Dog Training Tools and Supplies
Before you bring your dog home, you'll need to visit a pet store or online pet-supply vendor to buy these essential training items:
- Clicker
- Crate
- Leash
- Collar
- Treats
Clicker
A clicker is a simple plastic device with a metal plate that makes a sharp clicking sound when pressed. A clicker isn't essential for dog training, but it's a highly effective way to reinforce communication with your dog. A basic clicker costs just a few dollars and usually comes with an attachment for hooking it to the end of a leash or a key chain. 
Crate
A dog crate is used primarily to confine a puppy or dog during training and travel. Once crate trained, a dog will come to view its crate as a sanctuary in which to spend time away from the household bustle. Keep your dog's crate in a fixed location in your home, ideally one in which your dog can still interact with you but also have some peace and quiet. The crate must be large enough to allow the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down.
Crates come in a variety of types, from hard-shell plastic crates to metal wire-frame crates to soft-shell collapsible crates. They also come in an array of different sizes, based on the weight of the dog. It's a good idea to buy a wire-frame crate for in-house training and confinement purposes, and a hard- or soft-shell crate for transportation. Whichever crate you buy, look for a model that's collapsible for easy storage—most wire-frame and soft-shell crates are collapsible. Crates cost $25–150, depending on size. 
Dog Pen
A dog pen is like a playpen for your dog or puppy—a small fenced-in area that you can use to confine your dog to an area of your home or yard. A pen is helpful to have on hand at all times, especially during the period before your dog is fully crate trained. 
Leash
There are countless varieties of leashes available on the market, but a standard canvas leash is all you'll need for dog training. Buy two leashes: one 6' leash and a 15' or 20' leash. You'll use the 6' leash primarily, but you'll need the longer one for a few specific training exercises. Avoid "training leashes," head halters (which mount around the dog's muzzle), and any type of retractable leashes, which put constant tension on a dog's collar or harness, causing him to pull on the leash in response. 
If your dog is among the breeds that tend to pull hard on leashes or even bite through them (rottweilers and pit bull terriers are two examples), you might consider a steel-chain leash, but canvas leashes will suffice for most dogs. Look for one with a built-in handle for easy gripping. Expect to spend about $10–15 per leash.
Collar
Most dogs need only a traditional flat-buckle collar. A martingale collar, also called a safety collar, is a good alternative for dogs who back out of regular collars or have heads that are smaller than their necks. For very small breeds, you may want a harness that goes around the dog's body instead. All of these options cost around $10–15. 
How to Get the Right Size Collar
If you get a martingale or a flat-buckle collar, be sure to get one that fits.
- Not too tight or too loose: You should be able to fit two or three fingers under the collar at all times, or one finger for small dogs.
- Not too wide or too narrow: Buy a 3/4"- to 1"-wide collar for medium to large breeds, and a 1/2"-wide collar for smaller breeds.
Choke Chains, Prong Collars, and Shock Collars
Many dog training suppliers carry collars designed to choke (choke chains), prick (prong collars), or even shock your dog. Since positive dog training consists of humane methods only and never involves punishing your dog, you should avoid these types of collars. In addition to being inhumane, some can cause serious health problems, such as neck strain and tracheal damage.
The Prong Collar Debate
Prong collars are sometimes popular among owners of large, powerful breeds that can be difficult to train and control. Positive dog training experts, however, strongly oppose the use of prong collars, so avoid using such collars if possible. 
Treats
Dog treats are tasty food morsels or biscuits that you can use to reward your dog when he performs a desired behavior. Treats are an essential part of the positive training process, so have plenty on hand for every training session. Since some commands require you to offer treats every time you use them, always carry treats when walking with your dog outdoors, whether or not he's on a leash. 
Which Treats Should You Use?
When selecting a type of treat for your dog, consider:
- Appeal: Your dog has to really enjoy and crave the treats that you offer him, over and above his regular mealtime dog food. So be sure to gauge his reaction when you deliver a treat for the first time—if he's not ecstatic, move on to another kind of treat.
- Consistency: Once you've determined that your dog likes a particular treat, stick with it. Mixing up treats can confuse your dog and throw off training.
- Amount: It's important that treats remain treats and not become replacements for your dog's regular meals. Vets and trainers typically recommend that treats make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily diet. This consideration is important both for training purposes (so that the treat remains an occasional reward and not a diet staple) and for nutrition.
- Size: The treats should be small so that they can be eaten quickly. Treats intended for small dogs work well for any dog you train, regardless of his size.
- Nutrition: Dog treats are usually much higher in fat and calories than regular dog food. Most store-bought dog treats are packed with artificial flavors and other ingredients that can harm your dog's diet, leading to weight gain and other health problems. But there are plenty of tasty low-fat options, such as Kong Stuff'n TOTS and Newman's Own Organics Dog Treats for Small Size Dogs.
How to Make Your Own Dog Treats
Homemade treats cost less and are more nutritious for your dog than store-bought treats. Recipes are available online and in dog training books. One of the most popular recipes, shown here, makes a few dozen beef-based morsels.
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 pack plain gelatin
- 1/4 cup skim milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 jar beef baby food
- 3/4 cup beef broth
Combine flour, cornmeal, and gelatin in a large mixing bowl and stir. Add baby foods, beef broth, milk, egg, and vegetable oil, and mix until it reaches a cookie-dough–like consistency. Place the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 300°F. Sprinkle flour on a baking sheet and roll up the dough to form a 1/4"-thick log. Cut the log into 1/2"-wide slices. Roll the slices into balls between your palms and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 1/4" apart. Bake at 300°F for 1 hour. Remove the cookie sheet and use a spatula to move the treats onto a wire cooling rack. Cool for 10 minutes and store covered in the refrigerator. Serve the treats cold from the fridge or give them 30 minutes to warm to room temperature.
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