Top Dog Training Supplies for 2026
As spring settles in, both hunters and dogs are eager to return to the woods and training fields. Here’s our list of must-have gear to make the upcoming spring training and competition season that much more enjoyable, for you and your dog.
BY AF Staff
TURTLEBOX “RANGER” PORTABLE SPEAKER
With hardcore hunters and always-on-the-go outdoor enthusiasts in mind, Turtlebox has quickly gotten everyone to come out of their shell to take their tunes to all places in and out of the field. With its fully waterproof sealing and everything-proof design, you don’t have to worry about drops, spills, or babying your boombox anymore. The Ranger offers Bluetooth connectivity and a powerful 105 decibels of premium sound to power your favorite hunting dog podcast or playlist in a small, portable, ergonomic package. With a large carry handle, tie-down bar, and magnetic mounts, there’s really nowhere you cannot take this thing, and with a 12+ hour runtime on a single charge, the Ranger will keep the party going long into the evening. Offered in a variety of eye-catching colorways, you’re sure to find the one that hits the right notes for you and your lifestyle. Tune in now at turtleboxaudio.com
MUD RIVER “MR1000” DOG TRANING SYSTEM
The remote collar and handheld from Mud River are the ideal system for introducing a puppy to the e-collar, running yard drills, or for any handler looking for close-range, remote control of their dog. Its bright, front-facing screen with large, tactile buttons are easy to find on the fly, allowing you to keep your eyes on your dog. With 16 tone levels, 36 vibration levels, 99 levels of stimulation and stim safety lock, and a 1000-yard signal transmission, the unit puts you in prime position to deliver precise and timely corrections for completely customized training. The waterproof collar and fast-charging, rechargeable long-life Li-ion batteries provide peace of mind, and a collar light makes monitoring your dog in low light or nighttime conditions far less nerve-wracking. With multi-dog compatibility, the transmitter allows you to run up to two dogs simultaneously, saving you time and energy while you train up your pack. Learn more at boytharness.com
LITE BOOTS “16-INCH CLASSIC”
The key selling point of these kicks are right in the name. Lite Boots has left its footprint in the outdoor industry with their less-than-a-pound, featherlight footwear and offering what might be the lightest knee boot on the market. Their seamless, one-piece construction is 100% waterproof, insulated, and durable, keeping things simple but providing every essential attribute hunters demand when looking to keep their feet happy. A comfortable, built-in, arch-supporting insole means no more worn-out inserts and if you get swamped, simply empty the boot and get back to business. The rugged outsole grabs for better traction and will tackle any slippery, sloppy terrain you tread into. And the best part is that these bang-up boots will only cost you a single Benjamin. They’re available in sizes 7-15 in hunter green or brown color options. Step into a pair at liteboots.com
CATO OUTDOORS “CATO BOARD” DOG TRAINING PLATFORM
Whether you’re starting a new puppy or polishing up your older dog’s skills, the spring season tends to be a time to work on all sorts of training—and the Cato Board is built to have a place with every pet or hunting dog. It starts with creating a positive association and rewarding your dog for interacting with the board. From there, it provides your dog with a target and a known path to succeed, allowing you to create a solid foundation of basic obedience and then progress to wherever your specialized training takes you, be it advanced retriever handling, steadying a bird dog, or anything else you can dream up. Thoughtfully designed with dog trainers in mind, the Cato Board comes with a rubber or turf surface in a wide variety of color options and is the sturdy, stackable, take-anywhere tool ready to elevate your individualized dog training program. Place your order for a single or snag a set at catooutdoors.com
GUNNER “HOMESTEAD DOG BED”
Until now there were dog beds, but then Gunner introduced their version of a premium, better-built, functional, and feature-loaded bunk for man’s best friend in their new Homestead Dog Bed. This practical, comfortable, easy-to-clean yet durable Gunner-grade bed is made to last through the years. The water-resistant, antimicrobial removable cover is a cinch to clean, it sports a large carry handle for moving room to room, and a no-skid base keeps your pup in their proper place without sliding on the floor. A raised ring around the edge is dog-tested and dog-approved for the perfect way to snooze. Inside, you’ll find the innovative 3-D loop core that promotes airflow and better regulates temperature in both cold and hot environments. Grab one now in small or large in harbor blue, treeline green, or oak at gunner.com
HUNTPROOF MOBILE APP
As hardcore hunters and DIY trainers ourselves, we know the little details matter. We also understand the value in keeping records of hunts to make projections and tip the odds of success in our favor every time we hit the field. Thankfully, the HuntProof app makes life easier for notation nerds and data dorks who are compelled to track every detail from every outing. With this easy-to-use platform, users can check state regs and log hunts with detailed descriptions of weather, location, setup, dog work, birds bagged, retrieves, and share their success stories on social. Additional premium features for members include scout reports, migration outlook, harvest tracking, Fetch Log metrics, and an interactive dog training module—all right at your fingertips. Download from the app store and learn more at huntproof.app
MIGRA AMMUNITIONS “FIELD LOAD” SHOTSHELLS
As our diehard bird hunting buddies and serious small-gaming friends are well aware, the late season/early spring months are not the time to hang it up quite yet. This is prime time for bagging bunnies and bushytails or chasing upland fowl through the final day, and the patented stacked field loads from MIGRA offer the perfect pairing to feathered fowl and small game hunting. The unique stacked technology creates a concentrated, uniform pattern that retains shape and density at longer distances for higher kill counts. It’s never too early to start knocking off the dust at the range or to extend the season into the early spring months, and there’s never a bad time to stock up on ammo for the next season ahead. Load up on 12- or 20-gauge #6/#8 shells at migraammunitions.com
A BARK ABOVE TREATS “RETRIEVER FUEL”
Much like us, our hunting dogs can sometimes lose focus and stamina during long days afield. Keep them going strong throughout the day with this quick-deploying, protein-packed energy boost of all-natural peanut butter. Containing no artificial ingredients, oils, sweeteners, sugars, nor stabilizers, give a little lick as a training reward or share a few smidgeons to keep your dog mentally sharp and physically sound with instant, in-the-field energy when training, trialing, and hunting for extended periods. Retriever Fuel comes in convenient, travel-ready, no-mess squeeze packs, perfect for stashing inside your game vest or blind bag for a quick, portable, power-up in the field, around the yard, or at the line. And knowing that your purchase fuels a family-owned business, this is something to bark about. See more at abarkabovetreats.com