LCDT's Favorite Products
We are often asked which products we like best, which hold up the best to daily use and which are safest for your dog or puppy. Look no further!
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Treats
Treats
Beef liver is one of the more expensive treat options out there, but I find most dogs really enjoy working for it. This brand in particular offers bulk sizes and the liver pieces are easily breakable into smaller pieces. Careful not to give too much liver or you might notice your pup ending up with runny poop.
Treats
Salmon is a great option for dogs that are sensitive to beef or that like a softer treat. These break into small pieces very easily and I find they are a popular choice with most dogs and few dogs have stomach issues with them.
Treats
Beef lung is a more affordable beef treat and still a single ingredient option. The pieces can be quite large, so i often will break them down into smaller pieces before adding them to my treat pouch.
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Treats
These are bite sized bacon flavored treats that many dogs enjoy. With tons of treats in each bag, it makes for an affordable treat option.
Treats
At some point we all need to give pills to our dogs. If you wait until your dog needs pills to use these treats, your dog might turn up their nose at them, predicting it's a trick. Instead, use small pieces as training rewards so that your pup develops a taste for these treats. That way they'll be less suspicious when you need to hide a pill.
For Puppies
Puppies
This should be the first purchase! Your puppy will wear their leash any time they are out of the crate. If your puppy is free and unsupervised you can't be upset when they make mistakes like chewing the wrong thing or pottying in the wrong place. Supervision is the key to success!
Puppies
Your puppy should begin sleeping in the crate from day one when they get home. Establishing a routine is critical at the start! I like the Sky Kennel brand because it's dark and cozy but you may not want to start with a puppy crate that your dog will outgrow. Wire crates also work and can be covered with a blanket.
Puppies
These chews are made of cheese and they are hard enough yet soft enough for the dogs to really enjoy. They do make a mess though so be aware of that before you decide where your dog gets to enjoy this treat!
Puppies
The puppy kong is a softer material than the standard kong. This can be filled with kibble and some peanut butter and be frozen for longer enjoyment. Your pup can enjoy this in their crate to help develop positive associations with the new home base.
Puppies
If you know me, you know that tethering is one of the activities I recommend often. It's great for teaching your dog the art of doing nothing without a whole lot of micromanagement. Anchor to a heavy enough piece of furniture and then ignore!
Puppies
Your puppy can wear a flat collar or martingale in the early days when you bring them home. You want them to get used to the sensation of wearing a collar. You can pair this with food rewards as well if they are particularly sensitve to it.
Puppies
When your pup first comes home, some have a harder time adjusting to life without mom and their littermates. This stuffed animal is designed to ease some of that anxiety the first few nights by giving the puppy a warm companion with a heart beat to cuddle with when in their crate.
Puppies
These are fun for the little puppies! Be aware these are tiny and won't be suitable for a large breed puppy for very long. Start play with your pup early so they develop a love for games from an early age.
Puppies
If you are curious about your dog's genetic make up or if they are at risk for any genetic variants that can be tested for, Embark is the best commercial test available!
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Puppies
We use harnesses in situations where we don't mind if puppies pull. This would be long line walks, play time in a big field, and we can also use these harnesses to tether in the car if you aren't crating (crating is my recommended method for transporting dogs).
Puppies
Puppies like to chew! I like benebones because they are long lasting and the pups enjoy them. Keep an eye out for sharp edges and supervise your pup to be sure they haven't abandoned the bone to chew on something illegal like the legs of a table.
Puppies
Sheepskin tugs are soft in a puppy's mouth so it can encourage them to enjoy the game from an early age. Play in an age appropriate way - they should feel the competition is fair and they have a chance of winning!
Puppies
This can be a tug toy or it can be attached to a leash or flirt pole for the puppy to learn to chase and catch the toy. Your puppy will love this game, but be careful to avoid hard turns that may injure them.
Equipment
Equipment
A clicker is a great tool for marking a moment in time with your dog. You can mark the moment the dog's butt hits the floor when teaching a sit, or any other behavior that you like. Reinforcement (treat or toy, etc) should FOLLOW the sound of the click - not happen at the same time.
Equipment
Leather is my favorite material for leashes. Nothing quite beats the feel of a well worn high quality leather leash. My favorite leashes arrive stiff and should be soaked in an oil (I use Neatsfoot Oil) to moisturize the leather. Don't forget that leather is skin so when it arrives it may be quite dried out.
Equipment
The 3/8" nylon long lines are my favorite, but any size will do. These are affordable so it's easy to have one in the car for trips to the park and another in the house if you are practicing in the yard/neighborhood.
Equipment
Herm Sprenger is the only brand of prong collar I trust. These collars have the HS buckle as well in place of a center plate. Slide the safety to prevent the buckle from coming loose when you don't intend for it to. Prongs should always be used with a safety backup.
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Equipment
When buying a buckle be sure that you are purchasing the right size buckle for the collar you have. 2.25mm prong collars have thinner links than the 3mm collars. I don't ever use 4mm.
