Unleashed Unlimited » The General Dog Community

Submissive Grinning in Dogs

Paul — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:43:17 +0000

Growing up, most of us were probably taught that you should not approach a dog if he his snarling at you and showing his teeth; that’s a pretty clear body language cue not to approach. But when is teeth bearing not an indicator to back off? Although it’s commonly confused with a snarl, submissive grinning is is not a signal to back off!

Submissive grinning, sometimes called smiling, is when a dog pulls up their front lips to expose their teeth (check out a video here and a photo here) and it often occurs during an initial greeting (dog to human, dog to dog). If you have never seen a dog do this before, it can be quite confusing and it’s often misread by people because we are so conditioned to back off when we see teeth.

Although the bearing of the teeth during submissive grinning can often closely resemble other teeth bearing situations (like resource guarding), it is important to look at more then just the teeth. When a dog smiles or grins submissively, there is usually motion in the dog, often fast-paced over-exaggerated movements, squinty eyes, and overall excitement.

On the other hand, teeth bearing during resource guarding will often appear when the dog is in proximity to an item (bone, food, etc) and the dog is usually still and hunched over and showing teeth (video here – don’t try this at home).

Not all dogs grin submissively but keep your eyes out for those that do, it can be very fun!

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. Also be sure to check out ourFacebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter.

2012 Austin Doggie Du Dash

Paul — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:26:55 +0000

The Capital of Texas Triathlon is coming back to Austin in a few weeks and along with this event comes the Doggie Du Dash! The Austin Subaru Doggie Du Dash gives man (or woman) and best friend the chance to compete in tandem with a 200 meter open water swim, followed by a 1 mile run for the finish.

This event is just another example of why owning a dog in the Austin area is such a joy. Austin has great dog parks, hiking trails, training classes, agility clubs, and so much more; I mean what other cities have great activities and attractions for dogs?!

The Doggie Du Dash will be held at Auditorium Shores on Sunday, May 27th, at 8:00am. For more details on the event and a complete dos and don’ts check list, visit the Doggie Du Dash website.

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. Also be sure to check out our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter.

Should You Allow Your Dog on the Furniture?

Paul — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:08:42 +0000

Absolutely! Although I say that without hesitation, there are some exceptions and conditions that must be met if you’re going to allow your dog on the furniture.

Make sure they are only allowed onto the couch or bed when invited. There are going to be times when you don’t want them automatically jumping onto the couch and snuggling right up against your friend who is scared of dogs or getting hair all over your Sunday best. If your dog jumps up without permission, have them get off of the couch, sit, and then invite them back up. The consistent enforcement of this structure will lead to your dog “asking” for permission.
Make sure they know how to get off the couch. A dog should yield to you and the family, that includes removing themselves from the couch or bed when told to do so. Make sure that you fully teach your dog a skill (such as “get off” or something similar) that will clearly communicate that you want your dog to get off of the furniture.
Make sure your dog is not guarding the furniture. If your dog is one the bed and growls at you every time you enter the room, do not allow them to remain on the furniture. If your dog growls, nips, or bites you when you reposition yourself in bed or on the couch or when you try to remove them from the bed, it’s time to go.
Make sure there is balance is your relationship. Those dogs lacking a strong leadership presence do not need access to the furniture right now. I would also implement a no couch or bed rule for puppies and new dogs coming into the home (for a few weeks). As the relationship between you and your dog gets further established or when things start to improve, you can revisit the issue but the furniture is something that I feel needs to be earned.

If your dog meets these conditions, go ahead and take that well-deserved nap on the couch with your pup! If not, contact an Austin Dog Trainer to help create some structure, boundaries, and improved communication with your dog!

4 Easy Ways to Eliminate Tag Jingle

Paul — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:02:04 +0000

Some of us like to hear our dog’s tags jingle as they run as it lets us know where they are and can be heard starting to come when called. Other owners dislike the constant jingle when their dogs run, jump onto the couch or scratch, especially when living in a household with multiple dogs. If you are in the later group of dog owners on this one, here are some extremely simple ways to eliminate the noise from your dog’s tags while still meeting local dog park requirements and keeping your dog safe.

