Dowels are useful in more than one way.  They make great, readily available, target sticks and, with the addition of a "U" shaped bracket, can be used to enhance leash control when one is past the fundamentals for training certain exercises, i.e., sit stays and down stays.

Bracket:

Screws:

1 - dowel 3/4 to 1" in diameter and 24" to 36" long
1 - small metal "U" bracket
1 - 1 inch wood screw
1 - small package of JB Weld.

Instructions:

1. Drill a screw hole in the end of the dowel.

2. Drill a screw hole in the "U" bracket (if it does not already have one.).

3. Insert screw through bracket and into dowel but do not tighten down.

4. Cover end of dowel with JB Weld and then tighten the screw. The JB Weld will help insure the bracket stays in place.

Your leash stick should look like this when finished:
 

To use the leash stick to reinforce stay, hold the stick up with the leash over the bracket.  The leash stick will allow you to move further from the dog while still maintaining leash control.

To use the leash stick to reinforce down, hold the stick down with the leash under the bracket.  The leash stick will allow you to move further from the dog while still maintaining leash control.

Of course, the leash stick can be used in any other training exercise that would be easier if one had more leash control over a dog that is just out of  arm's reach.

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