Unleashed Unlimited
THE Dog Training Blog

One of our most successful advertising campaigns so far has been our vehicle wraps.  We have had a lot of success gaining exposure, generating leads, and building Unleashed Unlimited’s brand recognition with our other car, so we decided to get Tracey’s Explorer wrapped as well.  Take a look:

It is somewhat hard to tell by these pictures, but the hidden in the blue background is a photo of several dogs that has been “ghosted” into the background.

We would like the thank Patrick and the rest of the crew at Infinity Conversions for a job well done.  If you are driving in the Austin area and see either one of our vehicles, give us a wave!

Often times we get calls from prospective clients that are at the end of their ropes with their dog’s behavior.  We hear tales of the dog destroying furniture, jumping on people, digging in the yard, pulling on leashes, and so much more.  Their stories are usually followed up with the statement, “Either we train this dog, or we get rid of him!”  It is very apparent that they are not enjoying their relationship with their pets.

We all need to realize that dog training is not a last resort.  We need to view dog training as:

• An opportunity to establish a line of communication
• An approach that will teach them how to behave
• An effort to prevent problems before they arise
• A way to manage our pets
• An mentally stimulating outlet for their energy
• A means to an end of enjoying time spent with your pet

One thing that I wish more dog owners realized, is that your dog was not born knowing how to behave!  Without being taught, they have no understanding of the rules in which you want them to follow, they have no idea how to walk on a loose leash, and they don’t know the appropriate ways in which to greet a person.  When the dog’s behavior gets to be too much for us, we often resort to giving the dog to a shelter; this is not fair!  When considering how much time and money a dog involves, please factor in training; your pet will thank you.

These are just a few reasons to train your dog, I can think of at least 15 other reasons to train your dog. If you want to prevent misbehavior, start off on the right foot with your dog, or simply enjoy the experience of owning a dog, make sure to contact the best Dog Trainers in Austin.

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.

As all Unleashed Unlimited clients know, we have a program that allows our clients to receive FREE dog training; what could be better then that? You get the well trained dog that you always wanted and the training is free!

Here is how our referral program works.  As a client, if you refer 5 people that sign up for any one of our training programs, you are issued a refund for your training program.  I know what some of you might be saying, “I am not going to bother my friends and neighbors and pressure them into buying something, just so I can get my dog trained for free”.  Trust me, it is very easy to impress people with a well-trained dog.

We have had clients that have simply been walking their dog on the hike and bike trail in Austin and someone commented on their dog’s behavior.  Co-workers have noticed pictures of our clients’ dogs and and the conversation naturally turns to training.  We even had a client get a referral from someone watching them keep their dog in a sit while they threw away a poop bag at the dog park.  Like I said, A well-trained dog gets noticed.

To all of our clients out there, if you know anyone who is looking for Dog Training in Austin, have them contact us for a FREE demo and evaluation!  All service related businesses rely heavily on referrals for new business, and Unleashed Unlimited is no exception.  We greatly appreciate your confidence in our business and we want to extend a huge THANK YOU!

PS - Lee, if you are reading, please give us a call.  We would love to thank you, your Catahoulas, and your Min-Pin!

The place command is one of the most useful skills that you can teach your dog.  When we teach your dog to place, we are simply teach them to target a specific location and respect the boundary of that location. In the simplest definition, place simply means to put all four paws on an object (that is different from the ground) and remain on that object.

The object that you are using as a place can be a professional dog training placeboard, a dog bed, a bench, or anything else that a dog can comfortably get all four of their paws onto.  As your dog gets the concept of the place command, you can use your imagination and advance their skill level by placing them on other objects like tree stumps, a brick, and even your own body.

Placing is great for building the foundation for distance and distractions, because all your dog has to do is respect the boundary that we have taught them regardless of what is going on around them.  Many of the skills that Unleashed Unlimited teaches, revolve around the place command; the uses are endless.

*  Overall control and management of your dog

*  Can aid in training fearful dogs

*  Providing a familiar object in new environments

*  Making the dog aware of it’s entire body

*  Clearer definition of the heel position

*  Prevention of sloppy sits and downs

*  Teaching directionals

Stay tuned to our dog training blog for more tips and pointers on teaching your dog to place.  In a future entry we will cover selecting the right objects for placing, introducing your dog to the place, and simple body language tips to help your dog succeed.

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.

At one time or another, most of us think that our dog must be the smartest dog in the world.  At the same time I know some of us have thought that our dog can’t be all that bright!  But have you ever wondered what types of dogs are actually smarter than others?  A few years ago scientists developed and implemented an IQ test for dogs, and here are the Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds!

10.  Australian Cattle Dog

9.  Rottweiler

8.  Papillon

7.  Labrador Retriever

6.  Shetland Sheepdog

5.  Doberman Pinscher

4.  Golden Retriever

3.  German Shepherd

2. Poodle

1.  Border Collie

So what does this mean?  Does it mean that just because you own a dog on this list, they are born knowing how to behave or they don’t need training?  Of course not, owning an intelligent dog can have its drawbacks; the smart ones are usually the dogs that give us the most problems as they are constantly finding new ways to get into trouble.  Does this mean that all dogs not on this list are dumb or cannot be trained?  Once again, the answer is no.

All dogs, just like people, learn differently than others.  Due to the numerous dog breeds, personality differences within the same breed, unknown social histories, aggression, fear, or other phobias, there is no one way to train a dog.  Training always has to be approached from a variety of different angles; it is up to the trainer to use an approach that works best for each particular dog.  The end result may be the same, but the path taken to get there may be completely different from one dog to another.

