Live Unleashed This Spring Break

If the sunny breaks in the clouds have you yearning to get "unleashed" this spring break, we want to encourage our entire Rad Pack to do just that! So get outside, hop in the car, and go explore the world unleashed this Spring with you, your dog, and a Rad Dog Release 'N Run leash/collar in one!

One thing we love about Spring is many Northwest trails loosen up on their leash laws prior to the summer rush, which means you and Fido can gallivant unleashed through forest, trails, and dog-friendly parks. But even the best trained, most free-roaming dogs need a leash now and then:

• When a squirrel scurries across the trail
• When another dog seeks too much unwanted affection
• When your dog doesn't feel like waiting his turn at the watering hole
• When your lab decides it's an ideal time for a soak in the spring 

What we love most about dogs is their adventurous nature, instantaneous reactions to outside stimuli, and the ability to #liveunleashed. But that's also what gets them in trouble! With the Release 'N Run retractable leash and collar in one, you and your dog get the best of both worlds--a collar most of the time, and a leash when you need it!

We know what your thinking: "The person that invented this thing MUST have been a dog owner!" And you are exactly right! In fact, the entire premise of the Release 'N Run leash and collar combination started with a trail run in the foothills of Colorado. While enjoying the freshness of the Rocky Mountain air and exploring the latest scent on a nub of sagebrush, Rad Dog owner and inventor Brian couldn’t help but feel restricted by the need to carry a dog leash with him on his run. Just like the rest of us, Brian wanted to enjoy the adventures of traveling, trail running, hiking and biking with his dog, but without all the gear. He thought, "how can we do this unleashed?" A little while later, the Release 'N Run was born! 

Rad Dogs #liveunleashed

With a janitor’s keychain, and a needle and thread, and some cut climbing webbing, the first version of the Release 'N Run retractable leash and collar in one was born.  Many versions, and many hikes, trail runs, in-town walks, skiing adventures, and boating outings with wife Paula and dog Fletcher, and the “finalized” RNR went into production.

What started out as a common problem for adventurous dog owners has become a business for Brian and Paula. They want everyone to have the freedom to adventure with their dogs freely, so we can enjoy the outdoors and #liveunleashed!

Bellingham Herald Article About Rad Dog

Thanks to the Bellingham Herald for the feature on Rad Dog and the Release N Run!

You can check out the article here Bellingham business' dog collar to be featured in Real Simple Magazine

What to you think???
Do you use this leash or a similar leash? If so, what do you think of it, do you like it, hate it, or something in-between? Let us know what you think, good, bad or write anything you might want share about this collar. Post something here or on our facebook page.

Release N Run Top ?'s

Is that a shock collar? - Common questions about the Release N Run

We get a lot of questions and comments about the Release N Run when we are out doing shows, some of them a little crazy but nonetheless we thought we answer some of those questions here on our blog.

1. Q-Is that Collar/Leash strong enough to hold my dog? A- Absolutely, the collar has been extensively tested in both the field and in the lab with a break strength more than twice the maximum recommended weight, for example the collar rated for 110# dogs is tested to more than 220 pounds. See the last question for more info.
   
2. Q-Is that a shock collar? A-No we can assure you that there is no shock collar in the RNR!
   
3. Q-Will the handle get caught on something when my dog is running around? A-No the collar was designed so that all but 1/2" of the handle stows in the collar and that the 1/2" part that is exposed is at the top of the dogs neck making it safe from catching on anything.
4. Q-my dog will chew through the cord? A- yes if your dog chews the leash he will chew through this leash as well. Try sour apple spray to get your dog rid of this habit.
5. Q- Is the leash strong enough to hold my dog? A- yes this is a repeat of the first question, but we get asked it so much I thought I would address is again. The leash is made of ultrahigh strength Spectra Cord which is extremely strong, 10 times as strong as steel to be exact. This is the same cord that the hand-held retractable leashes use.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask through our contact us page.

User Comments/Reviews

Check out what people have to say about the RNR on the Daily Grommet website. A big thanks to all of our users that posted their thoughts about the Release N Run. If you have any reviews (good or not so good) of any of our product please feel free to leave them here or email us. Here is the link to the comments page.

New Video on Youtube

The Patent...