Brass Nameplates have been around for years. The are simple nameplates that attach to your dog’s collar via a couple of rivets. Yes, the nameplate will eliminate the jingle and they are relatively inexpensive, but a drawback of them is they are difficult to transfer between collars.
Boomerang Collar Tags relocate your dog’s tags from hanging below the leash attachment and put them directly onto the fabric section of the collar. Besides the lack of tag jingle, these tags also allow for easy removal of the tag so it’s easy to switch when getting your dog a new collar.
Dog Tag Silencers are a soft rubber-like material that is made to fit over your dog’s existing tags and acts as a buffer between multiple tags to reduce noise. Some silencers are made to fit specific tags while others are made to fit multiple shapes and sizes, hopefully you can find one that fits your dog’s existing tags.
A Rubit is a quick release assembly that allows for easy and complete removal of your dog’s tags. So instead of always having to use the old fashioned key ring connector, the Rubit lets you easily take off your dogs tags when you’re not in the mood for the jingle. Using a Rubit is the best of both worlds as it give you options for tag removal and lets you easily change collars!

Hopefully we have provided a few options (besides super glue or a simple rubber band) if you are looking to silence those tags!

The Retractable Leash

Paul — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:16:04 +0000

Retractable leashes, sometimes referred to as flexileads, are pretty common to find in a dog owner’s stash of dog items. Leashes play a very important role in training your dog and sure, they may sound like a good idea as you can control the length of your dog’s leash from moment to moment, but just like any training tool, proper usage is key. Listed below are some potential hazards that are associated with these types of leashes.

Severe rope burn can occur if the leash gets caught around your ankle or if you try to grab the chord using your hand as your dog bolts away. Yes, this can happen with any type of leash but due to the thin and rounded construction of many of these types of chords, the potential severity of rope burn is increased, both for you and your dog.
Retractable leashes don’t really allow for a structured walk. Too much leash (as well as tension in the leash) allows the dog too much freedom during their walks which can contribute to leash reactivity when seeing another dog or animal. Yes, you sure can give the dog a shorter amount of leash if you choose to, but how many owners actually do this?
As responsible dog owners, it’s important to be considerate of others when out with your dog. I have seen countless owners on many of Austin’s Dog Trails who give their dog about 15 feet of leash on a trail that is only 10 feet wide which means there is a leash that spanns the entire trail width and joggers, bikers, and other dog owners have to figure out how to avoid your dog’s leash.

Alright so clearly I’m not a fan of using a retractable leash, so what should you use? I prefer a simple nylon leash that is anywhere from 4′ to 6′ in length, about 3/4″ wide, and unless you have a dog that is a champion weight puller, a single-ply leash should be just fine. Regardless of what type of leash you are using, going for a walk with your dog should involve keeping your dog next to you in a control position, there should be slack in your dog’s leash, and he should generally be looking in the direction you are traveling. Just like most things we do with our dogs, structure is key! If you would like to learn more about how to add structure to your dog’s walk, please contact an Austin Dog Trainer to show you how!

Tips for Surviving the Mighty Texas Dog Walk

Paul — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:22:23 +0000

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk is coming to Austin this weekend and it should be a great event! While everyone is out to have a good time and enjoy the day, here are a few tips to help make the day safe, happy, and fun for you and your dog.

It is going to be packed! The Mighty Texas Dog Walk usually has around 10,000 dogs and they will all be converging in a relatively small space. This can be very stressful for some dogs and this environment is not always the best place to introduce dogs to each other. It’s hard enough to introduce dogs while on leash in a normal social situation, it may be better to just spread out here.
Not all dogs are friendly! This goes along with the statement above about spreading out, but keep an eye on your dog and don’t assume every dog out there is going want to play with your dog.
Clean up after your dog! Do yourself a favor and grab a bag for your dog and while you’re at it, grab another one for someone else.
Expect some dogs to be stressed! Large events like this can be very stressful for even the most well-socialized and adjusted dogs. If you see your dog showing signs of stress or panic, make an adjustment. So instead of walking in the middle of 10,000 dogs, it may be better for your dog if you fall near the back of the pack and walk with more space between you and the other participants.
Don’t let others feed your dog! This is very important if your dog has any food allergies or cannot have certain types of treats. There will be a lot of vendors with treats, food, and other delicious items for your dog to sample, but make sure to keep an extra eye out if your dog has dietary restrictions.
Be aware of weather conditions! The weather in Texas is usually great in April, but it can still be a concern. There will be watering stations along the walk, but consider bringing your own water if your dog doen’t share well with others or if they need to be watered frequently. Also be sure to reach down and feel the temperature of the street; if the sun is intense the pavement will heat up and cause the dog to potentially burn their pads.
Enjoy the walk! The Mighty Texas Dog Walk is a fun event that benefits a great cause. Please consider donating to the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs to help them out!

