Training Tools for Everyday Life
Good dog training doesn’t require a lot of equipment. For some training goals, however, certain tools are necessary or at least very useful, while others can simply make everyday life or particular exercises easier.
Of course, you don’t need to buy new equipment for every type of training. A few well-chosen items are often more than enough.
Here you’ll find products that I personally like to use or find useful for certain training situations.
The idea isn’t to buy as much equipment as possible, but to use the right tools for the right purpose.
To help you quickly see what I use regularly and what may be useful only in certain situations, I use a simple rating system for my recommendations.
My Rating System
To help you quickly see how I rate the individual training tools, I divide my recommendations into three categories:
🟢 Green – I use this regularly and would clearly recommend it for the respective purpose.
🟡 Yellow – Can be useful or practical depending on the training goal, but isn’t necessarily needed by everyone.
🔴 Red – More of an optional extra or mainly useful in specific situations.
My Training Tools
Long Line
🟢 I use this regularly
Good for:
Recall training, controlled off-leash time, distance work
Food Dummy / Retrieval Dummy
🟡 Useful depending on the training goal
Good for:
Retrieving, search games, recall training with rewards
Clicker / Dog Whistle
🔴 Nice to have, but not essential
Good for:
Clicker: precise marking
Dog whistle: recall training, clear and consistent signals, distance work
Pet Camera
🟢 I use this regularly
Good for:
Home-alone training, observing behaviour while you’re away, assessing training progress, greater peace of mind in everyday life
GPS Tracker with App
🟡 Useful as an additional safety measure
Good for:
Off-leash time, outings, travel, dogs that may be prone to wandering, additional safety in everyday life
Lick Mat
🟡 Useful in certain situations
Good for:
Enrichment, distraction during grooming, hot days, helping your dog settle
Treat Pouch
🔴 Nice to have, but not essential
Good for:
Quick rewards, clean pockets, keeping treats within easy reach
Natural Rubber Ball
🟢 I use this regularly
Good for:
Play and fun, retrieving, gentler play for the teeth thanks to the flexible material
Training Mat
🟢 I use this regularly in training
Good for:
Mat training, settling and calmness training, down & stay, restaurant visits, travel & hotel stays, providing a familiar resting place when you’re away from home
Tug Toy / Rope
🟡 Useful in certain situations
Good for:
Play and fun, “drop it” training, trading games, impulse control, play as a reward