Great Holiday Gifts for Your Best Friend

It's that time of year again! The time of year when we have an excuse to spoil our pets (as if we needed one). This year, consider some of my favorite products for your pampered pooch.

Gifts for the Canine the Fitness Buff

Most dogs don't get enough exercise. It's not always our fault either. It's just really hard for a two-legged human to keep up with a four-legged exercise buddy. They almost always leave us in the dust and some of us just aren't the best runners in the first place. Enter the Walky Dog Hands Free Bicycle Leash. Now your dog can have a high impact workout while you ride in comfort on your bike. Not into biking? The consider getting yourself a pair of roller blades!

Don't forget while you're out in the slushy Michigan snow with your big ole' boots that the rock salt we use to keep our sidewalks safe can eat away at your dog's tender paws - just look what it does to those boots, and your car! So consider PAWZ Disposable Reusable Bootsfor your tenderfoot and if he's not into fashion, Musher's Secret will help protect those pads.

Sometimes the fault lies with our schedule. We get so busy we skip our own Yoga class, and completely forget about Fido's aerobics. If this is the case, consider getting your pup a package at Camp BowWow. You can get  5-day or 10-day daycare packages at most camps and you don't have to use them consecutively. Drop your dog off once or twice a week and pick him up tired and ready for bed. Or if your dog prefers to work out at home, consider a treadmill. Get the right one and you'll both get some good use out of it.

But maybe your dog does get plenty of exercise and is looking to shake up the routine a bit. I've got you covered there too. Consider getting some agility equipment for your back yard.

Gits for Clever Canines
If your dog is an evil genous (You know the type, he's too smart for his own good, bores easily and is constantly coming up with new and exciting ways to drive you nuts. He probably eats all sorts of things that can kill him just for attention too. Yea, that's him.) everything is a puzzle to solve. So, get him some puzzles! Try Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Interactive Plastic Toy or the Aikiou Interactive Dog Feeder. Once he's figured those puzzles out, he won't have time to figure out how to take apart your vertical blinds!

Consider also one of my favorite dog training books, The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book: All you need to turn even the most mischievous pooch into a well-behaved pet.  That will get him on the path toward using his powers for good.

Gifts for Canine Couch Potatoes

If you'd like to get your dog a new bed (or the perfect "place" for my clients) consider West Paw Design Nature Nap Dog Mat, Large, Beach Glass. These wonderful mats come in a variety of sizes, are super comfy, fold up for travel and come in a variety of sizes that fit in your dog's crate.
If your dog has trouble jumping into the car due to age or joint problems, consider the Pet Studio Rampstep, or the PetSTEP Pet Ramp.

Gifts for Extreme Dogs

The Extreme Fetcher Does your dog drive you nuts with endless requests to throw the ball? It's time to mix things up a bit with the Chuckit! Ball Launcher and a Chuckit! Fetch Medley Balls .

The Extreme Chewer If your dog enjoys a good chew more than anything else, you'll make his day with a some Deer Antlers.  Dogs love em and they last longer than bones.  


So What are my spoiled pooches getting for Christmas?

Musher's Secret, a bunch of deer antlers and a Kyjen Fleecy Clean Split Double Tug Dog Toy. But don't tell!

Do you buy gifts for your dogs for the holidays? If you try any of these out, I'd love to hear your comments!