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Modern day e-collar training is the most effective and humane way of training. E-collar's have come a long way and technology has advanced making these tools way gentler, safer and more reliable than ever before. This tool can help anxious dogs feel safe, can help reactive dogs remain calm and it can give your high energy dog the freedom to run around off-leash without any fear or anxiety of her not coming back. The e-collar I use has 100 levels and my goal is to use the lowest level possible which at times, cannot even be felt by human skin. The e-collar is similar to a Tens unit muscle stimulator that you might use at your chiropractors office, it is not meant to hurt or "shock" the dog. The e-collar I use also has a tone function that I like to use for teaching recall (dog hears beep and comes back to you). Just like anything, quality matters and I only work with the company E-collar Technologies so any other brand will not be suitable for my programs. 

The Herm Sprenger prong collar is another really effective training tool when used correctly. It has the ability to teach a dog how to respond to gentle pressure without any pain. The prong collar is widely misunderstood and often misused, so just like any tool, you should always contact a professional to get the best outcome. When used and fitted correctly, the prong collar gives us the ability to communicate with the dog using very little pressure (sometimes just with 2 fingers). I see more injuries from gentle leaders and flat collars than I do from prong collars (in fact, I have never seen an injury from a prong collar). The brand I use is of high quality and the "tips" of the prongs are smooth and round to ensure ultimate comfort and safety.

If i could teach one command for the rest of my life, it would be the place command. This tool is the ultimate game changer in your day to day life with your dog because it creates a very clear boundary in your home. We use a place cot instead of a dog bed because it is slightly elevated off of the ground which helps create a very easy boundary for your dog to follow. Most dogs see dog beds as casual places of comfort but the place cot is seen as a structured spot they must stay (even when the doorbell goes off ;). The place cot is also great to bring outside because it is mesh fabric so your dog can stay cool in the summer, stay dry from the rain or stay warm from the frozen ground in the winter. It is also the BEST thing to bring to the cottage or when camping as it is super easy to clean. My favourite brands are K&H, VeeHoo and Amazon Basics. 

Dogs naturally seek out den like environments to feel safe and secure and the crate (or kennel) can fulfill that desire. I personally believe that the crate should be a life-long tool in your dogs life because it will always bring peace of mind for you knowing your dog is safe and not getting into anything while you are out. The crate can also be extremely helpful at teaching dogs when it is time to settle down and decompress as well as encouraging independence to help with any separation anxiety. Lastly, the crate will always offer your dog a safe comfortable place they will always have in moments of stress like fireworks, thunderstorms or busy home gatherings.

A pet corrector is a harmless little can of compressed air that acts as a interruptor for some dogs. It makes a loud hissing sound and can be really helpful for discouraging nuisance barking, mild reactivity and/or any rambunctious or potentially dangerous behaviours. This tool is also great to bring on hikes or walks as it can be useful for scaring off random off-leash dogs that might invade your personal space. 

A slip lead is a combination of a collar and leash in one easy to use design. It has the unique ability to tighten during tension but release as soon as the tension is gone, this makes it a very useful tool in teaching leash manners. They are easy and practical to use and are one of my go-to tools!