Favorite Gear

This page is in progress, please bear with us while it gets updated!

Over the years, I’ve gone through a LOT of products with my own dogs, as well as fosters and training clients. Listed below are some of the all-time favorites over the years, chosen for their design, ease of use, ability to hold interest, and durability. We’ve included recommended products from fellow trainers, and hope that this can guide you to finding some new favorites as well.

The links below are Amazon affiliate links; purchasing your dog’s gear through these links will help support this very small business, and literally helps keep our lights on. No additional cost is incurred for you, and you can help continue to keep us going strong.

Have a product featured below? We’d love to see your dog using it! Please email us a clear, well-lit photo of your dog using an item below, and we’ll feature it on this page!

 
 

Toys:

 

For dogs that love to tug:

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ChuckIt Ultra Tug - This is a great option for taking on walks to help motivate and/or re-direct dogs that are very ball or tug oriented!

Suction Cup Tug Toy- If your dog is an intense tugger and you just can’t keep up, this is a great option! We suggest supervising your dog with all play, and making sure to pick this toy up when you’re not around.

Nero Ball Ultra- Another tethered ball option, this one gives you a little more slack in the rope, making it a good option for both tug, and taking along on a walk.

 

For dogs that love to chew:

 
Captain likes to switch between a benebone wishbone and buffalo horn when he’s in a chewing-mood!

Captain likes to switch between a benebone wishbone and buffalo horn when he’s in a chewing-mood!

Ziggy loves his bully sticks!

Ziggy loves his bully sticks!

Benebone Wishbone- comes in Small, Medium, Large, and Puppy sizes! A great all-around chew toy that lasts our heavy chewer about 3-4 months before needing to be replaced. The three sides of this toy give your dogs options, and a great design makes it easy to hold.

Buffalo Horn- Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large- an all natural chew that lasts MONTHS before needing replaced!

BeneBone Stick- Small/Medium, Large - another long lasting chew, this time in the shape of a stick (made with real maple flavor) for those stick-obsessed pups out there.

BeneBone Zaggler- great for dogs that like to chew AND chase. The rolling motion makes it a bit unpredictable, presenting a bit of an extra challenge for those clever pups. Small/medium, Medium/Large.

Bullysticks- a great all natural chew (albeit, a bit stinky) to help keep your dog occupied. A side note on these- if you have a dog prone to gulping, please carefully supervise their sessions in case they try to swallow it whole (hey, it happened with Captain when he was a puppy)!

If you’re looking for individual bully sticks, it’s best to search your local pet stores (like our friends at Bailey’s Neighborhood Pet or PetStop!

For packs of bully sticks: Small (4”), Medium (6”), Large (12”), Jumbo (12” & thick) , Braided 9” or Braided 12”

We love using a couple different types of toys with our bully sticks, to hold them in place and make them a bit more challenging for our dogs to chew (and harder to gulp!):

BeneBone Pawplexer Medium or Large- insert a bully stick (we find the thicker ones work best) into the middle until snug. Your pup can chew on the bully stick and both ends of the holder!

West Paw Zogoflex Qwizl- Small, Large- insert your bully stick in the middle until snug- we find that twisting it in makes for a tighter fit.

Note: We are happy to take in any used chews that become too small for your dog- we work closely with a number of rescues in the area, and can repurpose your dog’s used chews to appropriately sized foster dogs.

 

For Dogs That Love to Fetch:

 
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Chuckit Amphibious Bumper- a fantastic soft chase/retrieve toy that also floats!

Holee Roller- especially handy for taking out on trails and other high-dirt places, these are easy to clean, float, and can be used in a lot of fun ways to keep your pup occupied.

Chuckit Flying Squirrel

 

Gear

 

Grooming Gear:

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Toothpaste- Brushing your dog’s teeth everyday is an essential step to good oral health. Please use ONLY dog-specific toothpaste, and never ever human toothpaste (which contain ingredients like xylitol which can be fatally toxic to your dog).

Toothbrush- This is my favorite kit, especially if you have multiple dos in the house. Human toothbrushes are fine (children’s version are better!), as long as they are brand new and have never been used with human toothpaste.

Rake Brush- Our everyday brush for long hair and double-coated dogs. The rake gets through longer fur, and the rotating teeth of the brush glide through dense fur. The base of the teeth tend to collect oil from your dog’s coat, and be cleaned with mild soap, warm water, and a toothbrush. Not suitable for removing mats, or on short-haired dogs.

Rubber Curry Brush aka Kong’s Zoom Groom- a must-have brush for short haired dogs and double coated pups alike. The gentle massaging motion makes for an extremely comfortable groom, while dislodging a significant amount of loose hair. This works equally well for terriers, labs, and husky’s alike. It’s also very easy to clean with mild soap and warm water.

Dematting Comb- an essential tool for double coats and long fur. The blades (meant to be used pointed away from your dog’s skin) cut through dense mats and clumped fur to keep your dog’s coat healthy and tidy.

