The Ethical Trainer’s Toolkit: welfare first, results that last
In this video, I share two vital pieces of equipment I use for training — tools that make training clearer, kinder, and more effective.
Below, I take a closer look at why those tools matter, how they fit into a welfare-first approach, and one small but powerful addition that makes reward-based learning work so well.
When most people picture dog training equipment, they think of leads, collars, and maybe a bag of treats. But the tools a trainer chooses tell you a lot about their values, their methods, and how your dog will experience the learning process.
A truly ethical, welfare-based trainer doesn’t just grab whatever “works.” They choose equipment that protects your dog’s body, supports clear communication, and builds a trusting relationship.
If I had to pick just two essentials, I’d choose harnesses and reinforcers — because both put your dog’s welfare front and centre. ‘Reinforcer’ might sound like trainer-speak, but it simply means a reward — something that makes a behaviour more likely to happen again. What really matters is how these elements fit together, and that’s where ‘markers’ come in, linking timing, communication, and reward into one clear learning loop, as I’ll explain below.
Harnesses: A Welfare Essential, and a Teaching Tool
A good harness does more than make walks comfortable; it’s fundamental for both ethical and effective training.
A well-fitted harness spreads weight evenly across your dog’s chest and shoulders, protecting their throat and spine. That matters, because most dogs pull, lunge, or twist on the lead at some point — especially when they’re excited or still learning.
A Y-shaped harness with both a front and back clip allows full movement while giving you gentle steering control. Used correctly with double-ended lead, it helps your dog learn to walk on a loose lead through clear, pressure-free feedback. Over time, that teaches calm, confident movement beside you — not tension and restraint.
A poorly fitted or restrictive harness can do more harm than good: rubbing, limiting movement, or even encouraging pulling. That’s why good trainers spend time helping their clients find one that fits properly and showing them how to use it.
It’s not just about comfort or safety. It’s about choosing equipment that respects your dog’s welfare — in training and in daily life.
Reinforcers: The Heart of Training
You may have heard the phrase ‘positive reinforcement’ - all it really means is rewarding your dog when they do something you want them to do.
In trainer-speak, that reward is a reinforcer. In dog-speak, it’s a treat. And that treat could be anything from a bit of food to a quick game, affection, or even the chance to go off and sniff something interesting and, let’s face it, for dogs that’s most things!
Reward-based training is about showing your dog what works. When they make a good choice and something nice follows, they’re far more likely to do it again.
But an ethical trainer doesn’t hand out treats at random; they use rewards with purpose — to build confidence, reduce stress, and strengthen the bond between dog and human. It’s not bribery - it’s communication through kindness.
A Special Mention: Markers
Timing matters just as much as the reward itself — and that’s where markers (and my sneaky third choice) come in.
Markers are simple signals that tell your dog the exact moment they’ve done something right and that a reward is coming. You might say a short word like “yes,” or use a clicker that makes a quick, consistent sound.
At first, the sound doesn’t mean anything — but once it’s paired with rewards, your dog quickly learns it predicts good things.
That clarity is what makes reward-based training so effective. Without a marker, your dog has to guess which behaviour earned the treat. With one, they know instantly. It’s the difference between confusion and understanding — the key that turns communication into genuine learning.
Whether it’s a word, a click, or a hand signal, a marker turns kindness into clarity — it shows your dog exactly what you mean, right when it matters.
What About Other Tools?
You’ll still see trainers use things like leads, whistles, target mats, or even muzzles when appropriate. They all have their place. But when you’re choosing a trainer, the real question is: what do they reach for first?
If their toolkit relies on choke chains, prong collars, or shock devices, that tells you everything you need to know. These tools work by applying pain or fear. An ethical trainer doesn’t need them — and won’t use them.
Instead, they rely on equipment that safeguards welfare and makes communication clearer.
Final Thoughts
When you’re deciding which trainer to work with - don’t just ask about their qualifications or methods — look at their equipment.
A well-fitted harness shows they care about your dog’s physical welfare.
Reinforcers and markers show they understand how dogs learn and want to make the process clear, kind, and effective.
The tools a trainer uses reveal their ethics. Choose someone whose toolkit protects both your dog’s body and their confidence and emotional welfare
The best trainers don’t just teach obedience — they teach understanding. Because in the end, the right equipment doesn’t just get results — it shows your dog’s wellbeing is at the heart of the process.