Dog Training Gear

Nested Crates = Small (24″) crate inside XL (48″) crate

Below is dog training gear we use and recommend to clients. When possible, we include links to recommended products. This Dog Training Gear page is “in progress” and being updated regularly until completion. Please excuse the kinks.  

Amazon Affiliate Program: Most of our recommended products/gear are linked to products on Amazon. We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

CRATES & OTHER DOG ENCLOSURES

Crates are extremely useful for puppy and dog training. Smaller puppy crates are used for potty and crate training. Puppies love a comfy, cozy nest box, which is similar to a baby’s crib. And, a crated puppy is safe in a vehicle, akin to an infant car seat.

Bigger dog crates are used for adult dogs and as part of puppy “nested crates”. When possible, extra large (XL = 48”) crates are recommended to create NYC studio apartments for all dogs – big and small. Decorate with bones and toys. Optional items include bedding and water bowls. Feed meals in the big crate. Dogs love their comfy bedrooms!

Inside Puppy Nest Box (24″ Airline Crate)

Puppy Crates

  • Puppy Nest Box for Sleep & Travel
  • NOT recommended for feeding meals
  • Petmate Vari Dog Kennel
  • Airline Crate: XS (24”), S (30”)
  • Link = https://amzn.to/3H6PyVS (Amazon)

Dog Crates

  • House Training, Meals, Anxiety Prevention & Treatment
  • Lightweight Metal Foldable 2-Door Crates
  • Midwest iCrates Crates: M (36”), L (42”), XL (48”)
  • Link = https://amzn.to/4kooD6J (Amazon)

Nested Crates – Small (24″) inside Extra Large (48″) Crate

Nested Crates

 

Dog Play Pen – Exercise Pen

Play pens are one of the more versatile dog training equipment. Along with providing a small play area, pens can be used as gates and room dividers. We cordon off desks and other work areas from doggy intruders. We use play pens to keep our filming equipment safe from puppy play. The pens come at different heights and colors. Also, the pens come with and without doors.

FOOD & FOOD BOWLS

Examples of Slow Feeder Bowls

Dog food is a multi-million dollar business. So many choices! We recommend slow feeding bowls because it makes mealtimes more fun!

Slow Feeding Bowls / Slow Feeders

 

DOG BONES & OTHER “CHEW TOYS”

We offer a variety of “chew toys” to satisfy dogs’ strong desire to chew. Doggy chew toys include marrow bones, synthetic bones, antlers and cow hooves. Please note that stuffed animals are NOT chew toys. Chewing and swallowing portions of stuffed animals can be dangerous.

Dogs love to chew on things, which pacify and calm them. Giving dogs bones is similar to how we use pacifiers to calm distraught human children. Chew toys will pacify your dog and keep their teeth clean. Offering dogs chew toys keeps your dog happy and prevents dogs from destroying your home. We recommend getting the Large (L) or Extra-Large (XL) bones. Even little dogs like BIG bones! And, the danger of swallowing the bone is 

Nylabone Durachew – Variety

Marrow Bones

  • Raw and Roasted Options
  • Ask for raw options from your local butcher
  • K9 Connoisseur All Natural Marrow Bones
  • Link = https://amzn.to/45f8l9N (Amazon)

Nylabone Durachews

Doggy Bone Toybox

Benebones

Antlers

Cow Hooves

  • Great alternative to Rawhides and Stinky Bully Sticks
  • Cow hooves tend to smell like the grass cows eat
  • Link = https://amzn.to/45a5fUe (Amazon)

 

GENERAL DOG TRAINING GEAR

K&H PLACE Cot – Useful for Photography

PLACE Cots

Elevated beds are used for a variety of reasons, including the obedience skills PLACE and self-control (WAIT & STAY). These cots are also used for fun & games plus as sleeping beds. Very functional training gear indeed! We use 2 basic types of cots: indoor and outdoor cots. We typically use Medium and Large cots.

 

LEASHES & COLLARS

We typically use simple nylon or leather leashes for leash walks and other obedience activities. The length and width of the leashes are important. The 4-foot leash is ideal for leash walks. The 6-foot leash is used for other activities, including self-control.

We use different leash widths for different size dogs. Large dogs typically use 1” wide leashes. Medium dogs use ¾” wide leashes. Small dogs use very thin leashes, from 5/8” wide to smaller. Some very small dogs need cat-sized leashes.

Nylon Leashes (4-foot Length)

Nylon Leashes (6-foot Length)

 

E-COLLARS – VIBRATION & STIMULATION

Electronic (E) Collars are extremely useful, but sadly misused dog training tools. Our training methods advocate subtle corrections. We primarily use the Vibration (V) mode of e-collars, which feels similar to your cell phone vibration mode.

Not all dogs need e-Collars in their dog training toolbox. However, when needed we use and recommend e-Collar Technologies MINI & Micro Educator collars. We use both the 1-dog and 2-dog systems. Uses of e-collars include improving off-leash skills and stopping unwanted behaviors (no more barking, whining, leash reactivity, digging, bolting and more). Please see our YouTube videos explaining how to use e-collars.

 

DOG CAR TRAVEL – SEATBELTS & MORE

All individuals traveling in vehicles should be safely secured with a seatbelt. Young children use car seats and booster seats, which are safely secured to the car’s seatbelt. For everyone’s safety, dogs should also be restrained in a vehicle. When not restrained, dogs die and can injure or kill their humans.

Dog Car Barrier – Attaches to Headrests

Airline crates are perfect for small dogs and young puppies, and should be secured to the car seatbelt. Crates and/or confinement to the rear section of the car are great options, if you have the car space. We prefer to section off the back third of our CRV, creating a roomy but safe dog enclosure. If your car does not have space to spare, you have other options.

An easy way to secure your dog to car seatbelts is with a simple dog harness. You can probably use your current dog harness by attaching the seatbelt through the back strap of the harness. Or, you can get a dog harness designed to be attached to the car seatbelt. Please note: Do NOT tether the harness to the seatbelt. Secure the seatbelt directly through the dog’s harness. Below are links to recommended modes of securing dogs for travel.