What's the number one secret of professional dog trainers? Always setting up your pup for success.
And the right equipment is a key part of that.
Training your dog is so much more than just teaching basic cues. It's about building a strong bond and creating healthy communications so you and your pup can enjoy all your small moments and big adventures together seamlessly. Proactively setting the stage to make it almost impossible for your dog to fail means focusing your dog on feeling great about good behaviors and celebrating more wins together.
The best way to deter unwanted behaviors is to promote and generously reward the behaviors you want to see -- from staying calm around visitors to walking politely on a leash to taking treats and food gently to coming when called and everything in between.
Whether you’re puppy-training a new family addition or working on improving your older dog’s behavior and comfort, proper training is the foundation for a happy, full life together.
Let's jump into what the pros swear by to help make your work with your dog smoother -- and your results positive and lasting!
Your 10 must-haves to set your dog up for effective training success...
Before you begin training your dog, you'll want to set both you and your dog up for success with as many easy wins as possible. A central part of that is being sure to have the right training supplies handy. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
1) Treats
Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, and high-value dog treats are far and away one of the most effective ways to reward good behavior.
Why treats work when training your dog
Using treats as positive reinforcement creates powerful positive associations between desired behaviors and rewards. Over time, your dog learns that good things happen with good behaviors – including when longstanding triggers appear and your pup stays calm and doesn't react.
Treats are food, too, so treat healthy
Treat calories count too, just like everything in your pup's bowl. So choose dog treats that are as nutritious and healthful as your dog's food. Opt for treats that are:
- Low-calorie and breakable into small pieces to prevent overfeeding and too many calories (you'll be giving your dog lots of training treats, so think small).
- All-natural or minimally processed, single or limited ingredients, made of real food and nutrients you recognize (no chemicals, artificial anything, empty carbs or calories).
- Small-sized to be consumed quickly, so your dog stays focused on training.
Pro Tip: If your dog has dietary restrictions, experiment with non-food rewards like verbal praise, toys, or belly rubs. Some dogs, for example, would much prefer their favorite tennis ball or frisbee in their mouth than a treat as a reward and motivator.
2) Treat pouch
Rewarding your dog for good behaviors is an everyday and lifelong constant, so you always want easy access to treats. And since dogs' brains associate rewards with whatever happened the instant they get the treat, you'll want to be quick on the draw. Nothing helps your timing to treat like a pro more than a treat bag or pouch. And you'll be hands-free to focus on training and rewarding instead of carrying treats!
Check out our Treat Pouch 2.0 to make your life easier and raise the level of your treating skills!
3) Clicker
Clicker training has proved to be a strong tool in communicating with your pup. Combined with the positive reinforcement of treats, a clicker can make the reward/reinforcement even clearer since most of us take a second or three to actually deliver treats. A clicker marks desirable behavior instantly and signals a treat is coming. A one-two move that can accelerate your training success!
4) Leash (6 feet long, 2 handles)
A sturdy leash provides control and keeps your dog focused during training sessions. A standard 6-foot leash is ideal for most training exercises, with freedom for movement without compromising safety.
Our Dual Handle Leash is designed for safety and function with two padded handles -- one at the end of the leash as usual for a bit of exploring and one closer in to give you control as needed in tighter spots like narrow, busy sidewalks.
5) Long leash
An extra-long leash in either 15- or 30- foot lengths is an indispensable help for a range of training activities. For recall training, for example, you'll have the benefit as you practice a reliable recall of having your dog feeling free at a distance from you with the safety of knowing your pup can't actually get away.
A long leash is also perfect for those sniffari walks as you let your dog sniff and explore, getting the good physical and mental exercise that de-stresses your pup and sets up a relaxed training mood.
6) Harness
For training sessions and walks and all kinds of adventures on leash, a well-fitted, dual clip harness helps balance any weight or pull throughout your dog's body, protects your pup's neck from injury, and naturally makes it easier for the two of you to feel in sync as you move.
7) Mighty Calm chews
Especially if you have a fearful or reactive dog, Mighty Calm chews help take the edge off with all-natural ingredients in chews that taste like treats. Some of your training eventually, inevitably, happens in situations with emotional triggers such as other dogs on a walk or strangers at your door. When your dog is over emotional threshold, it's impossible to learn. You can help change how your dog feels and open the learning window with support from relaxing Mighty Calm.
8) Lick mat and lick bowl
Mental stimulation helps clear and calm your dog's mind to be able to take in training. Licking is one of those instinctive behaviors (chewing is another) that releases all the feel-good hormones in your dog's brain for a calming, focusing effect.
That's why we created two ways for your dog to get the soothing mental exercise (also great as a treat or reward for your dog for good behaviors!): our multi-texture lick mat and interactive lick bowl.
9) Tinkle bells or smart bells
If you're working on puppy socialization and house-training or even refreshing your older dogs potty skills, teaching your dog to use tinkle bells or a smart bell 2.0 gives your dog a clear, satisfying voice in the process. It's fun to watch how quickly your dog embraces this newfound "voice" and how much it raises the success level of your pup's going-out routine.
10) Patience, consistency, and positivity!
The approach you bring to dog training and communicating with your dog may be the most important essential of all. Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and predicability. Staying positively and patiently consistent keeps your dog from becoming confused about what's expected and exponentially increases your shared success.
Pro tips for staying consistent in dog training
- Use the same cues every time (e.g., “sit” rather than switching between “sit” and “sit down”).
- Ensure all family members use the same guidelines and language to avoid mixed signals (and always, always positive and reinforcing the good, ignoring or redirecting the not-so-good).
- Practice training sessions in consistent settings before gradually introducing new environments.
By creating a predictable routine, you’ll build trust and help set your dog up for success.
Committing to the right dog training process
Any good professional dog trainer will tell you that not all dogs respond to training in the same way. Your dog is an individual. So it’s important to tailor your training to your dog's personality and temperament. Keep your communications with your dog as a give-and-take, always "listening" to your dog's body language and giving your pup opportunities for choice and a voice.
Instead of outdated ideas like "basic commands," for example, think "cues" where you and your dog have shared words and signals for desired behaviors. You're not commanding your dog, you're working together with an understood communication between you!
With the right dog training gear and a consistent plan for communication and plenty of positive reinforcement, you’re well on your way to having a happy, confident, and well-behaved pup.
Happy training and adventuring with your dog!
We believe in helping dogs live their healthiest, happiest, and fullest lives with you. We're dedicated to supporting you in setting both of you up for success in all your adventures together. Training to help your dog feel confident and comfortable everywhere by your side is an important part of your best life together.
That's why we're committed to bringing you high-quality products that are safe, healthful, and practical for everything you need to keep your dog learning and living the good life with you.
