Gifts for Dog Lovers: 6 Things Our Puppy Actually Uses

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Shopping for someone who talks about their dog like it's one of the kids? Same.

We have two dogs here. Dash is our big guy. Finley is the puppy, a rescue who chews everything and pulls like he's training for a sled race.

When we brought Fin home, I made a list of what was actually working. I promised the leash, the dental chews and the slow feeder bowl would land here once he'd really used them. Here they are, plus a few more.

Each one has our real life verdict, from the video we filmed. No guessing.

Who this list is for: the new puppy family, the friend with a dog who pulls, the person whose dog inhales dinner, and anyone who dreads nail day.

1. A slow feeder bowl that stays put (for the dog who inhales dinner)

Our puppy used to step on his bowl and tip it over. Kibble everywhere, every meal.

Real life verdict (our video): "This slow feeder stays in place with suction cups, so he can't push it around and he can't step on it to knock it over." The raised section makes him slow down instead of mowing through his food. There's a little spot that works well for his milk too, even though I don't think that's what it was designed for. "We love having one bowl that makes puppy mealtime a little calmer and less messy."

Retailer info: Gdsun lists it as silicone with a non-slip suction base, textured ridges, and dishwasher and freezer safe.

The pick: Gdsun silicone slow feeder bowl (we have the pink one).

See the slow feeder bowl on Amazon →

2. A sturdy rope leash (for the dog who pulls)

Cute leashes are everywhere. Leashes that hold up to a puller are harder to find.

Real life verdict (our video): "The first thing I noticed was how sturdy it feels. The rope is thick, it's really well made, and it doesn't have that cheap, flimsy feel that some of those leashes do." When you've got a dog that pulls like he's pulling a sled, you want something you can feel confident holding onto. "Plus, I love the pink. Who says practical can't be cute?"

Retailer info: Fida lists it as a 6 foot by 1/2 inch slip lead.

The pick: Fida 6 ft rope slip lead, pink.

See the pink rope leash on Amazon →

3. A 3-pack of flying discs (for the puppy who's still learning)

Fin is still on the basics. Fetch is a work in progress. Here's how the discs did:

Real life verdict (our video): They're not just for throwing. They're good for tug of war too. They feel rugged, with no disintegrating. Having three is super nice (in our video, the big dog steals one). "Puppy fetch? Let's be real." We'll see as he gets bigger, but they're great for learning.

Retailer info: the listing calls them a 3-pack of nylon flying discs that float.

Why it's a good gift: three in the pack means one for the yard, one for the car and one for the dog who steals toys.

See the 3-pack flying discs on Amazon →

4. A braided turkey chew (for the dog who loves a good chew)

This one went to Dash.

Real life verdict (our video): "As soon as I offered one, he gave it a good sniff and took it right away." I liked that the rope shape gives him something to hold on to while he chews. Check the package for age and feeding guidance, choose a size that makes sense for your dog, and always supervise. "Our boy loves it."

Retailer info: iPaw lists it as a turkey dog treat with duck liver in a braided stick.

The pick: iPaw turkey braided stick.

See the iPaw turkey chew on Amazon →

5. Dental chews (check the size first)

I'll be honest about this one. I grabbed the wrong size.

Real life verdict (our video): The bag says small, for dogs 5 to 15 lbs. My big guy is not 15 lbs. I opened one anyway. It actually bends. He did not care one bit: stamp of approval. My one tip: check the weight before you order.

Retailer info: Groovies lists these as flexible dental chews, sold by dog weight.

The pick: Groovies Original dental chews. Pick the size by your dog's weight, not by what we did.

See the Groovies dental chews on Amazon →

6. A nail clipper and grinder in one (for the family that dreads nail day)

Can a wiggly puppy let you do his nails? This is the one we use on Fin.

Real life verdict (our video): Super quiet. LED lights right where you cut, so you can see the quick. Clip first, then smooth. The guard catches the dust, and it charges with USB-C. "No fight. No mess. Just done."

Retailer info: the listing calls it a 2-in-1 nail clipper and grinder with dual LED lights, for dogs and cats.

The pick: 2-in-1 nail clipper and grinder with LED lights.

See the clipper and grinder on Amazon →

How to pick for the dog lover on your list

Brand new puppy? The slow feeder bowl and the flying discs.

Dog that pulls? The pink rope leash.

Big chewer? The braided turkey chew. Supervise, always.

Hates nail day? The clipper and grinder.

Stocking stuffer? Dental chews, sized by weight.

More gift ideas

Still stuck? Try my Christmas Gift Finder and pick by person and budget. You might also like dog stocking stuffers, our new puppy essentials list, and practical gifts for farm life.

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