What do I need for my new Dog or Puppy? Our Official Dog Training School Shopping List for You!
Picture this, you bring home a new expensive leash because somebody online said it would “fix” everything. Three days later, it is sitting in the closet next to the exercise bike, a mystery poop bag dispenser, and that puzzle toy your dog solved in eleven seconds.
We get it. There are a lot of dog products out there.
At Canine High School, we do not believe any product replaces training, veterinary care, enrichment, management, or a good relationship with your dog. But the right tools can make life easier. They can help you set up your home, support safe training, create calmer routines, make walks more manageable, and give your dog appropriate things to do with their brain and body.
We want to share these resources with you, and with everyone in your community, starting with the School Shopping List we use to help each student begin their at-home practice and homework journey.
This are our k9HS Approved! Shopping Lists
Built around products we actually find useful for modern, ethical, force-free, evidence-based dog training.
Click the small arrow to the right of each list title to expand it:
School Shopping List: Training Equipment
If you are enrolled in a Canine High School or k9HS Online Program, this is your official School Shopping List to get started with your at-home practice and homework.
Dog Clicker
A dog clicker is a small training tool that marks the exact moment your dog makes a choice you want to reinforce. Pair each click with a reward, and use it to build clear, force-free communication during everyday training.
BPA-FREE Silicone Dog Training Mat
An easy-to-clean treat pouch keeps rewards within reach, so you can reinforce good choices when they happen. Look for a secure closure, a clip or belt attachment, and enough room for the treats you use most.
KLIMB Official AKC FITDOG Platform
A stable, portable platform can be used for stationing, body-awareness games, and training around distractions. Choose a platform that is stable, easy to clean, and large enough for your dog to stand or lie on comfortably.
BPA-Free Silicone Dog Treat Pouch
BPA-free silicone training mats provide a clean, reusable surface for treats, food rewards, and enrichment during training. Easy to wipe down or wash, they help keep sessions organized at home, in class, or on the go.
Kneeling Pads for Dog Training
A kneeling pad is a small but useful comfort item when you are practicing puppy exercises on the floor, working on cooperative care, or spending time training outdoors. Those knees will thank you, trust me.
Management / Puppy Proofing
Indoor Dog Gate
A stable, pressure-mounted gate creates a simple boundary at doorways, hallways, and entryways. This option includes width attachments and a secure latch to help keep curious dogs from opening it themselves.
Extra Wide Dog Gate and Pet Playpen
This freestanding, modular option is useful for larger openings, puppy routines, visitor management, or creating a calm space for rest and enrichment. It folds down for easier storage when you do not need it.
Collapsible Dog Crate
A comfortable, predictable resting place when it is introduced gradually and paired with good things. Choose a size that allows your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Dog Couch Covers
Washable, non-slip couch covers protect furniture from pet hair, muddy paws, drool, and everyday puppy messes. They are easy to remove and clean while your dog learns healthy home habits.
Puppy Potty Training Pads
Absorbent pads create a designated indoor potty area for puppies, senior dogs, or homes with limited outdoor access. Use one consistent location and reward your dog immediately after successful use.
Dog Furniture Protector Training Tape
This double-sided protective tape can help protect furniture while you teach appropriate chewing, scratching, and settling habits. It is not a replacement for providing appropriate enrichment and supervision.
Enrichment Toys
Toys, treats and chews are optional and should always be used under adult supervision. Choose products that match your dog’s size, chewing style, dietary needs, and health history, and remove chews that become small enough to swallow or break into large pieces. If your dog shows gagging, distress, vomiting, or changes in appetite after consuming a chew, contact your veterinarian promptly.
For dogs with pancreatitis, food allergies, a prescription diet, dental disease, or a history of obstruction, check with your veterinarian before adding chews or toys.
KONG Wobbler
The KONG Wobbler turns part of your dog’s meal into an interactive feeding game. It can slow down eating, provide mental activity, and give dogs an appropriate task during quiet time at home.