2012 Most Popular Breeds

Paul — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:06:19 +0000

The American Kennel Club recently announced their annual list of the most popular dog breeds in America. The AKC’s 2012 most popular dog breeds list is very similar to the 2011 and 2010 most popular breeds list, but with a few changes.

The Beagle and Golden Retriever have both gained ground on the Yorkshire Terrier, knocking the terrier to the 5th spot and the Poodle and Dachshund switched spots. But with all of the shake ups, once again, the Labrador Retriever tops the list for the 21st consecutive year!

Take a look at the AKC’s 2012 publishing of the most popular dog breeds.

10. Rottweiler

9. Dachshund

8. Poodle

7. Boxer

6. Bulldog

5. Yorkshire Terrier

4. Golden Retriever

3. Beagle

2. German Shepherd Dog

1. Labrador Retriever

Dog Boarding Just Got Awesome?

Paul — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:22:22 +0000

We recently stumbled across a new site called DogVacay. The company allows anyone who wants to host dogs in their home to apply for a listing. It’s up to the homeowners to set their own price, allows them to choose their own schedules, and even select what type and size of dogs they are willing to host. Dog owners can book nights directly through the site and DogVacay takes a small percentage of the transaction. Sounds great, right?

The idea of leaving your dog in someone’s home where you know they will be cared for does sound better then a loud concrete kennel. The basic concept of this service is very similar to having your friend watch your dog while you go out of town for a few days. However, there is one major change – you’re not leaving your dog with a trusted friend, you’re basically leaving your dog with a stranger. Although there is an “interview” process and the choice is ultimately up to the dog owner, does anyone else see a list of potential problems here?

Here’s a quote directly from the site: “Dog Vacay allows you to find a real home to board your dog. It’s better than a kennel where Spot will be stuck in a cage all day. Home boarding gives your dog individual attention, fun with a small number of well-socialized dogs, and supervision from a responsible pet owner – at a price that doesn’t add up to more than your vacation.” Exactly how well socialized are this person’s other dogs? What is this person’s definition of supervision? Is it truly better then your dog being in a kennel?

There are already a large group of pet sitters out there, is this really more then just a directory of pet sitters, or is this a directory of “unqualified” people calling themselves pet sitters? What do you think… will this service make it? Would you use it?

2012 Mighty Texas Dog Walk

Paul — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:05:15 +0000

It’s that time of year again – get ready for the 14th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the event, the Mighty Texas Dog Walk is a gathering of dogs and their owners for a 3 miles stroll through downtown Austin in attempt to bring the Guinness World’s Record for “Largest Dog Walk” back to Texas!

Not only will they be attempting to break the largest dog walk record, but this year the Mighty Texas Dog Walk will also be trying to set the record for the largest hairball, the most dogs sitting at the same time, and the most dogs wearing the same bandanna! Now if breaking those records wasn’t enough to convince you to sign up for Austin’s Mighty Texas Dog Walk, the fact that all proceeds will be benefiting Texas Hearing and Service Dogs should push you over the top. Be sure to check out their website and learn more about the great things they do.

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk will be held in Austin on Saturday, April 7, 2012. To find out more about the event, be sure to visit the Mighty Texas Dog Walk website!

What’s the Deal with Humping?

Paul — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:21:09 +0000

Whether it was one of your own dogs being the guilty party or another dog doing it to yours, we’ve all seen two dogs hump each other at some point. Yes, it’s embarrassing and obnoxious, and it’s not something you want to encourage, but what does it all mean?

There are a lot of theories floating around out there about mounting and humping, some think that it’s sexual, humping is dominance, or it’s mainly done by intact males. While some of these and other theories can be correct in some cases, the most common type of humping/mounting that I see on a daily basis is redirected excitement that usually ends up in play.

While mounting and humping may be a way to start a nice game of chase, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t obnoxious or shouldn’t be interrupted out in public. You definitely don’t want to be the owner of that dog that is constantly mounting and going to town on every dog at the park, telling them to come would be an important management skill to have in this case. It’s extra important in situations like these to be able to interrupt it because some dogs will instantly turn and correct a dog for mounting them. But around a group of well-socialized dogs with no behavior issues – why not let them go?

Start to observe your dog a little closer when it comes to their humping. You may see them do it in times of high excitement or as a way to get another dog to play with them. While it isn’t appropriate in all situations, humping is not a sign of a bad dog.