Gifts for Dogs

Loyal, fun-loving, honest, intelligent and brave companion - doesn't your dog deserve a present now and then?

Or maybe you are looking for an inspired gift for a dog-owner?

This Hubpage aims to offer a wide range of ideas to help you make your choice.

Before buying any dog, do your research thoroughly. Dogs demand attention and time. If your household is mostly out all day, a dog is not for you. Dogs get bored and lonely when left alone, and this can result in destructive behaviour.

Some dogs - and not necessarily just large breeds - are not suitable for a household with children or babies. Be safe rather than sorry. Don't blame the dog breed - place the blame where it belongs, with the irresponsible owner(s).

Never leave a visiting child alone with your dog, no matter how friendly they have previously been.  Dogs are pack animals and all visitors are viewed as territorial challengers.  Also, the child may not really understand behavioral boundaries with a dog.  Again, be safe rather than sorry.

Clean up after your dog when out and about, and also train your dog properly so it comes to your command (each time, not just when it feels like it.) If you don't know how to do this, and especially if you've not kept dogs before, enrol on a dog training course. Dogs love this kind of training if you make a game of it, and reward with little food treats and praise.  There are many 'How To' books available also.

After a good walk, an energetic game or tasty dinner, dogs like to curl up somewhere warm, quiet and safe for a snooze. Just as humans like a peaceful retreat, so do dogs. 

If you have children, it is your task to teach them when to leave Fido alone. When a dog is napping or asleep is one such time.   Just as you feel snappy if pestered when you'd prefer to snooze, so do most dogs.  Children need to be taught that a pet is not a toy.

There is a huge choice of products readily available on the market which are suitable for various budgets. Listed below are just two, from a modestly priced snuggly bed to a glamorous wooden chalet. 

For it's cold outside but it's also walkies time, dogs like to keep warm just as much as their human owners do!

A collar, lead and harness are essential, of course, and here in the UK the law states that every dogs should wear an identity tag. But outside of these obvious choices there's also a massive choice of warm coats, raincoats and even whimsical outfits purposely made for all shapes and sizes of dogs!

Some might be traditional, like the example shown below. Others might be much more zany. Ballet tutus, sailor suits, batman outfits, wedding dresses and evening dinner suits are among such options - and are designed more for the amusement of the owner than for the benefit of the dog. Some people feel comedy outfits like these are distasteful or disrespectful to the animal.

My own dogs have matching collars and harnesses, padded winter jackets and raincoats (see photo below.) I find they provide more than enough comedy without fanciful outfits - but each to our own.

Dogs love to play, so provide them with plenty of toys to challenge and entertain them.  Having a good selection of various kinds of toys will reduce the likelihood of destructive behaviour when the dog is at home alone.

Dogs have lively minds - they like to figure things out and learn new games and tricks. Some breeds have a higher estimated IQ than other breeds, but no dog likes to be bored.  Make training fun, and your dog will learn much more readily.

Be sure the toys you buy don't have things which your dog might choke on, such as kapok stuffing or wobbly eyes which are easily chewed-off.  Though these often feature in items sold as dog toys, I recommend they are avoided. 

Dogs love chewing, tugging, chasing and 'killing' their toys. This is normal canine behaviour, and is all part of natural play.   A bouncy ball and tug-o-war rope toy will always prove popular.

How about something for the enthusiastic dog owner?

Perhaps you'd like to opt for a canine-inspired rug or ornament, vase or decoration? The choice of doggy-stuff is incredibly vast!  From paw-print fleece jackets to ceramic ornaments, from puppy-face kitchen clocks to dog-shaped brass door knockers, to selection is vast.

A smart 'Beware of the Dog' sign for the front door might be a good idea, or a dog-proof mail box.  My Jack Russell is very fond of shredding mail...

Below is just one example of the many gift ideas which might catch your eye.