As the holiday season sneaks up on us like a ninja in a Santa suit, many of us are pondering what jolly old Saint Nick might drop off for our four-legged goofballs. While finding gifts for humans can feel like navigating a minefield, choosing presents for our dogs is a walk in the park. I've got a few ideas for what my pups, Arwen and Hazel, will be sniffing out under the tree this year, and maybe they'll spark some inspiration for your own dogs (or granddogs)!
I heard a rule once about buying 4 gifts for kids:
Something they want
Something they need
Something to wear
And something to read
As a parent to both dogs and humans, I do try to follow this advice, but "something" turns more into "somethings". Sometimes it's hard to hold back buying for the ones we love.
However, it can get a little tricky picking out gifts for your entire family, including the furry kind. Here's a list of what my dogs will be getting for the holidays this year.
Something My Dog Wants
Doggy Daycare
Doggy daycare is another fabulous gift, especially for those social butterflies with fur. It's like a party with tail wags and sniffing contests. And those of us with adolescent dogs know that sometimes this is a gift for both of us.
My dogs come home tired, and that makes all of us happy.
If you're in the Greater Cleveland Area, check out Little River Pet Resort. Who knows, maybe you'll see my wild and crazy girls there!
Dog Approved Tennis Balls
Toys are a slam dunk especially for my Border Collie Arwen and I'm planning to hoard a bulk pack of tennis balls. Pro tip: Cleveland weather sucks, and come wintertime I tend to lose tennis balls quickly in the snow. I've discovered that my dogs tend not to lose these tennis balls due to their colors.
Remember, dogs see colors differently than we do (no, they aren't "colorblind" technically).
And yes, I will be splurging this year on an automatic ball thrower. #BorderCollieLife
Something My Dog Needs
Leashes
All dogs need leashes that are functional, safe, and pain-free. My girls will be getting their usual MayPaw slip leads. If you've ever joined us on one of our free Pack Walks, you'll notice this is what everyone else is using. They're cheap, easy to use, and most importantly, force-free to make leash training your dog a breeze.
FURminator
Ever pet an Aussie? They're like the gift that keeps on giving. Over and over. Mainly over there, and then over there, and over on your couch and on your rug, and OMG IT'S IN MY FOOD!!!
A FURminator is still my favorite grooming tool for my Aussie's dense quadruple-titanium-cotton-candy-alloy coat. Trust me, this is something you need. You can get it here.
Something for My Dog to Wear
While not everyone is fond of their wearable holiday gifts, I guarantee there's at least a couple both you and your pup can agree on.
Doggie Backpacks
My dogs get plenty of activity, from hiking, to marathon games of fetch and agility. But sometimes they need more.
Which is why they will be getting backpacks to wear.
When my Border Collie, Arwen, needs a little extra activity, we hike or play ball with a backpack. I put a little bit of weight in (1/2 cup of rice on each side) which takes the edge off her energy.
And let's be honest, having a Border Collie who doesn't get enough exercise is about as amped up as a coked-up squirrel with an espresso.
It gets nuts.
Anyway, I actually have two backpacks for each of my dogs.
Our OneTigris is for every day use: they're cheap and effective, and we are really rough on them.
Our other backpack, Ruffwear is for longer excursions, when I need my dogs to carry a bit more weight. For example, if we go rucking for 15 miles, and they need to carry their own food and water.
Winter Booties for Dog Paws
While my Aussie, Hazel, is built like a Himalayan yak, my Arwen is more of a racecar than a snowplow. She's slender, and while her heart is go-get-'em attitude are both big, her paws are build for agility, not snow.
Last year we struggled with some cold paws, so this year she's going to start wearing SnowTon dog boots on our longer excursions. This will also protect her feet from the salt that we use during our Cleveland winters.
Something for My Dog to...Read?
Okay, hear me out. The object of the book for your kid to read, as referenced above, was to keep their minds busy. Well, the same goes for your dog. What are you doing to help them burn off that mental energy they have?
Dog Enrichment Feeders
If you've ready any articles I've written about working with your dog's behavior, you'll notice that the same theme keeps presenting itself: your dog is most likely bored.
Enrichment feeders are the perfect way to let them flex their furry mental muscles.
Better than a lick mat or a slow feeder, enrichment feeders provide mental work as well as slowing down your chow hound, keeping them from Hoovering their food down.
Best all purpose is definitely the Nina Ottoson Puzzle Ball dog toy. It's actually great for my dogs who like to destroy toys, as it's sturdy, and one solid piece.
Use it in place of a feeding bowl, and watch your dog work their brains, as well as get a little activity as well.
Combine it with having them wear their backpack during dinner, and they'll get the ultimate physical and mental workout, all without any extra effort from you.
Definitely a win/win scenario.
What Your Dog REALLY Wants
Most importantly, remember that your dog values time with you more than anything else. Plan a little escapade with them, like a road trip or a night at a pet-friendly hotel. Even stretching your daily walks or spending some floor-cuddling time can mean the world to them.
This holiday season, let's also focus on understanding and empathy for our dogs. They live in our human world and sometimes make blunders, just like us. Offering patience and love is the greatest gift we can give them.
By concentrating on building a positive relationship with your dog, your holiday gifts will lead to a happier, healthier bond. Whether you're picking out new toys or investing time in training, the key is to create moments that bring joy to both you and your furry friend. Here's to a holiday season filled with wagging tails and happy memories!
Struggling with Your Dog's Behavior?
Many dog owners find it challenging to manage their dog's behaviors, so we developed the Piloting Method of dog training, centered on straightforward and effective techniques and grounded in trust. Because every dog deserves to be the Best Dog Ever.
If you believe it's time to work with a professional dog trainer specializing in behavior and training, learn more about our services in the Greater Cleveland Area here.
Canine behavioral coaching is also available for those outside the Northeast Ohio area. Check out our coaching packages here.
As always,
