Unleashed Unlimited
THE Dog Training Blog

That’s right, our selection of Dublin Dog Collars and Leashes are back on sale; just in time for the holidays!  These collars make a great gift any time of the year, but they are even more perfect for all of the dog lovers on your list.

As you all know, Dublin Dog Collars are created from a special blend of polymers that won’t absorb moisture, retain dirt, or harbor bacteria found in your favorite play areas. So no more collars that smell like an old sponge, just rinse under warm water, and you’re ready for the next adventure.

These dog collars will not fade and do not stink, ensuring that they will look brand new for years to come. You wanted a collar as unique as your dog, now you got it. We should all be so Lucky!!!!

Check out our online store for all of the styles and sizes, as well as other great gift ideas for dog lovers.  You will be hard to find any site that offers these collars for this price!  In order to get the sale price, be sure to enter “dublinsale” in the promotions box during check out.  All Dublin Dog items are delivered via UPS and the 20% off sale runs until December 31, 2008!

We offer a variety of bed styles and sizes from extra small for the toy breeds to extra large for the truly big dogs. These beds allow you to pick the perfect bed to match their best friends’ sleeping habits, no matter if they sleep curled up or like to stretch out - all dogs, little or big, will sleep in comfort.

Also on sale are the West Paw Dog Mats. They are a high quality mat that can be used just about anywhere such as; in front of the fireplace, inside a kennel, in your car, on the front porch, or just on the go - West Paw Design’s dog mats truly are the finest, highest quality mat that gracefully combines comfort and utility to create a perfect fit for any home décor. And with one piece easy machine washing and drying, your mat can always look clean!

To view all of the great dog beds and mats, please visit our online store.  The sale runs until December 31st 2008.

Also, the 20% Off Sale on Dublin Dog Collars ends December 31st! Act now to make sure you don’t miss out on these great collars!

There is nothing better that buying a new toy for your furry friend and if you choose the right one, it can make for hours of fun and excitement!  There are so many to choose from you may ask yourself, “How will I know my dog will like it?”  Paying attention to what your dog likes in a toy will tell you everything you need to know. His or her decision may be based on several things that are all relative to one or more of the five senses and are often interchangeable such as:

Touch: This involves the texture of the toy. Some dogs are crazy over a soft tug toy, a bone for chewing, hard rubber bones, furry toys or a softer pliable ball. If your dog loves stealing your socks or clothing this may be an indication that your dog may like a softer texture! Many toys also have a rough texture for chewing meant to aid in keeping teeth clean.

Sound: This is where the squeaky toys and toys that make noise come in and they come in a variety of options. If your dog loves squeaky toys, ask yourself what else he likes as they are usually in “something” such as a ball, plush toy, some types of interactive toys or soft latex type toys.

Smell: Some toys have scent added to them such as peppermint which also helps to freshen breath or by adding a favorite treat to a toy that has a “spot” gets the nose working and invokes interest.

Sight: Fast moving objects and toys that have movement come into play here as well as toys that have an odd shape that bounce a bit haphazardly and Frisbees.  These are for the dogs that enjoy the chase and retrieve (provided they were taught to retrieve).

Taste: These toys usually involve food of some type and come in a variety of options, there are some interactive toys that utilize food and bones or toys that can be stuffed with their favorite treats. These types of toys are also good for the “problem solving” aspect.

Many individual toys fall into two or more of these categories depending on the toy so when shopping for toys and knowing what interests your dog will make it easier for you to choose the right toy. You can also use your imagination with the existing toys you have around the house that they are not interested in by adding something to that your dog does like to the equation.

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.

Does your dog jump on your guest every time they enter your house?  Teaching your dog not to jump on people is a training goal for most dog owners and can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it is easy to prevent.  Here are some tips that may help you:

• Teach your dog a reliable sit/stay with distraction present
• Recognize that the sound of the doorbell or turning the knob may be a trigger for your dog
• Start cuing your dog to sit before he gets to the door so he has processing time
• Set your dog up for success in a situation you are prepared to handle and follow through
• Take every opportunity to practice with your family as they come home from work or school
• Use a leash to prevent jumping before it happens so your dog does not get the chance to practice the behavior

Teaching your dog not to jump on people is an exercise that takes repetition and follow through.  It is helpful if your guests are cooperative and refrain from greeting your dog until he is in a sitting position. Life happens, people come to the door so embrace these things as an opportunity to train your dog, life is full of them!!

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.

One of the first questions people ask when seeking a dog trainer is, “How much does it cost?” Cost is important when purchasing anything and is a fair question, however it does not give you any valuable information as to what you are purchasing, and it should not be your deciding factor. There are other important factors that should be involved in the decision process, these are some examples:

• Does the dog training program meet YOUR NEEDS and goals you have in mind for you and your dog?
• Will the training classes be held at times and locations that you can actually attend?
• Are they able to show you their dog work so you can see for yourself the achievable results?
• What training tools are implemented and how?
• Do they offer private lesson or group lessons?
• What is the trainer to student ratio?
• Do they have proven and reliable results?
• How many lessons are included in their training packages and what do you need to do to advance your dog further?
• What is the curriculum that they teach, and how does it compare to other training programs?
• Are you able to witness one of their classes in session?
• Is the trainer willing to meet with you, in person, to discuss your issues and goals?  Do they charge a fee for that appointment?

