the yard, skip the bags all together and use a pooper scooper to collect all of those land mines into one larger trash bag.

Toys Made From Recycled Materials

Several toy manufacturers now offer great dog toys made from recycled materials.  You should not have any problems finding great balls, bones, and other toys for your dog that are eco-friendly; in many cases the packaging is even green! Although these are excellent options, just remember that the ultimate green dog toy is the good old-fashioned stick!

Beds Made From Recycled Materials

In addition to dog toys being made from recycled products, you can also find dog beds filled with eco-friendly green fillers. These beds are not only great looking, but are filled with a material called IntelliLoft, which made from recycled plastic bottles.  Another option is to re-use your old worn out dog bed by getting a dog bed duvet from Molly Mutt.  You can even fill it with old t-shirts, towels, and other items from around the home.

Eco Friendly Dog Shampoo

When you bath your dog, choose your shampoo carefully. Ideally, you should use a green shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfates or phosphates, or anything else that can harm the environment. It’s also a good idea to cut down on how often you wash your dog; he doesn’t need frequent bathing, and you can save water by washing him less.

These are just a few ways to go green with your dog.  If you have other tips and suggestions for being green when it comes to your dog, please comment below and share them with others.

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.

This post comes to us from Robin MacFarlane of That’s My Dog! in Hazel Green, WI.  Robin is a fantastic dog trainer, speaker, and mentor; we are very lucky to have her contribute to our blog.  Enjoy the article!

Lately we have been getting an increase in calls regarding problems in multi-dog households. Often we hear that one dog is *suddenly* becoming aggressive with the others and causing fights. Without exception, a lack of human leadership in the home is the primary cause of the problem. What seems sudden has actually been a building problem, but the symptoms went without notice.

In an effort to help a dog * be happy* many people add more dogs to the household for companionship. However, there is often surprise when this addition creates tension and chaos rather than a play buddy. It is true that lots of people live with two or more dogs without difficulty but that success is due to their ability to convey structure and rules to their dogs (whether they realized it or not).

The key to living successfully with multiple dogs is understanding their needs and motivations, as well as how those things work in a group dynamic. In short, dogs that are allowed to create their own rules and structure are not going to set up a nice little democracy where sharing and fair play will be the standard.
Unfortunately is doesn’t naturally work that way with a group of dogs. Well, it doesn’t always work that way in human groups either……at least not without someone being in charge. Animals will covet resources. For our domestic dogs the resources are food, toys, you and space.

Armed with the knowledge of what is important to your dogs, you can now establish routines of living together and maintaining the peace in your tribe. Here are a few thoughts on the types of routines to fall into.

* Adequate exercise: Dog’s that have pent up energy are going to be prone to frustration (which leads to scuffles) Make sure your dogs get adequate exercise in the form of structured walks/jogs on leash with you. Too often it is assumed that having one of more dogs will mean the dogs will entertain one another by playing in the back yard. While this may be true, it does not replace the responsibility and value of walking the dog.

* Control feeding time: Many fights start around the food bowl and during feeding time. Feed each of your dogs from his/her own bowl rather than expecting them to share. Put down the food (feeding the calmest dog first) and remain in the room to ensure no one is attempting to steal someone else’s ration. If this is not possible due to your schedule than consider separating the dogs by using crates or different rooms. Dog’s should be allowed to eat without feeling they need to defend or guard their meal.

* Take charge of space in your home: Dogs are very spacial oriented. *Territory* such as the couch, the bed or access to the front door, should be something you control rather than your dog. If you allow your dog on the furniture, be aware of potential problems and watch for dogs who begin to defend that space. Growling, lip lifting, baring teeth, etc. should be nipped in the bud at the first sign. These behaviors indicate your dog believes he/she has the right to warn off others. If you mistakenly excuse the behavior it can escalate into fights down the road.
You may need to remind yourself that it is; Your Couch, Your Bed, Your Front Door…….rather than your dogs. It is easier to keep perspective on the appropriateness of Fido’s actions when you take this viewpoint toward his/her behavior.

Dog’s can also begin to become possessive of you and it is not uncommon for one dog to growl when another comes near you. This is often interpreted as *he/she is jealous when I pet the other one*. Jealous isn’t really the right emotion to attach to this type of behavior. Imagine if your dog could speak. Rather than growl, you would hear him/her saying, “Hey Dog, back off, that is MY human!” Does that sentence change your perception of what is going on? It should and your response to such behavior is “Quiet Fido” I have the right to pet and play with which ever dog I chose in this house……cause after all, I pay the mortgage.

* Monitor play time: It is normal for many dogs to play by wrestling, grabbing each others neck, play biting and tugging with toys. Supervision of these activities will allow you to intervene if you feel it is getting out of hand. As you learn to calm the energy down when it gets too high you will be teaching the dogs to develop better self control when playing. Without supervision, wild, high energy behavior can escalate until, just as our parents told us when we were growing up “someone’s going to get hurt”

Living with a group of dogs can be delightful. But it is a responsibility. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes more challenging. The dynamics are going to depend on the individuals that make up your group. Pick wisely as you add new members to your household, establish boundaries and rules early on and find professional help if you are currently struggling with one or more of your canine companions.

Woof!

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to visit the website of That’s My Dog! If you are a professional working with dogs and would like to be considered as a guest blogger on this site, please contact us.

Events like this are exactly why Austin is ranked among the most dog friendly cities in the country; there is always something fun and exciting to do with your dog in Austin!

The 12th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, in downtown Austin.  Each year the Mighty Texas Dog Walk attempts to break the Guinness Book of World Records title for “Largest Dog Walk” (which is currently set at 10,272).  The Mighty Texas Dog Walk is held each year in Austin, and benefits Texas Hearing & Service Dogs.

In addition to the exciting dog walk, a wide variety of vendors will be along the 3 mile event route with terrific products and services for your dogs.  For registration information and to learn more about the 12th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk and Texas Hearing & Service Dogs, please visit their site.

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.

Here is a short video of Charlie while he was in our board and train program.

If you are looking for a complete Austin board and train program for your dog, be sure to contact us!

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.  You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made.