Top 10 Must Have Dog Training Supplies

A major part of training your dog not to chew your belongings is to keep them entertained and give them toys to provide them with the oral stimulation that they require.

Most often, dogs chew and engage in other common destructive behaviors because they are bored, and chew toys, especially treat-dispensing toys, are the perfect cure.

When left to find their own entertainment, dogs will typically find shoes, furniture, and other things around your house to chew on. By providing them with their own toys, you are teaching them that there are specific things they are allowed to chew and other things that they aren't supposed to chew.

If you happen to catch your dog chewing something they shouldn't have in their mouth, scold them and give them one of their chew toys.

That will help them learn which behaviors you expect from them.

RELATED: How to Choose the Right Dog Toys by Age

Chew Toys and Treat Dispensing Toys

Treat dispensing toys offer the same great training benefits and entertainment that regular chew toys do, but they are also able to keep your dog busy much longer than traditional toys.

Our columns about The Odin, Lucky Dog Slots, and PlayBites will give you some examples of treat-dispensing toys.

StarMark Clicker Dog Training System

The StarMark Clicker Dog Training System is based on the scientific principles of operant and classical conditioning, meaning that it trains your dog by teaching them to behave a certain way based on the stimulus of the clicker.

This product focuses on positive reinforcement rather than fear-based training.

The ergonomic design of the StarMark Clicker fits comfortably in your hand, and the clicker element is made of stainless steel, so it won't rust. One of the best things about this product is the price.

You can purchase it for less than $5, and it even comes with a step-by-step training guide that shows you the basics of clicker training.

The clicker itself can be attached to a lanyard or keychain for easy access.

Since the product is so basic (it's essentially just a bent piece of metal with a plastic casing and a plastic button) it is extremely durable and should last you a long time.

One thing noted by many consumers is that this clicker's “click” is louder than most similar products on the market.

Omega Paw Health Bone Chicken Training Treats

One of the must-have dog training supplies you will need, no matter what type of training you are attempting, is treats.

Rewarding your dog for doing the things you want them to do is an essential part of training.

As long as it is not overdone, reinforcing your dog with treats is an excellent addition to clicker training, command training, or any other type of training you have in mind.

Overfeeding your dog is unhealthy no matter what you're giving them, but within reason, these treats are very good for your pet. The first ingredient is real chicken.

These treats are moist and soft, and they are made in the USA.

They are a good source of DHA and Omega 3 Fatty Acid.

RELATED: Dog Training Basics: 11 Essential Tips

They are gluten, soy, wheat, and corn-free, making them an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive tummies. Omega Paw Health Bone Chicken Training Treats are low in fat and calories and are made with Quinoa.

No matter which type of treat you buy, you should specifically purchase treats made for training.

They are typically healthier, lower in calories, and smaller in size than regular dog treats.

American Kennel Club Training Pads

This product is for puppies that are still in the process of house training. The American Kennel Club training pads are a little more expensive than the store-brand pads, but remember that you get what you pay for.

Store-brand pads tend to leak easily and don't absorb urine quickly.

These AKC Training Pads have a 6-layer composition, so they absorb and dry quickly, preventing your pup from tracking their mess all over your house. They have a built-in smell that attracts your pet to the pad to help prevent accidents on your floors and rugs.

One of the six layers of these pads is an antibacterial odor-eliminating tissue to help keep the smell of urine from emanating through your entire house while you're gone. These pads are designed to provide 24-hour urine protection for dogs weighing up to 50 pounds. Not only are pads like these great for puppies, but they can also be very helpful for senior dogs or dogs suffering from urinary incontinence.

Iris Training Pad Holder, Regular

Speaking of potty pads, when house training a dog, one of your must-have dog training supplies should be a potty pad holder. The training pad is buckled securely and easily into the pad holder, which also provides extra floor protection.

The sides are built up slightly to keep urine run-off contained without having to worry about a mess accidentally leaking onto the floor underneath the pad. The Iris Training Pad Holder is also fitted with rubber feet to keep it from sliding around while your dog climbs in and out.

RELATED: 3 Essential Tips on Toilet Training for Dogs

The holder comes in three sizes to fit most training pads. The company makes training pads that fit these holders perfectly, but you don't need to buy their brand. The device works with the most popular sizes of training pads. If your kennel is large enough, this device could even be placed inside for easier clean-up.

