Recommended gear
Every piece of gear on this page is something I either use with Murphy or recommend to clients during sessions. No filler, no "buy because affiliate." If it isn't here, I don't think it's worth the money.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only link to gear I'd recommend regardless of commission.
Lightweight, waterproof, doesn't tangle or absorb mud. The standard tool for recall practice and decompression walks. Better than rope long lines for beginners because it doesn't burn your hand if your dog bolts.
Where to buy (link pending)A simple flat leash for everyday walks and loose-leash work. Avoid retractable leads. They teach the dog the leash is always tight, which is the opposite of what you want.
Where to buy (link pending)Y-front design that doesn't restrict the shoulder. Front-clip option gives you steering without choking the dog. First choice for reactive dogs and any dog still learning loose-leash walking.
Where to buy (link pending)ID is required by law in Victoria. A flat collar holds the ID; it isn't what you walk reactive dogs on. Engraved tags don't fall off the way clip-on tags do.
Where to buy (link pending)Magnetic snap, no zip fumbling. Plastic-lined for easy cleaning. The right pouch is the difference between rewarding the moment and rewarding ten seconds late.
Where to buy (link pending)Sized so the dog can stand up and turn around, no bigger. The divider lets the crate grow with a puppy. Crates are calm-resting space, not punishment. Get the size right and the rest follows.
Where to buy (link pending)Silicone mat with a textured pattern. Spread food on, freeze if you want it to last longer. Lower-arousal enrichment, good for crate work, calm-down routines, and recovery from arousing events.
Where to buy (link pending)Fabric mat with hidden pockets. Hide kibble in the pockets for foraging-style enrichment. Replaces a meal if you want to slow eating and add brain work in one go.
Where to buy (link pending)Rubber chew toy you stuff with food. Long-lasting and dishwasher safe. Stuff with wet food and freeze for harder enrichment. The most-used enrichment tool in my house.
Where to buy (link pending)Patricia McConnell
On reading dog body language, and why we miss what they're telling us. Foundational reading for owners. Covers what most puppy schools never get to.
Where to buy (link pending)Karen Pryor
On the science of reinforcement, applied across species. Background on why the methodology works. Not a training manual. A thinking manual.
Where to buy (link pending)Gear is the easy part. Knowing what to do with it for your dog is the rest. Private sessions cover both.
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