The Best Gifts for Dog Owners, According to Groomers, Trainers, and Other Dog Owners

This soft puzzle tree will keep anydogoccupied(mine included) for hours because of its squirrel-filled trunk that mimics a game of hide-and-seek. It’s available in various sizes — the largest includes six squeaky squirrels.

When he’s not playing with the plush toy above, one of my family dogs — a 160-pound Great Dane — enjoys flinging these replacement squirrels around. My parents basically have a standing order of this three-pack for when he inevitably pulls out the squeakers, which would make a useful (and affordable) gift for the owner of any chew-happy dog.

Michael Kim, founder of the dog skin-care brandFloof, uses these poop bags for his French bulldog, Leo. Kim loves the design — a nod to classic “Thank You” takeout bags — and the fact that they’re compostable.

The week we brought our puppy Ringo home, one of our neighbors (who’s also a dog owner) recommended this book to my partner and me.How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friendis a must-read for any first-time dog owners, but it’s also great for anyone eager to deepen their connection with their canine friends. It’s been such a helpful training manual, and we often refer to sections we’ve highlighted about obedience, feeding, and the human-dog bond.

The dachshund owner in your life will be delighted to receive this charmingly long ring holder, inspired by their doxie’s regal stance.

Crate-training a pup can be a struggle, but I’ve found that lick mats are the best way to soothe an anxious dog and generate a positive association with the kennel. We own this two-pack, which has textured surfaces and grooves, and at under 10 bucks, it’s a great low-cost enrichment tool.

Keep their house fur free with thiseasy-to-use brushthat strips away dander and removes knots or mats hidden beneath a dog’scoat. It’s a top tool at grooming centers because it has flexible rubber bristles that feel like a soothing massage when combed through a pup’shair.

Hide your dog’s favoritetreatsin the compartments of thisfood puzzle, then let them sniff and slide the blocks to uncover delicious tidbits. It’s essentially the canine equivalent of the“New YorkTimescrossword puzzle,” says Lauren Camerini, a dog trainer and the founder ofthe Peaceful Dog.

Here’s another stimulating option for dogs: this silicone snuffle mat that we picked up from our local pet store. So far, I’ve found it much easier to clean than fabric mats I’ve used. It’s made by Toronto-based brand Dexypaws and has a strong suction-cup base, which prevents Ringo from flipping it over or using it as a chew toy.

A gift idea that’s more for an owner than their four-legged friend is this delightful four-pack of pencils from Mr. Boddington’s Studio. The print is beloved byElisabeth Weiss, a dog trainer and the owner ofDog Relations NYC, who describes it as “a bit Old World but in a friendly and sort of British humor style.”

Featuring the same cheery illustration as the above cards, this compositionnotebookcontains 192 wide-ruled pages for jotting down notes or drafting theirWar and Peace–length dog-sitter plan the next time they’re (reluctantly) out of town.

Owners oflarge- or giant-breed dogswill appreciate this hands-free tool designed to hold one or multiple waste bags (a.k.a. a lot of poop). It’s also agift that gives back: When you purchase a Dooloop through the brand’s site, 20 percent of the profit will be donated to the NAACP.

For training, I love these tiny freeze-dried treats because they contain just one ingredient (beef liver) and are perfectly bite-size. A dog trainer introduced them to us at puppy preschool, and while they don’t have a strong scent, Ringo goes crazy for them whenever we’re practicing new commands.

Ifnail trimsdon’t faze their dog, the pooch is ready for a paw-dicure (sorry — we couldn’t resist). This water-based, nontoxic polish pen from Warren London dries in under a minute and is available in 13 shades for more than just French tips.

Another way to dress up your pet: this mop top thatMolly Shannoncalls her Chihuahua’s “I hate Mondays” wig.

Oreos might be a no-no for dogs, but they cansafelyenjoy these all-natural Paw-reos fromMaison de Pawz, a Parisian-inspired pâwtisserie in New York City. Freshly baked to order, the five-pack only contains five ingredients, including organic buckwheat flour, unsweetened carob powder, and coconut milk.

This silicone Apple AirTag holder, a gift idea courtesy of social-media consultant and dog ownerRachel Karten, will allow your recipient to keep track of their pup using the Find My app. It lies flush when attached to a collar, so it’s less likely to detach during playtime. (Awoo also sells a matchingharnessandleashfor those looking for fully monochrome kits.)

We wrote about using thisdog poolfor kids — but your giftee could also use it for, well, dogs. It’s ideal for keeping furry friends entertained during cookouts or picnics; just be sure to “monitor your pup” for safety during use, saysErin Askeland, an animal-health and -behavior consultant atCamp Bow Wow.

This ultradurable,veterinarian-approvedtoy can be filled with peanut butter or a fewtreatsto distract amouthy puppyfrom chewing on the corner of your couch. I still use one to entertain Ringo, especially when we practice his crate-training since licking the Kong helps to make his crate feel safe and comfortable. Pro tip: Try filling the Kong using all-natural peanut butter likeBuddy Butter.

