Dog Approved
Products & Resources
Thank you for supporting me through my affiliate shop! (Keep scrolling for resources as well!)
There’s so much misinformation online now that it’s really hard to figure out who’s right, or what’s best for dog training. The resources below are what I recommend on equipment, enrichment, calming aids, websites, local resources, other trainers, and books.
Walking Equipment For Dogs
Leash: The leash is a subtle, yet powerful line of communication. You want to choose a leash that moves smoothly in the palm of your hand and allows for a comfortable hold.
For your dog, it should be lightweight and long enough to allow for movement to sniff, moving in an arc towards something and change pace.
Harness: A harness MUST allow for a natural range of motion in your dog’s shoulders. It should be lightweight and have more than one adjustment point. I like the Balance Harness for these reasons.
Interactive Food Dispensing Toys For Dogs
Mental Stimulation or Mental Enrichment are great buzz words for giving your dog something to do with their mind! Contrafreeloading (CFL) is term that describes an animal’s choice to forage or “intrinsically work” for food instead of eating it freely. Eating out of bowl is great, but try with at least one meal to use a food puzzle, snuffle mat or another method of forage for your dog.
Dog Management In The House
Dog Approved
Resources
Dog Calming Aids
Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian the use of any oral or topical aid prior to use.
- iCalm Pet (Music)
- ThunderShirt (Body Wrap)
- Rescue Remedy Or Composure Tablets (Oral Aids)
- All Paws Essentials (CBD)
- Essential Oils (Oral & Topical)
- Adaptil (Appeasing Pheromones)
Veterinarian Assistance
Anytime we are training our animals, a visit with a veterinarian should be included to rule out any underlying medical condition. I also strongly recommend looking for a veterinarian who stays informed on the latest in behavior modification aids, and who strives for a Fear Free environment.
We are lucky that here on the Central Coast there are a few options for holistic care for our animals. Proper nutrition and a healthy gut are critical to behavior. Check out Morro Bay Veterinary Clinic Dr. Byrd (Kylie Martin DVM, CVA, CVFT) for a customized diet to fit your dog’s needs. This is especially helpful for dogs suffering from allergies, or any chronic internal issue. Bonus: Dr Byrd also offers acupuncture.
Animal Care Clinic in San Luis Obispo is a Fear Free Certified Clinic that also offers Physical Therapy services. Just like with us humans, our dogs absolutely benefit from specific exercises and movements to keep joints and muscles moving freely.
Not only does Atascadero Pet Hospital offer emergency services 24/7, it also has acupuncture services from Dr. Burk. Skittles and I have used their emergency services on more than one occasion and I can tell you first hand how grateful I am to their expertise and care in life threatening situations.
Brand new to the Central Coast is PetMed Urgent Care offering same day services, as well as urgent and emergency services. This is such a vital service to our area.
I’m fortunate to learn from trainers all around the world and am in a constant state of continuing my education.
As one of my favorite teachers says, “there is always more to learn.”
Trusted Professional Animal Trainers
Ken Ramirez is one of the most prolific animal trainers in the world. I’ve had the privilege of learning from him directly at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.
Grisha Stewart is the developer of BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) and a leader in today’s movement toward Empowerment Training. As the former head of BAT Certification world-wide, I use this method with all clients.
Kim Brophy is a clear voice in a crowded training industry. A premier canine ethnologist, her drive to help families is rooted in your dog’s way of Learning, his Environment, his Genetics and who he is as an individual. I am currently enrolled in her course to learn even more about breeds and genetics, taking away practical everyday tips to help you, help your dog.
Victoria Stilwell was the first TV personality promoting Positive Reinforcement in dog training. Her website is loaded with accurate information and helpful videos.
Dog Behavior Books
If you enjoy reading books, here are a few of my top picks for dog behavior!
Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0: New Practical Techniques for Fear, Frustration, and Aggression in Dogs - by Grisha Stewart
Empower your dog to gain confidence and social skills!