Gathering as much information as possible is extremely important; as you gather more information you are able to make an educated decision as to what you are actually purchasing.  It is only then that you are able to see value in what you are purchasing, that is what justifies the price.

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 frequently take a break from our normal training classes take our clients and their dogs trail class at Walnut Creek Park. Many have clients have been before as we do this once a month; but we also had a few new students.  One to mention is an 8 month old Akita named Kevo who did not achieve off-leash status until last class.  He had a grand old time and experienced getting into the water for the first time; it was hot, he was thankful.

It is a joy for me to watch all of the dogs pack up and move forward, it does wonders for socialization.  They were all mindful of their owners and frequently checking in, and everyone practiced their recalls and distance sitting. The trails are tight and full of bike riders; everyone was mindful as to control their dogs to make way for the incoming traffic (one of the rules of our trail class).  I think they were a bit surprised as to how well trained all of the dogs were and how they were able to sit them at a distance in spite of everything.   It makes it more enjoyable for everyone and we all had a blast!

If you would like to enjoy hiking with your dog in all of the wonderful trails and parks in Austin, give us a call and we can begin to show you how Unleashed Unlimited can train your dog to behave off-leash.

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 always looking for new pet products to share with our readers.  We recently went to a home for an evaluation and I was introduced to a product I never knew existed; an electronic motorized pet door.  Its like a garage door opener for your dog, what a great invention!

It allows you to keep your indoor cats safely inside and lets your dog or outdoor cat outside using a magnetized sensor that is worn on your pet’s collar, and will not allow raccoons, opossums and the like to gain access to your home.  There are many great features of this pet door:

• You can lock the door if you don’t want your pets outside in the wee hours of the morning
• It can be connected to your security system for extra safety
• You can control the activation range
• You can control the duration of time the door stays open
• It is helpful in conserving energy, as there is no draft

The company that makes this product is a company called Solo.  They have a lot of information on their site about shipping, pricing and sizes, it is definitely worth checking out!

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.

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.

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.

I read a blog the other day by Robin Macfarlane, a training mentor and friend of ours in Wisconsin, and it brought back some thoughts.  She speaks of her recent trip to Greece and the noticeable difference in dog behavior compared to that of the United States.  Cesar Milan has also spoken of this in his native country of Mexico, and we have witnessed the same in Aruba and also back home in some instances.  Have you ever seen dogs in foreign countries or with a homeless person?

In the cases of dogs in Greece, Mexico, Aruba and the pets of homeless Americans, rarely do you see acts of aggression, dogs are not jumping on people, or experiencing other typical problems that people of this country frequently experience.  Dogs in other countries are sometimes treated very different then they are here; in some countries they are more welcome in public areas and they act very different.  Homeless people move forward in search for food which is provided by the owner, as well as water and anything else he may need.  They learn to cooperate and perhaps work together effectively,  and the person pushing the cart is always leading the way.  These dogs understand hierarchy, structure, pack mentality, they get enough exercise, they work for their food, and they are treated like and allowed to be dogs.

The photo below was taken during our trip to Aruba a few years ago.  Lounging by the rock is one of the many homeless dogs (well I suppose he does have a place he calls home); he lives at an old church on the coast.  We go out of our tour bus and l spotted him, he was in need of some minor vet care, but looked completely content lounging under the rock.  We also saw several dogs in lounging in people’s unfenced yards, walking along the street, and laying around the downtown areas.  In no way are we saying that homeless pets are better off, but what is the main difference between these dogs and ours?

Sometimes in America dogs are thrown birthday parties, carried in expensive purses, ribbons and bows are put into their hair, and we spoil them in so many ways.  Don’t get me wrong, we love our dogs like family, but we realize that they are dogs and are not treated as our precious little children and are not supposed to fill emotional voids in our lives.

So what does all of this mean?  Well, to you, all of us, it hopefully really drives home a point that these animals are DOGS.  That means we need to communicate with them in a way that a DOG understands, we need to be the leader that our DOG needs, we need to provide the proper balance that your DOG needs, and we have a great responsibility to our DOG to interact with them the way that makes sense to them, and not always a way that makes the most sense to us.  Love your dog, train your dog, play with your dog, be good to your dog, but remember that they are DOGS!

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.

Many animals end up in shelters every year, they are discarded like old laundry, they escape from their yards and get lost, owners move and leave the dog behind.  Many people seem to think that they come out of the womb knowing how to behave in a way that we need them to.  They are not given the attention or exercise they need in order to co-exist in the home environment, so they are kept outside and in the process become more difficult to deal with, they become destructive in the home as an outlet for their energy.   Dogs bark, they jump, and they even sometimes potty in the house; they do all of these things because they were not trained to quiet, go potty out side, and to sit to greet people.  Perhaps the owners got the dog for the kids, whom are realistically too young to take on such a big responsibility, they no longer have time, the list goes on and on.  This is, in my opinion, not being very fair to the dog and very frustrating.

