Recommended Equipment
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There are SO MANY different types, sizes and brands of equipment out there for dogs. Some are absolute life savors while others can cause nightmare situations for dogs and owners. Using the correct equipment with a trusted brand is immensely important! Below is a list of some of my top recommended products as well as some to avoid at all costs.   
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​Enrichment Must Haves   ●   Leashes   ●   Collars   ●   Training Collars & Harnesses   

Enrichment Must Haves

Click to Buy:

Treat pouch or sometimes called a bait bag are a MUST HAVE took for any dog trainer, owner, shelter worker or volunteer, dog walker... you get the idea! It is very important to have positive reinforcers at the ready to reward your dog for good behavior and create positive associations. 
   
​  Click to buy: Doggone Good Treat Pouch
​                            Wilderdog Treat Pouch
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treat pouch!
Pictureclickers
Clickers are wonderful tools that help with timing when you are training. The click sound works as a marker that helps you communicate to your dog that the behavior they just did was correct and a treat is on the way! I highly recommend using a clicker or at the very least a marker word when you are training your dog to ensure consistency and clear communication. 
    
​  Click to buy: Clicker  
Drag leashes are wonderful tools that help you gain control of your dog fast and with ease. All too often we let our dogs loose in situations before they are ready - in the yard without proper recall, in the house before they have learned to rules, a brand new fearful dog who runs away from you. This results in collar grabbing or playing the chase game in order to "catch your dog. The drag leash is a short leash where you cut the handle loop off of so your dog can wear it around the house/yard under supervision and not get caught on anything. You can pick up and redirect your dog is a positive, non-confrontational way using the drag leash. Simply purchase a nylon leash and cut the loop off.
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each dog has a drag leash on during play for added control

Leashes

Pictureslip lead
Slip Leads can be a great safety tool when used correctly as they are impossible for the dog to get loose from. These are highly recommended for dogs who are slippery and quick to escape the harness or collar. Slip leads work well for transportation of rescue dogs, for the acclimation period of newly acquired dogs and for fearful dogs.  Slip leads can be used at the same time as another leash/harness combo as a back up in case the other fails. 
   
  Click to buy:  Mendota Pets  
                            Fenrir Ragnar Lead
Picturefixed leash
Leashes come in all different widths, lengths and materials. The most popular is a 6-foot long, 3/4 or 1 inch wide leash. A shorter leash, 4-foot, will give you a little less room to work with but can be very useful for high traffic areas or for specific training purposes.
 
​   Click to buy:  PetSafe
                            Chai's Choice 
                            Mendota 
Picturelong line
Long Lines are longer hand held, fixed leashes also known as check cords, are a fantastic way to allow your dog freedom and an off-leash feel but safely. Long lines are crucial for training recall and certain types of obedience. They come in almost all lengths, 10-foot through 100-foot. I LOVE long lines and use them often! Chances are, if we are working together, I will recommend a long line. 
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​   Click to buy:  Mendota Long Lead 
                            Four Paws Cotton Lead  
                            Biothane Long Lead ​
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DO NOT USE a retractable leash, anytime, anywhere... ever. There is very little to no control when using the retractable leash and it sends mixed messages. Much better alternatives are a fixed four or six foot leash for regular walks and a long leash designed for dogs for hikes or field play!

Collars

Martingale collars made out of nylon are ideal for pretty much every dog out there with the exception of little dogs or dogs with short legs as sometimes their legs can get stuck in the loop. These collars are limited slip collars that fit nice and comfortable around the dogs neck but contracts a bit when pressure is put on the leash. This makes these collars a much safer option for dogs with the potential to escape their collars. 
   
​    Click to buy: PetSafe  
                             Lucky Love Martingale Collars (cool designs!)
​                             Downtown Pet Supply (more cool designs!)​
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Pictureflat buckle collar
Flat buckle collars made out of nylon or leather are quite popular but I find they are not nearly as secure as people think they are. Dogs often slip out of these collars so I almost always recommend opting for a martingale collar instead. 

Be aware of buying home made collars and leashes from Etsy or similar sites. While it's wonderful to support small businesses, you want to make sure the collar and leash is durable and not going to fail when your dog pulls. Be sure to look at the reviews before you buy.
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​Training collars & Harnesses

I am purposefully not going to do a deep dive into the very complex and controversial world of training collars. This is a huge topic that has many different opinions with pros and cons attached to each individual tool. This decision should be up to you and your trusted trainer to work through and figure out what is best for your dog and your goals.

Click to buy: Chain Martingale Collar 
                        Ruffwear Chain Martingale 
                       Halti Head Halter
Front Clip Harnesses are great leash walking tools that help a lot of dogs and their owners achieve a peaceful, pull free walk. Connect the clip of your leash to the front harness clip as well as their collar so the harness stays secure and centered on their chest.  It is very important that your dog is taught not to pull while on these harnesses. Constant pulling while their chest is being restricted from the tension on the leash going backwards is not great for the dogs confirmation. 
   
​  Click to buy: Easy Walk Harness  
                          Balance Harness  
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leash attached to harness and martingale collar
Pictureback harness example
Back clip harnesses don't do much, if anything, for training. In fact, these harnesses often encourage your dog to pull more by giving your dog a large surface area to forge forward on. These harnesses, however, are great for long line practice, hiking, for calm or senior dogs that do not pull on the leash, for various dog sports and for dogs with medical issues that require such a harness style.  

Be aware, back harness are NOT always as secure as they look. A dog can easily back out of them. When trying out a new harness, it is a good idea to use a slip lead as a back up just in case the harness fails. Have a regular leash attached to the harness and a slip lead around the dogs neck. If the harness fails, your dog will still be secure. 
                          Written by Jamie Ianello, IAABC-SBA