My Favorite Dog Training Gear

Demo Dog Friday at a competition.

This is a list of my favorite dog training gear and dog essentials.

Training Collars: The training collars you use will depend on your specific dog and your needs as an individual. If you are unsure please consult a trainer for advice. These are listed in no particular order.

• Bold Lead Designs Leather Martingale: This is a high quality leather martingale collar. Its built very well and will last a long time. Its great because dogs can’t back out of this collar. They also have a water proof option listed here Bold Lead Designs Brahma Martingale.

• The Golden Ranch Slip Collar: This is a high quality leather slip collar.

• The Golden Ranch Dominant Dog Collar: Very similar to the slip collar but is multifunctional.

• Kona Dog Wear Dominant Dog Collar: This is a thick paracord collar that is multifunctional.

• Keeper Collar Covered Prong: This is a popular covered prong brand that is a high quality collar.

• Mayerzon Covered Prong (Amazon): A budget friendly covered prong.

• Herm Sprenger Fursavers and Prong Collars: High quality collars but should not be used without a trainer’s guidance on proper fit and use or if this tool is ideal for your dog.

• Kimberland Prong Collars: A company who hand makes their metal collars.

• Wilson’s Gun Dog Supply O-Ring Flat Collar: Very high quality flat collar. My dogs wear this while shed hunting. The o-ring allows the dog to flip out of the collar if they get tangled in any vegetation.

Everyday Collars: These are collars meant for everyday wear and aren’t for training. They are mainly for holding identification.

• The Golden Ranch Tag Collar: This collar is a very basic slip over the head style collar. It’s very minimal which is something I really like and prefer. I rivet on a narrow dog tag to these collars for identification.

• Rocket K9 Biothane Tag Collar: Same design as The Golden Ranch’s tag collar but in a waterproof biothane material and comes in fun colors. They have a wider 3/4 in width too.

• Bold Lead Designs Leather Quick Release Collar: This is a nice high quality leather collar but has the convince of a quick release collar.

• Bold Lead Designs Leather Double D-Ring Collar: This collar is a nice buckle style leather collar. Small breed sizes are also available (Dainty Dog Collar).

• Modern Icon 1.5in Summit Collar: This is a high quality flat collar that is a medium weight. It comes in a 1in width as well (1in Summit Collar).

• Tractive Collars: This is a GPS subscription based dog collar that is nice for flight risk dogs.

• Wilson’s Gun Dog Supply Flat Collar: This flat collar is a nice waterproof option and comes with an identification tag.

Leashes and Longlines: There are many types of materials of leash and longline.

• VanNuil Canine Gear Leather Leashes: I handmade leather leashes. My leather leashes are hand cut, beveled, braided and conditioned by me using high quality latigo leather.

• Bold Lead Designs: This is a high quality leather leash that will last a very long time.

• The Golden Ranch: High quality leather leash at a slightly cheaper price point.

• Pro-Mohs Biothane Leashes and Long Lines: This is a high quality waterproof leash option.

• K9 NW Source Leashes and Long Lines: These are high quality leather long lines and leashes. Their leather long lines are made of a single piece of leather. I use these long lines with my dogs.

• Slipleashes.com: High quality thick parador slip leads that will last.

• Kona Dog Wear Slip Leads: High quality thick paracord slip leads that will last.

• Bridgeport K9 Leather Longline: This is a high quality leather long line made of a single circle cut hide.

Nosework Gear: This is the nosework gear I run my dogs on.

• K9 Tactical Gear Every Day Harness: This is a high quality minimal harness that I use with my dogs for nosework.

• Air Light Collar 1.5: This is the collar I use with my personal dogs for nosework.

• Bold Lead Designs Leather Martingale: This is a high quality leather martingale collar. I use this when I want to run on a collar they can’t back out of or for walking around the venue. They also have a water proof option listed here Bold Lead Designs Brahma Martingale.

• K9 NW Source Leashes and Long Lines: These are high quality leather long lines and leashes. Their leather long lines are made of a single piece of leather. I use these long lines with my dogs.

• Optimum Time Event Timer: This is the countdown timer I use for high levels of nosework. I personally use the 14R model and like the vibrate option it has.

• Viola Treat Pouch - I personally have the sealable version as I like that it can seal air tight.

