If you want your dog to be well-trained and well-behaved then effective training supplies will be an absolute must. As with dog grooming equipment, there are many choices of dog training supplies on the market and these are available online or through the local pet shops or veterinary clinics so it is very much a personal preference what to purchase and where. It doesn’t matter you are training your dog for – whether it be for competition sports, for field work with gun dogs and sporting breeds, for the show ring or simply just to do simple tricks – you will require some or all of the training supplies below.
What Dog Training Supplies Will I Need?
Training supplies can include anything from a dog training collar, leash and/or harness to a clicker, a toy or dog treat to specialized equipment for sporting or activity training. The prices will vary remarkably so it is a matter of choosing something that is appropriate for you and your dog – cheap is not always the best! Dog training equipment which will last may cost more. What you purchase will depend upon the size and breed of your dog so it is recommended that you do some research prior to buying what you need.
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Training Collars and Leashes
A dog collar and dog leash is something that every dog owner will need and be necessary if you are training outdoors. Ideally, a soft collar and leash is the way to go for training, being more comfortable for you and the dog. However, not all dogs have the fortune of having an ideal upbringing, and thus they may develop some undesirable behaviors that require special training collars. These could include Martingale collars, Halti-head collars and special collars for sports training with appropriate leashes.
There are certainly collars that are NOT kind to dogs and can be quite harmful if used by a novice trainer. These include choke chain collars, prong collars and electronic punishment collars. These should only be used by an experienced dog trainer, however an effective and kind trainer would never need to use these as they understand how to use other training principles, tools and methods which get far greater results. You can find more information about the different types of collars on the Dog Collars page.
We recommend a high quality collar and leash such as those found at EzyDog.com. They are designed not only for comfort but for ease of training, durability and come in a variety of types to suit your individual needs.
A quality leash for your dog is also essential. Once again, there are so many to choose from, however the larger the breed of dog the stronger the leash should be, with solid metal clips. A soft material leash is preferable to a chain leash simply because they are more comfortable to hold. Refer to our page Soft Dog Leashes page for more information on these. A chain lead will hurt your hands and you won’t be able to grip it so well. Depending upon what you are training for, eg. you may be training your dog to work off-leash in which case a slip leash may be best, or perhaps for tracking an extra long leash is required for the dog work in front of you. Alternatively, for a wider range of different leash types refer to our Dog Leashes page where you will find more information on each type.
Check out the great range of dog training leashes at Chewy.com!
Get into the wild with your adventurous pup and keep her safe with the OneTigris Training Bungee Reflective Dog Leash. Made from heavy-duty nylon that’s lightweight yet strong and durable, this high-quality dual-handled leash is perfect for controlling your dog in almost any situation. Reflective stitching down the entire length of the leash provides excellent nighttime visibility. The bungee action allows the leash to extend from 33.5 to 46.5 inches for additional range and to also reduce the impact of sudden movement.
Dog Training Bumbag or Dog Treat Pouch
Whilst training your young puppy, and even with walking older dogs, a handy piece of equipment is a treat bag or bumbag for carrying dog treats. When training your puppy it is much more convenient to have easy access to treats so you can give immediate rewards for good behavior. Timing is critical when using rewards for desired behavior so, therefore, if you have to fiddle with plastic bags then you may end up being way too slow by the time the treat is delivered to the dog. Having treats kept in pockets can get smelly as well as messy and difficult to clean out, particularly if they are soft treats that are likely to get mushy or melt a little.
The Terry Ryan Treat Pouch™ features a super-strong hinge that stays open for easy access to food or toys. In addition to creating quick and easy access to treats, the pouch closes easily with a touch and stays closed, keeping dog noses out! The pouch’s storage pocket is large enough to fit your entire hand. The treat pouch belt is adjustable and detachable, providing the option of simply clipping the pouch to your belt or pocket. A key ring keeps your clicker, whistle, or keys handy.The Terry Ryan Treat Pouch™ has a water-resistant lining for easy cleaning and is machine washable. Pouch measures approximately 6.5 inches x 8.5 inches. Opening measures 3 inches x 6 inches. Waistband measures 46.5 inches. Includes a Training Tips booklet by Terry Ryan. Buy now from Karen Pryor Clicker Gear Store!
Specially designed treat bags clip onto your belt or they have a belt which clips around your waist. They are designed to easily open and some have separate compartments for carrying any other personal items such as phone, keys, money, etc. as well as poo bags, and other puppy training tools, such as a clicker, whistle or small toy/ball if you use them. Chewy.com have a great choice of treat pouches and bumbags – Shop Now!
Dog Training Toys
Toys can also be a part of your dog’s training equipment. A game of ‘tug’ or ‘fetch’ can be used as a reward after the desired behavior. There are so many toys on the market however choose the toys for your dog carefully. If you are training outdoors, or near water then a rubber throw toy or floating toy is probably the best to use. If you are training indoors then any type of toy could be used, however beware of toys with detachable parts, such as eyes, or squeaky inside parts, as they could do damage to your dog if swallowed.
Dog Training Treats
Using high value dog training treats whilst training your new puppy or older dog will be of utmost benefit. The best treats to use for dog training are the soft treat which slide down the throat. These treats are best broken down to very tiny pieces so the dog doesn’t have to chew on them and they go down in an instant. The puppy, or dog, will then be ready to work for getting the next little tit-bit.
Keep the highest value food treats for training. If the dog gets high value treats for free, then he won’t have the same keenness to work for them. Make allowances with the dog’s normal feeding regime if you are feeding extra during training sessions.
Water Bowls
Not really a part of your puppy training supplies but a necessity to have on hand at all times, particularly if you are using dog treats to reward. Always have water available for your puppy or dog during a training session. Kurgo.com specializes in supplies for travelling with your dog – a convenient water bowl for training or travelling is a must! Check them out here!
