When it comes to being a pup parent,??t nhau tr?c ti?p our fur baby's happiness is a gift in and of itself.
Really every gift we give them — whether a scrap of food under the table or a new toy — is kind of for us as much as it is for them. So if you've both been more nice than naughty this year, then go ahead and ask Santa Paws for some of these gifts that do double-duty on spreading joy.
Here are seven presents that will not only ensure your holidays are barktacular, but also make your life way easier and more rewarding in the long run.
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1. A tease/flirt pole
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Basically a cat toy for dogs, this life-saver is crucialfor parents with energetic fur babies but little room or time to exercise them. If you have enough space in your apartment or yard, this thing wipes your pup out to the point of exhaustion within 10 minutes flat. There are cheaper options than this one, but I'm partial to the Squishy Face brand because it's the toughest and most durable, so ideal for a chonky super chewer like my pitbull.
Tease (aka flirt) poles are also great for training, particularly with dogs that are play-driven (and have some healthy prey drive). Be sure to educate yourself on how to use them properly for training, though. Aside from expending physical energy, they also exhaust your pup's mental energy. It helps teach them impulse control because, in order to keep playing, they're forced to listen to your commands like "sit," "down," "stay," or "drop" when in a frenzied, excited, distracted state.
Price: $29.99 on Amazon
Best for: Energetic, play-driven fur babies with lazy humans.
2. A dog bow-tie collar
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Would you send your kid to school looking like shit? No. All the other dogs would make fun of them.
Some believe dog bow-tie collars are only for weddings or special occasions. But isn't every day with your fur baby a celebration of undying love? If you get the right kind of accessorized dog collar, they work for all occasions, whether everyday cuteness, bringing your dog to work, or the holidays.
The key is getting an accessory collar set with removable bows and ties, like PoppyMarket on Etsy. You can also wash and iron all their ties and bows to keep them looking fresh for a long time. My first set lasted four years of everyday use!
Also if your fur baby is part of a stigmatized breed (like my pittie), bow-ties help make people see the sweetness underneath all the prejudice.
Price: $17-45 on Etsy
Best for:Four-legged fashionistas with places to go, people to see, and the right outfit for each.
3. Barkbox subscription
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Listen, a subscription toy and treat box isn't necessarily the most cost-effective parenting. But at the same time, the indescribable joy both you and your fur child experience every month after receiving a BarkBox is priceless.
Each box comes with themed toys and treats that are some of the best and most thoroughly tested on the market. Barkbox's custom-made inventions are thoughtfully designed for maximum playability and function, while also being melt-your-heart adorable. On top of all that, Barkbox has some of the best customer service that's very available and helpful — and even speaks exclusively in dog puns!
You can customize your box to your dog's size, allergies, and also rate each toy to help them figure out over time which ones work best. If your dog doesn't like a certain toy, they'll send you a new one for free, no questions asked. Even the most powerful super chewers will meet their match with this box, too.
Price: $20-35 a month at Barkbox depending on subscription plan
Best for: The aspiring Instagram pup-fluencer.
4. An anti-anxiety dog bed that actually works
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Is your fur baby an avid snuggler? Or do they tend to sleep in tight balls, resting their head on something? Well there's a good chance they'll be obsessed with Best Friend by Sheri's Calming Shag Donut Cuddler bed.
As opposed to the more typical side sleeping position, curled up donut dog sleepers are thought to do so out of feelings of vulnerability and anxiety. They're also probably looking to retain body heat (shout out to all our short-haired naked mole-rats out there).
All those preferences make this dog bed ideal. The donut shape and headrest help create a calming effect, and the faux fur mimics a warm blanket or sleeping close together in a litter as puppies. It's far from the cheapest, but being machine washable, it's also very easy to maintain.
This addition was integral to teaching my own anxious donut sleeper to feel safe and secure enough to sleep alone once he got too big to fit in his preferred "donut bed" between my legs.
Bonus: It's, like, extremely high fashion!
Price: $34.95 - $139.95
Best for: Aggressive snugglers.
7. The DogTV YouTube channel
Nothing beats live, human interaction with your pup. You should do everything you can to ensure they're not regularly left alone for large stretches of time without it.
But sometimes it's unavoidable. And for those of us who can't afford to buy a pet cam or remote long-distance treat and dispensers, DogTV on Youtube can bring you some peace of mind for free.
The science is still out on whether or not dogs can even really recognize what's happening on a TV screen. But there are other sensory benefits to DogTV, like its calming auditory sounds. Just be sure you put on an appropriate playlist so the YouTube algorithm doesn't lead your pup down some dark paths.
Price: Free!
Best for: The working pup parent.