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.

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I have no idea why, but I have recently stumbled onto a few unique mustache-themed dog items that made me laugh.  In no particular order and with no affiliation to Unleashed Unlimited, here are some mustache-themed dog items that you and your dog may enjoy!

Humunga Mustache Dog Toy is a hard rubber dog toy that is shaped like a mustache in the front and a shaped like a ball in the back.  The unique shape of the Humunga Stache forms a perfect dog mustache when your pooch picks up the toy from the ball end.  Not only is fetch with your dog fun, but now it’s funny too!  Humunga also makes a similar dog toy that features a giant tongue, check that out also.

Hattie Rex Mustache ID Tag is straight up awesome!  I love the design of the mustache tag but also the the tag materials, the rustic look, and the unique fonts rock too!  What dog wouldn’t want some extra facial hair!  Hatte Rex also makes a lot of really cool other id tags as well, so if a mustache isn’t your cup of tea, be sure to check out their other dog id tag designs as well.

This Silly Buddy Mustache Dog Collar is a must-have for all mustache loving dogs out there.  Silly Buddy hand-makes their collars and pay the highest attention to detail which means your mustache dog collar will look as clean and crisp as your dog!  In addition to the mustache dog collars, Silly Buddy also makes a line of bow tie dog collars as well; they rock too!

The Muttropolis Mustache Dog Collar features a variety of mustache styles.  Whether you are you a fan of the box car, the handlebar, the business man, the regent, or the abra kadabra – it doesn’t matter; they’re all on here!  In addition to the fantastic mustaches, the Muttropolis Mustache Dog Collar also features and mini seatbelt style buckle for easy on/off.  Also check out the matching leash as well!!

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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.

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It starts out with basic educational drills that increase in complexity as your dog’s skill set increases.  Each week your dog has to work harder and harder and learn to trust their nose as the handler and dog learn to work together.  The grand finale consists of a course over 3,000 sq feet filled with vehicles, luggage, pallets, boxes, and other debris.  Your dog’s challenge is to locate one piece of food in all that mess, how cool is that?!

This class is open to all levels of obedience and individuals who are not currently Unleashed Unlimited clients are welcome as well. To see the complete schedule for this class and to register, please visit our K9 Scent Games page.  Hope to see you out there!!

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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!

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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!

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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… we have the best clients.  In order to show a small token of our gratitude for all of your support and encouragement, we’re throwing a bbq!

All present and past clients of Unleashed Unlimited are welcome to join us on Saturday, May 19th at our Leander training facility immediately following our morning training classes for a casual hangout.  We will be providing the burgers, hot dogs, sodas, and sides but feel free to bring anything else (chair, alcohol, etc) that will make to day more enjoyable.

As always, well-mannered, non-reactive dogs are welcome to join us.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Tracey by May 13th.  Hope to see you out there!

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UPDATE 4/19/12: It only took a few days but Beau has found a wonderful home with a great family!  Thank you everyone for your interest in Beau and sharing this post.  

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Beau is available for adoption.  Many of you may have seen Beau out at classes and all over our facebook account a few weeks ago when he was with us for a board and train program.  Beau did great in the program and transitioned nicely back with his family, but due to unforeseen health issues within the family, Beau is in need of a good home.

Beau is a 2.5yr old neutered male German Shorthaired Pointer, he’s extremely polite and social with other dogs.  He’s also very friendly and affectionate with people and he’s a good dog that you can take anywhere.  Like all GSP’s, Beau needs a lot of exercise and activity and taking him to the park, hiking on the trails, or going for a jog around the neighborhood are all excellent options for him!

As mentioned before, Beau has been through our board and train program so he has an off-leash recall, walks great on a leash, he knows sit, down, place, and wait.  His training will carry over into his new home (please contact us for specifics) and his new family is greatly encouraged to continue his training with us.  If you would like more info about Beau or would like to meet him, please contact us.

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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!

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Trick training is back! Teaching your dog new tricks is a great opportunity to kick back and have some fun and by exposing your dog to new instruction, you’re actually making it easier for them to learn new things later down the road.