KONG Classic
The KONG Classic can be stuffed with food, frozen for a longer activity, or used for fetch and play. Start with easy fillings so your dog learns that food toys are fun, then gradually make them more challenging if your dog enjoys the game.
Lick Mats
Lick mats provide a slower, calming food activity using options such as plain yogurt, pumpkin puree, dog-safe peanut butter, or wet food. Food-grade silicone and suction cups can help keep the mat in place while your dog licks.
Dog Puzzles
Dog puzzles turn treats or meals into a simple problem-solving game that supports enrichment and keeps dogs mentally engaged. Start with an easy option, choose a durable design, supervise use, and increase difficulty only as your dog succeeds.
Fluent Pet (dog communication buttons)
Turn everyday words such as “outside,” or “water” into a fun communication and training game. Start with one useful word, model it consistently, and treat each button press as part of a larger conversation through patterns and sounds.
Enrichment Consumables
Toys, treats and chews are optional and should always be used under adult supervision. Choose products that match your dog’s size, chewing style, dietary needs, and health history, and remove chews that become small enough to swallow or break into large pieces. If your dog shows gagging, distress, vomiting, or changes in appetite after consuming a chew, contact your veterinarian promptly.
For dogs with pancreatitis, food allergies, a prescription diet, dental disease, or a history of obstruction, check with your veterinarian before adding chews or toys.
Dog Bully Sticks
Bully sticks can give dogs an appropriate chewing outlet and make a satisfying enrichment activity. Choose an appropriately sized chew, supervise use, and remove the last small piece before your dog can swallow it whole.
Himalayan Dog Chews
Himalayan chews can provide a long-lasting activity for some dogs, but they are very hard. Supervise use, choose an appropriate size, and remove the chew if it becomes small enough to swallow or your dog chews hard enough to risk dental damage.
Rawhide-Free Dog Chews
Rawhide-free chews can give dogs an appropriate outlet for chewing and enrichment without traditional rawhide. Choose an appropriate size, supervise every chew session, and remove pieces that become small enough to swallow.
VOHC Accepted Edible Dog Dental Chews
VOHC accepted edible dental chews help reduce plaque and tartar buildup when used as directed. Choose the correct size for your dog, supervise every chew, and remember that dental chews support, but do not replace, regular toothbrushing.
Single-ingredient Dehydrated Dog Chews
Single-ingredient dehydrated chews, such as tendons, fish skins, or ears, give dogs a simple, satisfying chewing outlet without added fillers. Choose an appropriately sized chew, supervise closely, and remove small pieces to reduce choking risk.
Feeding & Hydration
No-Mess Slow-Down Dog Water Bowl With Filter
This no-mess bowl helps reduce splashing and may slow down dogs who drink quickly. It also includes a replaceable filter and helps discourage face and paw dipping.
No-Mess Slow-Down Dog Water Bowl
This larger-capacity bowl is another option for dogs who splash, drink rapidly, or dip paws into the water. Multiple colors and elevated versions are available.
Slow-Down Dog Bowl
A slow feeder can turn a fast meal into a longer activity. We recommend food-grade, BPA-free silicone options when appropriate. If your dog chews the bowl or insert, remove it and choose a different feeding setup.
Slow-Down Dog Bowl Insert
A slow-down bowl insert turns a regular food bowl into a simple enrichment feeder for dogs who eat quickly. Choose a food-grade silicone option that fits securely, supervise use, and remove it if your dog tries to chew or swallow pieces.
High Value Dog Treats
Training treats are optional and should fit your dog’s size, dietary needs, health history, and daily food plan. Treats and extras should generally make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calorie intake. If your dog has food allergies, pancreatitis, chronic digestive concerns, obesity, or a prescription diet, ask your veterinarian before adding regular training treats.
Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Keep freeze-dried liver for higher-value moments: recall, distracting walks, veterinary handling practice, or teaching something new. Break pieces down smaller than you think. A reward does not need to be huge to be valuable.
Zuke’s Mini Naturals
Use Zuke’s Mini Naturals as the everyday workhorse. They are small enough to keep the pace moving during training without turning every session into a five-course meal.