Protection Sports Collars and Harnesses: These are collars are specifically designed for protection sports and to take a lot more than your normal collar.

• Kirby K9 Semper Collar: This is a high quality heavy duty agitation collar that will last. This collar I used with my dogs.

• K9 Tactical Gear Defender Harness: This is a high quality harness that I used with my dogs for bitesports.

Harnesses: These are my favorite harnesses. I prefer y-front harnesses due to safety and movement concerns.

• K9 Tactical Gear Every Day Harness: This is a high quality minimal harness that is wonderful for many disciplines.

• K9 Tactical Gear Defender Polymer: This is a good harness for tracking or nosework.

• Bridgeport K9 Tracking Harness: This is a nice leather y-front harness.

Crates and Travel: The type of crate you use can vary depending on your dog. I use many types of kennels for various things such as transport, hotel, house crates etc.

• Ruffland Kennels: Super nice kennels for in the home or in the car. I use them for in the house and in the car for my dogs.

• Dakota CRaTE: A nice competitor crate to the Ruffland.

• Cabela’s GunDog Kennel: Another nice competitor to Ruffland and Dakota.

• Aluminum Kennels: We have made aluminum kennels for our dogs personally BUT for premade options on the market there is a few. TNC Kennels and Zinger.

• Elite Field Soft Crate: This is a crate I use in hotels or at trials and only under direct supervision so they don’t have a chance to chew it.

• KBC Breakdown Kennel: This kennel is high quality and very strong but breaks down for transport. The only downside is they are HEAVY.

• Primo Pads: These are wonderful waterproof crate pads that are mostly chew proof as well.

• Buckets: A nice bucket is good for traveling with your dog to give them water.

• Ryobi Fans: Ryobi fans are excellent for keeping your dogs cool when you have to crate from the car. I would recommend purchasing during Ryobi days if possible for the best deals.

• Necto Temperature Monitor: This is a fantastic temperature monitor. The only thing is to think about how you are going to power it.

Treat Pouches/Training Skirts: Many people use a fanny/waist pack to hold your training treats. There is also several nice treat pouches or aprons.

• Wilderdog Utility Pack: Cute and common pack.

• Sherpani Pack: Minimal design.

• Akra Pack: Designed for dog training.

• Viola Treat Pouch: I personally have the sealable version as I like that it can seal air tight.

• Akra Training Apron: Nice option with many uses.

• Cabela’s Half Vest: I also have this half vest for when I need to carry more gear and its super nice and lightweight.

Toys and Tugs: These are the toys that have consistently held up with my working dogs.

• Benebone: Benebones are a favorite at our house. They are a very durable nylon chew.

• Chuck It: Chuck Its tend to survive in our house with super chewers. Just make sure you get a size they can’t swallow. For my dogs I use a size XXL found at select stores.

• Kong: Kongs are a durable toy designed for you to stuff food into. They are enriching to the dogs.

• Bark Super Chewer: My dogs do best with the nylon toys. They tend to kill the rubber ones.

• ALM Tugs: These tugs are a wonderful reward toy for my dogs. For interactive play only.

• MCRS Magnet Ball: This is my favorite reward ball which is great for magnetic training vests. For interactive play only.

Clickers: Every trainer has a favorite clicker.

• Educator Finger Clicker: This clicker is loud, reliable and stays put on your finger. This is the only clicker I use.

Poop Bag Holders: Every dog owner should have a poop bag holder. Here is some cool but functional options.

• Barn Hunt Tube: This is a cute barn hunt inspired poop bag holder from a local person from Michigan.

• Earth Rated: This is a nice design that gets the job done.

• Tuff Pets Poop Bags: These are nice thick poop bags with tie handles.

Treats: These are the treats I’ve found work best for my dogs and many clients dogs.

• Bil-Jac Original: These are a large sized training treat. I use these for nosework as they are very easy to handle.

• Bil-Jac Little-Jacs: These are the small size of the originals.

• Bil-Jac VetDogs: These are large star shaped treats that help a good cause.

• Zukes: These are a favorite at my classes. They are a smaller sized treat.

• Blue Bits: These are a nice medium sized treat.

• American Journey Training Bits: These are a nice medium sized option that dogs love.

• Freeze Dried Minnows: These are a great high value treat.

• Vital Essentials Protein Mix-In: These are a favorite for a treat and are freeze dried treats.