The Products We Use With Our Dogs
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We recommend these products and brands so often that we decided to create a place for them on our site so you don't have to hunt around for them anymore!
We get asked every single day about our top recommendations for everything from food to toys. These are our top picks, chosen with the health and happiness of your pup as our number one priority. If you have questions about any of these recommendations, ask your Courteous Canine trainer or send us a message. We have tested every recommendation on this page, and have been recommending them for years! We recently reached out to the brands we love and most of them invited us to formally become affiliates, which we were thrilled to do! We are an Amazon Associate. We believe transparency and trust with our clients is essential, so we want you to be aware of this important disclosure regarding our business partnerships: |
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you visit a site by clicking on a link below and make a purchase, Courteous Canine will earn a commission. This means that at no additional cost to you, a small percentage of your purchase will directly support us. However, we want to be absolutely clear: we are recommending these products because we truly believe they are the best out there, not because of the small commissions that we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you agree that they are the best for you and your pet. You can certainly choose to opt out of the commission program by opening a new tab in your browser window and typing in the brand URL directly!
The Basics
ClickersWhether you purchased singles or three-session packages, or simply want more than the single clicker that came with your six-session package, we really think you can never have too many clickers!
Harness (#1)BrilliantK9 delivers bold designs with expert craftsmanship! This ergonomic harness is Modern Dogwear that truly makes a difference.
Freedom Harness (#4)For when you need a little help – this harness features a front-clip option that gives you more leverage when working with a large, pulling dog. Of course, with more training you won't need leverage, but until then, this should help you stay on your feet. ;)
Jingle Free TagsMade from stainless steel, these jingle free tags attach to the front part of the adjustment loop so the metal won’t irritate your hound’s neck. Deeply engraved and color filled, the tag collars are easy to read and feature a slide-on tag. Collars also available. Required for all boarding and daycare dogs!
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Basic Long Line While this isn't the fanciest long-line, at under $10.00 on Amazon this 30' long line should be an essential part of your toolbox. We're hoping that the great cost will inspire each and every one of you to get one! #ad
Harness (#2)While we do sometimes recommend front-clip harnesses when puppy-parents themselves have some physical limitations, this back-clip harness is usually all you need as we teach our dogs to keep the leash slack during walks. They are comfy and beautiful!
Embroidered CollarAn embroidered, personalized collar for your pup increases safety and gives you peace of mind. Required for all boarding and daycare dogs!
ClawguardInvented by one of our very own clients, the Clawguard is an effective way to prevent damage to your doors by over-exuberant pups. The Clawguard is the perfect door protection as we work on training and mental enrichment to reduce door-scratching!
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Comfort Long LineThis Mendota Products Check Cord comes in a variety of sizes, and has the advantages of being softer in the hands. It is rounded, rather than flat, more substantial, and stronger. The downside is its price, but we think it's worth it.
Harness (#3)Okay, we couldn't restrict ourselves to just one. This Julius K-9 harness is great for long-haired pups or for those who don't like the feeling of the leash on their back. We also love these because they are so easy to put on! You can't go wrong.
Platform BedCoolaroo beds keep your dog comfortable and cool in the summer, and off the cold floor or ground in the winter. The design helps reduce pressure on hips, elbows, shoulders and knees. Available in small, medium and large sizes. We recommend platform beds like this for teaching the "place" behavior.
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Toys & Chews
Puzzle Toys!
Food puzzle toys are the answer! Our personal favorite, the snuffle mat, is a great way to feed your dog meals if you use kibble. Having to sniff out the little bits of food or treats gets your pup's brain working HARD. Don't be surprised if he conks out afterward. **You may be eligible for free shipping, message Edie on Etsy for the code.**
Our Favorite ChewBully sticks from www.bestbullysticks.com are made from free-range, grass-fed South American cattle free of harmful antibiotics, hormones and chemicals, and are our #1 pick for long-term dog chews.
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Our Favorite Small TugYou can't go wrong with products from Clean Run, and we love this rabbit-fur braided fleece tug toy. It is frankly irresistible to your dog, and tug with long toys is a great way to interact with mouthy puppies to give them something legal to put their teeth on.
Bully BuddyThe Bully Buddy is a durable, easy-to-use, veterinarian-vetted, and dog-approved device that tightly secures bully sticks, preventing dogs from choking on the tail-end of the treat.
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ZogoflexThe toppl treat toy made by Zogoflex is another fun and enriching food puzzle toy! It's innovative design is great for dogs of all sizes. Add some yummy treats, peanut butter, pumpkin or greek yogurt to the cup and watch your pup go to town. Freeze it for an even longer lasting experience. Combine the small and large cup for an additional challenge your dog will love.
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For Puppies
Kid-Friendly Long TugMore than a few of you have children, and one of the top issues we deal with is puppy nipping and mouthing on kids. This 3-foot-long tug toy is the perfect way to keep puppy teeth away from sensitive hands, so that interactions are fun for both parties!
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Exercise PenWhen not being directly watched, puppies should be confined with fun chews and toys until they are fully potty trained, and usually beyond! Confinement is the best way to prevent problem behaviors such as chewing or counter-surfing from developing in the first place.
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Online Puppy GuideJill contributed to this comprehensive guide with her module on food and treats. But that's not all – seven other force-free trainers came together, creating the most comprehensive puppy guide on the internet.
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Food and Treats
Raw Air Dried FoodSomewhat more affordable than Darwin's frozen options, Big Dog Natural (BDN) Pet Foods is raw, fermented, and air dried. Though you don't need to thaw like frozen food, you will still need to spend some time rehydrating this food before feeding, but it is well-worth the effort!
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Fresh PetAnother brand you can trust for high-quality food and treats! You can find some of their products in the refrigerated section at pet stores. They have all kinds of options, including a variety of proteins and grain free.
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