Table of Contents
Summary ✍️
Dog training is easier and more enjoyable when you’ve got the right gear. From portable clickers to durable treat pouches, investing in high-quality dog training tools and accessories can make a noticeable difference. Combined with consistency, patience and positive reinforcement, these five items help dogs learn quickly while building a stronger bond with their humans, ensuring a smooth training process for both you and your bud.
Training Treat Pouch
$14.00 CAD
This light-weight accessory is perfect for training sessions, walks, emergency recall or rewarding good behavior... anytime, anywhere! Zipper Closure: Keeps treats fresh and odor-free Carabiner Clip: Attach to any leash, bag, or belt Soft Silicone: Durable, lightweight, and easy to… read more
Key Takeaways 🔑
Training leashes give you better control and are essential for teaching new cues.
Treat pouches (filled with healthy training treats) keep rewards handy for effective training sessions.
Clickers reinforce positive behaviour with precision.
Interactive toys engage your dog mentally and physically, reinforcing learning and fun.
Training Mats help teach your dog boundaries and settling behaviour, creating a designated space for relaxation and focus during training, mealtimes, or in public places.
5 Must-Have Dog Training Tools & Accessories 🐶
Training your dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience, strengthening the bond you share while teaching good behaviour. Whether you’re just starting out with a new puppy or fine-tuning an older dog’s skills, having the right dog training tools makes the process more efficient and more fun. Here are the five must-have dog training accessories that every pet parent should know about, according to experts.
1. Training Leash
A quality leash is the foundation of any successful training routine. A durable 6-foot leash is ideal for everyday training, offering the right balance of control while keeping your dog safe and comfortable. Longer leashes are great for recall exercises and distance commands because they allow your pup to have more freedom. All in all, if you’re working on good walking habits, a sturdy leash will help you stay in charge while promoting positive behaviour.
Pro Tips:
- Standard Leash: Best for daily walks and general training.
- Long Training Leash: Ideal for practicing recall and distance commands like “stay.”
- Hands-Free Leash: Great for active pet parents who train while jogging or walking.
2. Treat Pouch (filled with healthy treats)
A treat pouch is a total game-changer during training sessions. It keeps treats right at your fingertips, so you can reward your bud’s good behaviour instantly… anytime, anywhere. Choose a pouch with a light-weight design that clips securely to your waistband (or bag) so it’s easy to carry around with you. Then, load it up with healthy training treats. Smaller-sized treats are more portable while keeping calories low, so you don’t overfeed your dog while you train!
Pro Tips:
Durable Material: Look for washable and water-resistant materials for outdoor use.
Waist Clip: Opt for a treat pouch that clips securely to your bag, belt or waistband for hands-free convenience.
Zipper Closure: Make sure your pouch has a zipper so treats stay fresh.
Training Treats: Healthybud’s Mini Training Treats are one calorie each, come in three delicious flavours and contain brain-boosting superfoods. Plus, they’re air-dried so they don't crumble in treat bags!
Beef Mini Training Treats
$17.00 CAD
The first functional, low-calorie mini training treats for dogs. Discover our newest award-winning Mini Training Treats by Healthybud. These unique, low-calorie treats are packed with superfoods like Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Salmon Oil to support brain health & immunity. Named… read more
3. Clicker
A clicker is a simple yet powerful tool for training dogs. It’s a small device that makes a “click” sound, helping your dog understand the exact moment they did something right. This clear, consistent signal speeds up learning and helps your dog associate good behaviour with rewards. Over time, they’ll start to respond to the sound of the click even before they get the treat.
Pro Tips:
Timing is Everything: Always click at the exact moment your dog does the right thing, then reward them right away.
Be Consistent: Use the clicker every time, so your dog knows what to expect.
4. Interactive Toys
Training isn’t just about sitting, staying, and walking nicely — it’s also about mental stimulation. Interactive toys like puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing balls and tug toys keep your bud’s brain active, providing enrichment while teaching them problem-solving skills. For instance, tug toys can be great tools for teaching impulse control and focus. Incorporating play into training not only strengthens the bond between you and your furry BFF, but also makes the process more fun.
Pro Tips
Puzzle Toys: Fill them with your dog’s favourite treats to keep their brain engaged.
Chew Toys: Redirect chewing to appropriate items.
Fetch Toys: Perfect for practicing commands like “fetch” or “drop it.”
5. Dog Training Mat
A portable dog training mat is a versatile accessory that can help teach your dog boundaries and settling behaviour. Using the mat, you can train your bud to stay in a specific area during mealtime, when guests arrive, or even while travelling. Look for a lightweight, easy-to-clean mat with a non-slip base. Over time, your dog will associate the mat with relaxation and learn that it’s their special space to feel (and act) calm — whether they’re in your living room or at a bustling café.
Pro Tips:
Start Small: Begin by rewarding your dog for stepping onto the mat.
Introduce Cues: Gradually increase the time they spend on the mat, introducing cues like, “Go to your place.”
