Training Equipment

Training Equipment

What tools and equipment do you use when working with your dog? Dog trainers use a wide variety of tools depending on their style, preferred techniques, the needs of the dog, and the goals of training. So what should you have on hand when getting ready for a training session with Spotty Paws Pet Services, LLC?

Whether working with your new puppy, newly adopted rescue dog, your best friend of many years, or any other dog, I always start off with a harness, a 6 or 8-foot leash (longer for larger breeds), and training treats.

Harnesses:

If you only have a dog collar and not a harness, I can help you pick out a harness that would work well for your dog. Just let me know in the notes of your initial inquiry or in an email! I generally prefer harnesses that have an option to clip the leash in the front along your dog’s chest, as this helps me to direct the pup and reduce pulling issues. It also helps if your dog’s harness fits them well, as this reduces rubbing and discomfort for your pup and also keeps them from getting loose.

You may have heard that harnesses “cause dogs to pull.” This is not true. Dog’s pull for a number of reasons, some of the main ones being that they walk faster than humans on average and are motivated by smells around them when out on walks. In training, we can work on teaching your dog that walking with a loose leash and being near you is rewarding and fun. We can also work on cue words for when to be closer to and more focused on you and when to take “breaks” to sniff around and lead the way a bit more!

Leashes:

I generally start training with a 6 or 8-foot leash, depending on the size of your pup. This allows us to have a bit more control over your dog than using a longer leash and certainly more control than using a retractable leash. I do not use retractable leashes with my clients, as it is more difficult to use clear and consistent communication with a dog through a retractable leash (not-so-fun side fact: depending on the strength of your dog, if they get up to speed by the time they hit the end of the leash, they can send you flying. My sister actually broke her arm walking our border collie when we were kids, because our pup took off after a toy that was rolling away from her)!

I really enjoy using Biothane leashes, as they are very easy to clean if they get messy! You can find these at some local pet stores and, of course, online!

If we are working on off-leash style training, recall, or other distance cues, I will also incorporate a long leash into our training. I will bring my long leash with me, but you can of course purchase your own online if you want to keep working on our training techniques outside of our sessions.

Treats:

What motivates your pup? Some dogs are happy to be offered a green bean, some are motivated by their regular dog food, others like liver paste, some prefer training treats, and others like boiled chicken breast. Whatever it is your dog prefers, please have some on hand for every training session. We will work on figuring out the smallest amount of the treat required to motivate your dog so that we do not overfeed your pup during our sessions. I personally prefer to use training treats with fairly simple ingredients and a leading ingredient of protein for my pup, but you are welcome to use what works for your dog. And, as always, check with your vet before changing your pet’s diet! If you have questions about brands of dog treats that work well for many of my clients, please let me know!

Other Equipment:

As we will be using positive reinforcement techniques, you can decide whether you prefer to use a cue word, such as “yes!” or a clicker to let your dog know they’ve done what you asked and a treat is coming. Using a cue word works well for dogs that are good at focusing and enjoy training. It is not as immediate as the clicker, but you’ll never misplace your voice when you need to communicate with your dog. A clicker works well for dogs that do not focus as well and need a bit more of an immediate and distinct cue during training sessions. The down side to the clicker is that you may not have it on you when you need it. As always, if you have any questions about what option to choose or what clicker to order, just let me know!