Merry Christmas... Happy New Year... Happy MLK Day... & We're Engaged!!

We've been MIA for a while now and we've had a very exciting few months.

Phinley & Toby

Nick, Phinley & the MK3 TDS

New customers, Jake and Gunther, wearing their TDS MK1 collars.

Jake - Royal Blue MK1 Collar

Gunther - Olive Drab Green MK1 Collar

‎"I've had my new TacticoolDog Sling for almost a month. You couldn't pay me to go back to a regular or retractable leash. Daisy likes it too and it really only took a few days for her to get used to not having the retractable feature of the old leash. This is so much more comfortable for my hands and for needing to walk with a cane!" - Gail from KY, a pleased TDS Customer

On January 8th, he proposed... and I said YES!

I got an engagement ring...

And he got an engagement car!!

Introducing the TDS MK1 Collar

tacticool dog sling: the hands free leash

Our new Tacticool Dog Sling MK1 Collar incorporates all the same hardware and features as the TDS MK3 Leash. Metal/Plastic hybrid side release buckle, stamped steel heavy gauge slide, welded, heavy gauge Tri-Loop, and reinforced box stitching. Best part is, we can color match your dog's TDS MK1 Collar to their TDS MK3 Leash!

TDS MK1 Collar

There is no new technology here, Amanda and I just decided, why not offer a custom made collar under our brand name that matches the hardware and colors used on our MK3 TDS Leashes? So, naturally, my pup Phinley got TDS MK1 Collar Production Number: numero uno!

Phinley and her new TDS MK1 Collar

We plan to offer the collars starting at $10 each. Of course, we'll need your dog's neck measurement before we can custom build a collar for you.

TDS MK1 Collar

For information about purchasing a Tacticool Dog Sling hands free leash or our new TDS MK1 Collar, email us at Tacticool.Dog.Sling@gmail.com! 

-Nick

Tacticool Training Session & A Very Rewarding Day

TDS: Give your dog a Tacticool Advantage 

     Today was one of those days where we just had to get out of the house and go do something. The sun was out, it wasn't snowing or raining, and the temperature wasn't too awful cold. So we layered up, grabbed our TDS Leashes, and Amanda and I took Toby and Phinley out to dog park. There are some agility obstacles at the park, so I decided to use my Tacticool Dog Sling for some impromptu "tactical" field training with Phinley. We had a great time and Phinley did awesome! She was jumping three foot walls, weaving poles, and traversing A-frames! It was a lot of fun, and the Tacticool Dog Sling proved it's worthiness in tackling each of the obstacles with ease!

Phinley conquers the wall

... and tackles the A-frame

     Most importantly, we met up with one of our field testers today. Paul is a local,  former (once a Marine always a Marine) Marine with a service dog. We decided to donate a leash to Paul and his service dog, Dingo, in exchange for Paul's feedback while he uses his TDS. Dingo is a 55lb Australian Kelpie who goes everywhere with Paul.

Generic Picture of an Australian Kelpie

     One thing that was important to Paul is to have a traffic loop to keep Dingo close while walking indoors and in crowded areas. The Tacticool Dog Sling is able to accommodate this need by adjusting the dog end of the sling to the appropriate length to create the traffic loop (illustrated in picture below). As Paul walked Dingo around the park, using the TDS, he quickly realized how great the freedom was of having both hands free. He told us he saw a lot of potential in using his TDS in everyday situations with Dingo whether it's grocery shopping, eating at a restaurant, or out for a stroll.

TDS Traffic Handle: Adapt and Overcome

     Paul and Dingo were both really excited to try out their new Tacticool Dog Sling! We wish them both the best of luck and hope to hear back from them soon! We'll be sure to keep you all posted on their progress with the TDS!

-Nick

Where's the Camera When You Need It?

Hey there! I think the hardest thing about starting a blog is remembering to bring your camera or phone everywhere. You just happen to walk outside and see the most beautiful sunset or your dogs do the funniest thing ever and a camera is no where to be found... That's my life story! This afternoon I needed to run up to our property management office and since it was a sunny day, I decided to take the dogs with me. I grabbed my purple TDS, attached a second dog leash extension and off we went. When we got to the office I noticed they were still open. For a split second I thought..."What am I going to do with the dogs!?!". Without a second thought, I unsnapped my TDS, hooked it around the porch railing, told the dogs to sit, and walked inside. And this is when I wished I had my camera! Toby and Phinley were sitting perfectly, side by side, waiting patiently for my return. I'm sure my face was beaming with pride! Such good dogs! Just another reason why I love my Tacticool Dog Sling!

