Resource list for useful & helpful items we love.
You'll see us use these in the program and we recommend them to help during your dog's training and development.
Click the picture or item for direct access to website!
TRAINING TOOLS
Puppy raising supplies section below!
Slip Lead
A collar and lead in one, we use these to teach dogs about pressure and release in a tool they cannot back out of!
Our favorites include Dynamic Leads (photo w/ link), K9 Lifeline (website linked) and Mendota (Amazon/Chewy).
Prong Collar (aka Pinch Collar)
We use Herm Sprenger and Kimberland Prong Collars. Order yours with an easy on/off clip or side release buckle.
*We see many other manufactures that do not function as a prong should. We highly recommend using either brand listed above instead of any cheaper brands commonly found on Amazon or in chain stores.
Safety Strap
Used to back up your training tools.
Mini Educator - E-Collar Technologies
Not all e-collars are created equal.
We have found E-collar Technologies to be the best fit for our training program and our clients. (Detailed Why video coming soon!)
If you plan to DIY your training, investing in an E-Collar Technologies collar will set you up for success!
Treat Bag
Convenient for holding dog's food so you're not running around grabbing it.
You can also simply use a plastic baggie and keep their food in your pocket.
Treats
We prefer to have dogs work for their daily meal, however! Adding something your dog really loves will help sweeten the pot and get your dog excited to work!
Stewart, Happy Howies & Vital Essentials are among our favorite treats to add.
Primo Pads
Vinyl crate pads with optional zip ties to secure to base of kennel. Easy to clean, durable cushion that is great for dogs/ puppies who chew soft bedding. We use these for our personal dogs and Board & Train dogs who do not destroy crate bottoms.
*While these are pretty durable, they are not fully indestructible for a determined dog.
Stall Mat
Ultra durable (so far we say indestructible 😉) crate tray substitute that provides some cushion and crate reinforcement. We use these for dogs who have torn up crate trays and/or have escaped the crate.
*Check out my Wire Crate Reinforcement video for more tips*
Double Bolt Snap
Elevated Cots
Sturdy, easy to clean cots that come in a variety of sizes and colors.
*Add the rubber feet covers for slick floors*
These cots can be used inside and out and will last many years.
We started with Coolaroo but 4Legs4Pets quickly became a favorite!
PUPPY RAISING
Supplies helpful in raising a confident, well balanced puppy!
Heat Pads / Heat Wrap
Bucky Wraps (choose your style!) or any other heating pad simulates their warm puppy pile they're missing and helps puppies settle in crate at night to create - Etsy has many local to you options!
Optional: Use a towel from dryer.Â
Condition with your scent - Heat pad and let puppy cuddle with towel in your lap while you manipulate their feet/ears. Becomes a patterned spot to use in crate.
Plush with heartbeat that can help young puppies adjust to kennel training alone.
Wobbler Toy -
Kong or Starmark Bob-a-lot are great interactive feeders that help your puppy practice using their nose, body and inside the kennel it makes a lot of noise to help with noise desensitization.
HEALTH
Good behavior starts on the inside.
*Check out this post about gut health*
More owners are learning that whole fresh foods are best for our dogs - like us humans! - but the amount of information (contradicting or otherwise) can be overwhelming.
Helpful resources to get you started
Dog Food Advisor - Great resource for dog food reviews
While a species appropriate raw diet is best, do what works for you and your dog.
Many owners opt to supplement their dog's kibble with whole fresh foods and find a partial fresh diet still has a huge impact on their dog's overall health.
DRIVE OUTLET/ ENRICHMENT
Dogs have their own instinctual drives - whether it's breed or individual specific. Finding and routinely supplying an outlet for what lights your dog up and fulfills them will satisfy their base instincts, help ward off bad behaviors and help your dog live life to the fullest.
Flirt Pole
Designed to tap into your dog's natural chasing instincts, we use this toy to help dogs blow off steam, problem solve and get some exercise. * Tools We Love Flirt Pole video*
Puller
Interactive toy that flies, bounces, rolls, floats and is still strong enough to tug with!
