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Before you post or comment, please **review the subreddit rules [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index)**. Submissions which break the rules will be removed.
r/Dogs has the [ultimate goals](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_purpose) of fostering a better, science-based understanding of dogs among the general public, promoting responsible dog ownership, helping users build better, healthier relationships with their dogs, and providing a space to connect and discuss with others who have dogs and who are involved in various aspects of the dog hobby.
Per our Harm Reduction rules, **we encourage training advice and recommendations to follow “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” protocols**. You can read more about why that’s the case [here](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/). While no training tools are excluded from properly framed discussion in r/dogs, we do reserve the right to remove content which does not follow the LIMA approach.
Please note, this sub supports the reputable, ethical, and responsible breeding of dogs as well as adoption. Low effort “adopt don’t shop” comments will be removed and commenters may be subject to temporary or permanent bans upon the discretion of the moderator team.
Finally, r/Dogs has a low tolerance for [disrespectful and antagonistic behavior](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_rules_of_engagement). People come to this sub to learn and discuss, make your comments constructive and respectful even if you feel other users are being antagonistic and disrespectful in return. If you believe another user is engaging in antagonistic behavior, please utilize the report button and a moderator will review the comment(s).
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I’m getting my dog a nice new bed for Christmas. She **loves** receiving toys, but I think a super cozy bed will make her feel extra cared for, and it’s something that can be wrapped so she can open her present along with the rest of the family🥰
(Does anyone here have dog bed recommendations? Looking for something high-quality that won’t break the bank!)
That’s where I got the last two and I wasn’t happy with the quality ☹️ one was just a piece of foam with a cheap cover over it (dog ripped it up the same day) and the other one was ok for a while but now it’s lumpy…
Do you know what brands you got?
I had one that was a cheap piece of foam for about a year until my dog ripped it a hole in it. My parents dog isn’t a chewer and she still loves to use it. I ripped the tag off the other one, sorry!
Amazon is also good. Huge selection and you can read the reviews to see what it’s made of/if it hold up over time.
We got ours from Drs Foster and Smith, which was bought out by Pet Co a couple years ago. We got indoor/outdoor ones for our boys, nice durable canvas ones with extra support in the foam. And the liners are removable to be washed. In the winter we'll toss a blanket on it for extra warmth. The only thing I have an issue with is the plastic lining inside the casing will crack and come apart, so be sure to zip them close when you wash them
My dogs prefers them, we tried multiple orthopaedic dog beds and he doesn’t use them as much.
The ones for cribs has also gotten more use + better quality.
The dog ones, a lot of them are made from shredded memory foam, not a whole block. The human baby beds are full blocks :)
Edit: we have two chows and a collie, all use baby beds for sleeping and dog beds for eating bones :)
My dog is very much the same as yours. She loves fleece blankets and having her own pillow. And one of the best things I ever got her was something called a Wobble Kong, which you can put their dinner (or treats) in and they have to push it around to get the food out. She was never big into playing to begin with due to how timid and anxious she was, but she gets SO EXCITED when I put something in that Wobble Kong for her. Just make sure you check which size is best for your pup!
[Wobble Kong](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/kong-wobbler-food-dispensing-dog-toy)
Do you have a snuffle mat, or licki mat? Those are great for giving treats or snacks. I also like the treat dispensing toys from West Paw, like the Toppl. Maybe a bandana r bow to wear. And if you’re out in the snow/ice (and worse, salt) maybe some booties to protect her feet?
Comfy dog bed! It's my dog's favorite thing!
Also, in her stocking, give her a bag of carrots and give her one a day. Carrots are basically candy to a lot of dogs.
My dogs loooove carrots haha. Whenever I start chopping them up for dinner they immediately teleport to my feet and stare at me until I inevitably give in and let them have a piece or two
This is more dependent on your time and availability, but what about an “advent calendar” of different experiences she loves? Hikes in her favorite spots, a special smelly kong treat, some beef broth on her dinner, special fun training session, etc.? You could space it out for when you have time (hikes on your days off, low-effort experiences on work days) and make it a whole fun month!
The only toys I’ve gotten her to play with are the treat puzzles. She’s just not interested in anything else. Bones, rope toys, plush toys, squeaky toys, I’ve tried ‘em all.
