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Cyndi's Favorite Things - 2026
38
items These are Cyndi’s personal favorites based on actual use in the real world by a professional dog trainer.
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Best Puppy Training Tools - Recommended by a Professional Dog Trainer
Best Dog Training Leashes & Harnesses - Recommended by a Professional Dog Trainer
Dog Enrichment Toys & Mental Stimulation Tools
Best Puppy Training Tools - Recommended by a Professional Dog Trainer
These are the puppy training tools I recommend to almost every client. As a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), I’ve tested each item in real-world sessions. They’re practical, effective, and help build trust, focus, and good habits from da...
This is the best pet stain remover on the planet. I will not use anything else. It gets out urine, feces, vomit and blood. You spray it on and walk away. No scrubbing! It got out 5 year old urine stains that I had previously treated with other urine ...
Eco-88 Pet Stain & Odor Remover 32oz
This is my own trainer‑created resource to help puppy parents quickly solve potty training challenges. It’s a clear, step‑by‑step flowchart that walks you through common issues and practical solutions, making the process less stressful and more succe...
Potty Training Troubleshooting Flowchart - by Professional Dog Trainer
This crate has 2 doors, tray, ground protection roller feet and a divider panel. Get the size that will fit your puppy when they are an adult and use the divider panel to allow them to grow into it.
MidWest Double Door 36-Inch Folding Dog Crate
This harness has 3 functions. 1) Clip in the back for safe, no harm walking. 2) Clip in the front to help train puppy not to pull. 3) Seat belt attachment. There are 3 colors: Black, Teal, and Plum. This harness runs big. Make sure to measure your pu...
PetSafe 3-in-1 No Pull Reflective Dog Harness XS
This is a 6 ft leash that is thin enough for a small puppy, but still durable enough to puppy leash biting. Comes in several colors.
AMAGOOD 6 FT Strong Puppy Leash, Purple
This is my favorite leash for puppies. At 6 feet long with a thin 3/8‑inch width, it’s lightweight, easy to handle, and perfectly sized for small dogs learning to be on a leash. The slim design makes it lighter so your puppy is more comfortable than ...
Coastal Dog Leash - Sturdy & Comfortable 3/8"x6'
This set includes two seat belts that loop securely around your car’s headrest. Each strap has an adjustable length with a bungee connection to absorb sudden pulls, and they’re designed to clip onto the back of your dog’s harness (like the PetSafe 3‑...
Dog Seat Belt 2 Pack Adjustable Bungee
The Kurgo Dog Booster Seat is the top ranked booster seat on all lists. It fits around the headrest so your small dog or puppy can see out the window. Kurgo is known for it’s safety. Keeping a small dog in the booster seat is safer than being in your...
Kurgo Dog Booster Seat with Harness Strap
This is the gate I use at my house to confine puppies to one area. It's easy to move around to where ever you need it.
Richell Premium Plus Freestanding Pet Gate
These are low-value training treats for puppies. They are low calorie so you can be generous in your rewards.
Crazy Dog Train-Me! Mini Dog Treats 4oz
These are high value training treats for puppies. They are freeze dried liver treats cut into very small pieces.
PureBites Mini Freeze Dried Beef Treats 85g
These are low-value puppy treats with DHA. They can but cut into smaller pieces for small puppies or as is for larger puppies.
Wellness Puppy Treats Soft Lamb & Salmon
These are good low-value chew bones to keep puppies busy when they are teething and bored.
Benebone Puppy 2-Pack Dental Chew Bacon
These are low-value non-digestible chew bones for teething and bored puppies. Give them something besides your shoes to chew on.
Benebone Puppy 2-Pack Maplestick & Zaggler
This is great as a daily chew stick for teething puppies. It’s the only dental chew stick that is made with extra calcium for puppies. These really help when puppies are mouthy and want to chew everything. They are less expensive than bully sticks an...
WHIMZEES Puppy Dental Treats Medium/Large 14ct
The Chuck-It Squeaker dog ball is designed with a built-in squeaker that creates fun sounds during play, making fetch more exciting for dogs. Some dogs just love to carry it around in their mouth and squeak it. It comes in two sizes (small and medium...
Chuckit! Ultra Squeaker Ball Dog Toy, Small 2 Pack
This is one of my all-time favorite stuffing free dog toys. It's durable. Great for teaching your puppy to play nice and not bite.
Petstages Stuffing-Free Floppy Shark Dog Toy
This is one of the basic soft dog beds that I use as a mat in training. When I teach dogs to “Go To Your Mat” this is the bed I use. I have several of them in my house for my own dog. It’s inexpensive, soft and comes in several sizes. You can also us...
Amazon Basics Cat & Dog Bed, 35x23x3, Gray
There are a lot of different Licki Mats. This is a 2 pack with suction cups on the bottom so it can be stuck to something like bathtub and used for teaching your puppy to love the bathtub and other socialization activities.
Honomastry Dog Lick Mat with Suction Cups
This Kong spray, is like spray cheese for puppies. It can be used on licki mat or inside of puppy Kong for enrichment and socialization activities.
