10 Essential Dog-Training Supplies

Dog training supplies — Legend Acres Reward Based Training Box for Dogs

With the number of dog training supplies available both in store and online it can be daunting to try to pick the best ones. Having the appropriate tools in your toolbox when working with your dog can make or break your training success. Your top item will be the best dog training treats, so we’ll start there.

1.Training treats for dogs

Food is not only your dog’s friend, but also your BFF for training. Use the term ‘treat’ loosely, as food is food. More and more pet parents are swapping out kibble for alternative, human-grade foods, so why should treats be any different? Find foods your dog both likes and loves. Start experimenting!  Commercial treats can be great but can be expensive and aren’t always readily available. So, head to your fridge and let the fun begin. Start with the Muffin Tin Test to find your dog's preferences.

Of course, some foods dogs should never have, but many fruits and veggies and other foods in moderation can be a great addition to your treat repertoire. You’ll likely find your dog’s faves might surprise you! Small pieces (about pea-sized) are plenty to satisfy. And since fruits and vegetables tend to be low in calories, no need to fret over weight-gain.

Some foods to try:

• Carrots

• Zucchini

• Cantaloupe

• Apples

• Boiled chicken

• Blueberries

• Strawberries

• Cheese

• Broccoli

• Sweet potatoes

• Plant-based hot dogs

• Cucumbers

Create a treat ladder for your dog. Lower value treats are toward the bottom of the ladder, higher value treats in the middle, and my-dog-will-do-anything-for treats at the top. The bigger the challenge, the higher the reward.

Dog not food motivated? You probably just haven’t found the right foods yet!

2. Dog treat pouch

Your dog’s treat ladder, as described earlier, will clue you in on what type of treat pouch might suit you best. The most efficient pouches have multiple compartments for a variety of food stuffs so you can be ready for well-timed rewards. Magnetic closures are a nice bonus for easy access. Some pouches feature versatility with how they’re worn depending on the situation and what you’re training.

Many trainers even opt for fanny packs, as these lightweight easy-to-wear bags are affordable and typically also have multiple compartments for treats, whistles, poop bags and your phone.

Popular pouches:

$8.50. ZippyPaws Adventure Dog Treat Bag

$8.50. Dexas Popware for Pets Pooch Pouch

3. Dog training Collar/harness

Even for the calmest of dogs, clipping a leash to a collar can put unnecessary pressure on the neck and spine. Wearing collars are fine for ID tags for example, but harnesses are typically safer (more difficult to wrangle out of) and more comfortable when fitted properly: a well-made well-fitted harness doesn’t chafe or restrict movement. Many harnesses come with a front and back clip for added support with leash walking training.

Evaluate your dog’s size, strength, walking style and your abilities when considering which type of harness to get. Larger dogs will need a more heavy-duty harness than a toy breed.

Affordable, comfortable and popular harnesses include:

• Lupine Pet Step In Harness

• Halti Walking Dog Harness

Recommended collars for training Specifically if your dog's neck is bigger than their head or you are going to be working in public as therapy dog or service dogs. Lupine Pet Basic Solids Martingale

A word on training collars: just say no. Prong, choke and e-collars are not only outdated methods of training, they are also proven to cause harmful lasting emotional and behavioral effects. Read these articles for more information:

• A List Of Things That Shock Collars Are Not

• Myths and Facts - SF SPCA

If your dog has pulled you down or you are at a fall risk, Halti is a tool that can prevent pulling.

4. Dog training leash

Leashes are about personal preference and style but must also be about safety and comfort. The ideal length is 5 to 6 ft to allow a little breathing room, but not enough to get tangled, and keeps him close when out walking and in higher traffic spaces. Additionally, many dog-friendly venues, outdoor areas and trails require dogs to be on a 6-foot leash. Leashes come in a variety of materials; lightweight and strong are the most handler and dog friendly. Some also come with a traffic handle for super close encounters.

As with harnesses, choose a leash you can safely and effectively handle and that’s the appropriate strength for your dog’s size and activity level. Pay special attention to the clasp and ensure it’s a good fit for your dog’s harness so it’ll be safe and secure.

$10.99. Lupine Pet Padded Handle Dog Leash 

Be careful of retractable leashes. Retractables can get tangled very quickly and are notorious for snapping back into the handler or the dog and causing injury. They also hinder the handler from maneuvering effectively and quickly when necessary, such as in crowded spaces, sudden changes in the environment and in vets’ offices and small spaces.

