Part 3 in a series to document Brinkley & Parker’s dog training program.

Previous Posts:
Part 1
Part 2

by Jenny Daughty

Our First Class
Scott and I decided we should both be a part of the training process. Maybe both of us were too scared to take on such a big challenge alone. Or, maybe (and more likely) neither of us wanted to take on all that responsibility alone. Either way, it was determined we would drop off our daughter, Faye, at Kid Spa (I could write a whole other blog about that place, but let’s stay focused) and headed on over to Tara’s for our first training session.

A couple of highways and a toll road away (yes, we actually have toll roads in Austin now) and we were at Casa de Training by Tara. This may have been the first time since having a child that we were not just on time, but early. Maybe things will go our way.

Walking into the training room was a bit intimidating. Tara had 7 or 8 dogs in kennels lined along that back wall. Great, this outta freak the crap pee out of our dogs. And it did, for Parker at least. He instantly went over to the curtains and peed on them. As if I needed it drilled into my head even more; Parker is definitely the problem child. So maybe he did it because he was marking his territory/showing his alpha-ness and not because he was scared- but that makes it even worse.

Waiting… waiting… Okay, Tara is laughing. Everything is alright; she’s not kicking us out. She’s not even charging us to clean the curtains. In hindsight, maybe we should have offered to clean them, but she made it sound like it wasn’t the first time that’d happened and it wasn’t a big deal. This comment put me at ease a little. She’s trained dogs like Parker before, so we have a chance of finding the inner good dog in him.

Not to be overlooked, Brinkley is whimpering and shaking (yes, literally shaking) while hiding behind Scott. What have we done to these two poor dogs and lets please fix this so I can stop feeling guilty and ashamed.

I’ll Tell You Who’s Boss
The first thing Tara wanted to teach us was how to take the power back from our dogs. The best way to do this is through one word and simple body language. When you’re dog is misbehaving, you force them out of the pack, “Out.”

Seeing as Parker thought he was the alpha male and was fighting Scott for that power, the boys had been paired as training partners which meant I got to have the better dog, Brinkley. Scott and Parker went first. Scott told Parker “Out”, just like Tara suggested, but he bent down while telling him and kind of just asked him to do it with a drawn out, “Oooooouuuuut”.

It was all wrong (I’m so glad Scott went first). Never bend down to your dog when commanding him/her. It’s a sign of submission. Chest out, shoulders back, voice stern (but not yelling), “Out”. Because Parker is an especially stubborn dog, Scott actually had to walk toward him and corral him away. Scott then told him to “Wait” and walked back to our pack (which currently included me, Brinkley, Tara and now Scott again). Parker kept trying to sneak back into the pack but each time Scott commanded him back out. Let’s give Parker a little credit; he’s trying to break a 6 year habit. And in just a few minutes, he got it.

Brinkley, of course, caught on instantly. She clearly has no interest in being a pack leader so that was a walk in the park for her. The most interesting thing about it was that this one simple training step totally put her at ease. She almost instantly stopped shaking and her tail was pointed straight up. That’s so crazy! Tara explained that it’s because we confirmed to her that we are in charge and we’ve got it all under control. She can relax finally because she no longer has to be on guard.

Yaaaaaay Brinkley and Parker (it’s important to praise them instantly when they do well). They were both allowed back in the pack as we discussed training Part 2: Walking with the dogs. As we were doing this, Parker kept trying to step in front of me and Scott. Tara says it’s because he’s trying to “claim” us. Basically he was telling Tara to “f^#k off”. Quick solution; step in front of him and force him behind you. “Hey Parker, I got this. I’m in charge.” (And it feels good to be in charge, finally).

Walk This Way
Before heading out for a walk, you must make your pup wait while you cross out the door. Then they must continue to wait until you tell them to join you outside. Sounds simple, but when you’re dog is sooooo excited to go for a walk, a simple thing becomes annoyingly difficult. I know dogs have a short attention span but geez Parker, how many times are you and Scott gonna have to do this? Thank goodness I have the good dog.

