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It’s officially December, and the countdown to the holidays has begun! We love talking about the practical stuff: dog training, behavior modification, enrichment, and leveling up your life with your dog. But we thought it would be fun to take a moment to enjoy the holiday season and give you a list of our favorite gift ideas for your furry friends. No matter what you’re celebrating this year, these gifts will be sure to be a smash hit!
Disclaimer: parts of this article contain affiliate links, and we may receive a small cut from purchases made, at no additional cost to you. That said, we only recommend products we love and believe in, and ones we know your dog will adore!
1: Puzzle treat dispenser | Budget $10-20
Puzzle treat dispensers and snuffle mats are wonderful enrichment for dogs! They engage dogs mentally, exercise their sense of smell, and can even help with confidence-building. There are so many options available in design and style, and each one stimulates dogs differently. You can’t go wrong with food puzzles, because it’s great to switch them out and rotate them frequently to keep each activity feeling “new.” Dog puzzles are a very affordable option as well, with options ranging from under $10 to around $20. Some affordable examples are listed below, but there are even plenty of DIY options for those on a budget or looking to add a personal touch.
2: BarkBox Subscription | Budget $35
The gift that keeps on giving! Most dog lovers with an internet connection are aware of Bark Box and other pet toy subscriptions available online. When you subscribe to Bark Box, your dog will receive a set of new toys each month, tailored to their size and needs. What a lot of pet owners don’t know, however, is that you can sign up on their website or even manage your Bark Box subscription through your amazon account. Subscription boxes are a great idea for dogs who blow through toys and chews, or anyone who’s looking for something that lasts past the holiday season.
3: Bully Sticks | Budget $20+
We recommend bully sticks over any other type of chew. They’re safe, consumable, healthy, ethical, and don’t pose the risk of broken teeth like most other chews and bones out there. Best of all? We’ve never met a dog that turns them down. Bully sticks make a fantastic gift to the chewer in your life, and there’s a pack to fill any budget. Most bully sticks are going to be a safe bet, but our favorite is Best Bully Sticks.
4: Hol-ee Roller Stuffable Ball | Budget $10
If your dog is the type that loves to pull all the guts out of their stuffed toys, this is the toy for you. In fact, it’s one we recommend to most dogs! The Hol-ee roller, and any other hollow and holed rubber ball, is a toy that most dogs find some way to enjoy. We love to cut scraps of denim to stuff inside, and dogs love to pull and rip them out. It’s a fabulous way to upcycle worn-out clothing while giving your dog an outlet for the instinct to catch and shred.
5: Holiday Dog Bandanas | Budget $15
It may not be as engaging or enriching as toys and chews, but I’d be surprised to find anyone arguing that a charming bit of doggy swag is appreciated just about any time of year. And while the bandana might not get tails wagging like a new ball, there’s no doubt that taking your dog out on a walk dressed for the holidays would definitely make their day.
6: Winter Doggy Boots | Budget $20
Here in Washington State and most of the Pacific Northwest, winters are cold, wet, and windy. Make sure your dog stays ready for the outdoors with some weatherproof boots. These can take a little conditioning work for dogs to get comfortable wearing them, but they’ll help your dog keep healthy paws when the weather gets extreme.
7: Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Toy | Budget $40
This is a great option for those of you with a new puppy in your life. The Snuggle Puppy is a sweet little plush ideal for young dogs because of the electronic “heart,” which simulates the beating of real-life hearts in real-life dogs. They can be incredibly soothing to puppies transitioning to a home away from mom and littermates, or any dog that might take a little comfort in feeling like they have a pal nearby.
8: Paw Balm | Budget $15
Paw balm is exactly what it sounds like: a protective barrier and moisturizer for chaffed-up paw pads. Dog feet go on warm pavement, rugged rocks, prickly grass, and get worked out in the dirt. This means that they can get cracked and damaged, just like human skin. Paw balm is a great gift for the active dogs in your life, and a great preventative effort even for the furry couch potatoes among us.
