Need Dog Savvy Consumer Advice

Good for you Anne! 

How far away from DC are you?  I might want to commute to your class every now and again!

I don't know how many sighthound clientele you might have, but martingales are a huge rarity in retail stores around here, as are good quality rolled leather buckle collars.

Anything that squeaks or is stuffed is a good thing.

Freeze dried liver is like crack for most dogs I know.

If you know of a dog treat baker (homemade) that could be a great addition.

The only thing I would NEVER buy again would be nylon buckle collars (they give Xerxes contact dermatitis or zits on his long neck.)

Well, I certainly hope you are able to do this. There will be a lot of lucky dogs (& their families).
 
I don't buy much in the way of toys. They have short lives. I'd carry a selection of decent leather collars & leashes. Many newbies will show up with the nylon ones. Some healthy treats (sourced in the USA or Canada) would get a paws up from us.

Treats that don't contain corn or wheat gluten and other gross ingredients, nice collars like Spiffy Dog, nice collars for bigger dogs not just cutsy rhinestone studded collars for toy dogs, kongs, good books (not just the random books on the few most popular breeds), training aids like treat pouches and clickers...

Liver Biscotti for sure, as well as a number of clicker training sized treats both soft and crunchy,  extra clickers ( I know I would pick one up if I forgot one).  Cheap toys that can be easily replaced and toys that stand up to just about everything.  A selection of bait bags ranging from inexpensive to more elaborate and sturdy.   I really like the toys made from milking machine parts (some folks suggest talking to dairy operations to get really smelly used ones, the dogs would likely find them very compelling).  Mind game toyes like tug a jugs, buster cubes.
 
For free I would appreciate recipes, a list of hints, an outline'graphic organizers to lay out a weeks homework practice etc.
 
 

white pine outfitters collars/leads/martingales
 
zukes training bites
 
toys with pouches for food/squeekers

Great Bait. It is the best. I always buys some at the dog show. Our training center repackages it into small baggies and sells it to people who forgot their treats. Holds together but also breaks apart easily. Not greasy or yucky to handle. [linkhttp://www.greatbait.com/]http://www.greatbait.com/[/link]

I second the clickers. None of the pet stores seem to carry the good (as in not so loud) ones like what Dogwise has. Maybe even a few of the basic intro clicker books as well.

Anything Kong - the toys with replaceable squeakers are nice, as are the new squeaky tennis balls. Oh, and Keela says don't forget theto carry the replaceable squeakers!

Martingale collars - can't ever find those in regular stores either. 2HoundDesigns makes some nice ones, as does Lupine. I like both.

Definitely toys like the Hide a Squirrel and good treat balls

And finally, my favorite, the microwaveable heat disk called a Snuggle Safe. Dog.com carries them[]

Good luck!

Amy

Anything by JW Pet is a winner. Cuz, Hol-ee roller, Giggler Ball, etc...

Kong products of course.

[linkhttp://www.fatcatinc.com/html_site/dogs.shtml]Fat Cat toys[/link] - especially the Yankers.

[linkhttp://www.tropiclean.net/tropiclean_index.html]Tropiclean[/link]

Carry the things you recommend in beginner (& other) classes. Although now I shop online and look for bargains, if I were taking a class and a trainer recommended something, I wouldn't want to wait. I'd buy it the same day and wouldn't bother looking at one of the box stores.

I can't remember where you are, but good sledding harnesses are really hard to find around here.  Even if you could hook up with one where you can take orders would be great.    No one around here even has a clue how to measure a dog for a harness and they really have to fit properly since they aren't adjustable.  X-backs and H-backs.

Nice soft leather leashes.  There's nothing like the feel of a good leash in your hand.

I don't know if you're planning on carrying food, but my pet store is selling Acana like Craziness up here.  Its by far the most economical high quality food available here anyway.  Its the same price as some of the food available at Wally but a whole lot better.  I think [linkhttp://championpetfoods.com/]this[/link] is the website. 

whatever training tools YOU use, people don't want to go find in a store somewhere - stock those FIRST.  It's just easier for the consumer.  (There may be some jaded folks who think you're just trying to hock your own gear, but the true believers will see it as valuable.)
 
This sort of goes in hand with the above (I presume), but really good leather leashes and collars, as well as treat pouches.
 
Ed's right about the liver treats!
 
I like Lies' reco about the books - we KNOW you have a great library.  Share your tops with your students.
 
As a general retail area, I go looking for unusual sturdy collars, seasonal items like cooling mats or the crate fan that allows you to add a frozen insert.  Winter time I am looking for dog coats/sweaters.  (They're almost like bathing suits in the summer - unless you buy early, they are gone and you have to buy online!)
 
Here's a dumb one, but worth it - decals of your business.  It's free advertising for you, and 80% of your clients who are thrilled with their results will want to share the information.  They won't all carry your business card around, but would proudly display your logo elsewhere.
 
Good luck, and PM me when you're ready to open your doors - I'd come visit!

As others have osted, I think you should stock anything at all that you might recommend or use or even mention during class or in a training session -- appropriate training treats, gentle leaders, e-z walk harnesses, kongs, etc.  If people are always asking you to recommend good toys, supplements, shampoos, etc., you might as well sell those things to make it easier for people to take your advice.    
 
This might be more than you want to get into, but you might consider selling at least starter-size bags of a couple kinds of really good kibble.  Make it easier for people to switch from Purina or whatever, if that is something you want to encourage.  If you advocate raw bones you could stock those as well, frozen maybe? 
 
If you recommend herbals or rescue remedy, those might be good to sell as they can sometimes be hard to find for people who aren't whole foodsy. 
 
I like Zuke's treats and Yummy Chummies.
 
Kongs, food-dispensing toys like Buster Cube, Chuck-its, soft frisbees, high quality balls and toys. 
 
Ruffwear has some great dog stuff, espeically if you have an outdoorsy clientele at all -- backpacks, travel beds, bowls, boots, etc. 
 
Life is Good has some extremely cute dog products and also human products with adorable little doggie graphics on them, if you want to do anything gifty.
 
A nice selection of dog books and maybe magazines (like Bark, Whole Dog Journal) would be fantastic!  What an opportunity to get people reading GOOD dog authors at a time they are thinking about training.   Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnell, clicker books, health references.  Things you love or find helpful, whatever might reinforce your training, or help people get started with problems/issues that are beyond the scope of what you can help with. 
 
How fun!  Now I want to open a doggie store! 

There is this little dog poop bag holder that I have.  I'll look for the name, but it is inexpensive and fastens the poop-filled bag to the leash so that you don't have to carry it yourself.  Ah, here it is:http://www.doodydangler.com/
I love it.

Looking for it online, I found these -http://www.pooppouch.net/?gclid=CLS6nY7XrY0CFQLSYAod5gzgrw
I have no idea how well they work, but I love the idea.

Doodydangler[sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]  What a great name!!!!  LMAO!!!