KONG Easy Treat Puppy 14 oz - Pack of 2
The puppy kong is the original enrichment toy to teach puppies to love their crate and chew.
KONG Puppy Natural Teething Rubber Toy Blue
Great toy for puppies to chew on and play with. Great for teething, and teaching fetch.
KONG Wubba Dog Toy for Tug & Fetch
If you just got a puppy or you want to give a gift to a friend who just got a puppy, you can't go wrong with this Kong starter pack.
KONG Puppy Starter Kit w/ SqueakAir Balls
I recommend the Furbo over a regular camera because of its smart AI Nanny features. It doesn’t just show you what’s happening — it can actually tell you which dog is doing what. That makes it invaluable for multi‑dog households or when I’m boarding d...
Furbo 360° Dog Camera w/ Treat Dispenser
Best Dog Training Leashes & Harnesses - Recommended by a Professional Dog Trainer
These are the leashes and harnesses I recommend to almost every client. As a professional dog trainer, I’ve tested each item in real‑world sessions. They’re safe, durable, and designed to make walking and training easier while building trust and good...
This is my absolute favorite harness and the one I use on my own dogs. The Blue‑9 Balance Harness is trusted by professional dog trainers because it offers a fully customizable fit, making it ideal for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Its design helps r...
Blue-9 No-Pull Dog Harness with Buckle Neck
This harness has three functions: clip in the back for safe, comfortable walks, clip in the front to help train dogs not to pull, and use the seat belt attachment for secure car rides. It comes in three colors—Black, Teal, and Plum—and runs large, so...
PetSafe 3-in-1 Easy-Walk Dog Harness Medium
All of my clients with small dogs like Boston Terriers and Pugs love this harness. The deep V‑neck frame protects delicate necks by shifting pressure to the chest and shoulders, making walks safer and more comfortable. Its escape‑free design keeps ev...
Gooby Comfort X Dog Harness for Small Dogs
This is the long leash I use for sniffari walks (sniffing adventures). I prefer the light cotton feel over nylon because it’s thinner, easier to handle, and more comfortable in the hand. It comes in 10, 15, 20, or 30‑foot lengths. I recommend the 10‑...
10 Foot Leash for Sniffari Walks & Reactive Dogs
This is the leash I use with the Blue‑9 Balance Harness, and it comes in all the matching colors. It's a 6 feet long multi-function leash. It can be worn hands-free around your waist or shoulder, clipped lower to make it short or clipped in front and...
Blue-9 Hands Free Dog Leash, Double Attach
This is my favorite leash for running or going hands free. The handle is adjustible, while the bungee section absorbs shock to keep walks smoother and safer. It stretches to give dogs extra room to roam but still offers control with a built‑in traffi...
Ruffwear Roamer Bungee Dog Leash 5.5'-7'
Dog Enrichment Toys & Mental Stimulation Tools
These are the enrichment toys I recommend to almost every client. As a professional dog trainer, I’ve tested each item in real‑world sessions. They’re engaging, durable, and help reduce boredom, ease anxiety, and provide mental stimulation.
There are many types of snuffle mats, but this is the one I take with me when training in homes. It’s simple, inexpensive, and effective for enrichment and mental stimulation.
Snuffle Mat for Dogs - Interactive Feed Game
There are many types of lick mats, but this 2‑pack stands out because of the suction cups on the bottom. They stick to smooth surfaces like a bathtub, making it a great distraction during bathing or grooming.
Licki Mat with Suction Cups for Bathtime and Anxiety Relief
I recommend this for dogs who love to lick more than chew. The Pupsicle is a long‑lasting enrichment toy that can be filled with premade treats or homemade frozen recipes, keeping dogs happily engaged. I often leave it with dogs when I step out. Lick...
WOOF Pupcycle Starter Pack - Dog Toys & Treats
Outward Hound was the original designer of the slow bowl feeder. These bowls come in multiple sizes and ridge patterns to match your dog's needs. Choose the right size for daily meals, or a smaller one if you only plan to use it for enrichment snacks...
Outward Hound: Slow Feeder Bowls
The Hol‑ee Roller is a versatile enrichment toy designed for tugging, tossing, and treat‑stuffing. Made from durable, natural rubber with an open lattice design, it’s easy to fill with snacks, chews, or even hide treats in pieces of cloth to create a...
JW Pet Hol-ee Roller Dog Toy Puzzle Ball
This puzzle toy is a client favorite for keeping dogs busy. The plush tree trunk holds squeaky squirrels that your dog has to sniff out and pull free. I like to put treats or food inside as part of enrichment. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to add...
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle
The original enrichment toy trusted by trainers and pet parents worldwide. Made from durable natural rubber, the Classic Kong can be stuffed with kibble, soft food, or frozen treats to keep dogs engaged and ease anxiety. It’s perfect for crate traini...
KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy - Durable Rubber
This is a peanut butter with calming aid to put on licki mat or in a kong to help your dog be calm.
Pet Naturals BusyButter Calming Peanut Butter