by Claire Anderson

‘Tis the season … to justify spending all your money on your pups! If you’re anything like me, you’ve already dressed them in ugly Christmas sweaters, baked them doggy-safe holiday biscuits, and danced with them to “Let It Snow.” Are you wondering what you can get them to make their holiday season even more magical? You’re in luck! We’ve done the work for you and put together this awesome holiday gift guide for dogs and dog lovers alike, guaranteed to make your darling jump for joy!

Puzzle toys are my dogs’ favorite toys! Puzzle toys allow your dog to explore and problem solve, which is exactly what most dogs were bred to do. As dog trainers, we recommend feeding your dog at least one meal per day from a puzzle toy. It's great for mental enrichment.

There are many different kinds of puzzle toys out there, but here are a few of our favorites!

In many ways, technology is not only revolutionizing our lives, but the lives of our pets as well! My favorite new gadget is the Treat Cam—it's a camera you set up in your home that uses wifi to connect to the app on your phone. This way, you can check in on your pets anytime you are away from home! You can even speak to them and give them a treat!

I have the Petzi Treat Cam and my boys absolutely love it.

If you have a fierce chewer like my little pit bull, Ziggy Starpup, chances are you’ve spent hundreds on toys that claim to be "indestructible", only to find them demolished within a day (or an hour.)

While I can’t promise these toys will hold up forever, I can vouch for their durability.

West Paw makes a whole line of amazing dog toys made from sustainably-sourced and eco-friendly materials. I love both the Qwizl and the Toppl, which are interactive in that you can fill them with your dog’s favorite treats and freeze them. West Paw toys are tough enough for the most aggressive chewer on your list and last for years! 

The Flirt Pole is my favorite toy for dogs who enjoy chasing! It is basically a large toy for cats, but you can use it in the same way for dogs too. The Flirt Pole is also a great option for those who live in extremely cold or hot climates, so that your dog can still get plenty of exercise even indoors.

Remember to incorporate sit-stays into your play as it strengthens impulse control.

Answers Pet Food is by far our favorite brand of dog food. They just came out with a line of healthy dog treat products as well! Treat your pup to a raw diet this holiday season with fermented raw food, goat’s milk, kefir, fish stock, or cheese treats! Answers products are seriously amazing and are completely sustainably sourced. My dogs love every single one of Answers dog food products and they are healthier for it. The Raw Fermented Goat Cheese Rewards would be a fantastic stocking stuffer for both dog and cat parents.

Check out the Answers Pet Food website for more information and find a store near you today!

Chewing can be very soothing, so providing your dogs with safe chewing opportunities is essential. I recommend giving one frozen Kong dog toy or Westpaw dog toy per day. You can fill it with an assortment of ingredients like: yogurt, Answers raw cow’s milk kefir, peanut butter, pumpkin, veggies, blueberries, their food, etc. Or use other chew options like dental chews, antlers, raw marrow bones, bully sticks, Nylabones, and Benebones.

It's important to provide your dog with safe chewing options and those options might look different depending on your dog. Always supervise when they are chewing on a bone to prevent injury. Avoid rawhide as they are dangerous and toxic.

Last but not least, a wonderful present for your pup (and you!) this holiday season is training! With positive reinforcement based training, you can learn how to clearly and effectively communicate with your fur baby, creating a wonderful bond based on trust and respect. It can also be LOADS of fun! In a group dog training class class, you and your pup can learn a long side others.

Of course, group class isn't for everyone, and working with a private dog trainer is a fantastic option. With private training, you can work one-on-one with a professional animal trainer on a variety of behaviors. Whether you have an anxious rescue pup, a brand new puppy, a bored adolescent, or just a dog who wants to learn, we are here to help!

Schedule your free consultation today!

Need some more holiday gift recommendations? Check out our post from last year: 
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Dog Owners and Lovers Everywhere