Dog Training Jackets and Vests: What to Look For

Short answer: pick a vest if you want free arms and quick access to rewards in most weathers, and a jacket if you train in rain and cold.

Then check four things:

• pockets that suit how you reward (back pocket for toys, chest pocket for centred rewards, removable treat pouches)
• whether it is genuinely waterproof (look for a hydrostatic head rating in mm) or only water-repellent
• a fabric tough enough for claws
• the size chart, because some makers, such as IQ, list garment measurements, not body sizes.

Our team includes World and National Champion trainers, and we stock training clothing from IQ Dogsport and Schweikert (both exclusive to K9 Store in the UK) and Arrak Outdoor (we are an authorised UK dealer). This guide uses the makers' own specifications.

On this page

• Vest or jacket?
• Pockets: match them to how you reward
• Magnetic closures and magnet rewards
• Waterproofing: read the rating
• Fabric toughness
• Sizing
• Training trousers and leg lengths
• Shop the kit
• FAQs
• Shop training clothing

Vest or jacket?

A vest leaves your arms free for handling, throwing and lead work. IQ says its Dog Sport Vest 3.0 is designed for year-round use, over a T-shirt in summer or over a jacket in winter. Compare pockets, fabrics and sizes for every model in our dog training vests range.

A jacket adds sleeves, a hood and, on the waterproof models, protection for long sessions in the rain. IQ says its Training Jacket 2.0 has the same functions as the Vest 3.0, so you can keep the same reward routine all year.

Pockets: match them to how you reward

Back pocket

A large back (kangaroo) pocket carries a ball, tug, bite pillow or lead out of the dog's sight. It's on the IQ Multifunctional Jacket 3.0, Training Jacket 2.0, Softshell 2.0 and Allround Jacket, the Arrak Original Jacket (large zipped back pocket) and the Schweikert Cordura Vest (two full-width rear pockets).

Chest reward pocket

The IQ Dog Sport Vest 3.0, Summer Vest 3.0 and Training Jacket 2.0 have two chest pockets that zip together into one large pocket.

IQ designed it so you can reward from the centre of your body, by hand or with a hidden pull system, for a straight front sit and retrieves.

Treat pockets

Removable treat pouches are on the IQ Multifunctional Jacket 3.0 and Training Jacket 2.0 (IQ says they wash separately) and the Allround Jacket (fixed with hook-and-loop for easy cleaning). The Arrak Original Jacket has a detachable treat pocket that can be worn on a belt, and the Arrak Competition Vest has a removable front treat pocket.

The IQ Modular Food Pocket (£20.00) attaches to the loops on IQ garments, with a coated, washable compartment for raw or wet food.

Toy holders

The Arrak Competition Vest has an elastic band on the right shoulder to hold a reward toy. The Schweikert All Weather Jacket has a mesh ball pocket under the left arm.

Magnetic closures and magnet rewards

"Magnetic" can mean two different things:

• Magnetic pocket closures. The IQ Ball Pocket (£32.50) closes with strong magnets and hooks onto the left armhole of the IQ Dog Sport Vest 3.0. It also fits the Training Jacket 2.0 and Summer Vest 3.0, but not the Multifunctional Jacket 3.0. A pull cord on the right drops the toy at the dog's head height without a visible movement. The magnet is in the closure, so any suitable ball works.
• Magnet reward systems. The IQ Vest 3.0, Multifunctional Jacket 3.0 and Training Jacket 2.0 have internal compartments to hold training magnets, such as TOP-Matic systems, so a toy fitted with a magnet adapter like the IQ Magnetiser (£22.99) can sit on your back.

Waterproofing: read the rating

Water-repellent garments shed light rain; IQ, for example, says its Summer Vest is fine in light drizzle but not for prolonged rain. The waterproof jackets below all have taped or sealed seams, and all but the IQ Allround quote a hydrostatic head in mm. Here's what the makers state:

*Prices at the time of writing. IQ recommends a technical wash and re-proofing to keep waterproof jackets performing.