~ Amanda

P.S. So, no picture from today, but here's one I had laying around of me, Toby, and my purple TDS!

Ok, so I gotta ask... What is Tacticool?

Hey bloggers, it's Nick. It's been about 12 hours or so, and I figure it's time for another post. This time I'm coming in swinging. I figure it's time to answer the tough questions.

What does Tacticool mean?

Tacticool is of course a play on a word. Tactical is defined as, "Of, relating to, or using tactics." or "Characterized by adroitness, ingenuity, or skill." Obviously this does not answer the question. By now you've asked yourself once more, so what the heck does it mean to be Tacticool!? Tacticool is a resourcefulness in solving a problem efficiently all the while being fashionable about it. It's about looking good; looking cool, and getting the job done.

MK2 TDS: Biking with the dog, getting the job done, & looking cool.

Sling? Why not call it a Tacticool leash?

Amanda covered it in our first post. I'm an outdoorsy kind of guy. I like to hike, bike, paddle, camp, and I'm an avid shooting enthusiast. I can remember the day the inspiration for the TDS hit me. Amanda and I were out hiking, the terrain was steep at times, and there we were with our two dogs. At the time we were using conventional 4 foot leather leashes; The dogs do great on them. This time, however, there seemed to be a demand for something a little more adept under the pressing conditions. It was hard at times to hold the leashes while we traversed the hills. I thought to myself, "Man, something like a single point tactical rifle sling would work awesome for the dogs right now." The idea was born. The next step was to design and build it. The first design which I later dubbed the MK1 was born. We needed a name, something to set it apart from other leashes on the market. I jokingly called it the Tacticool Dog Sling. The name stuck. Just yesterday, we showed a friend (a former Marine) our MK3 TDS. As soon as we showed him how to snap it on, he immediately said, "Wow, so it's just like a rifle sling!" Exactly! That is exactly what it is. It's not so much a dog leash as it is a dog sling!

Me, my pooch, and our MK3 TDS

The Tacticool Dog Sling has become an essential piece of hardware in our home. We have such a high regard for the TDS that I cannot imagine any other name for it. Sure, it seems silly at times to call it tacticool or a dog sling, but it is what it is. To call it by a different name would be doing the TDS  a discredit.

-Nick

A Day in the Life...

Wow, our first official blog post is published to the World Wide Web!  This is really an amazing feeling!  

Me... Amanda... Google fanatic

Hi, my name is Amanda and I'm addicted to the internet.  I google.  I google a lot.  I love my Google Reader.  One might say that I'm addicted to blogs.  Life style blogs, healthy living blogs, fashion blogs, personal finance blogs, vizsla blogs; they pretty much consume the last hour or two of my evening everyday.  Maybe one day our little nugget of a blog will gain a loyal reader or two.  I promise to send out tons of blog love for just a little in return!  


A Day in the Life of a Tacticool Dog is really about our dogs and their TDS', not my love of the internet or Pinterest or blogs.  It's about our life as a couple with two crazy dogs.  It's about sharing our adventures now that we have the freedom that comes along with an awesome hands free leash.  OUR awesome hands free leash.  Yes, I will toot my own horn... TOOT! TOOT!  The Tacticool Dog Sling, aka TDS, in my eyes is the best thing since sliced bread!  Seriously!  Since when did it become easy to take two dogs to the local pet store, buy 50+ lbs of dog food, a few bags of dog treats, a random toy or two and not want to pull your hair out?  Well, I'll tell you when!  It became easy for Nick and I just a few short months ago when Nick built the first MK1 TDS concept. 

Nick, Phinley & the MK3 TDS in action

Since then we've bought an ancient sewing machine from craigslist and a ton of supplies to bring the fully developed MK3 TDS to life. 


We started small.  A Facebook page and a few mentions here and there.  And then last night we were out with friends and they mentioned that we should start a blog.  Genius!  Everyone blogs theses days, so why shouldn't we.  So here I am, sitting at my MacBook with two snoring dogs laying beside me, writing my first ever blog post.  


Nick is the brains behind the Facebook page and he came up with the idea of posting status updates describing situations we've found ourselves in when we didn't have a TDS. I think it's brilliant!  So here goes...

Quick... You're walking your dog on a really windy day and your classic Chuck Taylors just came untied. In your right hand is the pile of mail you just went and got, in your left a dog leash. You decide now is the time to stop and tie your shoe. While bending down and trying to maintain control of your dog and your mail, a young couple, who your dog will be intent on chasing after, is jogging straight toward you... What do you do?

~ Amanda