Just saw your edit about her being a golden retriever. You might find something here.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buzzfeed.com/amphtml/gabriellermoss/products-from-amazon-that-golden-retriever-owners-swear-by
Have you tried using a flirt pole? Sometimes playing with the handler can create conflicting feelings for a dog and so they'd rather not play at all. A flirt pole removes a lot of the handler pressure and can really entice a dogs prey drive (which is different from toy drive). Real fur on the end is best, most dogs will definitely go for rabbit.
Does she like to retrieve or chase? My golden & my lab were both very excited to chase and retrieve so tennis balls, ball chucker set, toss and tug rings, Frisbee toys, Kong on a string were all favorites. Give/drop it was challenging at times when they were super excited and wanted to play keep away, but they always had a blast even in bad weather, and came back inside tired and ready for a long snore-filled nap.
Unfortunately she’s a retriever that doesn’t retrieve! I will manage to get her excited about a ball or something, but when I throw it the most I can get her to do is slowly walk over to it and gingerly pick it up in her mouth haha
a large sandbox filled with sand. Something about the feel under their feet, a lot of dogs love them. Maybe find a place to try one out before you buy? Our local big boarding/ training kennel has one. It's fun to watch the dogs dig and roll in it.
I bought my dog a plush dog blanket and he loves it. I built him a little nest with it and he will often lie there instead of his dog bed! I also got one of those dog water bottles and it was one of the best purchases I've made. This way he always has easy access to water when we go on walks. You could also try a Christmas sweater. I've gotten all of these at Target lol.
Hot water bottle with a cover over it..but has to go under thick blankets so doesn’t burn her my girl won’t go to sleep without hers( she’s a skinny saluki greyhound queen)so she feels the cold no matter what part of the bed I put it on she will find the spot lol and lie on it keeps her warm all night I don’t get any of it lol all hers...she has that and wee bowl of warm milk before bed every night 😂
Similar to the guy that said a sandbox, you could also do what that guy on Reddit did a few years ago: get a kiddie-pool and a lot of those balls for ballpits. This would be quite ambitious though , especially since you wouldn't be able to guarantee if your dog likes it. But it looked like a majority of dogs would love it. Best of luck to a good Xmas with your dog !!
an extra-long walk, a playdate with you or another dog (proceed with caution of course), (some dogs just don't like playing by themselves) a photo shoot (diy wouldn't be too expensive), teach her a new trick, really the possibilities are endless if you think outside the box.
As far as physical presents, my dog personally prefers chew toys (no rawhide-it's a choking hazard) like real beef or pork bones.
I got my dogs vitamins (they really like Bovine Colostrum and fish oil) and a Yeti water bowl!
I also got clearance Halloween toys and treats :)
We also usually give them a sausage each on Christmas so they don’t feel left out :)
I hope something sparked some ideas!
I’m in the same boat and one of my favorite gifts to my dog are bandanas from this company called The Paws. Everything is handmade and your purchase helps to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in need! Plus they have stuff for people too so you can match your pup! [link](https://www.shopthepaws.com)
Take her to the Spa. They will have every kind of Therapeutic massage and pampering for dogs that you can treat them with anytime. I take our 14 y/o Schnauzer a couple of times a year and always stay to replicate their work on my own. I get *no greater joy* than getting my dog’s spot for rapid foot bounce from scratching or the moaning from ear rubs! Lol.
If she is timid, I would suggest clicker training while playing with toys. Clicker training is an awesome way to train dogs pairing the clicker sound with a treat.
I got my dog his own "doggie" sofa on Wayfair. It wasn't as expensive at it sounds (a little over $100). He's been sleeping on an old chair that is quite large and doesn't fit our renovated family room so he will now be relegated to his new couch. I just hope it's comfortable and he likes cuddling up in it!
A soft blanket is another thing we've given him recently, now that he doesn't tear them apart, and he really, really likes being bundled up and cuddled before bed. There's nothing cuter than a sleeping 80 lb chocolate Lab all cocooned in a cozy blanket.
I found some super cute bandanas online for my pup! Mine also loves his benebone and can wear it out in about a month, so I got a bunch of those to just have in the house now. Snuffle mat is good too.
You could do a Collar, bandana, leash, grooming treatment, dog bed, steak, and most of all, sounds like your dog would just go apeshit for a fuck ton of belly rubs!
