DOG TRAINING PLACE HOLDER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A dog training place holder system and method providing a place-holder unit of a colored single-ply waterproof fabric with a low-profile binding, grommets, and a leash opening, and a carabiner. The place-holder unit is used both as a covering for the dog, when placed on the dog with the carabiner connecting the grommets at the chest, and as a place holder which indicates to the dog an appropriate place to sit or lie down, especially in unfamiliar environments or circumstances. A carry pouch can also be provided for storing and carrying the place-holder unit. A cinch strap can also be provided for more secure placement of the place-holder unit as a covering for the dog. The colored single-ply waterproof fabric is preferably colored either blue or yellow, being colors that dogs can see and distinguish, to provide visual information to help the dog identify the place-holder unit. In use, especially during the process of training the dog or acclimating the dog to a new environment, the place-holder unit is used as a covering for the dog, during which time the place-holder unit might acquire some scent of the dog and will become familiar to the dog as an item associated with the dog and the dog's environment. Use as a covering might also provide protection for the dog or provide for identification of the dog, such as identification as a service dog, optionally with an attachable banner. At other times, such as when the dog is encountering a new environment or new circumstances, the place-holder unit can be placed at a location as an indicator to the dog of the appropriate location to sit or lie down, and as an item associated with and familiar to the dog.

Claims

1. A dog training place holder system comprising: (i) a place-holder unit comprising: (a) a colored single-ply waterproof fabric; (b) a low-profile binding; (c) at least two grommets; and (d) a leash opening; and (ii) a carabiner.

2. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, where said colored single-ply waterproof fabric is colored blue.

3. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, where said colored single-ply waterproof fabric is colored yellow.

4. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, where said colored single-ply waterproof fabric is colored blue and yellow.

5. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, further comprising a carry pouch.

6. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, further comprising a cinch strap.

7. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, further comprising an attachable banner.

8. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, where said colored single-ply waterproof fabric further comprises a non-woven synthetic material.

9. The dog training place holder system of claim 1, where said low-profile binding and said colored single-ply waterproof fabric are visually distinguishable to a dog.

10. A dog training place holder method comprising: (i) providing a dog training place holder system comprising: (a) a place-holder unit comprising: (1) a colored single-ply waterproof fabric; (2) a low-profile binding; (3) at least two grommets; and (4) a leash opening; and (b) a carabiner; (ii) training a dog by placing said place-holder unit upon the dog as a covering and connecting said grommets at the dog's chest using said carabiner; (iii) bringing said place-holder unit to an unfamiliar environment; and (iv) placing said place-holder unit at a location where the dog is expected to sit and lie down.

11. The dog training place holder method of claim 10, further comprising cinching said place-holder unit used as the covering to the dog using a cinch strap.

12. The dog training place holder method of claim 10, further comprising bringing said place-holder unit to an unfamiliar environment using a carry pouch.

13. The dog training place holder method of claim 10, further comprising attaching an attachable banner to said place-holder unit.

14. The dog training place holder method of claim 10, further comprising attaching a leash to the dog's collar or harness through said leash opening.

15. The dog training place holder method of claim 10, further comprising bringing said place-holder unit to an unfamiliar environment using a carry pouch having said carabiner attached.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an axonometric overview of the dog training place holder system of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the place-holder unit of the dog training place holder system of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dog training place holder system of the invention in use as a covering;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dog training place holder system of the invention in use as a place holder;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dog training place holder system of the invention further providing a cinch strap;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dog training place holder system of the invention further providing an attachable banner; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dog training place holder system of the invention in use with the place-holder unit placed within the carry pouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the dog training place holder system 10 provides a place-holder unit 1 providing a piece of colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 having a low-profile binding 3, at least two grommets 4, and a leash opening 5, all as treated in detail below. The dog training place holder system 10 further provides a carabiner 6. In a preferred full embodiment, the dog training place holder system 10 also provides a carry pouch 7 and a cinch strap 8.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 is colored either blue or yellow or both because those are colors dogs can see and distinguish. The place-holder unit 1 thereby provides visual information which helps the dog identify the place-holder unit 1 as being a thing associated with and familiar to the dog even when encountered in different or unfamiliar places or circumstances. The color information is in addition to other information such as smell and other visual information such as shape and texture.

[0025] The colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 is intended to function as both a covering for the dog and as a place holder indicating a location where the dog is allowed and encouraged to sit or lie down. The waterproof quality provides protection to the dog from rain or wet ground, and provides protection to an underlying surface from any moisture or soil carried on the dog's coat or generated by the dog. Appropriate material for the colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 includes cotton, nylon, or polyester canvas, with a water-proofing treatment, and woven or non-woven synthetic materials such as polypropylene.

