Links to Get the Good Stuff!
Having the right gear can make a big difference in your training and in simply living with your furry friend. We’re here to point you toward the best stuff! We carry many of these products in our retail store (often at a lower cost than online). But if you prefer to order online, here’s a handy listing to make sure you’re getting the right tools. Note: WAGD earns a small commission from sales from some of these links.
Training Treats
During training, you’ll be giving a lot of treats. Especially if your dog is a young puppy, you will be replacing a significant portion of their caloric intake from mealtimes with training treats. It’s important for those treats to be healthy (including complete and balanced, since your replacing large portions of meals). They also need to be high value to the dog. Our in-store pricing at WAGD is better than you’ll find online. But if we’re not convenient, here are a couple of our faves that you can find online.
These two are the current faves of the WAGD training team. The yum factor is really high on these. Most dogs will work hard to earn them! They are super healthy, with the only potential downside is that they contain multiple protein sources which can be a no-go for dogs with food allergies. But we also think that’s part of why dogs find them so very tasty. The fact that they are formulated as a food (rather than a treat) means that they are complete and balanced. So, even if you substitute these for a large portion of dog’s typical diet, your pup will still be getting everything they need. This is especially important when we’re training young dogs who are still growing, yet are also on a heavy training schedule.
Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Essential Wellness Freeze-Dried perfect sized training treat for medium to large breeds. Minimal crumbling. This one includes turkey, beef and salmon
Dr. Marty Nature’s Blend Adult Small Breed Freeze-Dried – very small sized treats, make this one ideal for toy breeds. These contain beef, duck, salmon and turkey
Another freeze-dried option that is also formulated as a food (therefore, complete and balanced) is
Instinct Raw Boost Mixers – similar in size and nearly as palatable as Dr. Marty’s, but containing just a single protein making them an easier choice for dogs with restricted diets.
Training Equipment
Balance Harness – This is our favorite harness overall. For most dogs, it’s the ideal choice. Get the snap on the neck hole if your dog has a large head or if he does not like things being put over his head. The only downside on this harness is that it can be a little tricky to figure out which strap goes where. But most people get the hang of it quickly. Note: WAGD’s in-store pricing beats online sources.
Sense-ation Harness – The key advantage of this front-attach harness is that it’s super easy to figure out and put on, as long as the dog is okay with something going over his head.
Phoepet Harness – this harness is a good and economical choice for big headed breeds (e.g. Bulldog, Frenchie, etc.) who don’t need a front connection (the front ring is a bit too low on this). The buckle on the neck hole is necessary with those breeds, if you don’t want to have to adjust it every time you take it off or put it on.
Doggone Good Rapid Reward Treat Pouch – This is our treat pouch of choice. We know you’d like to find a more fashionable one. BUT, believe us when we say function needs to come first on this item. The fact that it is big enough to hold a bunch of treats, plus a phone, poop bags and keys makes it great for walks. But the real key is that you fully secure it with the belt (yes, it really matters) AND you can have it hang open when you need to do rapid rewarding. Then you just bump it closed and the magnet will do it’s job keeping it closed.
Adjustable Cross Body Leash – These adjustable leashes make it much easier to go hands-free. This is especially handy when you’re tethering a puppy or dog to your body during housetraining (or house acclimation). Many people also find this to be a handy set up for walking or jogging with their dog.
Smart Tools
Remote Treat Dispenser aka “Food Robot” – Food robots can be a game changer for improving behaviors like over reacting to guests, counter surfing and much more. There is a new wave of inexpensive, rechargeable ones that make this tool a no brainer for many homes.
Home Set-up
Privacy Film – Using this on the lower portion of your front windows is a genius move! It obscures the view from your windows, but allows light in. It clings to your window with no adhesive needed. It can be used temporarily while you’re training or left in place permanently. It’s a great way to stop the frantic barking at your windows when people or dogs walk by your house. Stopping the rehearsal of that behavior is essential when working on reactivity.
