Muzzles: Muzzles are designed to prevent dogs from using their mouths. These dog tools come in a variety of types. They can be made of leather, nylon, or coated plastic or steel. Some muzzles are made to keep dogs' mouths fully closed while others allow the dog to pant, bark, and drink water through smaller holes or a wire basket-style face containment. Veterinarians and dog groomers often use the style of muzzle that keeps a dog's mouth closed.

Dog owners that need to control aggression in the home usually choose the basket style that allows their dog to drink and bark. The basket style is used when the muzzle will be on a dog for a number of hours, allowing the dog to pant as a means of sweating. Muzzles are a great tool to help reduce a tough dog's overall attitude, not to mention to prevent destructive behavior when used in conjunction with training.

Taste deterrents: A taste deterrent is simply a solution of sorts that cause the item to taste extremely bad if it is bitten. Let's face it, It is far better for your dog to learn not to chew because things just don't taste that great, as opposed to you screaming at him for biting everything in site.

Taste deterrents originated when sheep ranchers were having coyote problems in the Midwest. The ranchers wanted to shoot the coyotes, but the animal rights people would not permit this to occur. An alternative method was approved. The majority of sheep were removed from the pastures and the remaining sheep were injected with a chemical that made the coyotes extremely nauseated (a taste deterrent). In a matter of days, they were seen chasing rabbits, running right past the sheep. If sheep ranchers can do it, you can do it.

Please do not poison your dog, but understand the concept. If the dog finds your dinner plate unsatisfying when you leave the table to get something in the kitchen, after a while he will stop looking at your dinner as a possibility. A trip down the ethnic food aisle of your favorite grocery store will net you a few items that your dog will not appreciate. Jalapeo peppers might work, wasabi could do it, or perhaps it's horseradish for your dog. Distasteful but nontoxic is the key to success.

Commercial products to deter chewing are available in spray and cream form. They usually work well. Conversely, I have found that the sprays that claim to repel dogs from certain areas do not work very well.

Chain, Leather, Canvas, And Nylon Leashes

Leashes come in a variety of styles, materials, widths, and lengths. The following are the most common materials: Chain; leather; canvas; nylon. Chain leashes are often used with large dogs, but they are heavy and awkward. If you wanted to fold the leash neatly into one hand or the other, as required by some training techniques, you will not be able to do so without considerable discomfort. It is definitely not an ideal leash you can use for training.

For a training leash, materials of choice are canvas or nylon. Both can be readily manipulated and economical. Canvas, especially with larger dogs, is easier on your hands than nylon.

Leather leashes are also quite popular, although they are more expensive than canvas leashes. The best training leash is a 6-foot canvas leash. It is easy on the hands, easily manipulated, and just the right length. It is also the most economical. Canvas leashes are available in most pet stores or online and come in a variety of colors, although red and blue seems to be the most common.