Important Dog Training Gear
Important Dog Training Gear
Trying to train your dog without gear is like trying to build something without tools, you won’t get very far. Rather than trying to exhaust all the options, I will share my “non-negotiable” pieces of gear and the brands I use.
Training Bag
One of the first pieces I find most helpful is a training bag. These bags simplify storing a variety of tools I use to train. Having a training bag allows my hands to be free, rather than cluttered with trying to transport gear. A bag also allows me to keep most, if not all the tools I’m going to need for a training session in one organized, easy-to-transport location. I use Dog Bone’s training bag. It’s comfortable and well-built. It stores and secures my gear well.
Slip Lead
I find a slip lead or an adjustable leader to be helpful when training a dog to heal. Dog Bone has a couple of variations of these, all of which I recommend. A slip lead allows you to put light pressure on a dog when you correct them on heal. Because of their ability to be pressure-free, a slip lead makes the transition to off-lead heal work a smooth transition.
Place Board/Bed
Training a dog to place and stay on place comes in super handy on and off the field. I use Kuranda beds to teach my dogs to place. They are soundly built and hold up to the wear and tear of training really well. I also use the beds as a location where I place my dogs when I don’t want them to have free reign in the house. My dogs find them comfortable and learn to respect them like their crate, without being crated. Another place training board that is handy to use outdoors in all the elements is the Cato board.
Crate
Having a solid crate has a dual purpose for me. First, I want a well-built crate that will help my dog stay safe in the event I get in a car accident while transporting it. Second, I want a well-built crate that I can use to crate train my pups. I’ve found Ruff Land Kennels to be sturdy, safe and easy to clean.
Bumpers
Out of the plethora of options for dog bumpers, I prefer to use canvas bumpers. Canvas bumpers are sturdy and rather than a plastic bumper, they provide a texture that more closely represents the texture of feathers in their mouth. Dog Bone has multiple sizes of canvas bumpers, many of which live in my gear bag.
Whistle
Beginning at an early age, I start to whistle-train my pups when I recall them. As our training sessions and commands progress, I introduce more commands with the whistle. I prefer a pealess peep whistle. I typically have one on a lanyard around my neck and another backup in my training bag. Dog Bone has a solid whistle that holds up in all elements.
E-Collar
I e-collar train all my dogs, but my philosophy with this piece of gear is different than some other dog handlers. I personally don’t use my e-collar to train my dogs, I train my dogs to understand the collar. Bottom line, my goal is for my dogs to understand and respect the e-collar and for me to rarely, if ever use it. Some things to consider when buying an e-collar are “Do I want the ability to have a beeper with my collar?” or “Would I like to have a GPS collar, so I can see/locate my dog without a beeper?” Right now, my go-to collar is DT Systems’ R.A.P.T 1450 Upland. It has a built-in beeper and it can control up to three collars.
Birds
If you have the ability to have a birdhouse/pen for training birds like pigeons, quail, chukar and/or ducks, you’re in luck. Having consistent access to training birds is great. If you don’t have the ability to raise birds, your next best option is freezing some of your last season’s game to use for tracking and retrieving drills. Along with frozen birds, it’s handy to have wings and feathers on hand. You can freeze tennis balls and bumpers with feathers to help add scent to them. Plus two wings taped on a bumper help simulate the weight, smell and texture of a game bird.
Some other gear items to consider.
Shed dog training system with soft antler and scent (Dog Bone). Tracking dog training system with real dear hide and blood scent (Dog Bone). Check cord (Gun Dog Supply). Dummy launchers (Gun Dog Supply). Dogtra remote bird launcher (Gun Dog Supply). Blank pistols or shotgun blanks (Gun Dog Supply). A backing dog silhouette (Lion Country Supply).
by Kyle Dana
December 2023
