I was just looking through some of our old Youtube Videos and found one of our first (and my favorite) videos, Louie’s Video Highlights.  Enjoy!

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I have heard many different theories and opinions about the benefits and risks of shaving a thick-coated dog in the summer.  Each differing opinion will cite reasons and facts that favor their decision, but should you shave your dog in the summer or not?

Just like all of the others that weigh in on this topic, I too have an opinion; my answer is no, you shouldn’t shave your dog in the warmer months.  Here are some of the reasons that bring me to this conclusion:

• Our dogs don’t sweat like we do.  Instead, their cooling process is handled by panting and even some sweating on the paws, having a thick coat will not slow down a dog’s cooling process.
• Some types of fur and hair can be beneficial in hot weather, working to insulate dogs from the heat.
• Dogs with double-coated fur receive protection against biting flies and mosquitoes.
• Dogs with little or no pigmentation in their skin, like the Husky, can get sunburned very easily when shaved.
• Most long haired dogs look ridiculous when shaved.

So if there are so many reasons not to shave your dog during the summer, why do we all see so many shaved dogs?  Do you have another perspective on this issue, do you have better reasons why you should shave your dog?  If so, we would love to get a discussion going, feel free to comment below.  Also be sure to keep your eyes on our dog training blog for an upcoming post that will provide Tips for Keeping Your Dog Cool in the Summer.

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Here is the first installment of a new feature we call the “Trainer’s Spotlight”. We hope to regularly post these interview style entries with talented trainers and leaders in the dog industry.

Q: Can you provide a brief overview of yourself and your business and services?

A: Jt Clough, owner of K9 Coach, Inc in San Diego, CA. While I spent many years creating classes like “Urban Outing Adventures”, I now focus most of my time on private coaching sessions with owners and dogs as well as exclusive dog camps with an emphasis on exercise and fitness as the successful bridge to obedience. In the last year I wrote the 5K Training Guide: Running with Your Dog and coach people online to running with their dog for both fitness and the way to a well trained dog. As an athlete and advocate of health and fitness this program has been near and dear to my heart and I’m finding the joy of coaching many who have wanted to get fit but were missing the motivation factor. Training your dog as your workout partner has the advantage of training partner that is always encouraging and ready to go despite the weather, time of day, or what you are wearing.

Q: What advice can you give a potential dog owner who is looking to adopt from a dog/puppy from a shelter?

A: Though many dogs at shelters are mixed breeds, do a little research and find out what breed(s) best fits your lifestyle. Many people think that a small dog is going to be easier than a large dog, when in fact a small dog can have high energy and require exercise or mental stimulation as if it were in a big energetic dog suit.

Q: From your experience and in your opinion, what are some of the most common mistakes dog owners make?

A: I have people on a weekly basis come to me and ask how they can get their dog to quit destroying and/or peeing in their house. My first question is “when is your dog displaying the destructive behaviors?” Typical answer: “When I’m at work.” Yikes. Just like babies or toddlers unattended there is a good chance they will get into trouble, do something they shouldn’t or something that is simply unsafe when left to roam the house unattended. Without the ability to logic dogs need to have guidance, especially a dog new to the home who is not aware of the rules or appropriate training over time. Leaving a dog unattended free to roam the house is not “being nice” like most people try to logic, but asking for unwarranted anger at a dog when mistakes happen that could have been avoided by providing a safe den or room of his/her own in a crate while you are away at work.

Q: What is the most remarkable thing you have seen a dog do?

A: Wow. Many, many things from alerting the owner to a seizure well before it was going to happen to warning that an approaching person is dangerous. One of the most incredible things I’ve scene a dog do is provide companionship that becomes unconditional even in our greatest solitude over time.

Q: In your opinion, what is the single most important command you can teach a dog and why?

A: Recall or come. The ability to call your dog away from anything is the most rewarding and safety conscious things you can do with your dog. The scenarios go from wanting to jump up on someone, running in the street, racing after a rabbit, running out an open door, chasing after another dog or cat, to coming away from a rattlesnake sunning itself in the middle of an urban trail. If I was only allowed to teach a dog one thing, it would be to come here now!

Q: Can you provide any useful information, advice, or tips for dog owners who frequent off leash dog parks?

A: I believe going to a dog park should require any dog owner to have a strong recall with their dog. For the reasons above it provides the ability to call your dog away from a situation where other dogs may be getting too rambunctious or running out an open gate and into the street. People also need to be aware of over reacting to other dogs behavior at a dog park as well. Too many times I have scene people start yelling, screaming and causing reason for fight of flight in dogs when remaining calm and instructing dogs to come away is the solution to a tiff over a ball or a new dog entering the scene.

