Basic’s of Dog Training: Equipment- Day 4

Finally, Day 4 finishes out my Basic’s of Dog Training series by discussing what equipment is necessary for training and what should not be used. Anyone who has been in a pet store or down a pet aisle at Wal-Mart knows that there is an overwhelming amount of equipment to choose from. What do you really need?

What equipment should I start out with?

• Use a 4 or 6 foot leash- These leashes are the most versatile. They are also the most affordable. When you are working with a young puppy, expect things to get eaten. Save the expensive things for later when the dog is more reliable and out of the teething stage.
• Do not use a retractable leash- Retractable leashes train your dog to pull. Thats because the more he pulls, the farther he gets to go. There is always resistance. If you want your dog to walk nicely at your side, training them, even inadvertently to pull is bad.
• Use a collar- Collars go off and on easily. This is good for dogs that just cannot stand still. They are affordable and easy to replace as your puppy outgrows them. I recommend adjustable collars.
• Do not use a harness- Harnesses also allow your dog to pull. They give the entire upper body (head, legs and shoulders) to pull with. Since a collar goes around the neck, the legs and shoulders don’t help the dog to pull and the sensitivity of the neck provides a slight deterrent to pulling.
• Clicker training?- Clickers, for those who haven’t heard of them, can be used in several different ways in dog training. Some trainers use them as the actual command (ie. One click means sit, two means down etc). Others use the clicker as a reward (ie. Click is praise, “good dog”). When I use a clicker, I use it as a reward. Studies have shown that clickers are faster and more consistent. They may help your dog to learn quicker. However, some students find them clunky and inconvenient to use.

So, thats it. I know there is so much more out there to consider, but to me, these are the basics. We can go into more detail later, in specialized posts! Feel free to leave comments or ask questions.

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