The Dog Training
School for Trainers
The Dog Trainer School Recommended:
What It Is, Why It Exists, and How It Works
BECOME A TDTS
PRODUCT TESTER
FIND A TRUSTED DOG TRAINER IN YOUR AREA
Why we created TDTS Recommended
The pet market is crowded. Every week, UK trainers and dog walkers are asked the same question:
“Which lead/shampoo/treat should I buy?” Owners deserve answers they can trust, and dog professionals need kit that works in rain, mud, busy classes, with their own dogs.
TDTS Recommended was built to cut through the noise with independent, real-world testing by professional dog trainers and dog walkers.
“We’re asked daily what products we trust. The fairest answer is to test them properly -then say exactly what we found.” — Helen Wainwright, The Dog Trainer School.
“We want kit that helps dogs and handlers today, not just looks good online. Our programme separates useful from forgettable.” — Lee, The Dog Trainer School.
What “Recommended” means
My Anxious Dog: Squeezy Reward
A refillable silicone tube that delivers clean, high-value rewards on the move, ideal for reactive, recall and focus work.
My Anxious Dog: Affiliate Pack
A trainer-facing toolkit with clear, welfare-aligned #DogsInYellow resources that make space, safety and etiquette easy to explain to owners.
No Fuss Fill: SkooGo®
Gloves
Warm, grippy, fingerless gloves with a secure palm and built-in pocket, designed for lead handling, long lines and real-world training conditions.
DotDotPet: Conditioning Dog Shampoo
Easy one-hand dispensing, quick lather and rinse, and a soft, dog-appropriate finish suited to busy professional use.
DotDotPet: Eco Biodegradable Towels
Super-absorbent, robust disposable towels in a compact, grab-and-go format that keeps dogs, leads and vans cleaner with less laundry.
Tug-E-Nuff: Fauxtastic Powerball Bungee
A durable, high-impact tug toy combining faux fur, a textured ball and a shock-absorbing bungee handle.
PAWD Drinks Calming
Pouch
Calming support that’s easy to give, well-tolerated, and helps dogs settle so training and everyday life feel smoother.
New Products
Coming Soon
New Products
Coming Soon
Why TDTS is a reliable source
The Dog Trainer School is a UK community of positive-reinforcement dog professionals.
Co-founder Helen Wainwright previously tested and Approved products for Good Housekeeping Magazine, and brings that evidence-led, consumer-grade discipline into the pet sector: clear criteria, repeatable methods, easy to understand reporting, and unbiased feedback focused on welfare and real-world outcomes.
What “Recommended” means
TDTS Recommended
A product earns TDTS Recommended when a panel of professional testers say, after hands-on use, that it’s practical, welfare-aligned, well-made, good value, and crucially that they would recommend it to other professionals or clients.
Who tests the products?
Professional dog trainers and dog walkers (UK-based): working with pet dogs in classes, 1-2-1s, parks, woodlands, and urban settings.
Real kit, real weather: sessions with long lines, wet leads, muzzled dogs, puppies, seniors - normal life, not lab conditions.
Multiple testers: to reflect different hands, breeds, routines, and use-cases.
How the testing process works
Independent review & decision.
We compile results and access whether the product meets our recommendation standard.
What makes it unbiased?
Multiple professionals, not influencers.
Standardised scoring
Transparent criteria
How dog professionals can become testers
If you’re a professional dog trainer, dog walker, or dog professional and want to test products hands-on, join the TDTS membership to access tester opportunities and contribute your expertise.
What if we told you learning, lesson planning, and CPD didn’t have to be time consuming?
How brands can get involved
If you’re a brand and want knowledgeable UK trainers and dog professionals to test your product, email [email protected]
FAQ’s TDTS Recommended
How do I become a product tester?
Product testing is open to TDTS members who are dog owners, dog trainers, dog walkers, or other dog professionals. Testers are asked to complete an initial tester survey and are chosen based on their suitability for the product or service.
Is there a product testing fee?
For smaller brands, testing is free (the brand will provide product samples and pay for shipping).
For brands with an annual turnover over £500,000, a fee applies to cover coordination, professional review and reporting. Full details are available on request.
How often do you test products?
At present, we typically run 2–3 product tests at a time, aiming to assess around one product per month. This may vary based on season, tester capacity and brand demand.
How long does testing take?
Most products are tested over approximately two weeks in real-world use, followed by analysis and reporting. Where a product is linked to behaviour change or longer-term outcomes, we may run a longer trial.
How are products tested?
Products are used by testers within their normal work and home routines: in classes, 1:1s, walks, and day-to-day handling -so feedback reflects genuine professional use. Each product has its own tailored survey, and brands can propose additional questions to gather specific insights.
How is the TDTS Recommended logo awarded?
The logo is awarded only when a product meets our internal benchmark for practicality, welfare alignment, professional usability, value, and “would recommend” responses from testers. Approved products may use the logo for 12 months, after which reassessment is required.
What are your ethical guidelines and restrictions for testing?
We only work with brands that align with The Dog Trainer School’s force-free, welfare-led ethics. Products must support kind, evidence-based handling and must not promote aversive methods, punitive tools or outdated training techniques. We do not test medications, prescription-only products, or anything that should be assessed under veterinary or regulatory supervision. We reserve the right to decline products that fall outside our ethical framework.
How do I find out more about having a product recommended?
Contact Helen: [email protected]
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