The Dog Blog

Dog trainers don’t really go all in for technology. I mean the collars and leashes really haven’t changed that much in the past 2000 years. That doesn’t stop my clients from wanting to know what we trainers do all day. So in response to my blog readers, I’m going to start publishing some posts from the road using the now ubiquitous iPhone.

Yep, photos, words, the whole gig. You want a feel for my days, here it comes. Hope you all enjoy.

To inagurate this endeavor, here is my first mobile post and photo of the things most dear to me this time of year for dog training work. Enjoy!

All my best,
Steve Haynes
Fidelio dog works

– Post From My iPhone. Dog training on the go.

I would never have thought when I started FIDELIO DOG WORKS that we would make it to the point of being reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. FIDELIO was initially meant to be a small boutique dog training business. I wanted to have a limited number of clients daily and provide the best possible training for those clients.

Over the last few years Fidelio has grown dramatically. We now have a full-time office assistant and a specialized puppy trainer. We are honored to feel that our clients trust us and believe in what we do. Our goal is always to do what’s best for the client and their dog and we were encouraged to read that the Wall Street Journal portrayed that.

I’ve been written up in several different magazines and newspapers in the past, but I have to say, getting reviewed by the Wall Street Journal was a special highlight. The review is a validation of a job well done and an indication that my clients appreciate the work I do with them. Being recognized nationally was just icing on the cake.

So, even with our appreciation for our five minutes of Wall Street Journal fame, it won’t really change the way we do anything. Fidelio will still remain a small focused group which attempts to do our best helping people enjoy their dogs and dogs enjoy their people.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com

A lot of people wonder how I keep up with running a dog training business, there’s quite a bit more to it on the technology side than most would think. Overall, we are pretty sophisticated at Fidelio Dog Works. We’re exclusively Macintosh computer based around here. I learned how to use Macs in the beginning and continue to think they’re the easiest for small businesses like us to maintain and keep working. All of our Accounting software, contact management software, video conferencing software (for remote client visits and meetings), and everything else that keeps us close to customers technologically is done with Macintoshes.

On a daily basis I’ll use a Macintosh Mac Book in the car to take notes on client meetings and the progress of the dogs during lessons, In the office I have a large Macintosh desktop to answer e-mails, prepare invoices, and do our blog entries. Also, I use a micro cassette recorder while driving between clients to quickly jot down thoughts and ideas for blog reports so I don’t forget them. When I get back to the office I connect this tiny recorder to a computer and have the sound files converted into text so that we can quickly edit it and post to the blog.

Most dog trainers I know aren’t quite into using technology the way we do. But, over the last serveral years, we’ve found it makes us more efficient, helps our customers get more out of the training, and helps us get our message out in a much more timely manner, and makes the business run as seamlessly as possible.

One thing that many of our clients don’t realize is that Edye, my assistant, isn’t here in Austin at all. She actually lives in rural Kentucky. With the help of the Macs and fast DSL lines she manages to keep track of all my appointments, and works with all of our wonderful customers remotely. The only clue that gives her way is the return address on the thank you cards, and the area code on the phone that she dials from.

There’s so much technology behind the scene of our little business that sometimes it boggles the mind. I often wonder how my competitors and Associates managed to keep it all together using the limited tools that many of them have.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com

One of the good things about going to a conference is all the vendors that are around.

Being a dog trainer, one of the exciting things in my life is finding a good leash. Is that a sad fact or what??

Anyway, I ran across this company that makes fantastic leashes in an artificial leather (Corinthian leather anyone…). In any case, these things felt great, were already broken in, which usually takes a leather one about a year or so, and were reasonably cheap. These things are called Biothane leashes from a company called Signature K9. They make a lot of stuff that the average dog owner wouldn’t be interested in but these leashes really got my attention and no cows had to give up any body parts to make them.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works

After a VERY long day at the city council meeting I finally  managed to stand up and give my three minutes at 11:15 Thursday night. 

With the exception of Mayor Pro Tem Danny Thomas there were no dissenters on the panel.  I’m not sure what his reasoning was as he didn’t care to go into specifics, just that "he didn’t think it was a good idea".

In any case, establishments that wish to allow dogs on their patio can now do so without threat of fine or infraction.

So, grab your dog and head down to Opal Devines on sixth street to munch some of their amazing fries with your best four legged friend!

Thanks to all of you that wrote and called, we couldn’t have done it without you.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com 

The Austin City Council had a lively debate on the pets on the patio proposal this week, but didn’t manage to make a final decision on rescinding the health department ban on having dogs on the patios at participating restaurants.

Instead, they scheduled a public hearing for March 2, at 6 p.m. so that all of us dog lovers could come and give our views as well as hear from the business owners that are interested.  This is a great opportunity for us to show our support for our four legged friends so try to make the meeting if you can.

Opal Devines has collected over 800 signatures in favor of allowing dogs, but I believe we need to give our full support though emails, phone calls, and best of all physical presence at the meeting on the 2nd.

For those of you who wish to be active in this regard here is the relevant contact information.  I urge you to make your thoughts known and to call their offices to voice support for the Pets on the Patio proposal.

Mayor Will Wynn:  ph. 974-2250

Mayor Pro Tem Danny Thomas: ph. 974-2266 

Coucnil Member Raul Alvarez: ph. 974-2264

Council Member Betty Dunkerley:  ph. 974-2258

Council Member Jennifer Kim:  ph. 974-2255

Council Member Lee Leffingwell:  ph. 974-2260

Council Member Brewster McCracken:  ph. 974-2256

You can also send email to all these members at this address. 

Give these good public servants a buzz to let them know we love our dogs and think that well behaved ones should be able to accomany us to as many places as possible.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com 

The city council has taken up the pets on the patio issue for restaurants. 

