Dog Training Aids - the Right Tools for the Job

Dog trainers and their suppliers are endlessly coming up with new and innovative tool boxes for training purposes. These new dog training tools, while attractive in nature, should not be a substitute for basic training knowledge.

The first step in dog training is ensuring your dog is in good health. Gentle collars and relaxed training regiments can be harmful if the dog has unknown open sores or twisted paws.

Clickers

One of the best ways to gain a dog’s attention is through a clicker device. This is a hand-held device which fits into the palm of a hand. Loud ‘click-clack’ noises are emitted when a button is pressed and released. The main function behind this is preserving the trainers’ voice from repeating commands over and over again. The audible sound is detectible by dogs even in common surrounding background noises.

The clicker can be used to attract a dog’s attention. The common uses are as a reward or ‘begin’ sound when the dog exhibits a desired behavior.

Leashes and Collars

The dog leash market covers everything from two-foot control leashes to 30 foot extendable and retractable nylon cord variations.

A two to four foot leash is ideal for near training situations such as training to ‘sit’ or ‘stay’. An extendable leash is ideal for when trainers want to obey their dog. Regardless of the distance between dog and trainer, the trainer should always maintain the ‘alpha male’ position and thus always lead.

Like leashes, dog collars come in many variations. Be sure that all snaps, buttons and nylon material is in quality condition. This makes the collars suitable for even large dogs. Adjust the collars to allow the dog enough room to move its head around but not enough room to easily slip through and escape.

This trainer does not endorse the use of spike collars. These can easily damage a small dog and instill fear in large dogs. All breeds of dogs have strong neck muscles. One sharp tug of a choke collar however can bruise or damaged this area. Worst case is causing a collapse of the trachea. One common mistake is placing the choke collar on backwards. For these reasons, choke collars are counter-productive and often dangerous.

Vests

Much like leashes, chest halters and full vests strengthen a trainer’s hold over the dog. There is no excess pressure placed on the dog’s throat while the trainer maintains the hold advantage.

The only drawback to a vest training device is that no dog experiences discomfort from pulling. Therefore training is limited with this device to positive reinforcement behaviors. In fact, chest halters actually encourage pulling by the dog. This is discouraged behavior.

When extra control over a strong willed dog is needed, collars and leashes will not effectively serve this purpose.

Muzzles

Muzzles are effective in dealing with short term barking and biting control issues. The only drawback here is that the dog does not obtain another means in which to stop barking. Unless the muzzle is always present, the barking will continue to be an issue. The muzzle takes the training place of voice commands such as ‘no bark’.

Other devices exist on the market such as no-bark collars; electric fences and chemical sprays. However, these are used more as control devices than effective training tools.

Above all, the most effective training tools can not be found on the market. There is no substitute for giving your dog simple love and respect. Treating the dog like the loving part of the family will produce desired behavior quickly and more effectively than any training device.