Fabric toughness

Claws, brambles and bite equipment are hard on clothing. IQ describes its vest fabric as claw-resistant and the same tear-resistant outer it uses for service-dog handlers' gear.

Arrak uses Oxford nylon on the Original Jacket to resist branches, terrain and claws. Schweikert's Cordura Vest is 600D Oxford polyester, which Schweikert calls extremely tear-resistant.

Sizing

• IQ Dogsport publishes garment (outside) measurements, not body sizes. Measure yourself, then add about 10 cm for the Dog Sport Vest 3.0 and Multifunctional Jacket 3.0, or about 5 cm for the Training Jacket 2.0, Summer Vest 3.0 and Allround Jacket, before comparing. IQ says the Summer Vest is cut slightly smaller than the Vest 3.0, so take the larger size if you're between sizes. The women's Multifunctional Jacket 3.0 fits normal to small.
• Schweikert says its Summer Vest runs slightly small and recommends ordering one size up.
• Arrak cuts the Original Jacket slightly roomy so a mid-layer fits underneath.

Trainer tip: try a vest on with the back pocket loaded. A full pocket changes how it sits, and you want room to bend and throw without the vest riding up.

IQ Dogsport size guides: jackets: Multifunctional Jacket 3.0 Unisex, Multifunctional Jacket 3.0 Women's, Training Jacket 2.0, Softshell Jacket 2.0 Unisex, Softshell Jacket 2.0 Women's, Allround Jacket and Zip-In Shell Jacket; vests: Vest 3.0 and Summer Vest 3.0; hoodies and T-shirts: Hoodie "Train Hard", Women's Zip Hoodie "Train Hard", T-shirt Unisex and T-shirt Women's.

Training trousers and leg lengths

Trousers matter on wet grass and tracking fields. We stock Arrak trousers in European sizes (men's 46–58, women's 34–46), each in three leg lengths: short, normal and long. Choose the leg length to suit your height, and check the size chart on the product page.

• Arrak Active Stretch (£53.99): polyester-cotton with a water-repellent (DWR) finish, 4-way stretch panels, thigh vents and boot hooks.
• Arrak Motion Flex (£57.49): stretch nylon with a lower leg rated to 3,000 mm, for dewy fields.
• Arrak Quick Dry (£53.99): thin, quick-drying 4-way stretch for warmer days.
• Schweikert All Weather Trousers (£79.00): scratch-resistant "Scratchshell" softshell that Schweikert describes as waterproof and windproof, with zipped side vents.
• IQ Performance Leggings (£69.99): women's leggings with a seat pocket big enough for a bite roll and large leg pockets.

Prices at the time of writing; women's versions of the Arrak trousers are in our dog training trousers collection.

Shop the kit

FAQs

Is a dog training vest waterproof?

None of the vests in our table is rated waterproof. The IQ Dog Sport Vest 3.0 and Summer Vest 3.0 are water-repellent. For rain, IQ recommends the Training Jacket 2.0, which has the same pocket layout and a 20,000 mm rating.

What size training vest should I buy?

Check whether the chart shows body or garment measurements. IQ shows garment measurements, so add about 10 cm (Vest 3.0) or 5 cm (Summer Vest 3.0) to your body measurements before you compare.

Which vests take the IQ Ball Pocket?

The IQ Dog Sport Vest 3.0, Summer Vest 3.0 and Training Jacket 2.0. It is not compatible with the Multifunctional Jacket 3.0.

Are there women's cuts?

Yes. IQ makes a women's Multifunctional Jacket 3.0 and Softshell 2.0, and Arrak makes women's versions of its jackets, vests and trousers. See women's jackets and vests.

What leg length do I need in Arrak trousers?

We stock Arrak trousers in short, normal and long leg lengths in each waist size. Check the size chart on the product page, or email us your inside leg and we'll help.

Shop training clothing

Browse dog training vests, dog training jackets, IQ Dogsport clothing, Schweikert clothing and Arrak. Need help with sizing? Email info@k9store.co.uk and one of our trainers will help.