Again, the boys go first (again, I am thankful). Oops we’re holding the leash wrong. Things aren’t looking so good already. Deep 100 degree breath (boy is it hot in Texas). Name of the game? You gotta know how to “correct” your dog when he/she pulls on the leash. Scott’s tried tons of stuff: Gentle Leader, turn around and stand stiff, yang the leash back, etc.- none of which got to the root of the porblem. Tara’s technique is the Turn-And-Run-In-The-Opposite-Direction. I think she may have a technical term for this but my memory went right out the door once I became a mother.

Basically, if your dog runs forward, yanking your leash, you turn and quickly walk the opposite direction. This instantly corrects the dog and redirects their attention to you. If your dog starts to sniff to the right, pulling the leash, then you beeline it to the left. Sounds so easy, and it is. We’ll be posting some video of us practicing this and you’ll see that it’s really very effective.

My turn! Even though I probably made Parker into the bad dog that he is, I get to be Brinkley’s training partner and she’s such a quick learner- this is why I was so eager. Turns out, walking is Brinkley’s weakness. Long story short, she’s hasn’t been the quickest learner so I had (and still have) a lot to work to do. Regardless, we left Tara’s excited, motivated, inspired and, most of all, hopeful.

by Jenny Daughtry

a continuation about our journey to regain control of our dogs (see part 1 here)

Observation Day
After filling out a bunch of questionnaires on Brinkley and Parker, it was time for Tara to come over and observe their behavior. Great, here it is. We’re about to be exposed as the bad doggy parents we are- or at least Scott will b/c its his dog that is causing all the problems.

I could bore you with the details (a problem I often have) but I’ll spare you and just get to the guts. Tara was easily able to pin point our biggest problem; our pack is all messed up. Brinkley thinks she’s the Alpha Female and Parker is quite certain he’s the Alpha Male.

Parker has self proclaimed himself as leader of the entire pack. What? No, wait, what?!?! We would have put money on Brinkley thinking she was the leader and being the cause of all our problems. Apparently Parker thinks he’s alpha, but he’s not a very stable leader so that freaks Brinkley out and causes her to be very anxious. When Scott is around, Parker is constantly fighting for top dog status and as far as me? Well, I guess I forfeited any power I had a long time ago.

Please be aware that Parker is a pound puppy that was separated by his own pack way too young so he’s probably never been taught the correct pack manners like Brinkley (you see how I’m trying to deflect the responsibility here?). But still, how could I have been so wrong? I instantly looked at Brinkley and saw her in a new, innocent, You’re-My-New-Favorite-Dog kind of way.

Problem Parents
To give myself and Scott a little credit, we were headed on the right track with many things we were already doing, but we were wrong in how we did them. When the UPS guy comes, we would yell at the dogs to “Get Out” and “Quiet” as we grabbed Parker by the collar and picked up Brinkley to bring them into the other room. To a dog, touch is often a sign of affection/play. You can imagine how confused our dogs were. How serious would you take your parents if they were tickling and hugging you while requesting you please make your bed? Another no-no was the yelling. They simply figured we were barking too. Yaaaaaay! Lets all get the UPS together!

There are a great number of things Tara enlightened us on, but the main idea is; Dogs can’t talk so they’re strongest form of communication is through body language and mannerisms. We were promised to learn how to better communicate to our dogs. Specifically, we want to know how to communicate that WE ARE THE BOSS. As soon as Tara left, we scheduled our first training for the soonest available time slot.

We will be following up with our progress

by: Jenny Daughtry

Hiring a dog trainer is something Scott and I have been wanting to do for a very long time but life (like a new baby and a new business) has gotten in the way. Okay, maybe we just haven’t wanted anyone to know that we have bad dogs. I mean, we sell dog products so our dogs should be perfect- oh, how I felt like a hypocrite. Don’t get me wrong, our dogs aren’t complete terrors, but they are far from perfect and, many times, down right annoying. We’ve decided its time to take back control of our household!

The Amateur Assumption
It’s well known amongst our friends and family that Parker is my dog and Brinkley is Scott’s dog. This is for no particular reason; things just gravitated that way, and well, voila! This being said, I was certain that Brinkley was our problem. Clearly she has little dog syndrome and Scott probably raised her to be a prissy punk. It seemed pretty simple to me; Brinkley is the brains and Parker is the brawns. Brinkley was telling Parker to do the bad things he was doing (ie. getting into trash, harassing the UPS guy, etc). Poor Parker never had a chance. If we could just fix Brinkley, then they’d both be much better dogs.

