The holidays are officially upon us, which means it’s time for the annual dash of gift-buying, gift-giving, and gift-exchanging. There are the regular gifts for family, friends, and coworkers, but for dog-owners, there may be one extra special present to throw into the mix. Here are some of our favorite gift ideas to include your pup in the holiday cheer, brought to you by our dog training specialists.
A Pet Bed
If your dog has outgrown their current bed, gifting them the perfect pet bed for Christmas is the perfect way to provide them with some extra comfort and love. The wants and needs of your pup in regards to their bed change just as much as humans’ do, both between breeds and over time; there is no “one size fits all”. There are hundreds of different beds on the market that cater to every possible specification you could think of for your pet. Orthopedic beds for dogs with joint problems, beds designed to cool down or warm up your pup, sturdy beds to withstand chewing and scratching, various sizes for different breeds, beds with easy to clean covers, etc. With a little searching, you’ll easily find the best pet bed for your pup.
A New Toy
Every dog owner knows that dogs can chew their way through toys in the blink of an eye, so it’s always a safe choice to get them a new toy (or a few) for the holidays. Dog toys generally fall into three categories: comfort, distraction/learning, and interaction. Toys for comfort are those soft, cuddly toys that will help soothe them, or simply for them to shake and carry around with them. Toys for distraction/learning are more complex toys for when you can’t play with them or if you want to keep them distracted from what’s going on around them. Chew toys and puzzle toys are ideal for both distraction and to get your pup’s mind working as they figure them out, especially if they can be filled with treats to keep them zeroed in. Interaction toys require your participation too; frisbees, balls, and ropes allow you to spend one-on-one time with your pup as you play together.
Delicious Treats
Sometimes the best gift you can give to your pup isn’t physical objects, but rather something delicious to eat! Whether you buy a special holiday snack from the store or make a yummy homemade treat, your dog will be sure to adore it. Just be mindful of how many calories your dog will get from these treats per day. It can be easy to accidentally overdo it with how many you give them, but treats should only make up about 10% of your pup’s diet. And if you’re indecisive about what types of treats and toys you should get for your dog, give a dog-centered subscription box a chance!
Sure, does your dog really need a Christmas present? Some people would say probably not, but if you’re looking to go the extra mile to show love for your pup, a Christmas present specially tailored for them is a perfect way!
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact Dog Training Elite today to give your dog the gift of professional dog training services this holiday season, we're happy to help!