I get asked a LOT about what equipment, tools and products are best for puppy training. So I thought today I would share with you my top 5 puppy recommendations. These are the things I find myself recommending to my clients day in, day out. I use all these things myself and can vouch for how useful they are in those early weeks and months. But, honestly these are gold for the whole of your dog’s life. These aren’t in any particular order, just the top 5 things I think benefit puppies and their owners alike. So, let’s get into it!
Puppy Recommendations
Biothane Long Line
A decent long line is an essential piece of kit for giving your pup the freedom to explore and have a good run without them getting into trouble! I particularly like the ones made of biothane rather than fabric or rope ones. Biothane just slides through mud, sand, and puddles rather than leaving you with a tangled, heavy and dirty mess to deal with. Just give it a quick wipe off and let it dry and it’s good as new for next time. I like the ‘Unleash’ brand and have this one in my work bag at all times but it doesn’t look to be available online anywhere at the moment unfortunately. This one from Myrtle and Willow looks great too. Start with a 5 metre length to get used to handling a long line as they can be fiddly to start with.
Silicone Treat Pouch
A treat pouch is going to make it much easier to reward your pup on walks and I always recommend keeping it with the rest of your walking gear. This way, you won’t s never forget it. Go for a pouch that’s easy to get your hand in and out of without having to keep re-opening a magnet or clip- this gets annoying very quickly! Avoid fabric based pouches as they get smelly and gross as soon as you use soft treats like cheese. Whereas silicone can be easily washed out. I’ve had this Dexas pouch for years now and despite daily use it’s still in great condition.
Long lasting chews
Puppies need to chew. Give them something appropriate to chew, or they’ll find something themselves (your shoes, skirting boards, the sofa…) Chewing helps your puppy relax and therefore be less bitey. I recommend having a few different options to see what your pup likes most and then using them strategically. Like, to settle after a walk/ play/ training session or during those evening ‘witching hours’ so many pups have. I really like the natural chew company Nell & Lola, who do these great chewy variety boxes.
Lickimats
Lickimats are such a useful tool for so many reasons! Licking can also help your pup to relax, so spread anything dog-friendly on your lickimat when you’re trying to encourage calm. This could be your pups wet food, mashed banana, natural yoghurt, pate- there’s so many options! They now do a ‘Crate Mate’ version too which could be really helpful for crate training.
Secure Fields
Last but not least for my puppy recommendations are secure fields. These are fields or areas of land that are securely fenced in and can usually be hired by the hour. If you’re Folkestone based, I have a list of our favourite local secure fields here. These secure fields are great for giving your pup a safe and worry-free off lead run. Many have built in facilities like agility equipment or toys provided to try something different with your pup too.
What next?
- Need one-to-one help with your puppy? Book in a call with Laura here to discuss training.
- Read more blog posts here.
- Grab our Ultimate Guide to Puppy Socialisation here when you join our email list.
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