Training Tools
The Bark Collar
I am sure there are other ways to deal with nuisance barking but so far this really seems to be the fastest, easiest, and most effective. Dont mess around with citronella collars or try to use an ecollar for barking. Just suck it up spend the $80 and it will work. Here's why I recommend them.
-The correction is better timed then a handler could ever be with a leash or e-collar. So the dog learns very quickly what he is getting corrected for.
-It is also progressive, allowing for the correction to match the behavior, which is nice for persistent barkers. i.e. shepherds
- The correction does not come from the handler. The collar still works when you are not around. This makes it very difficult for the dog associate you with any kind of correction thus preserving the relationship.
If your dog really seems to like the sound of their own voice I promise this will help.
The Toggle Chain Collar
This is probably the collar I use the most when working on the street out “In the Wild.” In a lot of ways it is one of the least intrusive collars in a trainer’s arsenal, because unless the dog is misbehaving, he will have no idea the collar is even there. Unlike the gentle leader or prong collars which can agitate or be compressive just by having them on.
There are a few reasons I use this collar a lot:
1) It does not get in the way of my interactions with the dog. Other collars may provide more leverage but can mask what the dog is actually feeling.
2) Even though it is unobtrusive, it still provides me with plenty of leverage so that I do not get pulled off my feet.
3) The toggle makes it so you do not have to slip it over the dogs head like a regular chain collar. This allows for a much snugger fit giving me more accuracy, which leads to less corrections over all.
Two Handle Tug Pillow
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it 100 times play tug with your dog! Some of the more sensitive or lower energy dogs may take some time to come around but these easy to grab tug pillows can help. They provide an easy target and the handles make sure you can keep your hands out of the way. I just picked these up recently and so far the crew seems to love them, so I’m sure they will get daily use.
It is important to note that I do not let the dogs have these unsupervised. These are not chew toys, I only take these toys out when I am ready to have a fun interaction with them.
More Things I use
E-Collar
To be clear Fidelco does not allow me to use these on dogs in their training program. I do, however, use these with my pet dog Boo. And even though she does not run away, there are still dead animals to eat, poop to roll in, and bears. This is probably not the cheapest of Ecollars but the precision it provides in regards to stimulation levels is unparalleled. The strobe light I have also found to be useful.
I use an E-Collar for the same reason I do everything else - to benefit my relationship with the dog. An E-Collar provides a 100% recall at the push of a button. When properly introduced this collar can provide maximum leverage, with minimal intrusiveness. The off leash control provides piece of mind for me, and the dog gets to take part in the joys of being of leash.
Cot Bed
If you have a big dog you may want to try one of these “cot” style beds. I use them for a few reasons:
They don’t stink like a pillow bed eventually will.
The dogs can’t tear the guts out of it, like with a pillow bed.
When training “Place” it really makes it easy to have the raised platform as a target.
There are more expensive, heavier duty, cot style dog beds out there, but this kind is a bit cheaper. So I rolled the dice and bought 2. So far it seems to have been the right move. And as you can see in this picture, Reagan would agree.
Pinch/Prong Collar
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If you have a big powerful dog and they have already figured out they are legitimately stronger than you, then this collar is a must. This collar will prevent lunging and provide you enough leverage over the dog so that you wont get pulled down. It is also one of the safest types of training collars because it does not cinch up to nothing and wont choke you dog like the chain or toggle collar can.
However, make sure your leash skills are on point because every move you make will now be amplified.