Gadgets and gizmos, oh my!

[2GoodDogs]

I am looking at a big box of "training aids" that I've accumulated over the years. Everything from Judie Howard "string" to heavy concrete blocks, ala Celeste Meade.

What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos, do you use them? What are they for?

Right now I am using two 12 packs of soda as a front chute "gutter" to teach puppy to come in straight, small fabric pockets of cookies to teach the retrieve (he carries it to me, I will open it and give him a cookie) and paper plates for marking a signal retrieve (go to the right plate, a cookie is waiting for you)

What are ya'll doing?

 

[nbrard]

small fabric pockets of cookies to teach the retrieve (he carries it to me, I will open it and give him a cookie)

What are ya'll doing?

So new to shelties that leash, collar, clicker and treats is all that is in our training toy box but I am in the process of making one of those pockets out of soft leather for retrieving!!!

 

[PreciousSheltie]

Right now I am using two 12 packs of soda as a front chute "gutter" to teach puppy to come in straight

what a brilliant idea hahaha

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Collapsing plastic box that I can set up and have her play on.
Boink ball target (from J&J)
One metal article
One leather article
One *purple* dumbbell (so happy when they changed that rule!)
Clicker
Treats
Agility bait bag

 

[2GoodDogs]

I think beer might be more practical... Can drink with buddies after training.

 

[2GoodDogs]

Tell me more about collapsing plastic box! Is it for fronts?

 

[3Stars]

Okay, I have a ridiculous amount of gadgets...but my favourites at the moment are:

Manners Minder (a perennial favourite)

Clicker (my go-to tool - if it's sloppy, or if Starr doesn't get the concept, the clicker comes out)

Teaballs - for teaching scent discrimination! - I put about 6 of them in a box, scent one up, and put in a small treat (when first training the concept). The dog begins to associate the scent with the treat, and gradually you phase the treat out so that you are holding it instead of having it in the teaball. It's also good for getting the dogs used to picking up metal objects .

A rabbit fur agility bag - I had this made - washable vinyl on the inside, rabbit fur on the o/s, a soft fabric handle - Starr loves to tug it.

A mitt - I kept on buying Starr expensive tug toys, and he kept bringing me a mitt. I finally cued in and used the mitt for a tug toy...and it's his favourite toy!