Opinions on training equipment? - Page 1

I'm doing some research on training equipment and just wanted some opinions.

What is your favorite piece of equipment and why?  Anything from a lead or collar to a sleeve.  What features do you find you like about yours that is different from the others, what makes it the best?

I like to pick up "stuff" at trials or shows as I can put my hands on it, feel it and decide if its right. One just can tell the quality right there and then, no surprises. I found that especially the leads are very decent priced, and sometimes there is even one boot that will make you a leash right there to your special "needs". So no prefered brands. Our training equipment on the field is all selfmade by our members. For agility needs I am using modified plastic tubing from Lowes.

First, my leashes.  For me they represent training/working  with current dogs and are a reminder and  a connection to dogs that are now long gone...........................Happy Birthday, Zorba. 

My very favorite leads are hand made, out of  thin soft  supple leather, some I have were made by a friend, and some were made here:     http://www.fullgripgear.com/leatherleads.html   I have them in varying   lengths, a brass clip braided into one end, on the other a knot or in some,  a loop, and that's it !

Thanks for the responses.  I hear about certain suppliers and brands but wanted to know if any one in particular, had better equipment, really.  I've picked up some here and there also but don't really know who made most of it.

Sue, I know exactly what you mean, I have an old coat (actually it was my daughter's ski jacket in high school) that I wear for training in the winter.  It's so old and raggedy, but perfect for the job.  It's got great pockets, big enough for treats, gloves, etc.  Water repellent, warm, light, and covers my butt.  Anyway, the boy I lost used to get all excited when he saw it come out of the closet and now Drake does the same now, I don't know what I'll do when it's thread bare!  I also have my boys tags on my key ring so I can see his name every day .

I love Frabo equipment and have used it for years, everything from sleeves to dumbells.  My favorite vendor is Hallmark K9.  My favorite leather leash is from Ray Allen.  It has a slip knot and is adjustable, it can be shortened to go around your waist then extended to 6' feet for trianing or working.  It is really convenient and well made and will last for years, I use it everyday.   I 

Jim 

Our jutes come from hallmarkk9.com. A frame don't remember. Training pants, fur savers, dumb bells, and covers from sport-hunde.de, sleeves come from hallmarkk9.com, jerk tabs from leerburg.com, dog food and aliments from our helper, scratch pants are either from eurosport or they use overalls from wal-mart(works the same but cheaper)

I think my first obedience leash is nice. I got it from ray allen. And it is my prized possession. I have lend it out one time, and I felt nervous about it the whole time. I love the snapple one it has a small ring and is perfect going around my shoulders. The snap is perfect for the herm springer prong.
 
Then I do prefer gappay tugs. They are both leather, I like my two handle hard one and my dog loves the one handle fat one. I think I like the quality of them. I know the two handle has been in some dirty and wet conditons , it seems to still be in great shape. The only disappointing thing I have of the two handle is the black of it transfers to my shirt. Perhaps some dye.

I do love my new tracking lead from leerburg, ed. It is just the right weight and she likes it. The other long lines, like the nylon ones seem to bother her rubber ducky if you know what I mean. That sounds funny, but really my dog freaks at something nylon touching it. Especially when she is in heat. sorry. But, at any rate it is really nice, I can take a small rag and run it through that in my hand on wet mornings and the lead looks  like new again. It looks and feels like leather in many ways, I love the way the brass ring on the end and the snap show up, looks classy.

in 1999 i purchased a "waist lead " from HORTON'S,i just dropped it on the floor in the kitchen an hour ago..it's been left at training sites overnite in wet grass,left on the back of my truck in the rain,lost and found many times,i think i may have treated it with a conditioner once since i've had it,i also have a 30in. drag lead,tabs,a 6 footer...routinely thrown in the storage area or passenger floor of my truck,to be stepped on with wet,muddy feet....whenever i see PAUL HORTON JR. or SUE i always let them inspect my old gear...and buy something new if i need it...they're great folks and their equiptment is top notch with me!!!!

I'm in the midst of a divorce and, along with 3 dogs, ended up losing some of my training equipment.  I did take what had been specifically purchased for Drake, but left a few favorites behind.  I've seen the leads that can be wrapped and clipped at the waist or shoulders but haven't had one, but do think they would come in handy.  Thanks for the responses, as long as I have to get new equipment, I figured I'd see if there are any other features I may not have seen before and may like.