Bocce’s Bakery Training Bites
Use Bocce’s Bakery Training Bites as a soft, convenient option for dogs who prefer a chewable treat or benefit from rotating flavors and proteins.
Dog Food & Supplements
Always consult your veterinarian before adding a new food or supplement, especially if your dog takes medication or has a health condition.
Dog Food
Find practical, evidence-based dog food guidance, including how to choose a complete and balanced diet, understand ingredient labels, and support your dog’s individual needs. Visit our Dog Food resource page to learn more.
Dog Supplements
For evidence-based guidance on dog supplements, including joint support, digestion, skin and coat health, dental care, and CBD, visit our Supplements resource page.
Dog Walking Tools
Front-Attaching Dog Harness
A front-clip harness can provide more steering support for some dogs while you teach loose-leash skills. Introduce the harness gradually and make sure it fits comfortably without restricting normal movement.
Dog Head Harness or Gentle Leader
A head halter can provide steering support for some dogs, but it must be introduced carefully and fitted correctly. We do not recommend using a Gentle Leader without introduction and fitting guidance from a qualified force-free professional.
6-Foot Dog Leash
A standard 6-foot leash offers a practical balance of connection, freedom, and control for everyday walks and loose-leash training. Choose a sturdy leash with secure hardware, to pair with your other equipment.
Hands-Free or European Dog Lead
My personal favorite: An adjustable, multi-use leash that can be worn around the waist or across the body for hands-free walks. Shorten it for busy areas, lengthen it for everyday outings, or use it as a standard leash during training.
35-Foot Dog Line
A 35-foot line gives your dog safe room to explore while you practice recall and other distance skills. Attach it to a well-fitted harness, use it only with active supervision in open areas, and never leave your dog alone or tethered on it.
Dog Poop Bag Dispenser
A leash-mounted dispenser keeps waste bags within reach on every walk. Picking up after your dog is a simple way to be a responsible pet parent, care for shared spaces, and help keep our community clean and welcoming for everyone.
Start With Management, Not Magic
If your puppy keeps getting into trouble when you cannot watch them, begin with management and puppy-proofing. Gates, pens, crates, couch covers, potty pads, and protective tape can prevent your dog from practicing behaviors you do not want to become habits. Management is not cheating. It gives everyone breathing room while training catches up.
A gate can stop counter surfing from becoming a daily hobby. A playpen can create a safe spot while you answer the door. A crate can become a comfortable place to rest when introduced gradually and paired with good things. These tools help you set your dog up to succeed before expecting them to make perfect choices in a human home. AVSAB includes practical management strategies as part of humane, reward-based training.
Management is not cheating. It is one of the kindest things you can do for a dog who is still learning.
Continue With Enrichment
Once your dog has a safe setup, give them appropriate things to do. Enrichment toys help dogs lick, chew, sniff, forage, and problem-solve in ways that fit into real life.
A stuffed KONG, Wobbler, lick mat, or puzzle toy can turn part of a meal into a more interesting activity. Start easy, let your dog succeed, and make it harder only if they are enjoying the game. Enrichment does not replace walks, sniffing, training, social time, or rest, but it can make a regular Tuesday afternoon feel a little less boring.
Enrichment consumables can give dogs a satisfying outlet for normal chewing behavior. Bully sticks, rawhide-free chews, dehydrated chews, and dental chews may work well for some dogs, but no chew is a universal fit.
Choose for your dog’s size, chewing habits, dental health, diet, and medical history. Supervise the entire session, remove small end pieces, and skip very hard chews if your dog bites down with enough force to risk a fractured tooth. If your dog has pancreatitis, food allergies, a prescription diet, dental disease, or a history of swallowing nonfood items, check with your veterinarian before adding routine chews.
Dental chews with the VOHC Seal have met standards for helping control plaque, tartar, or both when used as directed. They can be useful, but they do not replace brushing or veterinary dental care.
Make Meals Work Harder
Feeding and hydration tools can support dogs who eat quickly, splash water, or benefit from a little more structure. A slow feeder, bowl insert, Wobbler, or food toy can turn a rushed meal into a short enrichment activity.