9: Home Agility Course | Budget $150
Give your dog the gift of a fun new together activity! Agility is a fun and mentally-engaging physical activity for both the dog and the handler. It utilizes a lot of reward-based training, builds confidence, and keeps dogs active. High-end agility equipment can be quite pricey, but there are some great for-home budget options for those dog owners ready to take on a fun new training activity with their dog.
10: Lick Mat | Budget $15
Among the ranks of treat dispensing toys, kongs, and slow-feeders is the lick mat. These slow-treat mats are great for peanut butter, frozen wet food, pumpkin puree, yogurt, and just about anything of similar consistency. This helps keep your dog occupied and helps them take their time with tempting aromatic treats. We know dog owners that love the regular lick mats to aid in crate training, but we love the versatility of the mats with suction cups. They can be helpful in keeping your dog preoccupied during bath time, and can even help counter-condition the experience for dogs who aren’t too fond of the tub.
11: Suction Cup Dog Tug Toys | Budget $20
If you have a relentless tugger, a suction cup dog toy would be a fantastic gift. The suction on these rope toys adheres the tug to the floor or wall, allowing your dog to tug to their heart’s content. We definitely recommend engaging your dog yourself, but everyone needs a break, especially owners who have to play tug with large and strong dogs!
12: Ball Launcher | Budget $115
If your dog loves fetch, a ball launcher is a great option for those who have the space for it. Same as the suction cup dog tugs, sometimes you just can’t keep up with a dog’s game. Being able to load up some tennis balls and let your dog run while you supervise over a good book doesn’t sound too bad to me.
13: Slow Feeder Bowl | Budget $15
Slow feeder bowls are fantastic for gobblers and guzzlers. The grooves in these bowls will keep your dog from inhaling their food in large bites, which reduces the likelihood of vomiting and bloat.
14: Furbo treat camera | Budget $170
Treat cameras can be a fun way to interact with your pet, but they can also aid in training by giving you the means to reward your dog for wanted behaviors even when they don’t think you’re watching. Door-knock drills, walking out of the room during place, and plenty of other behaviors can be rewarded right through the camera.
Note: with ANY camera device in your home, make sure your internet is secured, which prevents anyone from getting access to your private feed. This is not exclusive to pet cameras – it includes baby monitors, security cameras, camera doorbells, and anything else with a camera connected to wifi.
The Furbo camera is available on the furbo website for $169.
15: Kuranda Dog Bed | Budget $100
A new pet bed is always a great go-to for your dog. You can take it a step higher by upgrading to an elevated pet bed – we love Kuranda because their beds are nearly indestructible, and they provide added accessories for comfort. Meaning, you can set your bed up for whatever level of firmness your dog prefers. Elevated beds are also fantastic for training “place,” because when a dog steps up onto the surface, it is a clearer boundary for what is considered place and what isn’t.
16: A Crate Upgrade | Budget $45+ (varies by size)
Is your dog’s crate sized appropriately? Puppies outgrow their crates, and older dogs might appreciate a little more space to spread out. If in doubt, or if you’ve been kind of pushing the size for a while, the holidays are a great excuse to upgrade. Go with a basic wire crate, or really treat them (ehem, yourself) with a high-quality aluminum crate from Gunner or Impact.
17: ChuckIt! / Ball Thrower | Budget $15
If your dog loves to fetch, a ball thrower like the popular ChuckIt! is a great option. Tire your dog out faster, reduce bending, and avoid having to touch a drool-and-dirt-covered tennis ball. It’s a win-win for everyone.
18: Home Lure Coursing System | Budget $450
While on the pricier end, a lure coursing system is bound to be worth the price tag. Lure coursing is a dog sport in which a “lure” is secured to a line and propelled by a motor. Usually, access to lure coursing is limited due to the equipment necessary. Luckily, however, home systems are becoming available for anyone with the space to set it up. Lure coursing is a natural hit for sighthounds of any type, but we’ve seen it enjoyed by everything from huskies to terriers.