Q: What skills/concepts do you find dog owners have the most trouble with, and what advice do you give them?

A: Many people are irritated by their dog pulling on the leash, yet they are encouraging the behavior by giving their dog the entire leash and letting the dog lead them around. My advice is to give the entire leash when your dog needs the space to go to the bathroom but rein it in and keep your dog beside you while you are walking or running.

Q: Do you have a product, event, video, organization, or something else to promote that you feel our readers can benefit from?

A: Fitness and health should be on the immediate radar of every person. Dogs are part of the family and should be fit and healthy as well. A well exercised dog is a happy dog and that goes for people too. A training program to support getting out to move is key to the success of those who are just starting out. The 5K Training Guide: Running With Your Dog provides inspiration, a running program for you and dog training tips for your dog. Get out an move and have more fun with your dog.

Coming May 2, 2010 FitForDogs.com The site is dedicated to exercise with your dog and founded my Liz Devitt, DVM specializing in Canine Sports Medicine, and Jt Clough Professional Dog Trainer and owner of K9 Coach, Inc.

I would like to extend a big thank you to Jt Clough for taking the time to share her thoughts with us, to learn more about Jt and K9 Coach, be sure to stop by the K9 Coach website.

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As a part of National Pet Week, on Sunday, May 2, 2010, we will be kicking off Fit Dog Fit Nation Day by enjoying a hike with our dogs at Walnut Creek Park in Austin. Although Austin is known for having some of the fittest dogs around, the movement has a simple concept, it stresses the importance of fitness on both our dogs and ourselves as an entire nation.

Exercise is so important for our dogs and it’s great encouragement to get out and do something will benefit not only them, but ourselves too!  Fit Dog Fit Nation goes beyond only focusing on the importance of fitness for one day, but hopefully creating a chain of events that leads to more activities that benefit dogs and humans.  Stressing a the importance and benefits of a fit dog and a fit nation falls perfectly into this year’s National Pet Week theme, which is “Healthy Together”.

Please join us on May 2 for our Fit Dog Fit Nation event; the hike starts at 10:30 and we will be crossing the stream in a few places so please dress appropriately and bring a towel for your dog.  If you cannot make it to our event, please consider doing something else with your dog that promotes the very important message.  Hope to see everyone on May 2!

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Last week we made a post about 5 of the Greatest Dog Inventions, now it’s time for the worst.  It was a bit difficult to narrow this list down to only 5, but I think we have put together the worst of the worst, take a look.

Rear Gear – A direct quote from their website – “Rear Gear is a fun and enchanting way of covering your pet’s rear while boosting their confidence!” Basically this a coaster-like cardboard cut out that covers your dog’s butt for a few seconds before being chewed off or removed by someone with more sense then the dog’s owner.  If seeing your dog’s bung hole bothers you that much, maybe you shouldn’t have a dog.

Puppoose – There are several companies that make these types of products, and I can’t figure out why.  The Puppoose, and other similar products, acts as a restraint system that allows you to strap your dog to your body and show everyone how exactly how much you enjoy throwing your money away, and how you refuse to let your dog’s feet touch the ground.  Last time I checked, leashes were for dogs and papoose type product were for babies, two very different species.

The Poop Trap – This is an elaborate system of harnesses, clips, and bags that dangles right below your dog’s rear in hopes that it will magically stay in place perfect enough to catch your dog’s solid waste.  I hate picking up poop more then the next guy, but you have to weigh your options here:  hold your breath while picking up poop or embarrass the heck out of your dog (and then hold your breath while picking up poop).  Thanks Janeen for suggesting this item.

Pet Peeker -  This is a bubble-like window that allows your dog to look outside of the fence that surrounds your yard.  Not only can this possibly encourage fence fighting and boundary frustration, but it also fends off invitations to neighborhood gatherings, social groups, and parties by announcing to everyone that you and your dog are not ready for real social interaction.  It reminds me of a window you would see in a submarine.

Hot Doll for Dogs – The Hot Doll is a sex toy for your dog.  That’s right, a sex toy for your dog.  The Hot Doll website boasts about the product’s attractive curves and stability.  And get this, it even has a removable back door opening thingy to make things more realistic!  No further snarky sarcastic comments needed.

I am all for innovation and creative problem solving, but I think these products all missed their marks.  But if I am missing constructive functional attributes of these products, please let me know.  What else do you think belongs on this list?

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Have a dog? Want to adopt one? Either way, you will be covered at this years Dog Day Afternoon.  The KLBJ Dog Day Afternoon will be held Saturday, April 10th from noon to 4pm at the Triangle Park in Austin.

There will be a ton of great activities at the event, everything from raffles, dog toy making, micro-chipping, and some disc dog events!!  In addition to all of these great attractions, several local shelters and rescue organizations will be on hand too.

