The Dublin Dog Company has just released their new line of non-stink, bacteria proof dog collars.  The new beach inspired line of Dublin Dog Collars is called the Santa Cruz collection.

As always, we have the entire line of Dublin Dog Collars on sale! Just enter the code dublin09 during check out and head out to the beach!!

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.

There are currently over 225,000 apps available in the Apple iTunes Store.  Included in those huge numbers are some great iPhone apps for dog lovers, take a look at a few of our favorites.

The Fido Factor app is a great resource to locate dog friendly locations in your area. The app automatically detects your location and helps you find the nearest dog parks, dog friendly restaurants, bars, pet stores, and hotels. Once you determine where you want to go, you can instantly download directions and head over for some dog friendly fun!!

The Dog First Aid app contains a ton of important knowledge about your pet’s health. While this app should not be used as a replacement for routine or emergency vet care for your pet, it does contain great information. Out of similar apps out there, this one is the most respected by veterinarians.

The iKnow Dogs app is a fun way to increase your knowledge of different dog breeds. Pictures and general information are available for a lot of different breeds, and you can also search the data base using different characteristics like temperament, coat type, size, country of origin, etc. This is a must have app for anyone considering getting a new dog!

What about you?  Do you have another app that should be on this list?

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.

We all know how important and useful the place command can be, and if you’re not practicing it at home – you should be!  Either during dinner time, movie time, answering the doorbell, or just relaxing, a properly taught and proofed place command can make all of the difference managing your dog around the home.

For a limited time only, we are making our placeboards available in a variety of choices when it comes to fabric and leg colors!  We are still going to carry the small placeboards as well as the long placeboards (and even our trick training and placeboard combo) but now you can finally have a placeboard that has as much character as your dog!

These placeboards are only going to be available for a limited time, then we go back to the boring blue boards, so head over to our online store for a complete list of color options!

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.

After a successful launch last year, The 2010 Doggie Du Dash is coming back to Austin again this year!  Held at Auditorium Shores in downtown Austin, the Doggie Du Dash is an exciting event that allows for dogs and humans to compete in tandem in a 375 meter open swim and a 1 mile run.

The dog duathalon is part of the Capital of Texas Triathlon, and will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 8:00am.  For more details about the event, visit the Doggie Du Dash website and check out this video highlighting last year’s Austin Doggie Du Dash.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

The Mattel toy company is gearing up to release a new product that will attempt to cash in on the social media craze, the new product is called Puppy Tweets.

Here’s how Puppy Tweets will work – a tag attaches to your dog’s collar and randomly generates one of several hundred pre-written puppy tweets when it detects barking or movement from your dog.  The tweet is then automatically sent to a USB device in your computer and is then posted as an update to your dog’s Twitter page.

Because the Puppy Tweets are pre-written, the status updates that are sent out by your dog will most likely not accurately reflect what your dog is currently doing, but nevertheless it may be entertaining.  According to Mattel, Puppy Tweets is set to hit toy stores and other retailers in the fall of this year and will sell for $29.99.  Oh, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

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.

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.