*Watch the puller in action here - Puller w/ Dasher
Chuck It/ Balls
If your dog loves to chase balls, you most likely know "Chuck It:. We love our Chuck It sticks but use these balls from Chew King.
Chews -
Dogs are hardwired to chew - from alleviating teething pain to exploration to boredom or stress relief, dogs instinctively enjoy chewing and it's important to offer them an appropriate chew.
Yak Cheese and
Raw Marrow Bones are a few of my favorite natural chew options.
Chews keep dog/puppy busy while working on duration!
*Make sure to supervise
GROOMING
Scissor style nail trimmers make it easier to see where you are cutting.
Battery Powered Dremel Tool w/ Sander Drums & Sleeves - Any home improvement store or Amazon. Make sure it has both low and high speed settings. The specialty pet nail grinders have that shield that make them a bit more difficult to use. 240 grit works well.
*Check out this practice video from Good Dog Grooming*
Ear Cleaner - Dechra Trizultra - Gentle ear cleaner. Use as a flush or with cotton balls to wipe out the ears. Saline wipes like Boogie Wipes work well for daily maintenance.
Zymox also works great for ear infections.
Brushes
Grooming Gloves - I use these most often for my personal dogs (short haired bullys) to de-shed and give a little circulating massage before baths.
Slicker Brush - For Doodle/Poodle coats to brush out matts and tangles.
Greyhound Pet Grooming Comb - For Doodle/Poodle coats to look for tangles following slicker brushing.
*Comb should be able to go from the skin to the end of the hair, or you’re still matted. Â
Grooming Rake (Like a Furminator) - Great for double coated shedding breeds like labs, goldens, huskies, shepherds, corgis, etc - when their adult coat comes in they will produce a TON of hair! This rake does a great job of brushing out the under coat - use it with short firm strokes.Â
FIRST AID & OTC MEDS
Stypic Powder - Quickly stop bleeding from nail trims gone awry or any minor, superficial cut.
My DIY Recipe - 1 Tbsp yarrow powder, 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper powder, 1 Tbsp stinging nettle leaf powder, 1 Tbsp comfrey root powder (or comfrey leaf), 1 Tbsp cinnamon powder, 1 Tbsp turmeric root powder, 1 Tbsp Bentonite clay
Coming Soon!
Benadryl/ Generic Allergy - Bee Stings etc.
Dramamine
Mushers Secret
Claraderm Recipe
Zymox Products
Vetericyn Products
Saline
Colloidal Silver
Slippery Elm
Boogie wipes
CLEANING
Having a lot of dogs in the house does NOT mean my house is doomed to smell like dogs! I prefer to be as natural and less harsh chemical-ly as possible and have tried SOOO many ways and these solutions have by far been the best at cleaning & deodorizing.
I also like to have scent options and will often switch up when the mood strikes!
This list helps me keep the homestead clean, eliminating germs along with everyday doggy (and peopley) smells.
**Most of these do the same thing - clean, deodorize and sanitize - find your favorite, you only need one!**
Wysiwash - Bleach alternative (calcium hypochlorite) kills a host of harmful viruses, bacteria and fungi. We use this to sanitize & deodorize our yard and deck. *Strong chlorine smell
Effersan safely cleans, disinfects, sanitizes and is an amazing laundry deodorizer (dog bedding/ towels etc.!)
*Strong chlorine smell
Clean, disinfect, sanitize, deodorize!
OdoBan is my favorite all around.
My personal LVT floor cleaning recipe -
2 Gal Water - 1/2 Tsp. Sals Suds - 1/4 C. OdoBan
X-O is also amazing - we've been using it for decades to neutralize potty accidents.
BioKleen's Bac-Out Pet is also in the so fresh and so clean clean toolbox!
PEST CONTROL
The reality of any pest control from your yard to your topical and edible pest and parasite controls is that they are poison.
Yes, we (humans and pets alike) are ingesting small amounts of poison to kill these pests and those additional toxins add stress to your dog's system. I do my best to contrast chemicals/ toxins with natural alternatives where possible.
All natural pest treatment for your yard and deck. We use this in conjunction with other pest control protocols.