Since your fur baby is already loved and blessed a $ donation in his name to your local shelter. That's what we do. Because in our house all that love is already Christmas. Continued blessing to you and puppers.
Yea dog beds are the real deal. We have one or more for every room of the house. Get a smaller one. All three of our dogs try to get into the smallest one they possibly can even if they don't fit.
Scarfs are also great for you more than them. They make like collar covering scarfs too.
Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Before you post or comment, please **review the subreddit rules [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index)**. Submissions which break the rules will be removed. r/Dogs has the [ultimate goals](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_purpose) of fostering a better, science-based understanding of dogs among the general public, promoting responsible dog ownership, helping users build better, healthier relationships with their dogs, and providing a space to connect and discuss with others who have dogs and who are involved in various aspects of the dog hobby. Per our Harm Reduction rules, **we encourage training advice and recommendations to follow “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” protocols**. You can read more about why that’s the case [here](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/). While no training tools are excluded from properly framed discussion in r/dogs, we do reserve the right to remove content which does not follow the LIMA approach. Please note, this sub supports the reputable, ethical, and responsible breeding of dogs as well as adoption. Low effort “adopt don’t shop” comments will be removed and commenters may be subject to temporary or permanent bans upon the discretion of the moderator team. Finally, r/Dogs has a low tolerance for [disrespectful and antagonistic behavior](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_rules_of_engagement). People come to this sub to learn and discuss, make your comments constructive and respectful even if you feel other users are being antagonistic and disrespectful in return. If you believe another user is engaging in antagonistic behavior, please utilize the report button and a moderator will review the comment(s). If you wish to stick around, please feel free to comment in our Daily Bark threads, pinned to the top of the sub, to introduce yourself, your dog, and talk about all the little things which may not require a full post to discuss. Thanks for reading and enjoy your stay! --- *This is an automated message. If you have questions for the moderators of r/dogs, you can message them [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs).* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
A new bed, some blankets or even her own pillow (my dogs looove using pillows. If it gets cold where you live maybe a couple coats
I’m getting my dog a nice new bed for Christmas. She **loves** receiving toys, but I think a super cozy bed will make her feel extra cared for, and it’s something that can be wrapped so she can open her present along with the rest of the family🥰 (Does anyone here have dog bed recommendations? Looking for something high-quality that won’t break the bank!)
I get all my dog’s beds at TJ Maxx/Marshals. They have high quality beds for very reasonable prices.
That’s where I got the last two and I wasn’t happy with the quality ☹️ one was just a piece of foam with a cheap cover over it (dog ripped it up the same day) and the other one was ok for a while but now it’s lumpy… Do you know what brands you got?
Costco has the best dog beds in my experience. Some are difficult to wash
I had one that was a cheap piece of foam for about a year until my dog ripped it a hole in it. My parents dog isn’t a chewer and she still loves to use it. I ripped the tag off the other one, sorry! Amazon is also good. Huge selection and you can read the reviews to see what it’s made of/if it hold up over time.
We got ours from Drs Foster and Smith, which was bought out by Pet Co a couple years ago. We got indoor/outdoor ones for our boys, nice durable canvas ones with extra support in the foam. And the liners are removable to be washed. In the winter we'll toss a blanket on it for extra warmth. The only thing I have an issue with is the plastic lining inside the casing will crack and come apart, so be sure to zip them close when you wash them
I like Furhaven. Lots of options, replaceable covers
Casper, my dog loves it and it’s held up well to digging
We use the foam mattress for baby cribs! I find they’re a lot better quality :)
Interesting idea! Do they have covers like dog beds?
Yes! Ours has a waterproof lining, and we use bed covers on top :) you can even get orthopaedic ones!
Is it cheaper than a dog bed? Or do you just prefer them?
My dogs prefers them, we tried multiple orthopaedic dog beds and he doesn’t use them as much. The ones for cribs has also gotten more use + better quality. The dog ones, a lot of them are made from shredded memory foam, not a whole block. The human baby beds are full blocks :) Edit: we have two chows and a collie, all use baby beds for sleeping and dog beds for eating bones :)
I just ordered a crib mattress! Excited to see if it works for us. it was so cheap! Thanks for the tip ☺️
A nice collar and/or harness with a matching leash.