Equipment
A dog treadmill has a longer running space than a human treadmill and this is crucial for your dog to have proper room to move. These are great for the rainy Florida afternoons and can be a great way to get exercise no matter the weather outside.
Equipment
A treat pouch is an easy way to be sure you have reinforcement opportunities available any time you are working with your dog. Don't forget to pay them for the behaviors you like!
Equipment
Biothane is a plastic material that comes in a wide variety of colors, is durable enough to hold up for daily wear and tear and is easy to clean and sanitize.
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Equipment
The 9/32" cord long lines are nice if you prefer the rounded feeling in your hands. These are 30' and come in a variety of colors as well. Keep one in the car and one at the house so you are always prepared.
Equipment
Herm Sprenger is the only brand of prong collar I trust. Prongs should always be used with a safety backup.
Equipment
The Dogtra brand collars are high quality and reliable in their stim. It's my preferred brand, with E-Collar Technology close behind. I do not recommend DIY with e-collar work - instead hire a professional you trust to guide you through the process. There are a lot of opportunities to scare the dog or create associations that you didn't intend to create.
Equipment
If your prong collar comes apart, which does sometimes happen (especially with the 2.25mm collars), a safety backup will ensure you don't lose your dog in that situation. We consider it a mandatory piece of equipment!
Equipment
This should be the first purchase! Your puppy will wear their leash any time they are out of the crate. If your puppy is free and unsupervised you can't be upset when they make mistakes like chewing the wrong thing or pottying in the wrong place. Supervision is the key to success!
Equipment
Biothane is a plastic material that comes in a wide variety of colors, is durable enough to hold up for daily wear and tear and is easy to clean and sanitize. These long lines are great for rainy days, but they can be a bit heavy for training purposes for smaller dogs, especially in the longer lengths.
Equipment
A slip lead can be a great choice for quickly throwing a leash on a dog, but they can also be a great training too. Be sure to use the safety stop to properly size the neck loop.
Equipment
Herm Sprenger is the only brand of prong collar I trust. Prongs should always be used with a safety backup.
Equipment
The Dogtra brand collars are high quality and reliable in their stim. It's my preferred brand, with E-Collar Technology close behind. I do not recommend DIY with e-collar work - instead hire a professional you trust to guide you through the process. There are a lot of opportunities to scare the dog or create associations that you didn't intend to create.
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Equipment
Sometimes it can be helpful to use a bark collar to help teach our dogs it's not appropriate to demand bark. This brand has adjustable levels, records the number of corrections, and has adjustable sensitivity. Please only use these with the advice of your trainer.
Toys
Toys
The key to a good game of fetch is in choosing the right ball is to be sure the ball is larger than the opening to your dog's mouth. Tennis balls are also not recommend - when they get wet and dirty/sandy they turn into sandpaper on your pup's teeth and will quickly wear their teeth down. Size medium is best for dogs under 20-25 lbs. Large for 20-50lbs and XL for any dog larger than that. Better safe than sorry!
Toys
These tugs are best suited for older dogs. They should be an interactive toy with you - they are NOT intended to be a chew toy. Bringing this out should tell the dog they have your attention and it's going to be time to play together!
Toys
Salmon is a great option for dogs that are sensitive to beef or that like a softer treat. These break into small pieces very easily and I find they are a popular choice with most dogs and few dogs have stomach issues with them.
Toys
The chuck it ball launcher can be a great way to make big throws easy for the humans. Be sure to check the size of the chuck it launcher as your large dogs will want to be using Large or XL chuck it balls.
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Toys
These ball on string options are made of foam so the soft mouth breeds are not always a fan of them. The rope allows for interactive play/tug as well as long throws.
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Toys
I love the flirt pole for a game that encourages the dog's natural instinct to chase. Be sure to let him win periodically or it won't be fun. You can establish an Out command early on as well through this game.
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Toys
The chuck it ball launcher can be a great way to make big throws easy for the humans. Be sure to check the size of the chuck it launcher as your large dogs will want to be using Large or XL chuck it balls.
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Toys
These have some of the same benefits as the other ball on string, but these are much easier for the soft mouth breeds because the plastic is hollow. They fly great though for long games of fetch!
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Toys
When starting young dogs with a frisbee you can roll them on the ground. As the dog gets the idea you can show them in short throws how to catch the toy. Build your dog over time to enjoy the comaraderie in the game.
Apparel
Cleaning, First Aid & Safety
Cleaning
Kennelsol is my go-to for cleaning crates, accidents, bowls etc. It smells great and sanitizes everything keeping disease spread to a minimum.
First Aid
Chlorhexidine spray helps to combat skin conditions associated with bacteria. It's a non-stinging solution on small wipes that can provide localized relief for hot spots, inflamed skin and insect bites.
First Aid
Vetwrap is great because it sticks to itself instead of needing to tape any first aid you might do for your dog.
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Safety
Even the friendliest dog may bite if they are in pain! A muzzle is a critical tool in the toolbox for all dogs. And they should be muzzle trained before it's a behavior you ever need to use.
