Author

Mike Gustin

Founder, Farmhouse Pet Supply

Mike Gustin is a founder of Farmhouse Pet Supply, the Wisconsin family business he runs with his wife, Melissa. They share their home with a Doberman, Riley, a Vizsla, Lexy, and a Siamese cat, Pandora, who is living proof that dogs and cats really do live together. They test every product with their own pack before it ships. Mike writes Off the Leash to give big-dog owners honest, hands-on advice, because the pet aisle treats big dogs like an afterthought.

Articles by Mike Gustin

A Vizsla circling on a hardwood floor in a sunlit living room, mid-turn before settling — the pre-potty spin.

Off the Leash

Why Dogs Spin Before They Go, and How to Choose the Right Pee Pad Size

Dogs circle before they go: it's instinct, not a quirk. Here's the science behind the spin, and how to match...

Jun 27, 2026

A fawn Boxer standing calmly on a large white pee pad in a bright farmhouse kitchen

Potty & Pad Training

How to Train a Big Dog to Use a Pee Pad (Without It Sliding or Missing)

Yes, you can pee pad train a big dog. Here is the honest method, the bladder math by age, and...

Mar 12, 2026