5 Dog Things Worth the Money

I am not someone who suggests that my client buy things for their dogs that I really don’t think that they need. But I will say that these five things are in my humble opinion worth the money!

The first is a well fitted harness for your dog. Emphasis on being well fitted. Unfortunately there are loads of poorly designed harnesses on the market that can actually cause a lot of pain and discomfort when worn for long periods of time. The most important thing to look for is a harness that doesn’t interfere with your dogs shoulders range of motion and that doesn’t ride up behind your dogs armpits. Generally speaking you want to look for a harness that has a Y shape. My dogs are 60 pounds and very muscular and the Pet Safe 3 in 1 Harness fits their body shape very well. I also have a list of harnesses that I suggest in my Amazon Shop (I do earn a commission from the amazon link). If your dog has an odd body shape I suggest checking out this harness thread where my amazing followers share the harnesses that fit their dogs body shape best. Check that out here.

The second dog thing is a treat pouch. Good training happens when owners stay consistent and the easiest way to reward your dog and keep up with their training is to use a treat pouch. There are loads of options out there but my personal favorite is a fanny pack style that has room for my phone, keys, poop bags and extra supplies. This is the pouch I use on our daily walks (I do not earn a commission, I just really like this product) Whatever pouch you choose, make sure that it is big enough to fit all the treats that you may need. I offer other options and suggestions in the Amazon Store Front. 

Thirdly, a leash that feels comfortable for you. Again there are endless leash options and ultimately you need to find a leash that is going to work best for you and your dog. I use a variety of leashes for different situations. On our daily walks I use retractable leashes that have a ribbon leash vs paracord. I use a hands free leash for hikes which I’ve been really pleased with. All of my other leashes vary in lengths and are made out of biothane. I love how strong the material is and that it is water proof. All of my leashes were made by a colleague at Trust Your Dog. Not all leashes are going to fit each situation and that is why I have such a variety. 

A non-negotiable in my opinion is a quality high value treat. The more frequently you reward your dog the better their behavior will be and that is why I always have a supply of high value treats. I know that treats can be pricey and add up over time which is why I always keep treats from Costco in stock. My Costco carries a freeze dried beef liver that is a staple for my training purposes. All dogs have different preferences, but I find it most affordable to keep high value treats around by buying them in bulk or on discount. I find that Sierra, which is a discount store, regularly has affordable quality treats in stock. 

Lastly, the dog thing that I think is worth the money is scented poop bags. I pick up a lot of dog poop, which I am sure you can relate too. Waylon has a yard but he really prefers to go out in the world, sometimes up to 4 times on a walk so I have to have a lot of bags on me. The simple pleasure of a nicely scented bag is just something I do for myself to make the less than desirable act of picking up dog poop suck just a little less. 

These are five dog things that I use everyday and truly believe are worth the money!

-Rachel Laurie Harris CPDT-KA