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Car Safety
Crating is the best practice for car safety and it also makes the dog feel safe as we are driving, turning, accelerating, etc. The crates you use should be safe for a car (Ruffland, Gunner, etc) and should be secured with tie down straps.
Cleaning
Wysiwash attaches to the hose and can sanitize your yard, toys, place beds and more. Be careful though, it can bleach your clothes during use.
First Aid
A wide range of health issues in your dog can be identified by noting a change in your dog's baseline temperature.
First Aid
Vetricyn is a safe and effective spray that you can use several times a day on your dog to clean cuts, abrasions, sores, and skin irritations.
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Car Safety
If you participate in dog sports and crate out of your vehicle, or have multiple dogs and crate out of your vehicle for class, an aluminet can be a great tool to have with the Florida sun. It reflects 85% of light so keeps the dog shady and cool (as long as you also have a fan).
Car Safety
Ryobi is my fan of choice for the car crates. They are quiet and easy to hang while still moving air powerfully. It never hurts to have extra batteries on hand so they are easy to swap and always have your fan charged.
First Aid
Everyone should have a dog first aid kit both at home and in your car. If you aren't sure what should go in the kit, a pre-made kit can be a great option.
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First Aid
A wide range of health issues in your dog can be identified by noting a change in your dog's baseline temperature. This type of thermometer will read temperature when in the dog's rectum.
First Aid
Wound wash is a great tool to have to irrigate a wound to remove any debris before cleaning it. It's a critical part of our at-home first aid.
Car Safety
These are the magnets I use to secure the aluminet to the car to block the sun from the crates. They are super heavy duty so attached and remove very carefully!
Supplements
Supplements
I have a variety of tools in my toolbox, so to speak, when it comes to a pup having a bit of the runs. If we know the dog does not have a parasite, we can add some pumpkin or some probiotics to help ease the stomach. This is my preferred pumpkin brand.
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Supplements
I have a variety of tools in my toolbox, so to speak, when it comes to a pup having a bit of the runs. If we know the dog does not have a parasite, we can add some pumpkin or some probiotics to help ease the stomach. These tablets can be crushed or some dogs will eat them straight.
Supplements
This is a great supplement for young dogs that need to build muscle, but it's also a great option for senior dogs. We add this to Finn's food to help her maintain muscle in her senior years.
Supplements
This is an oil that helps dogs shed less after 4-6 weeks of consistent feeding. We use it for Finn and it does help to limit her shedding to the times of year when she blows her coat. This won't make your shedding breed NOT shed, but I have found that it helps some.
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Supplements
I have a variety of tools in my toolbox, so to speak, when it comes to a pup having a bit of the runs. If we know the dog does not have a parasite, we can add some pumpkin or some probiotics to help ease the stomach. If you know your pup may not be willing to eat the tablets, you can use this paste to give the probiotics directly to the dog.
Supplements
In dogs much as in horses, everyone has a different feeling about what works. We like these Finn chews because they are high quality, taste great and take the edge off the pups. Your mileage might vary! We use just about every supplement Finn offers.
Supplements
Nutrical is a great weight gain supplement that can be added to food and tastes great. Most dogs will lick it right off my finger and not even wait for it to make it to the bowl!
Grooming Supplies
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Grooming
If you are planning to groom your pup yourself, a grooming table is a great tool in your toolbox. I like this one because the grooming loops being stablized by clamps at both ends is more stable than a single end. There is also storage underneath!
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Grooming
If you aren't comfortable clipping your dog's nails, instead you can grind them using a dremel. This grinder has multiple speeds and a nail guard attachment so you can feel confident during the nail process.
Grooming
If you are looking for a shampoo that can help to limit your dog's shedding, this is the one I like best. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle for maximum results.
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Grooming
A good oatmeal shampoo is a nice option for shampoo when you aren't dealing with any other skin issues. And it smells great!
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Grooming
If you have a dog with a double coat or a dog that is a shedding breed, and you plan to groom yourself, a force dryer will dramatically change your grooming experience. This dryer is a powerful and high quality option. It comes at a higher price point. I don't have experience with other brands, but do love this one.
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Grooming
A good pair of nail clippers can last you a very long time! These stainless steel clippers from Millers Forge are great quality and easy to use.
Grooming
This shampoo is great for general skin fungus. For itchy/dry skin we use the Duoxo shampoo.
Grooming
Use an undercoat rake to remove dead hair from your dog's coat without damaging the coat. This is a must-have for any breeds that need regular deshedding!
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Grooming
For dogs more sensitive to the noise of the dryer, the happy hoodie can help make grooming a less stressful experience.
Grooming
Sometimes, even if we don't mean to, we may quick a dog's nail. This is when we nick the blood vessel/nerve endings in the dog's nail. These tend to continue to bleed with some help but will quickly stop if you apply Kwikstop.
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Grooming
This shampoo is great for itchy and irritated skin. You can use it 1-2x per week until you see improvement.