If you are looking for dog training in Austin, give Unleashed Unlimited a call and set up a FREE Demo and Evaluation.  Dog training is about communication, not only with us and our dog, but between people as well.  We will gladly discuss your issues and concerns relating to your dog, your problem areas, training goals, and everything else that is important to you and your family.

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.

People frequently ask us what a good age is to start training a new puppy.  The short answer is as soon as they set foot in your home, in fact a good breeder should have already started training.  I know what some of you may be thinking - how do you expect to train an 8 week old puppy?  A lot of people think dog training only refers to teaching sit, come, paw, and stay; however dog training is so much more then that.

Training a puppy or a dog goes way beyond obedience, dog training is about structure, boundaries, leadership, socialization, behavior, balance, and so many other things.  All of these things need to be established from the first second you take home a new puppy.

Obedience can be taught at any time, but when you first bring home a new puppy, you should be focusing on molding your puppy into the dog you want him or her to become.  Sometimes you only get one chance to work on certain skills, that is why it is important to start immediately, things like walking on a leash and retrieving can wait.

The focus of puppy ownership should be concentrated in the following areas:

• Socialization with people of all different races, shapes, sizes, age and personality
• Socialization with puppies and other WELL-SOCIALIZED dogs
• Prevention of resource guarding
• Handling skills
• Potty training
• Leadership drills

We get a lot of calls from adult dog owners who are experiencing behavior issues that could have been easily avoided if certain drills and exercises were practiced when the dog was younger.  We understand that puppies do not come with an owner’s manual, so Unleashed Unlimited offers a Puppy Consultation that is designed to give the right information and confidence to get you and your family off on the right foot with your new puppy.

Please take our advice and realize that obedience should not be the primary focus of a young puppy’s life.  Start on the important, time sensitive things that your puppy needs.  If you have any questions about your puppy, please feel free 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.

Dogs are such great animals; entertaining, athletic, funny, affectionate and fascinating.  Maybe all of these characteristics are reasons why we bond with them so easily.  Sometimes we see certain clients with an obvious, amazing bond that they have with their dog; that is what dog ownership should be about.

Building relationships and bonding do not always happen automatically or easily, we can’t simply command our dogs to bond.  In order to have a healthy relationship with your dog, certain things like leadership, communication, interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, praise, and respect all have to be present.  These things take time, patience, and consistency to establish, but the rewards are worth it!

Here is a short list of things you can do to build or improve the relationship you have with your dog…

• Train them not only in obedience, but with some different things like agility, tricks, and games
• Take your dog for a walk, run, hike or swim
• Praise your dog when you are proud of them
• Groom your dog.  Clean their ears, bathe them, trim their nails, brush them, and handle them
• Play with your dog
• If you have multiple dogs, occasionally take turns walking or playing with one at a time
• Implement and practice leadership skills and exercises

Pictured above is Jim and his dog Maverick, an English Pointer puppy.  Jim and Maverick have a great relationship and bond that is extremely clear from the first second you see them together.  Jim and Maverick have this great relationship because Jim frequently practices the tips mentioned above, and thoroughly enjoys spending time with his dog.

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.

What Is It?

Gastric torsion, bloat, torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus are all names given for the medical condition where a dog’s stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content.  In these cases, the dog becomes unable to naturally expel the buildup, and some cases the stomach can actually “flip” over and cut off all escape routes for the gas, trapping it inside.  Bloat can be fatal!  Unfortunately I experienced this first hand with my last dog Onyx, who experienced bloat while staying at a kennel a few years ago and died.  One of our clients had a previous dog, an Akita named Borlo, that also passed away from GDV.

Can Your Dog Get It?

Although it is unlikely, smaller dogs do not usually experience bloat.  It is more likely to happen to larger, deep-chested breeds like Great Danes, Akitas, German Shepherds, Labradors, Boxers, St. Bernards and other dogs of similar body types.

How Can You Recognize It?

Although there are several possible signs of bloat or torsion, a dog suffering from it will not always show ALL of these signs, but here are a few…

Restlessness, excessive drooling, non-productive attempts to vomit, noticeable swelling of the stomach, pale gums, difficulty breathing, and the inability to lay down.

If you think your dog may be showing signs of these behaviors or others, take your dog to the vet immediately - THIS IS AN EMERGENCY.  It is also a good idea to call the vet on your way so that they may prepare for your arrival.

How Can You Prevent It?

• There is a preventative surgery, called gastroplexy, that can reduce the risk of the stomach turning over onto itself.
• Do not feed your dog less then 2 hours before heavy physical activity.  Also, do not feed your dog within 2 hours after heavy physical activity.
• Feed several (at least 2) small meals, instead of 1 large meal per day.  Also make sure that your dog eats slow and does not “inhale” their food.
• Limit your dog’s water intake before, after, and during exercise or play.
• Give your dog a Gas-Ex before heavy physical activity; this will help prevent gasses from building up  in your dog’s stomach.
• Feed your dog a high-quality dog food that will not immediately expand when it comes into contact with water.
• Have your vet’s contact information readily available at all times.

Pictured above are Kira and Kevo, two Akita puppies that have had the preventative surgery.

Please understand that this entry provides a very basic outline of this condition.  Please contact your vet if you have any questions regarding this condition or any information contained in this article.

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.