Best Dog Training Aids for 2021

Dogs should repeat behaviours which were rewarded, whether it is not barking at the postman or being good while you all have your dinner.

This remote-controlled system is great for positive reinforcement when at home, or if you take your dog to competitions. It dispenses the snacks itself, which can help if your dog seems to be ignoring your treat-in-hand technique (or if they know what you are up to).

The remote allows you to respond to the behaviour immediately, so they won’t be confused as to why they are getting a treat. It requires four D batteries and contains a good user manual as well as a guide on training and rewarding so you can make it an effective purchase.

Pet sprays can divide opinion as some are a bit too harsh, but this one from Company of Animals (who know what they are doing) is a bestseller and used by behaviourist worldwide.

It works by emitting the sound of compressed inert gas, similar to a cat’s warning hiss, which rather than scaring your dog like other alarm-based warnings, just distracts them from doing whatever they are doing.

This makes it ideal if they bark, run around like mad when you come through the door or drool on your knee whenever you take a bite. The idea is that when they are distracted, it is easier to correct their behaviour and give rewards.

There is a guide on how best to use it. It can be used with dogs, cats and horses and doesn’t emit a smell. It is important you follow the instructions so your dog sees it as a distraction, however.

Animals gnaw, lick and chew all the time, especially when they are young and their teeth are forming. But if their little teeth are still causing issues and ruining furniture, skirting boards and shoes, you need to discourage them.

We can’t be watching them 24/7, but a spray like this one will put them off chewing as opposed to us having to catch them in the act. The taste is bitter – it won’t harm your pets, but they won’t be in a rush to repeat the taste again.

It is suitable for dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets,

You see your geraniums, roses, begonias and mini fir trees as a carefully constructed work of art. So Barney thinks they need watering five times per day. How is he to know?

But all of that not-so-clean water is not-so-good for their condition, plus they are getting trampled in the process. These jelly crystals can work in all weathers so are unaffected by rain or hot sun. They slowly release a strong scent which confuses animals’ sense of smell.

Over a period of a few uses, they will be encouraged from going there anymore. Then, as they go more often in other areas, they will be attracted to places which smell of previous fouling as opposed to your summer flowerbed.

It will also work a treat against any feline visitors who love to mark *their* territory in *your* garden, and will not affect the soil whatsoever.

Retrieval can not only ensure that your dog gets some exercise without you having to run around but if they know they have to bring it back to you, they can be stopped from running off.

This training dummy is available in loads of different weights, colours and sizes to best suit your dog based on age and where it will be used. The 0.5lb weight is the perfect starting place.

It is complete with a throwing toggle to ensure you can get it a fair distance to keep them busy. Why not hide it and try and get them to find it? Dummies like this are primarily for gundogs to train them for retrieval, but they’re great for any dogs who need to be kept occupied and focused on walks.

Instead of stopping them from going places, you think they will respond better to encouragement to go places.

This attractant can be sprayed over a specific area, by mimicking the scent of animal urine. Don’t worry though – it isn’t quite strong enough for humans to pick it up. This makes it possible to use both inside and out, so is also a great puppy pad trainer.

Maybe they seem to go everywhere in your garden, so rather than stopping them from going in these places, it will be easier for you to cover one area. Combine it with rewards and praise, and you will soon have a pup which sticks to making less mess.

If you’ve found that sprays and other deterrents haven’t worked, then maybe using an alternative method might work. Pet Remedy provides a more natural holistic alternative by tackling any anxiety energy your pet might have.

Pet Remedy is a unique and patented formula of low concentration Valerian absolute oil with small inclusions of Vetiver, Basil & Clary Sage essential oils. It works with the pet’s own natural calming mechanisms by mimicking GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), which is a natural calming agent present in all mammals, birds, and reptiles.

The pack comes with both a calming spray and diffuser that calm the dog without sedating them.

It’s great value for money, and since it has glowing reviews, it might just be worth a try.

A non-toxic pheromone-infused yard stake that prompts your dog’s natural response to urinate.

Great when used alongside other praise and training systems, it can tell your dog where to do and encourage them to stay away from areas where they shouldn’t be.

Because the pheromones are on the marker, you don’t have to keep going out and spraying the spot every morning before they go. Your dog will have to be encouraged to find and spot the post before they go, but with a regimented schedule they should be doing everything correctly within a few weeks.

But we have to be honest – it has a mixed bag of reviews. Some say it really worked, others say not a peep. There are plenty of sprays out there which are seen to do a bit better, but this could work if the sprays don’t seem to (such as in bad weather or the wrong place).

For handlers who are training security dogs, or decoy dogs.

This is a light suit, so not for dogs who will be having to tackle in very serious situations, but good for dogs who may have to learn how to stop somebody in their tracks.

It comes in several sizes, and the arm guard can be worn on either arm. It’s also available in different colours which can stand out when in shaded areas.