20 AprAnna’s Top 5 Dog Products
As a School For The Dogs Behavior Therapy Trainer and our Group Class Manager, I am often asked by new clients and dog owners what my recommendations are for the most useful products for their pets. Of the countless items on the market to choose from, here are my top five picks of products that are both practical and fun for you and your dog.
Anna with her #1 student, her dog Ginger.
1. Wooly Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats are such an easy way to add mental enrichment to your pup’s life! Dogs love having opportunities to use their powerful noses, and snuffle mats allow them to sniff and forage for treats or kibble hidden in the crevices of this mat, from the comfort of home. I'm a particular fan of the Wooly, pictured. ($44 at StoreForTheDogs.com)
2. Toppl
I love using the Toppl food dispensing toy as an alternate to the Kong for frozen meals for my dog! And I'm not the only one — on Instagram it has become the dispenser of choice for some of the most elaborate and gourmet creations dog lovers whip up for their beloved pets. But whether you want to go fancy or just want a quick way to make your dog's basic mealtime more interesting, the Toppl is a great choice. The Zogoflex material is highly durable and has a squishy texture that dogs love to chew on. ($18.25 and up at StoreForTheDogs.com)
3. The Klimb
Two of my favorite classes to teach are Tricks and Barkour, and this simple-but-versatile platform, the Klimb, is something we use all the time in both classes. While the Klimb is definitely an investment, it can go such a long way in training your dog! You can use the Klimb as a special training zone which can help indicate to your dog that it is learning time and put her in the mental “zone” to practice behaviors. As an elevated, durable platform, it's also a good way to give your dog exercise, either inside or out. Its legs are removable, making it usable at two different heights. ($175 at StoreForTheDogs.com)
4. The KONG ZoomGroom Brush
This brush gets off a huge amount of dog hair, but is quite gentle. I use it on my dog all the time. It is specifically for shorter fur dogs (it won’t work well for shaggy dogs or long fur dogs at all). But it is THE BEST brush out there for short fur dogs. ($11 at StoreForTheDogs.com)
5) Freedom No Pull Harness
My favorite harness! Its functionality is major, but I also love all the colors it comes in. It features both a front chest loop and a back loop, so you can clip a leash onto one or the other, or both for extra control. Clipping the leash onto the front loop allows you more control when walking larger dogs and dogs that pull, and is a helpful aid when teaching loose-leash walking. The strap that fits behind your dogs legs is lined with Swiss Velvet for extra comfort and chafe-prevention in this more sensitive area. (Starting at $32 at StoreForTheDogs.com)