For those of you in favor of allowing dogs on restaurant patios go to this link and send the council a note saying you support item #28 on their agenda.

 Here is an excerpt from the Austin Small Business Alliance on the issue:

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AIBA is supporting several members’ efforts to continue to allow dogs on their outdoor patios and an ordinance that is on this week’s City Council agenda that would allow them to do so. This is an important issue because many of our members cater to dog owners and have built a following of canine patrons and their owners. Only recently has the Austin/Travis County health department begun to crack down on these restaurants, docking them critical points in their health code inspections.

You can show your support for the ordinance being proposed by Council Members Jennifer Kim, Brewster McCracken and Lee Leffingwell by stopping by City Hall this Thursday and signing in as a supporter of Item #28 (see below) or you can e-mail the City Council a letter of support by following this link (make sure to reference support for "Item 28" or "Pets on the Patio" in your subject heading) http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/groupemail.htm

28. Approve an ordinance amending Chapter 10-3 of the City Code relating to food and food handlers to permit dogs in outdoor dining areas of food service establishments. 

And from the Austin American Statesman:

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IN THE NEWS

Patrons pushing for paws on patio
Change in city law would let restaurant customers bring their dogs outside
By Asher Price

Saturday, February 11, 2006

At what was billed as a "press conFURence" Friday, Council Member Jennifer Kim announced she will push a change to city law that will allow restaurants to welcome leashed dogs back on their patios.

Under current city and county rules, dogs are not permitted at restaurants unless they are patrol or guide dogs.

Restaurants that persist in allowing dogs on their patios - and there are a few around town - risk losing a "critical point " in a health inspection, according to Austin/Travis County health department officials. Critical points are reserved for violations that may lead to disease transmission, but losing one point doesn’t automatically lead to a failing score on its own.

Kim, who announced the move at Opal Divine’s, a dog-friendly eatery on West Sixth Street, said that under the new policy, restaurants could choose whether to permit dogs on their patios. She said she will propose the move at next week’s council meeting.

"I don’t believe they are a health risk," said Kim, who was accompanied by a Pekingese named Sammy and a bearded collie-wheaten terrier mix named Einstein. "We’re not allowing dogs indoors, just where customers are unprotected from the elements anyway."

"It’s a quality-of-life question," Stephen Mason, a 29 year-old lawyer who likes to go to restaurants with Hotard, his rat terrier (named after his College Station dorm).

"Dogs carry a lot fewer dangerous diseases than the grackles, and if you let dogs on the patio, they scare off the grackles," Mason said.

The change has the support of the Austin Independent Business Alliance, said Melissa Miller, its director.

"This is a serious issue for some of our members," Miller said. Catering to dog owners is an "important niche market."

Some business owners said they support a rule change that would allow customers to decide whether to patronize dog-friendly restaurants.

Opal Divine’s has gathered 800 signatures from customers who want to bring their dogs to the restaurant’s patio, manager Chet Butler said.

"It rubs my fur the wrong way," said Fred Nelson, the owner of Freddie’s Place on South First Street of the current city prohibition of animals on his patio. "If everyone hated having poodles under the table, then we wouldn’t allow poodles under the table.

"It’s not really a matter of public safety," said Nelson, who confessed that two of his dogs sleep in his bed regularly.

"I try not to kiss them because I never know where their noses have been."

asherprice@statesman.com; 445-3643 

Thanks for reading this and please let your opinion be known to the city council

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com 

My favorite dog store Fetch is stocking up for the holidays with neat new dog toys that are probably worth a view. 

I don’t know about you, but my dogs can demolish a stuffed toy in about the time it takes for me to pull it out of the bag.  Fetch has a new dog proof soft toy that is made of multiple layer of material and other tough materials.  It’s worth a try if you pups eat them like mine do.

Another favorite toy if you have a single dog is the Kong Time toy that dispenses Kongs at different times thoughout the day.  It’s a great way to keep the pup busy while you’re slaving away the hours in that cube. 

If you’re into stuff for your dog, give Fetch a visit at 3636 Bee Caves.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com 

Dog trainers are good corporate citizens too!.  As of this past weekend Fidelio Dog Works has become a member of The Austin Independent Business Alliance.  I really can’t think of anything more local than a dog training service so I thought it only right to sign up and support our local businesses.  The thing is, Petsmart, and PetCo are trying to "productize" the dog training world, and while I don’t have a problem with the training these places provide, I just don’t like the fact that the monies generated by the classes go back to their corporate headquarters.  That’s why I try to shope for all of my dog supplies locally at either Bark and Purr, Fetch, or any number of other small shops here in town that cater to the pet world.

 So, being a proud owner of an entirely local business I urge you to support your smaller stores here in town for your pet needs.  And if you need dog training here in Austin, I’ll be glad to help.

Steve Haynes
Austin Dog Trainer
Fidelio Dog Works
www.fideliodogs.com 

O.K. Just had to write this tonight. Many of my clients find me through strange and unusual means, but more and more they’ve heard about me from a wonderful little boutique store here in Austin called Fetch. This little jewel of a store is in Westlake at 3636 Westlake drive. Cynthia, the owner of Fetch and a superlative dog person, has done a first class job in stocking the store with things that the other dog stores in town haven’t even heard of yet. She has wonderful exotic toys, very neat fashion accessories (rhinestone collars anyone…) and some of the most fantastic leashes I’ve ever seen. Like I said, it’s the best dog store in Austin bar none. Fetch is well worth the trip, and by all means take your pup with you! Cynthia has an open door policy for all pets so they can pick out their own toys (she has them all arranged on the floor at dog level). Enjoy! Steve Haynes Austin Dog Trainer Fidelio Dog Works 512.231.8095