What Are the Best Gifts for Dogs This Holiday Season? Here’s Your Answer.

Holiday gift exchanges are something the whole family can enjoy, and your dogs are just as much a part of the family as anyone else. Why not surprise them with something they’ll love? Let’s consider five of the best gifts for dogs this holiday season.

Why Giving Your Dog a Gift Matters

The holiday season brings out the excited child in all of us, and our dogs are no exception. When you present them with a gift, you’ll often see their eyes light up, their ears perk up and their tail start wagging. Dogs understand when they’ve been given something special, and they’ll feel a great sense of trust in the person who gave it to them. To put it simply, a gift shows your dog you care, and it will help build lasting bridges between you.

Gifts for dogs also have many practical uses:

• Soft, plush toys and blankets provide essential comfort that can soothe dogs during stressful or uncertain times. 
• Playthings and bones help dogs safely indulge their territorial instincts by giving them control over an item. 
• Devices like food puzzles add stimulation to daily routines, encouraging dogs to stay interested, curious and stimulated in beneficial ways. 
• Special clothing and harnesses provide security and warmth while giving your pup a fashionable new look.

Gifts can even be used as valuable dog training tools. By using gifts as rewards, you can reinforce good behavior. They learn they’ll receive something good when they do something good, like obeying your commands.

The 5 Best Gifts for Dogs

There are plenty of safe, fun holiday gifts for dogs on the market. If you’re looking for ideas, keep a few of the following suggestions in mind.

1. Toys That Keep Your Dog Active

Keeping your dog active and engaged helps them live a healthier, happier life. Things like fetch toys and tug ropes are great ways to encourage safe play, fun and exercise outside of traditional walks. These items also provide valuable mental stimulation and keep your dog from becoming bored or lethargic. They’re a simple way to enjoy hours of fun and give your dog extra attention that makes them feel like the luckiest pup around.

2. Treats and Chews Dogs Love

Don’t be afraid to play around with your dog’s treats and eats this holiday season. Dental chews, large bones and long-lasting treats are delicious surprises that you can use to reward and reinforce good behavior.

There are also ways to safely include your dog in the family holiday feast. Unseasoned cooked chicken, carrots and sweet potatoes are good options. Fresh, washed blueberries are another dog-friendly treat. If your dog normally eats dry food, you can even invest in a high-quality wet food as a special treat. However, do not feed your dog table scraps, Christmas candy or any food prepared for people. Many human-safe foods, sweets and seasonings are not dog-friendly.

3. Cozy Comfort Gifts for Rest & Relaxation

Comfort is a key theme of the holiday season, so why shouldn’t your dog reap the benefits? Things like plush blankets and dog beds can provide valuable warmth and comfort, making them especially good gifts for senior dogs and puppies. Such items can also be focal points around which you build your dog’s personal spaces. You can even use them in your training practices to encourage your dog to go to a certain place on command.

Dog-friendly clothing is another great pet gift idea, especially for small dogs or those with thinner builds or shorter coats. Despite their fur coats, many dogs are very susceptible to the cold. A warm sweater, cover or dog cape can help them stay warm and dry when they venture outside in chilly winter air. 

4. Personalized Gifts Made Just for Them

A personalized gift is another way to strengthen the bond between you and your dog. While your dog, of course, can’t read their name engraved on a food bowl or leash, they will be able to pick up on the vocal cues and positive associations surrounding these items. They can also develop a sense of ownership over these items, which helps them further grasp that you have created something devoted to them.

Beyond this, personalized items actually have safety benefits. A collar with a dog’s name and address on it can help others identify them and contact you should your pup ever get lost. Some people also engrave their dog’s medical conditions on their collars, which can prove invaluable in case of health emergencies.

5. Training and Enrichment Gifts for Lifelong Learning

Your dog’s holiday gifts can also help them learn and grow. Interactive feeders and treat puzzles stimulate your dog’s mind by letting them hunt and play in exchange for a tasty surprise. Your dog will get rewarded for completing the puzzle and learn something in the process.

Agility sets are another great option to help keep your dog active. By teaching your dog to jump through hoops or run between cones, you’ll provide valuable exercise while instilling them with obedience and command skills. Be sure to follow these training sessions with encouragement and a healthy treat, which will reinforce the idea that your dog has done something good by following your commands.

How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Your Dog

Choosing a great holiday gift for your dog means prioritizing making them feel comfortable and included. From special food to comforting accessories and stimulating games, the right combination of surprises can ensure your dog feels like a VIP while picking up good habits along the way.

If you want to give your dog the gift of better behavior and happier living this season, Sit Means Sit Cleveland has training programs that always deliver. Contact us for a free training evaluation, and get ready for a new year filled with wagging tails.