Leashes, Collars, and Training Equipment
Choosing the correct training equipment can make a massive difference when training your dog. Choosing the correct leash, collar, or harness can give you better control and makes sure your dog cannot escape or injure themselves. We recommend using products that do not cause the dog any kind of pain as a means for control. Products like prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars ultimately can do more harm than good. These products do not teach the dog how to walk but use pain as a way to prevent a behavior. The different products we recommend are talked about in detail bellow with links where you can purchase the equipment.
Martingale Collars
The martingale collar was originally designed for greyhounds, because their heads are smaller than their necks. This means that greyhounds can easily back out of/slip out of any standard collar you put on them. If adjusted correctly the martingale collar tightens down, preventing the dog form backing out of it. It also puts even pressure around the dogs entire neck if they pull. In comparison a standard flat buckle collar puts all the pressure on the dogs trachea and could cause damage over time. This collar can be made in many different styles, including ones with snap buckles, collars made completely out of nylon, or collars made with a chain back attachment. Bellow is the list of collars manufactures we recommend.
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good for very strong dogs​
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For dogs not good with things going over their head​
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Leashes
A leash is quite literally the connection between you and your dog. A good leash should be easy to hold in your hand. Leashes that are too thick prevent you from getting a good grip and leashes that are too thin can cut into your hand and be uncomfortable. Choosing the correct leash width along with the right material is very important when selecting a leash to use with your dog. We recommend a standard 5-6ft leash for most training/walking situations. Long lines are great for nature walks and recall practice but can. be difficult to handle in busy close quarters. Our favorite leashes are made out of leather or biothane. We find that these materials are the most comfortable to hold and handle. Nylon leases are cheaper, but can rub or cut into your hand if you have a dog that pulls on leash. We never recommend the use of retractable leashes! Retractable leashes can fail mechanically or put the dog in harms way if they get to the end of the leash . Bellow is a list of leashes/manufatuors we recommend.
Treat Pouches
A treat pouch is an easy and convent way to carry your dogs food/treats for training, walks, or playtime. With a treat pouch you do not need to worry about fumbling for messy treats in your pockets ever again! The treat pouches we use and recommend are listed bellow.
Harnesses
Harnesses are a great option for dogs that are extreme pullers. Harnesses prevent the dog from causing damage to their necks. There are literally hundreds of harness options. We prefer harnesses that have a front attachment point or a front and back attachment point. Harnesses with only a back attachment point can cause the dogs to pull more due to what is called an oppositional reflex. This reflex causes the dog to pull more when they feel pressure. A front clip harness turns the dog to the side when they pull and prevents the dog from getting leverage on you. If your dog is an escape artist we recommend using a harness with two straps around the abdomen. The second strap prevents the dog from backing out of the harness. Bellow is a list of our favorite harnesses.
Head Collars
Head Collars give your the most control of your dog, but they also can put your dog at risk of damage to their necks. If the dog pulls quickly these collars can cause damage to the muscles or vertebra around the neck area. We recommend trying a front clip harness first before using a head collar. In cases where an owner cannot get control of their dog or the dog is simply more powerful than the owner a head collar can be a good option. The two styles of head collars we recommend are the Canny Collar and the Perfect Pace head collar. These head collars pull the dogs head down, a movement less likely to cause damage, compared to other brands that pull the dogs head to the side a less natural movement style.
Long Lines
A long line is a leash that ranges anywhere from 15-50 feet in length. Long lines are great for walks in nature, nose work, or practice for recalls. We prefer long lines that are round. The round leashes are less likely to cut into or burn your hands. The leashes we recommend are listed bellow.