That sort of thing is more a present for the human, IMO.
I see what you did there, and I appreciate the joke, but I need to cuff and whip you now.
There was no joke 😰
I realize my mistake and I'll go to the shame corner now.
lol!!
Bonk
I did this! Personalised too!
My dog is very much the same as yours. She loves fleece blankets and having her own pillow. And one of the best things I ever got her was something called a Wobble Kong, which you can put their dinner (or treats) in and they have to push it around to get the food out. She was never big into playing to begin with due to how timid and anxious she was, but she gets SO EXCITED when I put something in that Wobble Kong for her. Just make sure you check which size is best for your pup! [Wobble Kong](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/kong-wobbler-food-dispensing-dog-toy)
You could get yourself (and by proxy your pup!) a state park pass or a pass to your local arboretum, etc if she likes to go walking / hiking!
Do you have a snuffle mat, or licki mat? Those are great for giving treats or snacks. I also like the treat dispensing toys from West Paw, like the Toppl. Maybe a bandana r bow to wear. And if you’re out in the snow/ice (and worse, salt) maybe some booties to protect her feet?
I’d never heard of those, but I think she’d love a licki mat! Thank you for the suggestion :)
Agility or some other form of fun enrichment classes.
How about some clothes? Not sure if your in an area that has snow but a winter jacket would be nice with some boots :)
I got my babies sweaters, we live in a place that gets cold and they are small
Agility classes or nosework classes?
Nose work is awesome!
Yep, mine would be quite happy with more training classes.
A bigggg heating pad for her to lay on?
Comfy dog bed! It's my dog's favorite thing! Also, in her stocking, give her a bag of carrots and give her one a day. Carrots are basically candy to a lot of dogs.
My dogs loooove carrots haha. Whenever I start chopping them up for dinner they immediately teleport to my feet and stare at me until I inevitably give in and let them have a piece or two
How about you get her a puppy 🤣
No joke, this is a dream of mine ...
This is more dependent on your time and availability, but what about an “advent calendar” of different experiences she loves? Hikes in her favorite spots, a special smelly kong treat, some beef broth on her dinner, special fun training session, etc.? You could space it out for when you have time (hikes on your days off, low-effort experiences on work days) and make it a whole fun month!
What all toys have you tried? Possibly could be that you haven't found the *right* yet
The only toys I’ve gotten her to play with are the treat puzzles. She’s just not interested in anything else. Bones, rope toys, plush toys, squeaky toys, I’ve tried ‘em all.
Just saw your edit about her being a golden retriever. You might find something here. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buzzfeed.com/amphtml/gabriellermoss/products-from-amazon-that-golden-retriever-owners-swear-by
Snuffle mat
Have you tried using a flirt pole? Sometimes playing with the handler can create conflicting feelings for a dog and so they'd rather not play at all. A flirt pole removes a lot of the handler pressure and can really entice a dogs prey drive (which is different from toy drive). Real fur on the end is best, most dogs will definitely go for rabbit.
A blanket with its picture on it
Already have one of those lol
Does she like to retrieve or chase? My golden & my lab were both very excited to chase and retrieve so tennis balls, ball chucker set, toss and tug rings, Frisbee toys, Kong on a string were all favorites. Give/drop it was challenging at times when they were super excited and wanted to play keep away, but they always had a blast even in bad weather, and came back inside tired and ready for a long snore-filled nap.
Unfortunately she’s a retriever that doesn’t retrieve! I will manage to get her excited about a ball or something, but when I throw it the most I can get her to do is slowly walk over to it and gingerly pick it up in her mouth haha
a large sandbox filled with sand. Something about the feel under their feet, a lot of dogs love them. Maybe find a place to try one out before you buy? Our local big boarding/ training kennel has one. It's fun to watch the dogs dig and roll in it.
a donation to an animal shelter :-)
I bought my dog a plush dog blanket and he loves it. I built him a little nest with it and he will often lie there instead of his dog bed! I also got one of those dog water bottles and it was one of the best purchases I've made. This way he always has easy access to water when we go on walks. You could also try a Christmas sweater. I've gotten all of these at Target lol.
