MY TOOLS

treat pouch

no walk or training mission can even start without rewards, and convenience is key when it comes to treat delivery. I wear my treat pouch on my belt so that I can quickly grab rewards after marking a behaviour. the best ones can close with a zipper, magnet, or drawstring, and some even have dispensers for poo bags!

silicone baggie

the highest-value rewards are usually the slimiest, stinkiest foods we can find. I don’t want to deep clean my treat pouch after every session, but I also want to limit single-use plastic. enter the reusable baggie! these are easy to clean, easy to take treats out of, and don’t retain any unpleasant smells.

biothane leashes

biothane is a cruelty-free alternative to leather that is waterproof, wipes clean, and stands up to whatever our dogs throw at it! I purchase all of my leashes from Kirsten’s Canine Gear, a small business in BC that does not produce aversive tools. there is a wide variety of colours and designs available!

crossbody bag

some essentials, like a first aid kit or grooming wipes, only need to be used occasionally. I like to keep these out of my way in a backpack, fanny pack, or shoulder bag. the shoulder bag i use is no longer available, but there are many options based on your personal needs and style!

Dooloop

nobody wants to carry around a bag of poop. the Dooloop holds up to five poo bags (in my experience) and clips to your belt, bag, or leash so you can keep your hands free! i’ve tried other holders and this one is easiest to use and holds the most. if you only have one dog, something like this may do the trick.

kitty litter

a little bit of kitty litter can be sprinkled on the ground if your animal has some particularly… runny business on someone’s lawn. the litter helps to soak up excess moisture so that you can pick it up in a bag. this is easy if you already have a litter box user, but you can also use sand or dirt in a pinch!

water bottle & sling

after many trials, the Messy Mutts water bottle gets my seal of approval! it has a silicone bowl that folds down against the bottle when you’re not using it. it is made of metal so it keeps the water reasonably cold, but is still light enough to carry on longer walks.

I carry it in this sling, which rests just above my hip so that I can squeeze it in place if I need to run! you can also try a belt like this one by Kurgo that has a pocket for a water bottle.

flea comb/tick remover

a flea comb is unexpectedly the perfect tool for removing burs, leaves, and sticks from dogs’ fur. a small one like this will fit easily into your pack!

a tick removal tool is helpful to be able to remove ticks as soon as you spot them, before they get the chance to fully embed. make sure you keep any ticks that bite you or your animal; it can be tested for tick-borne diseases if you start to show signs of illness.

animal deterrent spray

for emergency situations, I carry a citronella spray. if an off-leash animal is approaching and throwing treats in their face does not stop them, this spray is the least intrusive way to stop them from harming you or your dog. it is aversive, but does not cause long-term effects like a pepper spray would. make sure the safety is on!