There are a lot of dog products to avoid! As dog trainers there are some that we especially like to inform our dog training customers to avoid! For every item in the video that we don't recommend we have some recommendations for what you should use instead!
1. Bungee/Stretchy Leashes
The first item we cover in this video are bungee leashes. The leash is meant to be your communication tool between you and your dog. The bungee function of the leash will delay your tugs or corrections, and decrease your response time if your dog is not walking well on leash. This can set back your training and confuse your dog! We only use leather leashes with a brass clip. These are sturdy, durable, and give you the most control on your walks. If you do not have access to a leather leash, make sure you at least get a leash with a brass clip!
2. Rawhides
Rawhides are another product we do not recommend to any pet parent. Rawhides are made from leftover leather scraps! These often contain harsh chemicals, can cause your dog to choke, and have been known to cause intestinal blockages. Rawhides have resulted in very expensive surgeries and in some cases death! If you're looking for a chew for your dog, we recommend Benebones, Antlers, Goughnuts, and responsibly sourced Bully Sticks. Click the following link to read reviews on the Benebone and purchase if you think it's a good fit for your pup! You can check out Goughnuts here.
3. Bitter Apple Spray
Bitter Apple spray is disgusting. Unfortunately this tends to be worse for humans rather than dogs. Spraying every item in the house is not attainable, and often you will get this into your own mouth! How do you stop your dog from chewing up your house? Train them! A combination of structured walks, obedience, and establishing house rules eliminates the majority of small issues that arise in a house.
4. Retractable Leashes
Retractable leashes are the worst leash option on the market. They do give your dog freedom, but the benefits stop there. Retractable leashes allow your dog to be over 10-15 feet away, which minimizes your control. If your dog is reactive or pulls on leash, you will lack the control you need to stop them. These leashes are very dangerous with an untrained dog, as they can run into the street or up to another dog if you do not lock the leash fast enough. These leashes also pose injury risks to their owners. Rope burn, getting wrapped up in the leash, and getting pulled over are all possible on retractable leashes. Like mentioned before, leather leashes with a brass clip are your way to go! If you want to give your dog freedom, working on off leash recall is our go to option. You can also use a long line or training lead. This would serve as a normal leash on walks, and you can drop the leash in fields!
5. Spray Bottles
To round out our list of products we do not recommend, the spray bottle! Dogs are not cats. Any behavior you have in the house can be addressed by daily walks, daily obedience, and in home behavioral rules. Many dogs enjoy water, so spraying them does very little. In cases where dogs are afraid of the bottle, we do not want to chase our dogs around the house threatening them.
Wrapping up the 5 Things Dog Trainers Don't Recommend
All of the items listed in this video were originally designed to make your lives easier, but in fact all they do is cause headaches and they can lead to major issues! Are there any items you would add to this list that you would not recommend? Are there any items on this you like? If so, please comment below!
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