Tools Of The Trade

Every job requires a toolbox of some description. Dog training is no exception.
Perhaps the toolbox may be better explained as an armoury of equipment to help the dog trainer achieve his or her goals.

Here's a list of equipment that I use on a regular basis :

• 30ft training line - when you've trained a behaviour at close range the training line will allow you to test the behaviour at a distance or with distractions while remaining in control.
• 6 ft training lead - I use a long lead with magic rings that allows me to adjust the length accordingly. A good leather training lead is a wise investment.
• Clicker - I use the iClick because I like it's responsiveness but any clicker will do as long as it gives a consistent click. If you can't afford a clicker, use a ball point pen with a loud click.
• Whistles - I use 2 whistles. I use a silent whistle for Oscar and a loud acme 212 field trialer for Lu. I like training to the whistle. I think trainers would achieve much better results if they stopped relying on verbal communication and used whistles, body language, clickers hand signals etc. Communicate on equal terms and you'll have more chance of success.
• Treat bag - Not a necessity but a nice to have and it helps keep your pockets clean. I sometimes use a treat bag that clips around me and I attach the bag on my back so the dog does not know where the treat is coming from. Most of the time I use a freezer bag in my jacket pocket.
• Treats - I vary these between tasty meat cuts, liver cake, dry dog food and gravy bones.
• Ball on a string - I use an Orbee ball on a string. The ball is almost indestructible but the string constantly needs to be adjusted and replaced when you have a 95lb rottie hanging from it. I use the ball to retrieve and as a reward mechanism. I also use it as a tool to build drive and focus. When I get the required behaviour issue the drive command and play tug and chase. The dogs love it.
• Canvas Dummy - I use this for retrieving. I like the ones with toggles on them to enable me to throw them a decent distance.
• A Half Barrel - Just an old wooden barrel cut in half. I use this in my back yard. I turn the barrel upside down and use it to isolate the dog when I'm training static tricks like "see me" , "waive bye bye", "stand tall" etc. I also use it to groom and inspect my dogs. The barrel is a happy place where nice things happen. It's beneficial to have a place that the dogs associates with nice things.
• Plant Hanger - This was a suggestion from my friend Kathy McKinzie. The plant hanger is used to hold a treat. You then practice the send away. The dog only sees the treat on the hanger and runs to get the treat. You need to have your leave command up to scratch before trying this. I like this tool. It's great for teaching a dog to run out in a straight line.
• Sticky Labels - A poor mans target stick. I use these to enhace the touch command and train anything that involves the dog pushing or touching an object - simple but very effective.

I have no doubt I will add to this list in the future. I'm always on the lookout for new equipment to make my job easier. Let me know if you use any tools that I've not included on my list.