Over the past week we have been feverishly working on filing an amendment to the patent application. Its crazy how long of a process it can be. We are coming up on three years from the original filing date and we are still in the middle of the process. After speaking with numerous people over the past month and speaking with a few attorneys we have decided to start working with a local firm so we can have a closer, more hands on relationship, in hopes that we can get the patent application accepted. Hopefully all of this hard work will pay off with a patent in the near future.

Next Market, Special Colors - Pink

Getting ready for this Saturday's Farmers Market here in Bellingham. Spent the day making new display dogs and getting the rest of the booth ready for Saturday. The weather is forecast to be great, SO stop on down! We also spent some time making a few extra collars in different colors that people had requested. Let us know if you have a color that you want us to make for your doggy. Just made two pink collars for some lady dogs that stopped by last weekend looking for some girl colors. Hope to see lots of people stop by the market this weekend. Enjoy the the beautiful spring weather that is starting to spread across the country

The Release N Run Featured in Seattle Times Newspaper

The Release N Run was Featured today in The Seattle Times Newspaper. There is a great review by writer and outdoors man Dan Nelson. It features the Release N Run and one other product. Follow the link and check out the full review. Seattle Times Rad Dog Review.

New Collars - Ready

Picked up the new Release N Run's from our sewer today, they look great. Now we have a great stock of collars to provide to everyone that wants one. Check out the website. www.myraddog.com to view the collars. Also we are planning to phase out Purple and Digital Camo so if you want one of the those colors get them while they are still available. Now I have to package and label them.

Found dog- How to find your dogs if they get lost.

Today I was on a great run in the Chuckanuts here in Bellingham, and towards the end of the run my running partner, Hilary, and I found a dog just wandering around. We ran past him, and as we looked back he was following us; we urged him to go back, but he kept following. We backtracked a bit, but there was no one around. We also stood still for awhile, hoping he'd catch a scent of his owners and go find them. Yet, he followed us all the way to the car. There was no one to be found in the lot, and when I put the tailgate down, he immediately hopped into the bed of the truck. We called the humane society to see if someone had reported a losing a dog, but they were closed and their message said to call 911 on the weekends. 911 contacted the person on call from the humane society and sent someone over to pick the dog up. We hope that his owner gets in touch with them, soon!

So what should you do if you lose your dog or find a dog?

1. Before your dog is ever lost make sure that he/she has ID tags; this dog had tags but the name and number were worn off and not legible.
2. Consider getting your dog "chipped." Then if your dog loses their tags, or for whatever reason they were not wearing them, the humane society will know right away who the dog belongs to.
3. If your dog is lost, call the humane society and/or animal control ASAP.
4. Tell people in the area that you lost your dog and ask them if they have seen him/her.
   
5. Place an ad on craigslist. Many people check there to see if someone may have lost a dog.
6. Place signs with a photo up around the area where they became lost and maybe also post signs around the city.
7. If you lost your dog in a neighborhood or city, tell the local postal, FedEx, and UPS person that you lost your dog.
   
8. Let all of your friends know, maybe they know someone that knows someone...
9. Place an ad in the paper or call the local radio station or news station and see if they can help.
10. Go back with friends to where you lost the dog and search the area. Bring a toy that they like, especially one that makes noise.
11. Last but not least, don't give up; often it takes time. And, some dogs eventually find their own way home.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many different ways to find or return a lost dog, but these are just a few ideas to get you headed in the right direction. If you have additional ways to help others locate or return a lost dog, please let everyone know.

A Little Help

Thanks to all of our great friends and customers Rad Dog has come a long way in the last two years. Now we need a little help with the sewing, so today I took 200 or so retractors and the collar materials to a local sewer. She will sew all the red, black, and blue collars giving us a lot more time to do other things related to Rad Dog. Its a big help and I'm sure she will do a quality job. We still have to package them so we will be able to make sure everything is up to par before we sell them. Hopefully this will give us more time to focus on the customers.

Photo Shoot - Amazing Day!

It was a great day in Bellingham for some Pictures with the DOGS!

We started out early Saturday morning with our bikes and gear to get some photos for the new website that Katy, our Graphics designer, is working on. We left the Samish parking lot at 6 am so as to catch the sunrise up on Galbraith mountain, and what a great sunrise and day it turned out to be, as you can tell by the pictures!

