Tools

Kennel

The kennel is the safest place for your dog to be when you are unable to supervise him or her. It is a great tool used in training exercises to implement impulse control. It’s a tool most widely used in the home and at veterinarian offices, and in cases of emergency (fire inside the home or natural disaster) it is the most accessible and responsible tool available. Having your dog kennel trained makes them adaptable in the best and worst case scenarios.

Place Bed

The place bed is a defined, often times raised surface that a dog can safely sit or lay down on for an extended period of time. The place bed is used in many training exercises to enhance a dog’s understanding of impulse control while typically being closer to distractions and working towards the handler being further away.

Prong Collar

The prong collar when utilized with a leash allows a handler to apply and release directional information as the dog learns the basic commands (sit, stay, heel and recall (come/here). Here at Dog Included, we use the Herm Sprenger brand.

Leash

Together with the prong collar, the leash provides physical guidance to a dog in the learning phase of training. The leash is used to easily reinforce commands and create accountability at both ends. If a dog breaks a command early in training, it is physically easier to grab the leash and guide your dog back, rather than grabbing your dog or potentially playing a game of hide and seek.

E-collars

E-collars are tools that allow for hands free communication either inside the home or for outdoor, off leash adventures. E-collars work well with dogs that make poor choices. Not only do they give the handler a means to communicate with a dog at minimal stimulation levels (that most humans cannot feel), but they provide a means to increase intensity of the electronic stimulation if necessary. Dog Included uses the e-collar technologies brand that provides maximum flexibility (levels 0-100) when responding and adjusting to the dog’s individual needs and feedback provided through the training.

Food and Treats

Treats are a great motivational tool used during the learning phase of training. For challenging dogs, we can use food to help us gauge where a dog is at mentally based on wether or not they will take or accept the food. Using a dog’s daily kibble is a fun and easy way to incorporate learning into your daily routine.

Muzzle

The baskerville muzzle allows for a dog to eat, breathe and pant normally, all while keeping the handler and other dogs or humans in the same environment safe. It helps the handler move forward confidently in training, and immediately takes away from the dog the option of biting.

You

You, the owner, are ultimately responsible for your dog’s success. You are the one responsible for your dog’s routine, schedule, and access (or not) to privileges, advocating for their specific needs and keeping them accountable to good behaviors and choices. In training, you can also use your body as a tool to mirror the intensity of your dog when providing information. For example, how much leash pressure to apply, physically moving into your dog’s space or granting them more physical distance.