The gear KompK9
clients show up with
Every item on this page is something Zak asks clients to have or ends up recommending in session after session. Nothing here is filler, and each item comes with the reason it earned its place. Links go to Amazon for convenience.
The best e-collar for dog training
This is the collar the Off-Leash program trains with, chosen for reliable range, precise low level stimulation, and controls you can operate without looking down. An e-collar is a communication tool, not a punishment device, and the difference between the two is training. If you buy one, learn to use it properly before it ever goes on your dog, ideally with a trainer walking you through fit, conditioning, and timing.
Leashes and long lines
Everyday leash
A plain, short leash is the workhorse of every program. You want something comfortable in the hand, strong enough for your dog, and simple. You will not find a retractable leash on this list. They teach pulling, they fail at the worst possible moments, and they make leash manners harder to train.
Long line
The best long line for dog training is the bridge between leashed and off-leash. It lets your dog practice recall and distance work with real freedom while you keep a safety net. Zak uses long lines constantly in the run-up to off-leash reliability.
The rest of the equipment list
Treat pouch
If treats live in your pocket, rewards come out slow and lint covered. A pouch keeps your timing sharp, and timing is most of dog training.
High value treats
Kibble is fine for easy reps. For recalls and hard environments, you need something your dog would sell you out for. Small, soft, and smelly wins.
Crate
A properly introduced crate is a bedroom, not a jail. It anchors potty training, prevents rehearsal of bad habits when you cannot supervise, and gives anxious dogs a place that is theirs. Zak’s honest tip: crates like this turn up on Facebook Marketplace for much less.
Place cot
A raised cot makes the place command concrete. It teaches your dog to settle on cue, which is the skill guests actually notice.
Slip collar
Fast, simple, and useful for door transitions and quick trips out. Also the tool Zak reaches for first in early leash work with strong pullers.
Martingale collar
A martingale tightens just enough to stop the collar slipping over your dog’s head, then stops, and sits loose when the leash is slack. It is the everyday collar for dogs who back out of a flat one.
Resources worth your time
Between sessions, Zak often assigns short reading or videos. Leerburg's library is the archive he points people to most, and it is worth browsing even without homework.
For video, the Consider the Dog catalog collects courses from working trainers on the same skills KompK9 programs build: place work, long-line training, recall, e-collar conditioning, and reactivity.