5. Long leash for dog training

A long line is a great tool for training your dog a variety of behaviors and shaping others. They allow handlers to work with their dogs from farther away to build reliability with behaviors from various distances. Long lines are also ideal for early stages of recall training to get the initial feel of being off leash while being able to practice these behaviors safely, since the handler still has a connection to the dog.

Although length and material vary depending on needs and preference, long lines are often 15 to 50 feet in length and made of rope, nylon or biothane. Legend Acres Intermediate and Advanced Course requires a 30 foot Training Line.  Some don’t have handles/grips, although they’re recommended for safety and versatility. Never allow your dog to run off with a long line as it can get tangled and become a safety hazard.

Some long lines to consider:

$20.00. Lupine Pet Basic Solids Training Dog Lead

6. Muzzle

All dogs should be trained to a muzzle. Whether it’s for vet or groomer visits, nail trims, emergency situations, pica (eating non-food items) or over reactivity or aggression, all dogs can benefit from being comfortable with wearing a muzzle should the need arise. Muzzles should allow for panting and drinking (no Velcro muzzles!) and fit properly and comfortably, which means it feels to your dog like glasses do to us: like they’re not there.

Top choice:

• $25. Baskerville

Quick tips for training your dog to a muzzle: Legend Acres Muzzle-Training Protocol and Log Sheets

7. Chew toys

Whether puppy or adult, dogs love to chew. Chew toys are an essential part of helping puppies understand the no-teeth-on-people rule and helpful for giving them something to teethe and gnaw on instead of shoes or furniture! And bored and under-stimulated dogs of any age are much more likely to fall into bad habits, so keeping a fresh and fun supply of appropriate chews is a win-win.

Food puzzles/toys are great especially for when you might be away, have company, or otherwise need a temporary positive distraction as well.  But be safe about leaving your dog unsupervised with any toy and be sure he enjoys it per manufacturer’s instructions.

Be careful with rawhides as digestion can be problematic and splintering can be a safety concern with antlers. High-calorie “long-lasting” chews can be a choking hazard once they become smaller and possibly cause weight gain. Even softer chews can present swallowing/choking hazards, and marrow bones, hooves and other “real” chews can cause tooth fractures or worse. Always check with your vet before giving the green light on chew toys.

Trainer faves:

• Various Kong chew toys

• Katie's Bumpers

• SodaPup 

• Starmark

• Bones and Chews

8. Flirt Pole

Herding, playing chase, and biting our normal puppy behaviors.  To prevent trips and falls as well as grabbing of clothes, legs and fingers. A flirt pole allows you to safely redirect play away from your body.

• Flirt Poles

9. Toys for Fetch

Some dogs are play motivated. Here is a list of heavy duty toys that hold up to training!

Chuckit and Chickit Air allows your dog to breath with object in mouth

10. Patience and humor

Last but certainly not least, the best tool is free and makes all the difference in your training. Approaching training with patience and humor not only facilitates effectiveness, but is also more fun! Training is a process, a journey, not an event or destination. Dog learning is just like human learning in that it continues throughout life. While certain tasks and cues and even sports and tricks can be learned and repeated, learning to live and thrive in our human world and still retain all the wonderful qualities that make them dogs is a delicate balance. Dogs look to us for answers, support, comfort and direction.

When gathering supplies, don’t forget that your most important asset is your relationship with your dog, so choose wisely.

Bonus tool: Training vests

Training vests get a lot of attention, and since there are several types let’s break it down:

Trainer/Handler vests

For humans and are often made of durable, flexible and weather/water-proof fabric. They have a lot of pockets for various training items, and some also come with an additional treat pouch. Typically used for a variety of outdoor uses, such as for sport, gun and hunting dogs.

• Arrak Outdoor Dog Handler Vest

• POPETPOP Dog Handler Training Vest

Dog in Training vests

For dogs who are in training, works in progress, or who want to be clear about their need for space and patience (kind of like a student driver!).

• Albcorp

• Industrial Puppy Service Dog-in-Training Vest

• Service Dog Vest

Reserved for dogs who are working in a service dog capacity or in a service dog training program. According to the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog who has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Not to be confused with therapy dogs or emotional support dogs.

Emotional support or therapy dog vests

Typically reserved for dogs who have undergone training for these roles and are functioning credibly in these capacities.