We started out from the lot in the dark, headed to the pipeline trail, and worked our way towards Mullet and the top of Oly for the main part of our shoot. We met our friend Nicola, co-owner of Trailhead Athletics, and her two dogs, Sonic and Roxy, part way up the mountain. Anders snapped photos the entire way up; the dogs loved it. We rode and jogged around with all three dogs zigzagging around the bikes and people.

After a few hours with Nicola and her dogs, they traded out duties with our friend Ruth and her dog Fiona. We took more pictures, gave the dogs more treats, and let the dogs get even dirtier; they loved it!



All the dogs played and enjoyed being out so early in the day. Oh, and of course they loved the treats that we bribed them with. Jake, Roxy, and Sonic are all showing the focus of a Rad Dog!






In the afternoon Anders set out to the saltwater flats with some of his friends for some more great pictures. He had three more dogs join him in the fun as they had a great time playing in the sand and water.












All in all, it was a great day on the mountain and at the beach. Anders did a great job with the shoot and all the dogs and humans alike had a great time! Thanks to our friends Nicola and Ruth for their help, and a big thanks to all six dogs that did all the HARD work looking good and sporting Rad Dog gear, like the Release N Run.

Cyclocross Season in Full swing In the Northwest

Seattle cyclocross is in overdrive for the season with several races already finished. We have been out to several races and it has been great to see all the people out there with their dogs, they all looked like they were having a ton of fun getting dirty and getting some exercise. As always Jake was there showing off the latest version of the Release N Run featuring an easier pulling handle, quieter operation, and better retraction into the pouch. Check out the latest RAD DOG gear on our website www.myraddog.com. Brian has also been out having fun scoring a few top ten's in the cat III men's races. Never heard of cyclocross check it out here cascadecross.com/aboutcx its a super fun sport to both watch and ride in,so grab a cow bell and a cup of coffee and come out and check it out.

Goal Achieved! Boston Qualifying Time in 3:08

I went BIG a the twin cities Marathon last weekend, Running a 3:08 on the Hilly course. The Weather was perfect as were the months of training that lead up to the Marathon. I felt great the first half on pace for a 3:04 but the hill up Summit Ave really took a toll on my time, it is such a relentless hill that just keeps going and going. Super stocked that i made my goal though! achieved

RD Team Member Paula Runs Boston Qualifying Marathon

Rad Dog's very own Paula J Set out over 4 months ago to qualify for the Boston marathon and She made it with 2 minutes to spare. It was a perfect June day with temps in the
lower 50's and little wind. The team was out in full support to watch her smoke yet another marathon. Jake was in full testing mode of the Release N Run while he cheered Paula on.





Here Jake is on full Point looking for the athletes to come through. All in a days work when testing the Release N Run. Jake has the pull of a triple crown race horse, if he can't break the leash he thinks its good to go! visit our website http://www.myraddog.com/and find a dealer near you and if there's not one, tell your local pet store or gear shop they need to carry more RAD gear!

The Raddest Dog Collar Ever!
Checkout the new rad dog video below.

Be sure to visit the Rad Dog website to view the great
specials we have right now!
www.myraddog.com

Release N Run Version 2

New Handle is Way RAD!

The new handle retracts way better.

The spring tension has been reduced making your dog happier because no one likes anyone pulling on them.

Go to our website and checkout the new version of the Release N Run www.myraddog.com

Rad Dog at Ski to Sea

Myraddog Team member Brian Dagnon starts the first leg of the Ski to Sea at Mt Baker. It was a beautiful day at the mountain with temps in the 60's and the skies as Blue as the Blue Bird day Release N Run, Retractable leash. Over 400 teams competed in this years race. It was pandemonium from the start with a steep climb right off the bat forcing everyone that wasn't in the first or second row to wait to make a move until after climbing the hill and rounding the corner for the downhill. After the hill it opened up and passing was possible. The rest of the course was sweet with lots of turns and tons of little rollers. Brian finished 11 in his division making the hand off to teammate Mike Hogan who made it to the top of the hill on the uphill hike and then killed it on the ski down. The rest of the team did a great job too, allowing the portly crew to finish in the middle of the pack. It was a great race and a great day to be outside with your best buddy sporting the Release N Run collar, check us out at myraddog.com and hook your dog up with some of our RAD gear!