Welcome to our blog! If your dog is currently working hard and enjoying their Stay and Train program with us, you’re probably excited about the progress they’re making. Today, we want to share the training tools and equipment we're using that we also recommend you have on hand when your furry friend returns home. These tools are great for those of you joining us for In-Home lessons or training your dogs at home, too. They're designed to make training sessions more effective and enjoyable. Let’s take a look at these essential items, so you can be fully prepared to continue your dog’s training journey right at home!
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue to provide valuable content. Click on the name of the tool or product photos to be taken directly to the linked equipment!
Any time we couldn't directly supervise your pup, they were hanging out and relaxing in the safety of a crate. We recommend that you utilize the crate when your pup comes home to ensure that they don't get away with any previous bad behaviors when you're unable to supervise them.
Check out our post on crate training tips to see what we did with your pup to help them be more comfortable in the crate.
This is the everyday collar we recommend. The extra loop in the collar ensures that your pup won't slip out of its collar at the most inconvenient times. We've also found that the ones with the chain loop (as pictured) are more effective than those with the fabric loop.
All dogs that go through our Stay & Train programs are trained on an e-collar. This allows for a smooth transition home because the e-collar makes it easier for the owners to reinforce the commands and manners their pup has learned with little practice on the owner's part. Because this is such a crucial tool for the reinforcement and transition home for dogs the e-collar comes included with either Stay & Train program.
For those of you with bigger dogs or stronger pullers that need more than just the e-collar to walk your pup comfortably. This was the secret sauce for getting your pup to walk B-E-A-Utifully! Herm Sprenger. It is the only brand we trust because it's the only one that hasn't failed us in one way or another. For medium and large dogs you'll want to get the 3.0 for small dogs you'll need the 2.25
The place command is going to be a huge game-changer for you! While your dog's fluffy bed can work, we've been training them on these raised cots which really increase the reliability of the place command. (It's much harder for your pup to "conveniently" slide off place when it's raised 4+ inches off the ground)
Yeah, your pup knows how to walk beautifully when they come home, but they also remember what they were able to get away with when they were with you. That's okay! Walking can be one of the most difficult skills for you, as the owner, to master. You will just have a little learning to do when it comes to reinforcing this important skill that we've taught your pup. So while you're learning the ropes of walking your pup and keeping them at your side (as well as loosening/relaxing your grip on the leash) leather or biothane is going to be your best friend (no more rope burns or chafing for you!)
As we start to increase the reliability of your dog's off-leash obedience skills outside, especially for recalls, we've been clipping them up to a 15-30ft long line to guarantee that no matter what funny business your dog may have tried to pull, they will end up doing what we've asked them to without making us run all around the yard chasing them in circles to get them to listen. While you as the owner are practicing with your pup at home, this is an extremely useful tool that allows you to make sure your pup listens each and every time you tell them to come when they're frolicking outside.
Again, your pup knows what they need to know to be a good dog and behave in your home. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't keep practicing! Spending as little as 5 minutes a day in dedicated training time increases the value of the skills your pup has learned immensely! So keep your hands at least a little clean (and your pockets free from food or treat crumbs) by having a treat pouch. It is such a big help.
Now we don't want to be over-feeding our precious pups by giving them a large, crunchy biscuit every time they perform a sit for us. While your pup has been with us we have been using training treats (or even just their food/meals) for their training sessions. If your pup doesn't think it's worth it to work for their every day dog food, here is a list of training treat brands that we've used often with many dogs. From dogs that would eat rocks if you handed them some to dogs that have the most particular palate:
-Wag
Determine which type of treat your pup likes best (soft and smelly? Crunchy yet tasty? Freeze-dried goodies?) and if there is a flavor they prefer as well (Beef, chicken, rabbit, salmon, etc.) The options are limitless.
Comments