The key is education, in every facet of dog ownership; it is work, it is also a commitment and an expense.  You can however try to educate yourself before you make the decision to purchase or rescue a dog.  There is information all over the Internet about owning a dog and the responsibility involved and some difficulties you may encounter; not to mention the abundance of trainers that are waiting in line to teach you.   If you are thinking of a particular breed, do your research about the requirements of such a breed, temperament and their characteristic traits.  Consult a REPUTABLE breeder, contact a trainer or ask your veterinarian for advice.  Make sure the energy level and temperament of the dog will be suitable for your family and life style.  This is of course not a guarantee; it is what you do with the puppy when he gets home that counts but it may help point you in the right direction.    Speak to someone on staff at a local animal shelter whom is familiar with the behavior of the dogs that are in their care.  Tell them about your lifestyle and family members and they may help you choose as well.   If you are not looking for a dog with abundant energy, how about an older dog; there are plenty of these and they are a great choice as well.  We recently went to visit a client that had just adopted an 8 year old Basset Hound, he was awesome!  Ask yourself if you will go out of your way to give your dog what he or she needs even after the novelty wears off.

Poor choices and lack of responsibility and ownership often leads to great dogs ending up in shelters or worse.   Many dogs end up in shelters for the craziest reasons, I was told a story that someone gave up a dog because it did not match their couch; this blew my mind!!!  I had a chat with someone last week about adopting a dog from a rescue organization, but by the time she got in touch with whom ever she needed to speak with, the dog had been put down.  I do not know what the circumstance was or why, it could have been several things.  She expressed anger with the rescue  and I can understand her frustration.

It is the people that do not take ownership of these animals who are at fault for shelters being overcrowded.  If there are behavior issues, I can guarantee there is a trainer or behaviorist that can help you or at least do a good evaluation on the dog after meeting and working with him for a bit so you know what your dealing with. Many behavior issues can be prevented through proper handling, socialization and leadership skills; all of which should be started by the time the dog reached 16 weeks old and should be continued.  Training is often easier than you think, provided you are consistent and follow through.  You must however, be willing to donate the time to your dog.  Not everyone may be up for the challenge, and not all behaviors can be fixed, but then there are the dogs that just need some simple house manners.

I am a dog trainer and have a rescue dog that came with his own set of aggression issues when being handled.  It was not listed on his evaluation from the shelter, as it may not have been present; sometimes these things do not come out until the dog is in a home environment.  After putting the training time into the dog, we are now at the point where he goes into such relaxation that I can clip his nails and preform handling exercises with out a reaction when he had previously bitten.  It most certainly did not happen overnight by any means and not all people are willing to take the chance or able, I get that. I am so relieved that I was the one that adopted him.  If it was not me who was lucky enough to make the choice, I do not know if he would be here today; he is a fantastic dog and we have built a relationship on trust.  Our dogs are not perfect, they are dogs.  People are not perfect either and are not expected to be, and sometimes it may be beyond the owners control to have to surrender an animal.

There are certainly viable reasons to seek out a shelters help but the dog not matching the couch, going potty in the house, barking, or not being fair to a great dog that does not truly know his role and what is expected of him because he has not been taught is inexcusable in my opinion.  Unfortunately, this exists and probably always will.  Dogs many need to be re-homed because of issues with children present in the household (as long as the shelter is aware of the issues when the dog is brought in so that they can test the animal and re-home to the right environment if it is an option). At the same time, it is not fixing anything,  just passing it on to someone else, whom may in turn, have a better environment for the dog.

There are various types of animal rescue organizations such as breed specific rescues, general shelters (some are no kill and some use euthanasia), and organizations that rely on fostering. They all exist nationwide, they all have the same intention - to save as many as they can.  This of course takes money, whether it be from fund raising, donations, adoptions, or state and local funding.

Many dogs need the shelter to get a fair shot at life. Those who are abandoned and neglected may have a new start on life once temperament tested.  The shelters that use euthanasia are often the ones that hear feedback about not giving dogs a chance.  However, it can also be detrimental for a dog to be in a shelter for a long period time and they can deteriorate. They are overcrowded and underfunded many times an rely only on volunteers in order to run efficiently.  As sad as it makes me, they can not all be saved.  There are just too many and not all are rehab-able in many respects.  The shelters do their part to the best of their ability, they have too many dogs on their doorsteps.

It is a vicious cycle and I guess my point is that the shelters sometimes take the heat for needing to make decisions that they do not enjoy making.  It is not the shelters fault that  these animals are there; it is lack of education and ownership.  Many people are not aware of multiple aspects of dog ownership, they need help and do not have ill intent.  They just need education.

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.