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Equipment

The Basics

Puppy Stuff

Other Training Equipment

Training Collars

These are not affiliate links. Almost all this stuff can be found at your local pet store. When I recommend a tool it's because I believe it will help you–not because I'm selling it.

The Basics

Don't get too hung up on the specific makes and models of any of these items, except perhaps the recall whistle. Unless you want your dog to run to you watch a sports game on TV. 😜

Collar

A normal, flat-buckle collar. 1" wide for large breeds, 3/4" for small breeds. My favorites:
• Leather + steel: Hank's Leather
• Leather + brass: Mendota
• All-weather & thin: Tuff Pupper
• All weather & thick: Regal

Leash

A 6 foot nylon leash that bends loosely and crumples easily in one hand. 3/4" wide is great. We want a floppy, easily bending leash. Avoid thick, rigid rope leashes or leashes with bulky handles.

Raised Platform

Measure first! If you have a small car trunk, consider one that folds up. If you get the Amazon brand and have wood floors get some rubber feet.

Treat Pouch

Get one that won't dangle in front of you when you bend over, isn't too deep for your fingers, and that is easily accessed with one hand. These washable silicone ones also work well.

Training Treats

When you can, use their kibble! When you can't, find a low calorie training treat that your dog likes. Costco sells these dried beef liver and dried salmon treats on the cheap in the pet section.

High-Value Treats

Use something your dog LOVES to reward recall. Costco sells huge packs of string cheese that work great.

Recall Whistle

A recall whistle has a specific frequency: 210.5 or 211.5 and no "pea" like the whistles they use in sports. Grab a lanyard too.

Long Line

This is how we safely practice recall and other "off leash" skills. These rubber-coated vinyl straps are strong, easy to clean, and lightweight. 50ft is a good length.

Long Line Tie Down

When you're working with your dog on a long line, a tie down spike can add an extra element of safety at a park.

Water Bowl (34oz)

This is in "The Basics" list because you need to bring water everywhere for your dog. Many of the ones on Amazon are deceptively small. Here's a link to some larger ones.

Ball-on-a-Rope

AKA the "crack ball." For high-drive dogs that could care less about treats, this is your reward system. The best (and cheapest) ones are from FoamDogBalls.com

Harness

One that gives full range of front legs without rubbing. Favorites:
• Hurtta Y-Harness (by far).
• RuffWear Front Range
• Wilderdog

Avoid "step-in" style harnesses

Harnesses that connect with a single strap above the shoulder blades tend to restrict natural leg movement. Imagine a backpack that squeezed the side of your shoulder (where your arm rotates) and had a strap cutting through your arm pit. Instead, look for a harness that extends down the spine at least a little to ensure those front legs can slide freely alongside the body. I recommend watching this excellent video about dog anatomy and harnesses.

Puppy Stuff

Look, most puppies are tough to live with and no magical piece of equipment is going to solve that. Still, there are a few things most puppies will need.

Crate

Wire or plastic, just make sure it's small enough. For fast-growing large breeds get one with a divider.

"House Line"

Get a leash a cut the loop off at 2 or 3 feet. Here's a video on what a "house line" is all about.

Bitter Apple Spray

Save your chair legs during the teething phase and before their "leave it" is solid. If Amazon won't ship to your state try Chewy.

Kong

Wipe some peanut butter on the inside and buy yourself 15 min of sanity. Red is the normal rubber. If they shred that one get the black one.

Baby Gate / Playpen

Very young puppies should have small play areas. More access to the house can be granted over time.

Kong "Wobbler"

This is a large wobble toy that holds an entire meal of kibble. As the puppy bats it around, food drops out of the hole.

Snuffle Mat

Roll it out, sprinkle their kibble all inside of it, and let them use their nose to find their breakfast. A dog's brain sparkles when their nose is at work.

Other Training Equipment

This is a somewhat random assortment of links that I find myself sending to people after training sessions. A few things like the remote collar and the Cato board have specific uses that you'll want to get training on before you run out and buy them.

Double-Handled Tug Toy

If you have a dog that loves tug-o'-war and loves to thrash things about, it's important to build structure around this play and to have a solid "OUT" command.

Cato Board

This sturdy platform aids in doing field work and helps with "shaping" positions like sit and down.

Touch Pad

A rubber feed pan (4 or 8 quart) is a popular tool for teaching rear-end awareness. Also called the "perch box" or "pivot bowl." Watch this video. Or this one from Emily Larlham.

Flirt Pole

Yes, it's essentially the cat toy but sized up for dogs. Dogs with even medium prey drive levels go bonkers for it and we can use that motivation to gamify obedience like "down" and "drop it." I like this retractible model.

Flirt Pole Lure (upgrade)

This is a much tougher and washable vinyl lure to attach to your flirt pole.

Chuckit Paraflight

The Chuckit Paraflight is a toy you'll see everywhere. It throws great, it floats, it's easy for the dog to pick up even when lying flat on the ground.

Chuckit Foldable Launcher

I meet so many people that didn't know Chuckit makes a foldable version of their largest launcher! FWAP!

Chuckit Kick Ball

Mix up your fetch games with this kickball. Dogs can easily pick this ball up because of the grooves.

Chuckit Glow Ball

Bring a flashlight to keep it glowing. This one is much lighter, cheaper, and safer than the battery powered LED ones.

Glow Collar

For less than $10 you can make your dog look as fly as Josie here. Great for camping and night time activities. Get the rechargeable plastic tube one.

Remote Collar

"Lowest perceptible level" e-collar training is a method that uses uses extremely low levels. We intentionally avoid aversive or even uncomfortable levels. When used correctly this amazing tool opens up a world of off-leash freedom.

Training Collars

For these tools to work effectively and humanely you need training on their usage. They must be the correct size, they must be fitted properly, and they must be introduced with care and intention.

When these collars go tight they distribute pressure more evenly around the neck in a way that feels totally new to the dog. For dogs that pull, this new feeling gives us a chance to reset the rules of the leash. On the mild end is the simple Martingale collar which makes an attention-getting "shink" sound when activated. The other end of the spectrum is the prong collar. However, none of these tools are likely to work if you simply slap one of these collars on your dog and expect results without training. Many dogs gradually start to pull again as they build up a tolerance to the discomfort of pulling while wearing a training collar. Then you're right back to where you started and you've possibly damaged your relationship with your dog.

Martingale Collar

Make sure to get one that still has a buckle (many don't) and where the triangle part is metal (some are cloth).

Slip Lead

Usually made of a slick robe and where one end has a metal ring that easily "slips" along. 1/2" thick for large breeds. 3/8" thick for small.

Slip Collar

If you want to try the slip lead but you prefer to use your own leash, here's a slip collar. Easy to clip on and off!

Starmark Collar

These distribute pressure across a bunch of small, round-tip plastic triangles. For strong dogs with thin fur. Popular with Dobermanns.

Herm Sprenger Prong Collar

A prong collar can be a wonderful tool for some dogs… if you get the correct gauge, you know how to fit it properly, and you are trained on how to use it.