Crate – Most families find a crate to be an indispensible tool for managing their puppies and young dogs. While it’s important not to over-crate, it’s also very valuable for you pup to learn to rest calmly while confined in a crate. Midwest crates are a time-honored, value-priced brand. Buy it plenty large enough for your pup’s adult size. Use the included divider if you need to temporarily make it smaller while you’re working on housetraining.
Crate cover – Most, but not all, dogs settle best in a covered crate. This particular cover is recommended because it looks nice, and is sturdy and machine washable.
Playpen options
Having a good confinement strategy is key to surviving puppyhood! If you’re home nearly all the time, you might be fine with rotating between a crate and heavily supervised loose time. But most families will benefit greatly from having a playpen / exercise pen setup. It is typically a better idea than using the laundry room or a bathroom, as most young puppies will chew on cabinets and doorframes if confined that way. Purchase a height for your pen that is taller than you think you’ll need for your pup. Here are some good options, with the best choice being based on your specific needs:
Wire Playpen – This is the traditional “ex-pen” widely used by dog show people for many decades. The upside is that it is economical and comes in a variety of heights. The downside is that it is lightweight and can easily be moved about by a boisterous dog or puppy. You’ll likely need to anchor it to something heavy. The most economical version does not have a gate to walk through. But it’s easy enough to unsnap the connection point to walk in and out.
Playpen for medium to large breeds – Heavier duty than a traditional wire expen, yet still comes in a variety of heights. The heft of this one allows it to also be used for blocking off rooms or doorways (as a safety zone for door dashers).
Playpen for small breeds – This plastic playpen is a nice choice for smaller pups and dogs. The main downside is that it is not available in taller heights.
Playpen Topper – For the pups who are set on climbing out of a playpen, a topper is the way to go.
Litter Pan and Litter
It is often necessary to have an indoor potty option for your young pup. This is especially true if you plan to confine him in a playpen or ex-pen for more than an hour or two at a time. The advantage of litter over potty pads is that the litter provides a surface that is completely unlike other household surfaces. You’ll end up with a more reliabley housetrained dog if you use litter rather than potty pads.
Litter Pan – This one is on Amazon and comes in two sizes. We like that the entry point is very low for even small pups to easily step over.
Economy Pan – An economical choice that can work for larger pups is picking up this mortar mixing tub from Home Depot. The sides are 6” tall, so it won’t work for toy breed pups. But great for all others.
Litter – It’s important to use dog litter, rather than cat litter. Pups will typically eat some of the litter pellets, so it needs to be non-toxic. The advantage over potty pads is that the litter provides a surface that is completely unlike other household surfaces. You’ll end up with a more reliatbley housetrained dog if you use litter rather than potty pads.
If you have a toy breed, opt for this one with smaller pellets, making it easier for them to walk on.
Bark Potty is an option to use in place of the Litter Pan / Litter combo. This is the best option for low key pups who aren’t like to tear up the cardboard tray. It will cause the pups to seek out a mulch-like surface for going potty. So, it can make an easier transition to going outdoors if you have an outdoor mulched area.
Enrichment
Clients are sometimes surprised by how much emphasis WAGD trainers put on mental and physical enrichment… but only until they try it and see the results! Improving the level of enrichment in your dogs’ lives doesn’t only make them feel better, but it also makes them behave better! There are many DIY options for providing enrichment (e.g. sniff walks, treat hiding, homemade puzzles, etc.). But here are our favorite products for providing enrichment:
Toppls – Like a Kong, just better. Savvy dog people usually have a drawer full of these. Having multiples allows you to “meal prep” for the week. Having these frozen and ready is the key. Ask us for a copy of our “Toppl Stuffing” handout for great ideas on how to use.
No Hide chews – These are a safe and healthy rawhide alternative for chewing. Because they are a consumable chew, most dogs are highly motivated to chew them. They have reasonably good lasting power. They come in multiple sizes and flavors:
Paw 5 Snuffle Mat – Classic enrichment item. Encourages foraging, which is calming. Lots of DIY options to create these. But this ready-made one is particularly sturdy. We use these at the training center where they get heavily used, and hold up well for years.
Miscellaneous Items
Spray Shield – animal deterrent spray
Note: What a Great Dog! Earns a small commission on sales of some of these products purchased through our link.