When it comes to shopping for our dogs, we’re picky. Like, really picky. We want gear that’s top-notch, long-lasting, and great value for money. Plus, whenever possible, we love supporting Australian-made or Australian-owned businesses.

And here’s the deal—we don’t earn a cent recommending any of these products. We’re just here to share what’s worked for us after years of trial, error, and a bit of leash-chewing. Oh, and we’ll also tell you what’s not worth your money (because nobody needs another useless gadget gathering dust). Because we're not affiliated with any particular supplier, you can trust our recommendations have your and your dog's best interests at heart.

The Basics You Actually Need

Food Bowls

Skip the trendy ceramic bowls and cheap plastic bowls, stick with stainless steel. Why? Because they’re hygienic, easy to clean, and don’t crack when your dog inevitably knocks them over.

Pro tip: get one with silicone at the bottom, it will make less noise and stay in place better!

Dog Beds

We swear by the Aussie-made beds from Rovers Pet Products. But here’s the catch: don’t splurge on a fancy bed until your dog is trained not to shred their budget Kmart one to pieces. Save the good stuff for when they’ve earned it!

Pro tip: If your dog destroys their beds they're likely stressed. My dogs don't get left with beds unsupervised before they can be trusted not to rip it up.

(By the way, our dogs do not get squeaky toys. They drive me up the wall! And can encourage some dogs to destroy their toys. And what our dogs practice, they do more of.)

Toys (Hint: You Don’t Need a Toy Store in Your Living Room)

Dogs don’t need 100 toys scattered across the house. We focus on boredom busters like Kong toys (available everywhere) or SodaPups toys (check out Rovers for these, too). These keep dogs busy, happy, and less likely to chew your shoes.

Pro tip: leaving toys out can often lead to obsessive behaviour and increase our pet's anxiety, stress and even fights. Test and see if your dog does better with toys out or away. Neither is right or wrong, it's whatever is right for your dog.

Dog Collars

For everyday wear, stick to simple nylon collars. They’re durable, easy to clean (just toss them in the washing machine), and won’t break the bank. Pro tip: when you bathe your dog, throw their collar in the wash too—instant refresh!

Pro tip: If your dog is quite strong, we like tactical or biothane collars with stainless steel or brass hardware (buckles & D-rings).

Biothane collars are heavy duty and easy to clean too! These are practical and pretty and of course supports an Aussie business!

Nail Clippers

Not all nail clippers are created equal. Millers Forge clippers are our go-to because they’re super sharp. Just be careful—they’re so precise, they make trimming easy but leave no room for error. When it comes to dremels, we haven't found one that's superior.

Leashes

After a few leash disasters, we’ve become a bit obsessive about quality. Here’s what we’ve learned:

• Nylon is strong but can burn your hands if your dog pulls.
• The leash itself rarely breaks unless it’s been chewed, left in the sun, or worn.
• The weak point? The clip. Look for stainless steel or brass clips—they’re practically unbreakable and even survive beach adventures. Yes, these leashes cost more, but they last forever.

Pro tip: we like our leashes to be as strong and thin as possible and about 3m long. That gives us plenty of options to allow our dogs to sniff and we can easily shorten our leads as necessary. We haven't found extendable or flexi leads to be as easy to manage when we need to provide extra guidance to our dogs.

If you're looking for a good leash, these are good (and pretty too!)

Dog Harnesses

Not all harnesses are created equal, and the wrong one can mess with your dog’s movement or development. That’s a big deal! I’m super fussy about harnesses, which is why I only recommend ones that are ergonomically sound and don’t restrict natural movement. Check out our recommended harnesses here. and here

Pro tip: harnesses make pulling easier for our dogs and gives them more power. We use harnesses when teaching our dogs to come back when called or when going on sniffy walks. Why? Because if the leash goes tight it won't damage their throat.

A Crate

A crate is useful for dogs who are learning to be good. Most people don't like using this tool, but not only can it save your dog's life, it can save your shoes too. We may sound a bit dramatic, but a crate really can save your dog's life. Wire crates are good. But we prefer airline crates. 

Pro tip: Take your dog's collar off before putting them in their crate. Collars can get hooked on the crate and choke your dog.

The “Magic Tool” Myth

Let’s get real—there’s no magic gadget that will fix your dog’s behaviour overnight (we wish such a thing existed—wouldn't it be great?). Tools are great for supporting your training, but they’re not a shortcut. Your dog’s progress comes down to you and the time, patience, and effort you put into their training. Tools are just the backup dancers—you’re the star of the show.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to dog gear, quality over quantity is the way to go. Invest in the essentials, skip the gimmicks, and focus on what actually works for your dog. They’ll thank you with wagging tails and fewer chewed-up shoes!

Got questions about what’s right for your dog? Let’s chat—after all, a happy dog makes for a happy life.

PS: If you're an Aussie business who provide quality gear, please contact us to get your links included on this page. We love supporting local!