A Dog’s Christmas

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 44.8% of households in the U.S. owned a dog in 2006.  From their survey, that equates to approximately 73.9 million dogs.  They report “The overall majority of pet owners buy their pet a gift, usually for Christmas or often for no occasion at all, spending an average of almost $20.00 per pet gift.”  Now that you see you are in good company, what will you buy for your dog?

An article sent to me by Bob McMillan of the Herald-Citizen prompted the topic for this column.  The AP wire service published a story about the latest offerings for the doggie in-crowd.  Included were puppooses (crocheted slings in which to carry your dog across your chest), non-alcoholic dog beer, and wigs for dogs.  Wigs for dogs?  As if they didn’t already leave enough hair behind.  Rather than send you on a search for these people-pleasing as opposed to dog- pleasing gifts, I have some suggestions to make.

Most dogs like toys.  There are the usual toys – balls, stuffed plush animals, Frisbees, to name a few.   Better than those, look at toys that not only exercise the body, but also the canine mind.  Buster cubes, Kongs which can be stuffed with food, and treat dispensing balls are great.  For owners and dogs who know the rules of tugging (a must before you play tug), a new tuggy toy or combination tug/leash is great.  For dogs that are well-socialized with both people and other dogs, a gift of doggie day care would be wonderful. How about a sandbox for digging?

Food gifts are also high on the list as dog gift favorites.  Due to recent and ongoing scares within the pet food industry, my first suggestion is to get online and research some homemade doggie treats.  There is such a wide variety of treats available with just about every conceivable ingredient.  Of course, if you think the smell of baking liver or tuna might not add much to the wonderful smells of Christmas in your house, check out some of the wholesome treats available through some of the local retailers here.  A few retailers subscribe to the Whole Dog Journal which tracks the quality of pet foods and stock only the best  suggested foods.  As the Journal does not accept advertisements, it can report in a completely unbiased way. 

While I doubt I would find equipment on your dog’s wish list, it is something many folks give to their pets at Christmas.  You could make your selection more appealing to your pet if you replace any aversive equipment (choke collars, prong collars, shock collars) with more dog friendly equipment.  There are wonderful new anti-pull harnesses out there such as the Easy Walk and Sensi if you have a dedicated puller.  Many of the smaller dogs in my classes have arrived sporting very flashy material harnesses, a great alternative to collars that can easily damage tender throats and tracheas. 

Of all my recommendations, I most strongly suggest you give your dog the gift of more time, not just during the holidays, but all year long.  Dogs are social creatures who want to be a part of the family.  Buy yourself a book on games to play with your dog.  Enroll in a class with your dog – take something fun like agility, flyball, or Rally-O.  If your dog is lacking manners, take a basic manners class that emphasizes building your relationship with your dog as well as learning behaviors which make them more welcome companions.  Commit to walking a little more with your dog.  It will do you both good.  When the weather is nasty, have some good inside games.  Hide the dog’s toys.  Make it easy at first by showing the dog where you are hiding the toy, then ask him to find it.  As the dog gets good at this, make it harder.  There is a game called 100 things to do with a box.  Set out an ordinary cardboard box and shape your dog into doing different things with that box.   Teach your old (or new) dog some tricks.  Nothing makes clients more tickled than to see their pups learning to hit the Staples Easy button for a treat or learning a simple shake hands.  There are plenty of books available on trick training.

Christmas is a season for giving.  If you have the available funds, please remember the animal organizations in the area that need donations – both money and goods – for the many animals that will not be a part of someone’s Christmas celebration at home.  If you don’t have a dog or any other pet with which to share your life, give yourself  one of the best gifts ever – adopt a pet in need of a home.  You’ll get more back than you can ever imagine.