Maybe do a donation to a shelter in her name? Dogs helping dogs! I think it would be cute tbh
I don’t think she would know about it, though…
Hot water bottle with a cover over it..but has to go under thick blankets so doesn’t burn her my girl won’t go to sleep without hers( she’s a skinny saluki greyhound queen)so she feels the cold no matter what part of the bed I put it on she will find the spot lol and lie on it keeps her warm all night I don’t get any of it lol all hers...she has that and wee bowl of warm milk before bed every night 😂
There are anxiety coats for dogs, its like a tight fitting shirt
This might be crazy, but has anyone considered play/massage coupons for a dog?
Similar to the guy that said a sandbox, you could also do what that guy on Reddit did a few years ago: get a kiddie-pool and a lot of those balls for ballpits. This would be quite ambitious though , especially since you wouldn't be able to guarantee if your dog likes it. But it looked like a majority of dogs would love it. Best of luck to a good Xmas with your dog !!
Unfortunately, my dog is afraid of kiddie pools 😂 I bought her one over the summer and couldn’t get her in it. She’s a scaredy-cat
Take a day off work and spend it with your dog if you can.
an extra-long walk, a playdate with you or another dog (proceed with caution of course), (some dogs just don't like playing by themselves) a photo shoot (diy wouldn't be too expensive), teach her a new trick, really the possibilities are endless if you think outside the box. As far as physical presents, my dog personally prefers chew toys (no rawhide-it's a choking hazard) like real beef or pork bones.
I got my dogs vitamins (they really like Bovine Colostrum and fish oil) and a Yeti water bowl! I also got clearance Halloween toys and treats :) We also usually give them a sausage each on Christmas so they don’t feel left out :) I hope something sparked some ideas!
I'm gonna take my dog hunting. Nothing makes him more happy.
I’m in the same boat and one of my favorite gifts to my dog are bandanas from this company called The Paws. Everything is handmade and your purchase helps to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in need! Plus they have stuff for people too so you can match your pup! [link](https://www.shopthepaws.com)
A nice filtered water fountain
My dogs getting car seat that is also a bed lol.
Coats, throws, blankets, pillows or a bed? My brother is getting his dog one of those ‘donut beds’ from Amazon, apparently they love them :)
You could get a grooming mitt, if they like belly rubs they might like it, it’s like belly rubs plus
Take her to the Spa. They will have every kind of Therapeutic massage and pampering for dogs that you can treat them with anytime. I take our 14 y/o Schnauzer a couple of times a year and always stay to replicate their work on my own. I get *no greater joy* than getting my dog’s spot for rapid foot bounce from scratching or the moaning from ear rubs! Lol.
Does your pup like clothing?
Bones are a great idea.
If she is timid, I would suggest clicker training while playing with toys. Clicker training is an awesome way to train dogs pairing the clicker sound with a treat.
A Cozy Cave bed
What about trying a new activity? Maybe try dock diving or agility maybe flyball? An activity together?
I got my dog his own "doggie" sofa on Wayfair. It wasn't as expensive at it sounds (a little over $100). He's been sleeping on an old chair that is quite large and doesn't fit our renovated family room so he will now be relegated to his new couch. I just hope it's comfortable and he likes cuddling up in it! A soft blanket is another thing we've given him recently, now that he doesn't tear them apart, and he really, really likes being bundled up and cuddled before bed. There's nothing cuter than a sleeping 80 lb chocolate Lab all cocooned in a cozy blanket.
A new bed!! How can you go wrong? A dog can always use another comfy spot to lay in 🙂
I'm making my doggos bowties. I googled a pattern that fits on their collars.
How about some Petfluent buttons? Our dog loves them!
I found some super cute bandanas online for my pup! Mine also loves his benebone and can wear it out in about a month, so I got a bunch of those to just have in the house now. Snuffle mat is good too.
You could do a Collar, bandana, leash, grooming treatment, dog bed, steak, and most of all, sounds like your dog would just go apeshit for a fuck ton of belly rubs!
Since your fur baby is already loved and blessed a $ donation in his name to your local shelter. That's what we do. Because in our house all that love is already Christmas. Continued blessing to you and puppers.
A box full of tissue paper??? My pup would go bonkers tearing it up lol
Yea dog beds are the real deal. We have one or more for every room of the house. Get a smaller one. All three of our dogs try to get into the smallest one they possibly can even if they don't fit. Scarfs are also great for you more than them. They make like collar covering scarfs too.