With BAT 2.0, trainer/author Grisha Stewart has completely overhauled Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) to create a new efficient and practical tool for dog reactivity. BAT 2.0 builds resilience and self-reliance by giving dogs safe opportunities to learn about people, dogs, or other “triggers.” Clear enough for all readers to follow, this book also includes technical tips and bonus chapters just for dog behavior professionals. Learn how to:
- Rehabilitate aggression, frustration, and fear.
- Use survival skills to prevent reactivity on walks and at home.
- Use a long line to safely maximize your dog’s freedom of movement.
Apply Grisha’s BAT philosophy to all dogs and puppies…and get your life back.
Better Together: The Collected Wisdom of Modern Dog Trainers by Ken Ramirez
The days of using a rolled-up newspaper to punish a potty mistake are long gone. Modern dog training relies on the thoughtful application of the science of learning to teach your dog while you build a lifelong bond. Better Together: The Collected Wisdom of Modern Dog Trainers is a comprehensive collection of both practical and inspirational advice from some of the best trainers in the world. Learn the methods of modern dog training through more than 60 articles from 28 experts, specially selected by world-renowned trainer Ken Ramirez. Better Together addresses the most common, the most vexing, and the most important challenges faced by pet owners today—from nuisance barking to reactivity—without the use of force or punishment. Re-imagine what your dog can learn.
Whether you are a first-time dog owner or a seasoned trainer, Better Together is the indispensable guide to make both you and your dog happy, smart, and confident. Topics and trainers you’ll find in Better Together include:
- Benefits of modern training — Ken Ramirez
- Principles of modern training — Kathy Sdao
- Getting started — Karen Pryor
- House training — Debbie Martin
- Polite greetings — Laura VanArendonk Baugh
- Relaxation — Nan Arthur
- Reactivity — Emma Parsons
- Resource guarding — Hannah Branigan
and many more!
Chill Out Fido! How to Calm Your Dog by Nan Kene Arthur
Getting your dog to calm down when over-excited may be one of the most important skills you can teach her. Chill out covers the effect of diet gives step-by-step instructions on how to help your dog “chill out.”
The book applies to all areas of training, from family life (e.g., polite leash walking, being handled by veterinarian) to dog sports. The basic premise is that excessive stress interferes with learning and performance, and any dog can become excessively stressed at times. The training exercises are well chosen, appropriately ordered, and build on each other. Even a beginning dog owner should be able to teach the dog the basic essentials. Professional trainers will find the book useful as a template for teaching a beginning dog training course. –Dani Weinberg, Ph.D., CDBC, author of Teaching People, Teaching Dogs.
Nan Arthur addresses the real life needs of regular people and the dogs they love. Whether your dog jumps all over, barks like a maniac, or pulls on the leash like a freight train, Chill Out Fido! is here to confidently say it doesn t have to be that way. Whatever you ve tried in the past, you haven t tried this. Chill Out Fido! provides a step-by-step guide to uncovering what makes your dog act wild and crazy and, most importantly, sets out the tools you need to rebuild a foundation of calm, attentive behavior. Both you and your dog will breathe a sigh of relief! –Madeline Gabriel, CPDT, Former Manager of Behavior and Training, San Diego Humane Society and SPCA.
Meet Your Dog: The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior by Kim Brophy, PHD
Every dog owner knows that along with the joy can come the stress and frustration of behavioral problems, which are expensive to diagnose and treat. Enter Kim Brophey, award-winning canine behavior consultant. Using cutting-edge research, Brophey has developed a groundbreaking system that allows owners to identify what their dog is struggling with, why, and how they can fix it. Brophey’s approach is unlike anything that has been published before and will give dog owners a new understanding of what motivates and affects their dog’s behavior.
Brophey’s innovative technique rethinks the way we categorize dogs, and distills information from over twenty scientific disciplines into four comprehensive elements: learning, environment, genetics, and self. With revolutionary tips for specific dog breeds, this book will change the life of every dog owner and lead to happier human-canine relationships