To get all of the information about the Dog Day Afternoon event, visit their website.

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Anyone who has been inside a pet store lately knows about the large selection of gadgets, toys, leashes, and other accessories that are available for dogs.  Over the years I have seen a lot of great dog products and I have also come across a lot of really bad products for dogs. I will cover the worst dog inventions in an upcoming post (which should be a lot of fun!), but take a look at what I consider to be some of the best inventions for dogs.

Frisbee – Although this wasn’t originally invented for dogs, it has crossed over into our world and is my personal favorite “dog toy” around.  Disc dog enthusiasts have taken this one simple invention and built an entire community around it, and for that reason it makes my list!

Dublin Dog Collars – After using these collars for a few years now, it’s very unlikely I will go back to a regular nylon type collar.  Dublin Dog Collars are made of a polymer blend that doesn’t fade, hold moisture, or harbor bacteria, and  best of all – they never stink!  This is a huge benefit if your dogs play as hard as ours do.

Chuck-It – I don’t know of any dog owner who hasn’t had at least one of these things.  Not only does the Chuck It give us all super human throwing abilities, but it keeps our hand free of slobber.  These things rock!

Kong – Although the Kong Company makes a ton of great products, I am referring to the original Kong.  The unpredictable bouncing makes for a great fetch toy, the rugged construction makes for a pretty decent chew toy, and the treat spot allows it to be mentally stimulating for your dog as well.

Manners Minder – The Manners Minder is one of the most versatile training tools that we have seen in a long time.  For those that don’t know, the Manners Minder is a remote controlled treat dispenser that can be used to help modify and shape a ton of different behaviors, take a look at a short video. While this product may not find it’s way into every dog owners’ toy box, it’s a very valuable tool to us as trainers.

Yes, you will notice that some of these products are available in our online store. These products are not on the list because we carry them in our store, but we carry them in our store because we feel they belong on this list.

I only listed a few of the many great dog inventions and accessories in this list.  In your opinion, what is missing from the list, what are your favorite dog inventions or items that you and your dog can’t live without?

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A few weeks ago I made a blog post about only being able to teach your dog two skills. We received a lot of great feedback from our readers with their input on what skills they would teach their dogs if they could only pick two commands.  Now it’s my turn, if I could only pick two things to teach my dog, they would be heel and down; and here’s why.

Heel - Many people think heel is simply walking with their dogs, and it is, but it also can be so much more.  Heel can and really should be taught not only when walking, but rather as a position relative to your body.  This means that regardless of movement, starting position, distance or anything else, heel means to get into a certain position.  Because of this extended definition, heel can be used when walking with your dog, but can also be used as a recall command as well!

Down - I chose down because this skill has a lot of control built into it.  Not only does down mean put your belly on the ground, but it also means keep your belly on the ground until you are told to do something else, so down is also your “stay” command as well.  So why chose down instead of sit?  Remember, we have to enforce every command we give to our dogs, so unless you expect your dog to sleep in a sit and relax at home always in a sit, down seems like a better option to me.

In my opinion, there are no two other skills that give us more useful control of our dogs then these two commands.  If you have another view on this subject, please respond with a comment, I would love to hear different perspectives from everyone!

So what’s the point of all this?  Yes, obviously we teach more then just two commands to our clients and their dogs.  The point is that obedience should be used as a functioning tool that allows us to control our dogs in a wide variety of situations.  The more we build into our commands, the more our dogs will get out of them and the more control we will have over them.  Increased freedom comes with increased control, and that is always a good thing!

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For the past two years, Austin Fit Magazine has held a contest to find Austin’s Fittest Dogs.  All of the 18 dogs featured in the write up exemplify health and fitness and have an active and outdoor lifestyle; you know, all the things that dogs love!  Just like last year’s winners, there are some Unleashed Unlimited clients’ dogs in the on the 2010 Austin’s Fittest Dogs winners list!

So what does it take to be one of Austin’s Fittest Dogs?  Besides having an active lifestyle and a love for the outdoors, off-leash control is probably the most useful.  We all know that dogs really can’t have fun on a leash, I mean when was the last time you saw a dog catch a Frisbee, do agility, or go swimming while on a leash?  If you are looking for off leash dog training in Austin, contact Unleashed Unlimited, we can help get you and your dog off leash and having fun!

To see all of Austin’s Fittest Dogs, be sure to pick up the March 2010 issue of Austin Fit Magazine, and 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.

I’m sure we have all heard the term less is more.  So staying with that theme, if you could only pick two skills to teach your dog (any two skills at all), what would you teach and why?

Feel free to leave your responses in the comment area of this post, and in our next post I will post and explain my answer and discuss some of the other submissions as well.

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