Anoutdoorsydog owner will appreciate the length and customizability of thisleashfrom Oakland-based brandHigh Tail Hikes. Made of woven polyester webbing with a soft PVC coating, itsauto-locking carabinerwill allow their pet to roam more freely while maintaining an ultrasecure connection.

This ingenious device is a win-win for both owner and pet because it’s a controlled way to give Fido hisfavorite chew. It tightly secures abully stick, preventing overeager dogs from choking on the last bit of thetreat.

And if you’d like to complete the gift idea above, we recommend adding these fully digestible and USA-made bully sticks. Endorsed by multiple experts, these are ourtop-rated chew for puppies(and fornon-puppies) because they’re rich in nutrients but softer on a pet’s teeth than bones or antlers.

Forveryactive owner-and-pup duos, I recommend this bottle that dispenses water into a bowl-shaped top that functions like a portable drinking fountain for your dog. I use one with our Aussie mix because it can be carriedon hikesor down long trails where clean water isn’t readily available.

If their dog tends to be anxious, give them thisdonut-shaped bedthat provides a cozy sense of security. I’m also a big fan of this fun floral pattern that’ll blend nicely with pastel interiors.

They might already use Ouai — and now their pup can, too. The brand’sanimal washis formulated with aloe vera, along with many ingredients that promote a healthycoat.

Pet-clothing company Little Beast makes a range of stylish dog sweaters and onesies, like this knit option that’s great for pet parents who want to coordinate their dog’s outfit with their own Lisa Says Gah’s ensemble.

Thesedog bowlswon’t throw off your giftee’s highly curated aesthetic when they’re nice-looking enough for human use. Available in two sizes, the speckled dishes are made by the female artisans behind Brooklyn-based ceramics studioFranca.

These tiny Wellington boots would make a great gift for a furry recipient who’s alreadycomfortablewearing shoes — and their owner, who can skip the post-walk chase-and-wipe-down routine. The slip-onfootwearis available in six colors, plus the price includes a set of four.

Another giftable collar attachment is Mejuri’s 24-karat gold-platedcharm that can be engraved with a dog’s name and your phone number.Rachel Zoecustomized one for her toyMaltipooand says it’s asuper-durable (and stylish)pet accessory.

What furry friend could turn down a monthlysubscription boxfilled withtreats, plush squeakers, and other surprises for playtime?BarkBox also offers asuper-chewer optionfor dogs that play harder and need extra-tough toys.

Give the gift oforal healthwith the toothbrush-shaped treats favored by three Strategist writers — myself included — to combat bad breath in each of our dogs. AuthorOttessa Moshfeghis another fan, saying her four pups are “obsessed with” thesechewsand come running whenever she grabs the box from the shelf.

This wobbly device can be filled with more than a cup ofkibbleand used as an interactiveslow feederfor added mental enrichment at mealtime.Our Aussie mix enjoys knocking it around with her paws or snout to release a few chunks offood; however, I recommend supervising your dog to make sure they’re going after the dispensed rewards rather than just gnawing on the exterior like it’s a chew toy.

If they’re looking for more enriching dog-play options, Woof’s handy holiday kit has everything they’ll need: It comes with the Pupsicle, which holds ready-made “pops” (the brand’s re-fill treats), plus a tray for making DIY frozen treats and a bag of training morsels.

The cheery hues and rounded rim of these glossy bowls remind me of Swedish designer Gustaf Westman’s curvy (and rarely in stock)dinner plates. And they even include a silicone, nonslip mat, which willhopefullymean less mess after meals.

Here’s another feeding kit that has everything you’ll need for mealtimes on the go. The seven-piece travel set includes two zip-top food-storage cubes, two collapsible bowls, a feeding tray, and a collapsible measuring scoop, which all fit inside the insulated travel bag.

Women-led brand Approved by Fritz offers tons of brightandsustainable dog essentials, like this color-block walking set. Made from easy-to-clean PVC-coated nylon, the leash has versatile swivel clips on both ends and the collar has a quick-release buckle for extra safety.

If theircarrierhas seen better days, upgrade them to this tote-style option, from New York City–based brandJust Fred, which has a padded window that will allow their pup to see what’s happening outside.Available in two sizes to fit animals up to 35 pounds, it offers the highest weight capacity of any pick in our roundup of thebest dog carriers.

Forownersgoing into the office and leaving their pup at home, this 360-degree camera allows them to still interact throughout the day bytossing treatsor reassuring them they’re such a good dog with the real-time two-way audio. Along with its rotating view for full-room monitoring, the Furbo can detect barking and send alerts straight to your smartphone for peace of mind.

After adopting myrescueShea, I purchased a DNA test to find out her exact breed mix and better understand her behaviors — and years later, I still think it’s the perfect gift for any pet parent in a similar boat. With one simple cheek swab, Embark will screen your dog for more than 350 breeds using research-grade data developed with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Thisdog bedfrom Saatva, the maker of ourbest-performingmattress, is made with responsive microcoils, like the ones humans sleep on, so it’s an excellent option for older pups or those with mobility issues. It’s available in three textures, includingbouclé and linen, plus three sizes to support animals up to 120 pounds.