Expert Advice: Getting your dog to listen 🎓
Renowned dog training expert Victoria Stilwell explains that when your dog isn’t listening, it’s not about their intelligence — it’s about how you’re communicating with them. She emphasizes the power of positive reinforcement and building trust with your dog. Instead of relying on punishment, create a “win-win” scenario where your dog is motivated by rewards.
"You want to ‘matter’ to [your dog] by being the source of good things in her life so that whenever you need her attention, she will give it to you," Stilwell says.
Stilwell suggests starting with high-value rewards to encourage your dog to listen, especially in distracting environments. Once your dog is reliably responding to cues, you can offer these types of rewards more intermittently.
“I also like to vary rewards so that the dog never knows what is coming next or use what I call ‘multi-motivators’ such as a food/ toy/praise combination for the desired response,” Sitwell says.
In addition to high-value treats, she recommends a game of tug, a kind word, or a “life reward,” such as asking your pup to sit before opening the door and taking her for a walk.
“Whatever you decide to do, a reward is going to make learning fun for your dog, improve her confidence and build up a strong bond between you. Remember the key to cooperation and compliance is trust and motivation and the more exciting and valued you are to your dog, the more she will listen to you in every situation.”
FAQs 🤔
🎾 Should my dog wear a harness during training?
🦴 Many trainers agree that harnesses can actually encourage more pulling, not less. Similar to sled dogs, who wear harnesses to evenly distribute weight in order to make pulling easier, dogs wearing a harness may be more motivated to pull against it. The more you pull, the more likely they are to keep pulling in the opposite direction. While using a front clip, rather than a back clip, may help reduce pulling in some cases, it’s not always effective.
That being said, if your dog isn’t prone to pulling, harnesses can be a great option for preventing strain on their neck during walks, outside of training sessions.
🎾 How does a clicker improve dog training?
🦴 Clickers are super effective because they mark the exact moment your dog does something right. The sound is quick and clear, making it easier for your dog to understand what they’re being rewarded for. Eventually, they’ll start to associate the click with the reward.
🎾 What should I look for in a treat pouch?
🦴 Look for a treat pouch with easy access to treats, durable material that’s easy to clean, and a clip or adjustable strap for convenience. You want something light-weight, practical and hands-free so you can focus on your dog and reward them as immediately as possible.
🎾 Are interactive toys really necessary for training?
🦴 They’re not 100% necessary, but interactive toys are an excellent way to keep your dog’s brain engaged and reinforce what they’ve learned. They provide mental stimulation, encourage focus, and teach impulse control. Plus, they make training more fun!
🎾 How can a portable mat help with dog training?
🦴 A training mat teaches your dog to settle in one spot, which is useful for mealtime, guests, or during public outings. It creates a designated space for your dog to relax, making training sessions more focused and less chaotic.
🎾 How often should I use these dog training tools during training?
🦴 Consistency is key! Use these dog training tools every time you train, so your bud knows what to expect and understands the connection between their behaviour and rewards. The more you use them, the quicker your dog will learn.
🎾 Can these dog training tools be used for older dogs or just puppies?
🦴 These accessories work for dogs of all ages. Whether you’re training a young puppy or teaching an older dog new tricks, tools like a clicker or treat pouch can make the process smoother and more effective.
🎾 What should I do if my dog doesn’t respond to these accessories?
🦴 Training can take some time, so don’t get discouraged! If your dog isn’t responding, take a step back and ask yourself: Am I being consistent? Are the rewards exciting enough for my bud? It might also help to mix things up with new rewards or training methods. If things aren’t clicking, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional trainer who can offer tips tailored to your dog’s needs.
Conclusion 💡
Training your dog doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right accessories, you can turn training into a fun and productive bonding experience that builds trust between you and your bud. Whether you’re using a sturdy leash or a handy pouch stocked with treats, investing in proper dog training tools is key to setting your pup up for success. Happy training, #Healthygang!
Training Treat Pouch
$14.00 CAD
This light-weight accessory is perfect for training sessions, walks, emergency recall or rewarding good behavior... anytime, anywhere! Zipper Closure: Keeps treats fresh and odor-free Carabiner Clip: Attach to any leash, bag, or belt Soft Silicone: Durable, lightweight, and easy to… read more
🚨 SPECIAL PROMO ALERT! 🚨
As a thank you for reading our blog, enjoy a 15% discount on Healthybud’s Mini Training Treats and new Training Treat Pouch! Use code BLOG15 at checkout.
Author Bio:
Brian Benson has been training his own dogs since he was a kid, turning a passion into a lifelong skill. After he adopted @magnusthetherapydog, he worked to build a solid training foundation: Brian started with basic obedience and progressed into trick training, therapy dog work, service dog skills, and even nose work winning multiple trials in scent detection with Magnus by his side.
With a community of millions of dog lovers on social media, Brian realized that a lot of people wanted to know how Magnus is so incredibly well trained so he created a FREE dog training community to help people train their own dogs at home.
