Resources > Training > Training Equipment > Treat Pouches
Review: Treat Pouches
When you're out and about with your dog, being able to easily bring along food rewards and other paraphernalia is important. And whilst treats in a plastic bag in your coat pocket can work, nothing beats a comfortable treat pouch that will also hold poo bags, a ball, a clicker and maybe even your mobile phone.
Read on for a review of the most common and useful treat pouches.
Read on for a review of the most common and useful treat pouches.
Doggone Good Rapid Rewards Treat Pouch
My favourite treat bag for many reasons:
- The standard version only sells with the clip attachment, which means you need to wear a belt to attach it to. However you can order an optional extra belt.
- Enthusiastic food grabbing dogs could get at the treats as the magnetic closing mechanism does not hold the bag shut tightly, compared to hinged mechanisms (see below). Personally I hold the bag closed with my elbow if need be, and I don't tend to leave it lying around.
Available from:
Clean Run (USA)
and other sources such as ebay.
My favourite treat bag for many reasons:
- Does not look or feel bulky but has lots of room - I can fit in a ball, special treats and a bag of food rewards.
- No mechanical parts that can wear out, thanks to the magnetic closing mechanism.
- Lots of useful compartments, such as the one at the back where you can put your mobile or your keys, plus space for clicker, poo bags ....
- It really is machine washable and the materials are high quality. Mine has been through the wash many times and is still intact after several years of heavy use.
- Large enough opening for easy use even by men with larger hands, without being big and clunky.
- Strong clip at the back to attach to a belt.
- The standard version only sells with the clip attachment, which means you need to wear a belt to attach it to. However you can order an optional extra belt.
- Enthusiastic food grabbing dogs could get at the treats as the magnetic closing mechanism does not hold the bag shut tightly, compared to hinged mechanisms (see below). Personally I hold the bag closed with my elbow if need be, and I don't tend to leave it lying around.
Available from:
Clean Run (USA)
and other sources such as ebay.
Black Dog Treat tote
A rather shameless copy of the Doggone treat pouch, it does not quite match the original's functionality and quality. The layout of the compartments is the same, but the opening is smaller, making it harder to use for men with larger hands. It is only available with an attached belt. This provides a somewhat more stable attachment to your body, particularly if your bag is packed with treats and a ball, than just the clip.
Otherwise, it offers the same benefits as the Doggone Rapid Rewards treat pouch (above).
Available through Black Dog directly (you can drop in to save postage, if you live near The Basin), as well as resellers you can find online.
A rather shameless copy of the Doggone treat pouch, it does not quite match the original's functionality and quality. The layout of the compartments is the same, but the opening is smaller, making it harder to use for men with larger hands. It is only available with an attached belt. This provides a somewhat more stable attachment to your body, particularly if your bag is packed with treats and a ball, than just the clip.
Otherwise, it offers the same benefits as the Doggone Rapid Rewards treat pouch (above).
Available through Black Dog directly (you can drop in to save postage, if you live near The Basin), as well as resellers you can find online.
Black Dog Treat Pouch (regular size)
Compared to the two treat bags above, this is a rather small treat bag, suitable for people with small hands and small dogs. You'll struggle to fit a ball into this one, however for those who find the tote style bags too large, this is a good choice.
The larger size version is too large and clunky for most people.
This bag features a hinged closing mechanism, which needs to be lubricated and does wear out. Replacement is relatively cheap and easy particularly if you can drop in at Black Dog (in The Basin).
The hinged mechanism is stronger and quicker than the magnetic closing mechanism, which protects your treats better if you have a dog that tries to get into the treat bag.
It can be machine washed, but the lining in this bag wears out rather quickly with repeated use and washing.
The sock that can be purchased also wears out quickly - it's easier to use a Zip Lock bag to hold the food.
This pouch lacks the compartments that the two "tote" style bags offer - there is only the main compartment and the netted one at the front.
Compared to the two treat bags above, this is a rather small treat bag, suitable for people with small hands and small dogs. You'll struggle to fit a ball into this one, however for those who find the tote style bags too large, this is a good choice.
The larger size version is too large and clunky for most people.
This bag features a hinged closing mechanism, which needs to be lubricated and does wear out. Replacement is relatively cheap and easy particularly if you can drop in at Black Dog (in The Basin).
The hinged mechanism is stronger and quicker than the magnetic closing mechanism, which protects your treats better if you have a dog that tries to get into the treat bag.
It can be machine washed, but the lining in this bag wears out rather quickly with repeated use and washing.
The sock that can be purchased also wears out quickly - it's easier to use a Zip Lock bag to hold the food.
This pouch lacks the compartments that the two "tote" style bags offer - there is only the main compartment and the netted one at the front.
Terry Ryan treat pouch
This pouch is similar to the Black Dog treat pouch above. It is slightly larger including a larger opening, and has a detachable belt, so you have the option of just clipping it onto your belt. However, the clip is quite weak so the bag can slip off the belt.
I haven't put this one through the wash, so I don't know about the quality of the lining or the hinges. According to the instructions it can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Available from:
The Dogs Den (Australia)
Karen Pryor Clicker Training (USA)
and many others.
This pouch is similar to the Black Dog treat pouch above. It is slightly larger including a larger opening, and has a detachable belt, so you have the option of just clipping it onto your belt. However, the clip is quite weak so the bag can slip off the belt.
I haven't put this one through the wash, so I don't know about the quality of the lining or the hinges. According to the instructions it can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Available from:
The Dogs Den (Australia)
Karen Pryor Clicker Training (USA)
and many others.
Where to buy
For clickers, treat bags, long leashes and head/body halters, try these Australian businesses:
The Dogs Den
Black Dog Wear
For more choices and that special bit of gear, try these overseas businesses:
Pet Expertise
Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Clean Run
The Dogs Den
Black Dog Wear
For more choices and that special bit of gear, try these overseas businesses:
Pet Expertise
Karen Pryor Clicker Training
Clean Run