A list of equipment for walks, bedding and dog life in general.

Leads & Collars

A good Collar and Lead are extremely important.  After trying several types we have found the most durable and suitable for our dogs to be a Nylon Collar with a large secure plastic fastening clip.  We specifically use Ancol Nylon Adjustable Collars. Leads again are very much a personal preference thing.  We use nylon webbing leads, (a long training lead and a shorter walking lead) very suitable to our dogs.  You should consider what you want from your lead carefully.  Chain leads are more difficult to loop and can be uncomfortable if you get pulled sharply. A lot of people like to use the Flexi or Extendi leads, which allow the dog to extend the lead for quite a distance and can be stopped and locked by a thumb control on the handle.  Generally we've found that they do not provide as much control as a shorter fixed length lead.  We have only really found these useful when going on a walk in an area where allowing your dog off lead is either not permitted or unsafe.  In those situations these leads allow your dog more flexibility to roam but keep them under control some control.

Beds & Crates

Giving your dog a bed even if its just a blanket provides a space your dog can retreat to when tired or a place you can send them to to help aid control when indoors.  Be careful not to use the sending your dog to bed as a punishment. Going to the bed or mat should be based on a positive experience.  Additionally if you have children this can be a boundary or area where the dogs are not to be pestered or bothered. The use of a crate or cage adds one main dimension feature, which is the ability to lock the door to prevent your dog from moving outside of the crate.  This can be helpful when you want to prevent your dog from roaming when you are not around or if you are having problems with house training over night.

Health and Hygiene

You'll want to keep your dog healthy and happy, to do that some of the following will be useful. Brush or grooming glove: to help brush out loose hair. Shampoo: Help keep your pooch smelling fresh, always keep some at the ready in case you have to contend with one of your K9 Buddies rolling in something with an unpleasant fragrance. Poo Bags:  Buy them in bulk, we tend to wards black ones. Worm and Flea / Tick treatments: Remember to treat your dog for fleas, ticks and de-worm regularly.  3 Month intervals is a usual time interval.

Exercise Equipment

We have already covered a number of these items on the Toys page.  Heres a few things to consider if you want to push on past the normal day to day exercise. Treat bag: With a belt or pocket clip, a treat bag or pouch makes a useful way of carrying treats and often other odds and ends such as poo bags Jumps:  Be careful not to push dogs which are to young to jump to high to early or you will injure legs and joints. Tunnels:  These can be tricky to start, but a lot of dogs love to run through them. Weave Poles: The poles take a bit more training and practice but is very impressive to watch when perfected. Ramps & SeeSaw: Challenge your dogs balance and brain power to over come walking or climbing on unusual obstacles.