Use your dog’s regular food whenever you can. It is often the simplest way to add enrichment without adding extra calories. Treats and other extras should generally account for no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
If a dog suddenly starts drinking much more than usual, vomits, coughs while eating, or seems uncomfortable at meals, call your veterinarian rather than trying to solve the problem with a new bowl.
High-Value Training Treats
High-value treats are not necessarily expensive treats, although they often are. The term refers to rewards your dog finds especially exciting. They can help when you are teaching a new skill, practicing around distractions, building a reliable recall, or making handling and grooming feel more positive.
What counts as high-value depends on the dog. For some dogs, kibble is plenty. For others, tiny pieces of soft meat, cheese, or freeze-dried liver may be more motivating. Keep pieces small, use the most exciting rewards for the hardest moments, and save everyday treats for everyday practice.
Build Your At-Home Classroom
You do not need a spare room, a perfect living room, or a dog-training command center that looks like it belongs on a reality show. You need a small, predictable space where you and your dog can practice without too much chaos.
Keep your basic supplies nearby:
A clicker or marker word.
Small, easy-to-eat treats.
A treat pouch.
A training mat or platform.
A comfortable kneeling pad for you, because your knees are part of the training team too.
A gate, crate, or playpen when your dog needs a safe break or you need to prevent access to the rest of the house.
Then keep it short. Three to five minutes of focused practice can be more useful than a long session where everyone gets frustrated. Practice in the kitchen, living room, hallway, backyard, or wherever daily life actually happens. Once your dog is successful in a quiet space, gradually bring in real-life distractions: someone walking by, the sound of the dishwasher, a visitor at the door, or dinner being prepared.
The goal is not to make your home look like a classroom. It is to make learning part of your dog’s everyday life.
Start with a clear training station. A silicone mat, raised platform, dog bed, or even a towel can become your dog’s “place” to relax, wait, and practice skills. Pair the space with rewards, a clicker or marker word, and short sessions that end while your dog is still successful. Teaching a dog that their mat or platform is a rewarding place can support stationing, settling, cooperative care, and practicing around everyday distractions.
Keep Walks Safe and Useful
Dog walking tools should help you safely practice the skills you are building, not do all the training for you. A well-fitted front-clip harness, sturdy six-foot leash, and treat pouch are enough for many dogs.
A hands-free or European lead can offer flexibility for everyday outings. A 35-foot line gives dogs room to sniff and explore while you actively practice recall in an open, safe area. It is never for tethering or unsupervised time.
Introduce new gear gradually, pair it with food and choice, and give your dog time to become comfortable. If your dog is fearful, reactive, at risk of escaping, or pulls hard enough that walks feel unsafe, get help from a qualified force-free professional.
A Note from Carlos
You do not need every product on this list. Start with the routines you want to build and choose a few simple tools that make learning easier from day one.
A gate can help your puppy practice calm independence. A treat pouch makes it easier to notice and reward the good choices happening all around you. A stuffed KONG can turn quiet time into something your dog looks forward to.
The best tools support safety, clarity, comfort, and learning. They help you create a home where your dog has clear routines, appropriate outlets, and plenty of chances to succeed.
We do our best until we know better. This library is here to help you know better.
Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Canine High School may earn a small commission at no added cost to you. These partnerships do not influence our ethical recommendations and help support community outreach and access to professional dog training resources.
References
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Three Ways That Management Can Help You With Your Pet.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. A Guide to Using Food Puzzle Toys With Your Dog.
Veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Feeding Treats to Your Dog.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association. (2025).
Feeding Treats to Your Dog.
Guidance on selecting appropriately sized treats, supervising chews and food toys, and including treat calories in a dog’s daily food plan.
About the Author
Carlos F. Morales, CPDT-KA, CDBC, is a force-free dog trainer and behavior consultant based in Long Beach, California. He helps families build safer, happier relationships with their dogs through modern, ethical, evidence-based training. He lives in a little house by the beach with his partner, three dogs—GoGo, Kiba, and Choji—and a sassy cat named Habibti.
