Six Things I Wouldn't Buy as a Professional Dog Trainer

1) Step-In Harness

A step-in harness is a harness that comes up between your dog’s front feet then buckles right over the shoulder blades. If you go to any major pet store and put your hand on a harness at random, it’s probably a step-in style.

Why wouldn’t I buy one? They are a pain, pain, pain to put on. It takes a lot of invasive handling and your dog has to be really still. Raise your hand if your dog is thinking still thoughts when it’s time for a walk. Anyone?

In addition to being hard to put on, they’re hard to fit securely. Improper fit can mean discomfort for your dog, and/or an increased risk of him escaping.

Just don’t do it! Instead, check out my list of recommended harnesses.

2) Rawhide

Most (if not all) rawhide available in stores is very processed and can be difficult for your dog to digest. I’ve also pulled enough rawhide chips out of dogs’ throats to not want to do that again.

Instead, I recommend the beef hide roll from Farm Hounds. These hides are minimally processed with no fillers or additives, and the rolled shape is less of a choking hazard, IMO.

3) Original Milkbone Biscuits

It’s not that I’m completely anti-Milkbones. I just don’t like them for training. They’re too big, too crunchy, and too boring for most dogs.

Instead, I opt for soft treats that are easy to cut down to size without falling apart. Check out my treat recommendations here.

4) Bungee Leash*

Bungee leashes stretch to slow the dog to a stop instead of suddenly jerking him. While that may be better for the dog’s body under some conditions, I just find the stretch irritating.

For safety and training purposes, I need to know how much line I’m giving the dog, and I need to be able to count on 3 feet actually being 3 feet. Not 5 feet…or 8 feet?…or 6 feet?

*I may add a bungee element to my long-line Sniffaris at some point, but I’m not there yet.

5) Invisible Fence

I DON’T trust an Invisible Fence to keep dogs contained. Some dogs are willing to take the hit to get what they want on the other side.

I DO trust an Invisible Fence to build negative associations with stimuli outside the perimeter (“Every time people walk by my neck feels bad...I don’t think I like people.”)

I DO trust an Invisible Fence to let anything into the yard. The Fence means nothing without the collar. Predators and other hazards don’t wear collars.

So the Invisible Fence is basically a lose, lose for me.

See my blog post on Invisible Fences for more details.

6) Fence Bubbles

I can’t really think of a situation where I’d recommend these. Any potential for added enrichment is outweighed by the massive drawbacks. The biggest being increased reactivity along the fence. How many dogs run and bark along the fence when they know someone or something is on the other side? Letting them SEE that person or thing will only make things worse and likely harder for him to disengage away from.