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The Treats and Training Tools That Finally Got Arie to Focus (Even Near Other Dogs)
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items Arie is smart, wildly enthusiastic, and absolutely convinced that every dog he sees is his new best friend. Teaching him to actually pay attention in public -- especially around other dogs -- took a very specific combination of the right treats and t...
Sections
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Training Treats Worth Working For
The Gear That Goes With Us
Drain the Brain at Home
Training Treats Worth Working For
These are the treats that actually earn Arie's focus. Freeze-dried, soft, and low-calorie options for every training scenario -- from high-value moments when he needs to nail something fast, to everyday reps where I need to run through 50 repetitions...
These are the treat Arie will actually stop mid-sniff for. Freeze-dried beef liver is as high-value as it gets, and the fact that there are 475+ tiny bites in one bag means you can get through an entire training session without running out. I use the...
Pupford Freeze Dried Dog Training Treats, 4oz
My everyday training treat. Tiny, soft, low-calorie, and he eats them in less than a second so we don't lose momentum between reps. A 16oz bag lasts a decent while and the chicken flavor is genuinely one of his favorites. These live in my treat pouch...
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Training Treats, 16oz
What I use for long drilling sessions where we're going through a lot of repetitions. Three calories each so I can feed a hundred without worrying, soft enough to eat fast, and the liver smell keeps him interested. Professional trainers have been usi...
Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Liver Dog Treats 14oz
This one lives in my car for spontaneous training moments -- parking lots, pet stores, vet waiting rooms, anywhere I need to proof a behavior in a new place. Single ingredient, resealable tub, and the smell alone is enough to get Arie's attention in ...
Stewart Beef Liver Dog Treats, 12 oz, ~270 pcs
The Gear That Goes With Us
The tools that make training sessions actually work in the real world. A treat pouch that opens with one hand, a clicker with a strap so it stays put, a long line for recall practice in open spaces -- everything that goes from the hook by the door in...
The magnetic clasp is the thing that sold me. No fumbling, no spills, and it pops open with one hand even when Arie is pulling toward the squirrel he spotted 50 feet ago. There's also a poop bag slot built in which keeps everything in one place on wa...
Mighty Paw Dog Treat Pouch w/ No Spill Clasp
Clicker training changed everything for us. The finger strap on this one keeps it from getting lost in my hand when I'm also holding a leash and treats and trying to not trip. Click is loud and clean and consistent, which matters more than it sounds.
PetSafe Clik-R Training Tool with Finger Strap
Clicker and target stick in one. I use this for shaping distance behaviors and teaching spatial awareness, mostly when I need Arie to touch something specific without walking him over to it. The retractable design means it fits in a pocket between us...
Terry Ryan Click Stick by Karen Pryor - Retractable Dog Clicker & Target Stick
The long line is how we practice recall in real environments without losing him. 30ft is the sweet spot for beaches and parks where an off-leash option isn't available but he still needs space to actually run. Clips to his back ring and gives him eno...
Hi Kiss Dog Obedience Recall Training Leash 30ft
The whistle professional trainers have been using for decades. The standardized frequency means the sound is consistent every single time, which matters for recall training because your dog cannot generalize to a sound that changes. We are still buil...
Acme Dog Whistle no. 210.5 | Original England
Drain the Brain at Home
The enrichment tools I reach for when Arie needs to burn mental energy and I need him to do it without me. Snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, wobble toys, and lick mats -- fifteen minutes with any of these and he settles the way a long walk would.
Fifteen minutes of sniffing tires him out more than a 20 minute walk. This mat gets packed with kibble every morning before I need to focus and buys me a solid chunk of uninterrupted time. Folds up flat and goes in the wash when it smells like old tr...
AWOOF Snuffle Mat Dog Puzzle Toy 28x28
This is where I start with any dog we have visiting because it is approachable enough for beginners but still makes them work. Arie figured it out in about three sessions and now goes straight for the sliding compartments. The level 2 difficulty is g...
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Toy
The spinning layers make this harder than it looks. Arie spent a solid 10 minutes on this the first time, which is a long time for a dog who usually gives up if something does not pay out in 30 seconds. Great for when he has been restless and I need ...
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Toy
Kibble goes in, chaos ensues, dog is occupied for 20+ minutes. The adjustable opening means I can make it easier or harder depending on his mood, and it bounces weird enough that he cannot just pin it with a paw. We have had ours for over a year and ...
Starmark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy Large
Frozen peanut butter or yogurt in this mat will hold him for 20 to 30 minutes without any effort on my part. I also use it at the vet and the groomer to keep him calm during the stressful parts. Dishwasher safe and cheap enough that I bought two.
LickiMat Classic Playdate Slow Feeder Dog Mat