ADAPTIL Collar

This is a great product to have for puppy training, socializing, and helping to control any fearful reactions during new situations. This collar is a more humane way to train your dog than an electric collar. The ADAPTIL collar mimics the pheromones that a mother dog would produce to calm and reassure her puppies.

The collar works with the dog’s body temperature. It's important to place it as close to the dog's skin as possible, and his body heat will warm the collar and encourage the diffusion of pheromones into the local environment. The collar is great for helping with:

• puppy socialization
• separation anxiety
• training
• kennel anxiety
• travel anxiety

The collar comes in two sizes. The small/puppy collar fits dogs with necks up to 37.5 centimeters, and the medium/large collar fits dogs with necks up to 62.5 centimeters. Each collar lasts about 4 weeks, and they can be replaced as needed. Many consumers said that it was very noticeable when the pheromones were running low because their dog’s anxiety issues would slowly come back.

Mendota Slip Lead

A slip lead is one of my must-have dog training supplies for numerous reasons. Slip leads look like a regular flat leash, except they have a metal ring on one end instead of a clip. You simply pass the handle end of the leash through the metal ring to form a loop and put the loop over your dog's head. Slip leads like this one act as a collar and a leash all in one.

The Mendota Slip Lead allows you to correct your dog quickly and effectively when he is pulling on the leash or otherwise misbehaving while you're walking him. Pulling on the handle of the leash tightens the loop around your dog's neck. Slip leads should not be used all the time, but are excellent training tools.

The Mendota Slip Lead is made of colorfast, waterproof, durable multi-filament polypropylene solid core roping, and it features all brass hardware and oil-tanned leather splices. These leads are handcrafted in the USA.

Midwest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate

A crate is a necessity when training your dog. It gives them a place to go when you are not home to keep them safe as well as protect your belongings. A versatile crate like this one from Midwest is a good choice because it has an adjustable divider panel that allows the space in the crate to grow as your dog gets bigger.

RELATED: Top 5 Best Metal Dog Crates

This crate is also made with rounded corners to keep you and your dog from getting scratched or cut. It also has double doors so you can access the crate from the side or the front, and the slide-bolt latch keeps your pooch locked safely inside. Another great feature is that this Midwest Life Stages Folding Metal Dog Crate folds down for easy storage and travel.

Crates like this one come in many sizes to fit virtually every breed. This crate is also equipped with a plastic tray underneath that slides out to make it fast and simple to clean up any messes your dog may make in his crate. If you choose to crate train your dog, a kennel like this should be on your must-have dog training supplies list.

Canine Equipment Carry-All Treat Bag

We've already talked about treats, but what about something to carry them in? When training your dog, you will find that you constantly have something in your hands. Clickers, leashes, treats, and all the other supplies you'll be carrying take up a lot of space, but with a convenient treat bag like this one, you'll have everything you need in one handy place.

This treat bag has a drawstring closure to keep treats from falling out when you're not using them. The mesh pocket in the front can hold a chew toy, clicker, or a roll of poop bags. It also has an additional pocket inside the treat bag for added storage.

Treat bags like these should be secured to your belt for easy access. The Canine Equipment Carry-All Treat Bag clips on quickly with a carabiner. Something consumers have mentioned that they didn't like is the fact that it takes two hands to open the drawstring, and when you're training a dog, you don't always have two free hands.

Books and Training Videos

Last but not least, don't forget about the vast variety of dog training books and videos that are available to you. Do some research on the different types of dog training and decide which method will work best for you and your dog. Books and videos allow you to get advice from some of the top training experts in the world without leaving the comfort of your home.

RELATED: Top 25 Best Dog Books

Training books and videos can get expensive, especially if you want to try more than one. If you can't afford to add these to your must-have dog training supplies list, consider borrowing them. Some libraries have these materials that you can borrow, and you can also check with your veterinarian's office to see if they have any training materials that they loan out.

There are books and videos that cover every dog training and behavior question that you may have. Dogwise has some great suggestions for books and videos about general dog training, and BestFriends.org has an extensive list of their recommended dog training and care resources as well. Another great resource is the ASPCA. They've got some great information about the different types of training and a list of their recommended books and DVDs to get you started.

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