Is the model Poly or Sub-D? I am learning about mapping poly's myself, I have been doing it for maybe two weeks now. If you need any help let me know.

I personally have found that I like using the planar mapping the most. For your case I would do something like select the top faces then planar map along the Y, Shrink and move it out of the 1 and 1 box, Then do the legs along whatever axis the lie maybe using the cylindrical to unwrap depending on what texture you want to place on it.

Once you go through it a couple of times, it becomes more tedious and less difficult.

Good luck, Hope I was some help.