Training a dog is one of the most important challenges to overcome when you welcome your canine companion into your home. In this edition of the #addmorehappy series, we offer advice on some of the best dog training tools and aids that can help you train your dog to be a happy and obedient member of your household.

“What are dog training tools?” we hear many new dog owners ask. Well, believe it or not, these are tools to help you teach your dog the way of your home. In our list below, we talk about some of the most popular dog training aids and discuss how they can make dog training truly ‘paw’some for both you and your pup.

The traditional crate<

To some, the crate is often just considered an early sleeping environment or a tool to help avoid your house being torn to pieces by an unruly new pup. However, the truth is far from that. The crate is your dog’s safe spot and is most definitely one of the best dog training aids you will own. The traditional crate will help you manage your dog’s behaviour during house training by preventing misbehaviour, particularly overnight or when you are not around.

Play pens

You have seen sheep being herded into them, well not literally dog playpens, but yes, playpens are a great dog training tool when it comes to managing the extension of the crate or as they see it, their den. Controlling the confined space around where a dog is contained when unattended is very important to avoiding destructive behaviour traits. It is like the step up from nursery to primary school for puppies. It also helps to promote keeping the sleeping area clean for them.

Clicking your way to success

As your pooch gets older, you will begin to teach them more behavioural traits, which is where the purchasing of a clicker dog training aid can come in. As dog training tools go, this can really help you to bring on your dog’s development through human communication, and owners who have used clickers to reinforce positive training have been known to get faster results.

Kong toys that help your dog along

This rather odd-sounding combination is not the title for a future King Kong movie, it is, in fact, referring to dog toys with a difference. Using Kong toys as dog training tools is simple. Stuff them with treats and then use them to reward your dog when they do something correctly. They can also be used for chase training, pacifying, and distraction based training. A serves all purposes dog toy.

Dog treats and rewards

We have touched on these in our previous point, but possibly the most recognisable dog training tools are your treats and rewards. When a dog achieves success at something that you have been working hard to help them learn, it is important to reward this behaviour with a treat or reward. This will increase the chances of them repeating the trick up until the point it becomes a habit.

All of the above make pretty good dog training tools and the other thing that should be mentioned alongside it is the consideration that your dog’s diet requires. Keeping your dog healthy is one of the best things you can do, not only to guarantee training successes but also to earn their undying loyalty and love.

Making Applaws Taste Toppers a staple part of their everyday diet is a sure-fire way of guaranteeing your dog will love no other human quite like you. 

Thank you for reading tip #6: Dog training tools to use that will make training ‘paw’some. Read Tip #7 of our #addmorehappy series where we teach you how to be a top first-time dog owner.