Naturally, we don’t need an excuse to spoil our dogs and especially at Christmas. Here are some ideas or you and your furry friend:
The Underdog International Calendar for you and your pooch to keep abreast of all those important doggy dates. This sustainably produced calendar features 12 wonderful images of some of the charity’s rescued dogs, now living their very best lives.
The Underdog International Charity’s ethical online shop also offers fashionable bandanas for your dog and some very cool tops and bags for the non-furry family members. Everything is made from up cycled fabrics or donated stock so the products have virtually no impact on the world’s resources. Plus, 100% of sales goes directly to their life-changing projects helping children and dogs.
Buying Christmas presents while doing good, CLICK HERE - mission accomplished!
Interactive food toys
Now there are plenty of ways to use your recycling or old towels to create entertainment for your dog but let’s go big and splash out on some puzzle toys this Christmas. These will keep your pooch busy all year round, and sane over those busy Christmas days.
A Kong: this is classic and there shouldn’t be a dog without one (or ten). The Kong comes in different sizes and durability (to suit everyone from puppy teeth to strong adult chewers). Skip the filler that’s often marketed alongside this genius toy and instead stuff the Kong with your dog’s main meals and/ or get creative with pretty much anything and everything that your dog likes and that you can stuff inside (from cooked chicken to banana, peanut butter, apples and cream cheese, dry cookies….).
A Snuffle Mat: heaven for most dogs, especially those who are born to dig and scratch. Hide treats in and amongst the flaps of fabric and let loose the hound.
Hol-ee Roller ball: wrap treats into newspaper or fabric strips, then feed it through this ball of endless fun.
Bob-A-Lot: great to feed main meals with (dry food only) as well as afternoon entertainment puzzling, well, bobbing.
There are plenty of yummy natural chews and treats to be found here (we say NO to rawhide and instead opt of natural chews only, your dog and vet bill will thank you).
These plant-based compostable poo bags are good for the planet and come in three striking colours (yellow, pink and green) so you’ll do good AND look good.
Use code ‘WOLFGANG20’ to get 20% off.
A ButternutBox food subscription - give the gift of daily deliciousness to your best friend and sign up to ButternutBox. We’ve seen first hand the incredible impact a good diet has on a dog’s health, and therefore behaviour, and ButternutBox is certainly one of the best freshly-prepared meals out there (using only human-grade meat and veg).
CLICK HERE if you fancy 50% off your first two boxes (UK availability only for now).
Books - Ok, this is more for you humans to learn about your canine friends but we can assure you, your furry sidekick will LOVE you for it!
He’s Only Playing - an award winning book by dog behaviour specialist Sarah Whitehead. This book is about understanding dog body language and dog on dog play; what’s ok, what isn’t and therefore when to interrupt to avoid potential behaviour issues from developing.
Canine enrichment in the real world - learn about what dogs really need, how we can provide it and structure an environment (and routine) that allows them to engage in (breed specific) behaviours they find enriching.
Easy, Peasy Doggy Squeezy - this book by the equally amazing and funny Steve Mann (found of the IMDT no less) provides step-by-step guides on how to teach the most useful and practical techniques to improve your life with your dog by following simple exercises as well as more advanced training techniques and ideas.