Training Tools Explained: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why

When it comes to training your dog, the tools you choose can help or hinder your progress. The dog training industry is flooded with products, each claiming to be the solution to all your challenges. From harnesses and collars to leads and gadgets, it’s hard to know what’s truly effective and what might set you back. Let’s break it down and look at a few common tools.

The Real Purpose of Training Tools

The best training tools aren’t shortcuts - they’re communication devices. Their purpose is to help you build clarity and consistency with your dog, not to control or dominate them. When used correctly, they should make it easier for your dog to understand what you’re asking and create a foundation for trust and cooperation.

Tools That Work (When Used Correctly)

1. Flat Collars and Martingales

   • Great for everyday use, a flat collar or martingale can provide gentle guidance when paired with clear communication. However, they’re not ideal for dogs who pull excessively. But for dogs that walk nicely, they offer minimal distraction and are comfortable for daily wear.

2. Head Collars

   • Designed to give you more control over dogs that pull, ideally head collars can reduce strain on your arms and shoulders while gently guiding your dog’s head. Without proper conditioning most dogs will fight to get head collars off, typically scratching at their face and rubbing it into the ground.  If dogs continue to fight a head collar or its poorly fitting, they can cause significant harm to their nose through rubbing. In extreme cases dogs can develop muscle imbalances and long-term injury from not walking in a straight line or walking with their head permanently cocked to one side.  They can be effective but require proper acclimation to ensure your dog is comfortable wearing them.

3. Harnesses

   • While they can be helpful for dogs with respiratory issues, those prone to throat injuries and small dogs, harnesses often encourage pulling if not used correctly. Front-clip harnesses and harnesses that have straps that go across the front of the dog or over their shoulders, restrict or alter natural movement and should be avoided.

4. Long Lines

   • Perfect for recall training, long lines give your dog the freedom to explore while allowing you to maintain control. They’re a great tool for teaching your dog to come back without risking off-lead chaos.

5. Clickers

   • A clicker is a powerful tool for marking the exact moment your dog does something right. It’s ideal for building new behaviours and strengthening your communication.

6. Remote Collars

   • When used correctly and with proper training, remote collars can be a fantastic tool for off-lead reliability and addressing specific behaviours. They are by no means a short cut in training and require a significant investment in time and understanding for both dog and handler, without which the risk of being unfair to the dog is high.

   • When introducing clients to the e-collar the conversation is broadly similar each time. It starts with trepidation fuelled by a very loud but false narrative. It quickly moves to “is that it? I don’t know what the fuss is about!” Any lingering doubts have long since faded and turned to joy at seeing their dog off lead with a reliable recall around previously impossible distractions.

   • Does every dog NEED an E-Collar? No. Could most dogs benefit from one? Probably.

7.        Prong (pinch) Collars

• Another widely misrepresented and misunderstood tool. Used correctly a prong can be transformative. I have had clients go from not being able to walk their dog to having safe pleasant walks after introducing the prong. Just think about that, not being able to physically walk your dog. That means your dog is not getting enough exercise, which will increase the likelihood of undesirable behaviours, in some cases, dangerous behaviours.

• Introducing a prong correctly will increase the communication between dog and handler. It will also allow the handler to significantly reduce the volume of that communication. Which leads to lower stress which in turn leads to more and longer walks.

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Choosing the Right Tool for Your Dog

The right training tool depends on your dog’s needs, temperament, and the behaviour you’re working on. No single tool works for every dog, and what’s effective for one may be counterproductive for another. That’s why I focus on tailoring tools to the dog in front of me.

Another consideration which is often overlooked in the dog training industry is the handler. If adding a tool does nothing but give the handler confidence, then surely it must be worth doing?

 A confident handler will lead to a more fulfilled and content dog. Dog trainers often forget the human end of the lead, arguably it’s the most important piece of the training puzzle!

Why the “How” Matters More Than the “What”

No tool is inherently good or bad - it’s all in how you use it. A lead, for example, can be a bridge for communication or a source of tension, depending on how it’s handled. That’s why I spend time teaching my clients not just what tools to use but how to use them effectively.

Building Connection Beyond the Tools

At the end of the day, training tools are just that - tools. They’re there to assist, not replace the relationship you’re building with your dog. The real magic happens when you and your dog learn to communicate clearly and trust each other, with or without the gadgets.

If you’re unsure about what tools are right for you and your dog, let’s chat. Together, we can find the best approach to suit your dog’s personality and your goals. Because training is about more than the tools, it’s about the bond you create.