Wanted: Dog Training Super Hero
Who in the world could we trust to fix our dogs and not take us for complete idiots? Now, Brinkley is a miniature schnauzer that needs to be groomed on a regular basis. I can’t tell you how many groomers we have taken her to. She’s just so darned emotionally unstable (Scott’s fault) that she freaked out with every one. That is, until we found Tara a couple years ago. To our surprise, we found out Tara is a dog trainer for (drum role) Training by Tara. How have we missed this? We already loved Tara and affectionately referred to her as “The Lady” (short for “The only lady in the world that Brinkley likes other than me”). So there she was: Our Dog Training Super Hero (we hope).

(On a side note, Tara no longer grooms b/c she’s so busy training, but life goes on)

Is Tara Our Hero and Will Our Dogs Improve? The answer, tomorrow…

“Last year my dog Ranger was ranked #8. In March of 2010 I got the Bike Tow Leash from you and started running him to improve his physical condition, for the show ring, for his competition in weight pull, and just for fun.

Ranger is one win away from his UKC Grand Champion title, and we have three tries at it this weekend. Hopefully all the running will pay off and he’ll get that last win.”

We are rooting for you Ranger!

The Bike Tow Leash

Overview Video

Parker and I during Texas blue bonnet season

Biking can be an extremely enjoyable activity for both dog and owner. We recommend biking for dogs that are at least 20 lbs. Your dog needs to be in good health and it is ideal to get a checkup with your dog’s vet before beginning any serious exercise. Dogs with slight builds will be able to bike for longer distances than heavier or more muscular breeds so keep this in mind when deciding how far to bike your pup. Breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs that have flat faces are not designed for distance running because they can become overheated very quickly. Biking is not an activity for puppies. Your dog should be at least a year old and a minimum of 20 lbs to start biking. They should be closer to a year and a half before biking long distances.

What Equipment Do I need?

Below are my suggestions based on biking my dog for the past couple of years starting with the essentials:

Essentials:

• A specialty dog bike leash such as the WalkyDog or Bike Tow Leash

Useful:

• If using the WalkyDog, a non-restrictive comfortable dog harness is recommended – preferably with padding. Using a dog harness with the Bike Tow Leash is a personal preference. If using a harness with the Bike Tow Leash, it is important to make sure that it doesn’t allow your dog to get too far forward on the bike. This will make it harder for your dog to determine when you are turning towards him/her.
• Something to bring water along for the ride. It is very important to keep your pet hydrated.
• Paw pad protection. It is important to monitor the wear on your dogs paw pads. They will toughen up over time, but products such as Musher’s Secret can help condition, protect, and toughen your dogs pads in all types of environments.
• Cooling vests for summertime heat. I strap a large thermos with ice water to my bike and take Parker’s cooling vest along for the ride with us.
• A dog bike trailer. A great way to go on extended rides so your dog can rest when tired. Or you can bring your small dog along for a bike ride in complete safety.

Getting Started

Some dogs take to this type of exercise right away and others need to be acclimated a little more slowly. The best way to start is to attach your dog to the bicycle and just walk alongside your bike on the opposite side of your dog. You want them to understand that this is no different than taking a normal walk. Once they have going straight down, practice turning left and right and then u-turn to either side. If your dog is nervous being close to the bike you may want to extend the cord some to give them a little more space. You could also add a leash extension or create your own custom length line if using the WalkyDog. Once your dog seems confident, hop on your bike and ride slowly at first practicing the same maneuvers. It is best to begin in an area with few distractions so that your dog will focus on you. It is best to bike at a trotting pace, just make sure you never go beyond your dog’s pace. If your dog gets nervous and freezes up DO NOT attempt to keep pulling them along. Immediately stop and start walking next to the bike again.

How Far To Ride

You cannot just start biking miles on your first time out. You need to gradually increase your dog’s stamina. According to canine expert Christine Zink, D.V.M., Ph.D, you should gradually increase the distance you travel by 5 to 10 percent every four to six exercise sessions. She recommends that once you reach a distance of 2 miles, you should limit biking to every other day providing a day of rest for rejuvenation of the muscles. Extremely fit dogs can run a maximum of 10 miles per day if the sessions are broken up (less if riding on pavement, which can be tough on the skeletal system). Personally I even feel that 10 miles is too far. In the summer months this is much too far in one setting. Parker and I usually ride 2 to 3 miles everyday or every other day. Obviously, be sure to stop to rest occasionally and always monitor your dog for signs that nature is calling. Also monitor your dog’s pads for cuts or scrapes. Consider using a good paw pad wax or even protective booties if riding on rough terrain often.