Bristle Brush- Best suited for medium-long smooth coats, this does an excellent job for every day grooming, and helps disperse natural coat oil to keep your dog’s coat soft and shining. Not suitable for removing undercoat.

Slicker Brush-Versatile and easy to use, this brush works best on medium-length fur. Suitable for removing small tangles,but not effective for undercoat removal. The plastic guards on the pin of this brush can be uncomfortable for short haired breeds and dogs with sensitive skin.

Nail Clippers- Large or Small/Medium - essential if you plan on maintaining your dog’s nails at home. Best when used in conjunction with cooperative care training.

Styptic Powder- a necessity if you plan on clipping nails at home, styptic powder will quickly stop the bleeding of a nail if accidently quicked (cut too short).

 

Collars

We recommend collars to be used for i.d. purposes only, and not as the main restraint or guidance equipement on your dog. For more information, please see this thorough, well written article on the subject.

 
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Country Brook Petz- Great choice for most dogs, this comes in a variety of sizes and solid colors, is easy to wash, and very durable.

EzyDog Neo Collar- Small-Medium -Great choice for smaller dogs, these neoprene collars are comfortable, adjustable, and extremely durable.

EzyDog Neo Collar, Wide - Large - XXXL - excellent choice for large breeds, especially our thick-necked friends!

 

Harnesses

 
Tucker showing off his Kurgo Journey Harness

Tucker showing off his Kurgo Journey Harness

Ezy Dog Chest Plate Harness- After 10 years, this harness remains our favorite and is still in regular use! With a neoprene chest plate that forms to your dog’s chest for a custom fit, it is comfortable, durable, and easy to wash. This is a step in harness which buckles around your dog’s back in two places, and is a great choice for dogs who already walk well on leash.

RuffWear Front Range Harness- One of our favorites, these feature both front and back clip options, padding for your dogs comfort, and the company offers a great product guarantee. This slips over your dogs head to buckle around the abdomen, and is a classic choice for dogs learning to walk well on leash, and as a general everyday harness. Also an excellent choice for active dogs that enjoy trail walks & hikes.

Kurgo Journey Harness- another great durable harness which features both front and back clips, it also comes with a handle sewn onto the back as well as an additional “traffic stop” handle loop which can be removed as needed. This slips over your dog’s head and clip on the back.

 

Leashes

Leashes for everyday use

BAAPET 6 ft Leash- tough, comfortable, and straight forward.

Krebs recycled climbing rope 6ft leash- made from recycled climbing rope, this is another simple leash that’s durable and comfortable to use.

Cycle Dog 6ft Reflective Recycled leash with bottle opener- made from recycled materials, this is a great standard leash perfect that’s ready for a party!

EzyDog Soft Leash: Medium-Large Dogs- after 10 years, this brand remains one of our favorites. This leash is tough, well designed, and very comfortable to use.

EzyDog Zero Shock Lite Leash- Small Dogs - great for dogs 26lbs and smaller, the shock absorbing technology reduces strain on your small dogs (and you).

EzyDog Leash Extender- great for tangle-free walking multiple dogs on one leash, for use with a tie out, and as a seat-belt extension.

Kurgo Leash Coupler- highly recommended for adding a second point of contact when walking on a dual-clip harness, especially for large dogs and intense pullers!

Hands-free leash systems - great for running, hiking, and hands-free walks

Thank you to our athletic friends, clients, and colleagues who helped us curate this section!

FURRY BUDDY Hands Free Running Leash

EzyDog Road Runner Hands Free Running Leash - well made system that features a shock-absorbing leash for a more comfortable running experience.

TuffMutt Hands Free Running Leash

LANNEY Hands Free Dog Leash

Packs & Hiking Gear

 

RuffWear Approach Pack-  features a padded handle and non-slip straps for load dispersion and controlled lifting, attached saddle bags, and two leash attachment points.

RuffWear Palisades Backpack- features padded handled and non-slip straps for load dispersion and controlled liftings, as well two detachable saddlebags and two collapsible 1-liter hydration bladders.

 

Warm Weather Gear:

Our dogs need to take special precautions during warmer weather, especially since they don’t sweat like we do. Below are some of our favorite warm-weather gear to keep dogs of all sizes nice and cool.

Cooling Mat

This is one of my favorite Summer-time items!

This version takes about 20 minutes to recharge, so having an extra on hand to swap out might be handy. These mats are pressure-activated, so you don’t have to worry about pre-chilling, and the gel inside is non-toxic, in case fido gets feisty. While the material is durable, we’ve found they don’t hold up well if you have a dog that likes to “dig” before settling down, so consider buying a cover or slipping the mat into your dog’s existing bed cover.

Small - Large

Extra Large

 

Cooling Vest

This ruffwear version is a great option for dog that need (or appreciate) more full body-coverage to keep cool. Available in a wide range of sizes, just soak in water to activate.