Like it or not, training your pet will require some dog obedience equipment. They can be as simple as treats, leashes, and collars to muzzles and bite sleeves and suits.
Of course, the first thing you should consider buying is a good guidebook. Even the best equipment can’t help you if you don’t know what you are doing. Be sure to check out our guide reviews.
As your needs grow, you may need to add to your schooling supplies. A quick look through a pet catalogue or web site will show you a wide variety to choose from. Here are just some of the things you may need to consider.
Leashes
Leashes are for more than just controlling your canine, they are also an important part of teaching obedience. You need a short leash for most commands, such as sit, lay, and so on, but you also need a longer leash for other commands, such as the “come” command.
A good retractable lead is the best solution. They come in a variety of styles, lengths, and colors, so shop around. They are reasonably priced and one of the most popular.
Collars
There are several types of collars used for teaching, the most popular being the choke chain, shock and citronella.
The choke chain is used primarily for close-up training. A quick snap of the leash lets your dog know that what he is doing is not acceptable.
The shock and citronella collars are more for long distances.
The effectiveness varies from one animal to another and on the breed. The electronic collar seems to be generally more effective, since some pets simply adapt to the citronella stray. Apparently smelling like a fruit is preferable to being zapped.
For more information, see Dog Training Collar.
We feel that these types of collars should only be used where conventional methods have failed to correct a certain behavior, such as constant barking.
Crates
Crates are mostly used for housebreaking puppies. Once a puppy learns where it can relieve itself and what they can or cannot chew on, a crate is usually no longer needed. See Crate Training Puppies.
Muzzles, Bite Sleeves, and Bite Suits
If you are trying to train a dog that requires a muzzle or bite suit, my advice is don’t! You will most likely just make matters worse. Hire a professional trainer.
To sum it up, dog obedience equipment doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. All you really need in normal circumstances is the right knowledge, along with a good collar, leash, and some healthy doggie treats.