Dealing With Summer Heat

During the summertime when temperatures spike, it is very important to only bike your dog during cooler parts of the day and for shorter distances. If biking on pavement be sure to check the temperature of the pavement before biking. Make sure to bring water along for the ride and take frequent breaks. Consider bringing along a dog bike trailer to give your dog a rest on the way home. You may even consider looking into a dog cooling vest. Keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion such as if your dog’s tongue becomes very wide and curls up at the end.

Want more help deciding?

We have answers to all your questions about biking with your dog and if it is the right activity for you and your pup/s. Browse through our dog bike leash buyer’s guide and if you can’t find an answer to your question, email us and we will promptly get you the detailed answer you are looking for.

Diesel was our good friend Ross’s Russian Great Dane that lost a battle to cancer yesterday. He was a goofy sweet dog that wagged his tail until the end. We will all miss him so much.

Goodbye Diesel,

Love Scott, Jenny, Faye, Parker and Brinkley

BABE’S BIKE RUN from Stephanie Ash on Vimeo.

Check out more of her pictures here. And if you are ever in need of a Winnipeg photographer, a Winnipeg wedding photographer, or a Winnipeg portrait photographer check out her site.

I’m always trying to explain to people how much stability our dog bike leashes give the rider. Usually the first thing people say when I tell them the business I am in is: “You sell what?! That would never work for my dog. He/She would pull me over instantly”. The thing about the 2 dog bike leash models we sell is that they are designed with the laws of physics in mind to give the rider the most control possible while also making the ride safe for your dog. It is hard to understand this until you actually get on the bike and try it. That is why I try my best to convey this through the many videos on my website. My dog Parker is an extremely strong 75 lb Lab mix and I try to push the limits constantly with him – testing every scenario I can think of to see how well the WalkyDog and Bike Tow Leash perform.

75 lbs is one thing, but what about the largest breed on the planet – the Great Dane…. When my friend Ross first suggested we give it a try, I have to admit that even I was a little hesitant. Ross has a 170 to 180 pound Great Dane named Diesel. This dog is huge! One day he was running full out and broke a 6 inch diameter fence post off clean at the base like it was a toothpick. So anyway, I decided to give biking Diesel a try today. I figured that if I felt comfortable biking him, then there wasn’t a dog out there that couldn’t use our leashes. As you can see in the video, Diesel is actually as big as the bike so I knew that the WalkyDog wouldn’t be the best option because it wouldn’t be able to clear his back. So I decided to try the Bike Tow Leash. The Bike Tow leash does a little better job absorbing the pulls of extremely powerful dogs anyway so it was going to be my best option.

No offense Ross, but Diesel is not the best walker. He was lunging like crazy when we were taking him outside to hook up to the bike. It was all I could do to hang on. Luckily I was using my trusty EzyDog Cujo bungee leash. At this point I was really starting to have second thoughts, but once we attached him to the bike he started to calm down a bit – probably because it was so new to him. I walked next to the bike with him to get him used to the idea and then hopped on and we were off. The video above is the very first run and he did amazing. Even better was that I felt in total control during the whole ride. Ross was so surprised to see how well Diesel did and the amount of control I had, that he decided to try it out himself – sporting his stylish Newberry Automotive shirt and all. So in the end I spared myself a trip to the ER and got some great video instead. I am positive this would have never worked just trying to hold on to a normal leash. This definitely drove home for me that we are carrying the absolute best gear on the market for biking your dog. Hopefully Diesel will continue to be a guest star for The Dog Outdoors in the future. Okay – I’m done rambling now.

Benefits of a hands free dog leash:

• Great for moms with a stroller
• Keep hands in pockets when it is cold
• Text message or talk on the phone
• Excellent control and less stress on hands and arms

Other functions of the Vario 6 hands free dog leash

• 6 ft leash
• 3 ft leash
• Short, medium or long temporary tether
• Double dog walker