[0026] The low-profile binding 3 surrounds and protects the edges of the colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2. The binding can be made a different color or a different shade from the colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 in order to increase visual contrast as perceived by the dog, thereby increasing the visual distinctiveness. The binding is attached as a low-profile binding 3 to avoid a pronounced lip or edge which the dog might exploit by chewing. The low-profile binding 3 can be made of nylon, polypropylene, or similar material.

[0027] At least two grommets 4 are set into the place-holder unit 1 at locations such that the grommets 4 can be brought together at the chest of the dog such that an edge of the place-holder unit 1 encircles the dogs neck and the colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 drapes over the dog's back, forming a covering. In use, the two grommets 4 brought together at the dog's chest are connected using the carabiner 6. Additional grommets 4 in excess of two can optionally be provided. Such additional grommets 4 might allow a tighter or looser fit or other variations in fitting the place-holder unit 1 to the dog, or might allow the manufacture of place-holder units 1 which could be fit to a variety of sizes of dogs. The grommets 4 can be made of metal or durable plastic, or can be formed by sewing with a durable thread or cord. The grommets 4 do not move in relation to the place-holder unit 1, and are therefore not distracting to the dog and are not susceptible to being chewed by the dog, as any straps or clasps would be.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, the place-holder unit 1 provides a leash opening 5 allowing access to a collar or harness worn by the dog. The leash can be placed through the leash opening 5 to attach to a collar or harness inside the covering, or the attachment point of the collar or harness can be placed through the leash opening 5 with the leash attaching outside the covering. When the place-holder unit is used as a covering, the underside of the dog is not covered and consequently does not interfere with urination for male dogs.

[0029] In use in a first phase of the method of using the dog training place holder system 10, the place-holder unit 1 is placed upon the dog as a covering. The two grommets 4 are brought together at the dog's chest and are connected using the carabiner 6. While the place-holder unit 1 is used as a covering, it will acquire the scent of the dog and will become familiar to the dog as an object closely associated with the dog.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, in use in a second phase of the method of using the dog training place holder system 10, the place-holder unit 1 is placed upon the ground or floor to delineate a place appropriate for the dog to sit or lie down, and to prevent the transfer of moisture or soil between the dog and the ground or floor. An exemplary scenario for such second-phase use is when a dog is brought into an unfamiliar indoor or outdoor place such as a veterinarian's office, another home or business, when traveling, or for an outdoor event or activity. The place-holder unit 1 is brought to the unfamiliar environment and is placed upon the floor or ground at the location which is determined to be appropriate for the dog. The dog's familiarity and association with the place-holder unit 1 signals to the dog that the location is the appropriate location to sit or lie down, and provides something familiar and comforting to the dog in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.

[0031] The dog training place holder system 10 can be especially beneficial when a dog is placed into an unfamiliar environment or encounters unfamiliar circumstances in the home environment. Because the dog has become familiar with and associated with the place-holder unit 1 through the first phase of the method, use of the place-holder unit 1 can be comforting and reassuring to the dog in two major ways. Wearing the place-holder unit 1 as a covering can be comforting and reassuring to the dog when the dog is brought into an unfamiliar place or when unfamiliar changes occur in the dog's home environment, such as when unfamiliar persons or animals or activities are brought into the home. Additionally, when the place-holder unit 1 is used as a location marker, the place-holder unit 1 can be comforting and reassuring to the dog as a clear indicator of where the dog is expected to sit or lie down.

[0032] The dog training place holder system is re-useable, and its method of use is based on long use during which a dog becomes familiar and comfortable with the place-holder unit.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, the dog training place holder system 10 can also provide a cinch strap 8 to hold the place-holder unit 1 more closely to the dog.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, in an embodiment, the dog training place holder system 10 can also provide an attachable banner 9 for attachment to the colored single-ply waterproof fabric 2 of the place-holder unit 1. Such an attachable banner 9 might identify the dog as performing a certain function, and might be required in some circumstances. Attaching the attachable banner 9 to the place-holder unit 1 which is already familiar to the dog through training and use avoids problems which might arise from placing an unfamiliar covering on the dog.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 7, in a full preferred embodiment of the dog training place holder system 10 a carry pouch 7 is also provided. In use the place-holder unit 1 can be folded and placed into the carry pouch 7 for convenient transport to places where the place-holder unit 1 might be needed. The carabiner 6 can additionally be used for attachment of the carry pouch 7 to a leash or to another item or structure.

[0036] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.