19: Burrow Beds | Budget $115
Burrow beds are a favorite with a lot of dogs! They’re soft, cozy, and satisfy the instinct to dig/nest. Snoozer’s cozy cave beds come in a variety of colors and sizes to fit nearly any dog.
20: Supplement Treats | Budget $25
Humans and dogs alike can benefit from dietary supplements. At Lugaru K9 Training, we personally love probiotics, fish oil, dental treats, and CBD products for dogs, but it’s always best to think about your dog’s specific needs, and where their diet may have gaps. If you need a place to start in your research, Khayl has put together a wonderful guide to reading and understanding pet food labels, called Elongating Your Pet’s Life – Exposing Label Secrets and Lies. Make your supplement choices based on your specific dog, and consulting with your vet or a pet food nutritionist certainly wouldn’t hurt! Some of our favorite supplements and dietary aids are listed below.
21: Dog Drying Towel | Budget $10
Here in Washington State – and really, most of the Pacific Northwest, too – a good chunk of the year is rainy. Not downpours or torrents of rain most of the time, but enough to keep paws and bellies wet during walks or even yard time potty breaks. Luckily there are some awesome microfiber dog towels out there made specifically for drying wet fur out fast. Keeping one ready is a great way to keep your floors clean and dry, but also keep your pet comfortable. And most dogs we’ve met absolutely adore getting toweled off!
22: GPS Dog Tracker | Budget $90+ (plus GPS subscription)
If your dog has great recall and a large area to roam (think farms and other large properties), a GPS collar may be a great way to give them more access to that freedom – ensuring that, should they wander just a bit too far, they can be found and recalled. From a training perspective, it’s always a good idea to scale into that level of freedom, and take your time on structure, recall, and boundaries. That said, regardless of where you are in your training or what kind of access your dog has to the big world, we think having the extra help in finding a dog that gets lost is welcome to any lifestyle.
23: Running Leash | Budget $20
Yes, dogs love toys and treats. But one of the best gifts you can give them is exercise. Real, intense, structured exercise. Running is a great way to provide that physical exertion, while improving heart health and muscle conditioning (for both of you!). Especially if you have a health or fitness-related new years resolution for yourself, give your dog the gift of being included and being worked. Note: for safety, we recommend that your dog has a solid heel to start with! Needless to say, it isn’t safe for either of you to tether yourself to a dog that pulls or is unpredictable outside, even with a bungee leash.
24: A Dog Walker | (price varies by location and walker)
If you aren’t able or interested in giving your dog some extra exercise, you can do the next best thing: hire someone to do it for you. Dog walkers are easier to find than they’ve ever been, and no matter your needs, there is a dog walker out there for nearly any dog. A dog walker can come to your home to break up the day when you’re at work, or take your high-energy dog out for a run while you sit down for dinner. It’s a great way to give your dog the extra physical stimulation it needs, even if you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do it yourself.
25: A Good Dog Training Program | (price varies by location and trainer)
As a dog trainer myself, maybe I’m a little biased, but I think the absolute best gift you could give any dog (and yourself) is a great training program with scientific and results-based training. Dogs that go through a good training program come out with skills and habits that set them up to live a great life. Especially in the case of dogs with behavior concerns, the world can be very small and limited. When a dog learns how to control impulses, regulate stress, build confidence, and increase reliability, that dog gets access to a whole world they’d otherwise never get to experience. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest yourself, Lugaru K9 Training would love to meet you. But regardless of where you are, make sure your trainer knows their stuff and is ready to deliver on the core skills that every dog should have.
There you have it, 25 great gift ideas for your dog. There’s one here to fit any budget! Even if you don’t see the perfect gift for you, each option is a great jumping off point to spark ideas of your own! What was your favorite (or, rather, your dog’s favorite)? Let us know in the comments!
