The Top 5 Training Tools from Popular Trainer, Justin Silver
In yesterday’s post, you learned about dog trainer, Justin Silver (if you didn’t already know him from his CBS Television show, Dogs in the City), and you’ve discovered his and partner, David Donnenfeld’s, new book, The Language of Dogs, a home training manual utilizing Justin’s philosophy.
Now, here are some of his favorite training tools we can use with our dogs to help us achieve great results. As Silver says, if the right energy isn’t there or if the pet parent doesn’t work his training tips, we can’t expect the tools to lead us to the promised land.
But, if we’re consistent with the right energy, body language and commands, then these tools can help and our dogs will get trained.
Top 5 Training Tools:
The PetSafe Gentle Leader
* The head collar – these collars humanely guide the dog from the cockpit, it’s nose. They’re great for anxious and fear aggressive dogs. Halti makes a great one, as does PetSafe with its Gentle Leader.
* The Martingale Collar for everyday use, because of the way they tighten on themselves, rather than on the dog’s neck. I like the fabric ones with the metal chain. They have a kind of “chain reaction,” a feeling and sound to them, which the dog can start to associate with. I’m also a big fan of Ruffwear and they make a great one.
* I like 4′ nylon leashes for everyday walks, because I think the walk is a partnership, and the dog should be by your side. I don’t hold the leash rigidly, it’s held a bit loosely. But if your dog is more than 6′ away from you, you should probably be doing some off leash work with them, in the right environment. Amazon has a good selection or try your local pet store.
* I love almost everything by Kong, especially their interactive food toys, because they’re a great way to keep dogs occupied when you’re at work, go out or are busy with other things. My boy Pacino has some hip and spine inflammation right now. Just like a person, icing it is super helpful. I ordered an extra large cold pack from Amazon to place over the swollen area twice a day for 15 min. I give him a Kong, filled with frozen peanut butter, to keep him occupied during treatments.
* I love the Four Paws Tension Gate, because a dog needs to have a home within a home. If you give a dog free reign of the house when you’re out, especially a young puppy, it’s like leaving a kid alone all day in a warehouse. He’ll find a lot of interesting things to do, but he’ll also make mischief and cause a bit of trouble. The Four Paws gate is sturdy, it’s pressure-mounted so there’s no need for screws and it comes in a great variety of sizes.
If you missed yesterday’s post, you can read it here.
*** Stay tuned for our upcoming Justin Silver’s Top 10 Most Common Training Problems & their Solutions. Justin will be guest blogging about one training problem a week on Bark & Swagger. For 10 weeks, it will be like having your own celebrity trainer! Check back on the blog for the launch date.
To purchase Justin Silver & David Donnenfeld’s book, The Language of Dogs, go here.
To follow Justin on Facebook.
To follow Justin on Twitter.
To follow Justin on Instagram.
What’s your favorite training tools that’s worked really well with your dog?
We have the PetSafe gentle leader and tried to use it, but it didn’t go well. Maybe we need better instruction on how to fit it and utilize it. Great post!
They recommend using treats at first to get them into and to have a positive association with the nose strap. And there is a definite fit protocol, although we tweak that for the hot weather here, so I’m sure Jasper and Sophie can pant comfortably. It’s worked like a dream for us, especially with Jasper. If you still have the issue, maybe try to fit it again and go slowly with treats for Oz with it and see how it goes? There’s an instructional CD that comes with it as well as the printed instructions. Good luck and let me know if I can help at all.