Dog Gear

What comes to mind when you think of things you need for your dog? (Not necessarily things you want: much as I might like a diamond-encrusted collar or a $1,000 plush dog bed for Frankie, they’re not really necessities. Not in my world, anyway.) When it comes right down to it, pretty much everyone has a different idea of what items are considered essential for a dog.

Dogs and the outdoors go hand-in-hand. Whether you love hiking mountain peaks or just lounging at basecamp, dogs make great outdoor adventuring companions. Beyond...

If your dog spends a lot of time snoozing in their bed, a washable dog bed will last much longer (and stay much cleaner) than one that can’t be easily cleaned. Whether you have a dog who sheds, drools, or likes to chew bones in her bed, a washable dog bed makes cleanup easy for pet parents.

We tested 5 popular dog beds with washable covers at a variety of different price points to find the ones that are worth the money and will hold up to your dog’s daily sleeping routine.

Dog enrichment activities cater to your dog’s natural instincts to sniff, chew, forage, and more.

Remote dog treat dispenser can reward a dog even when you can’t (or don’t want to be) directly next to them. Remote rewarding can be useful to teach a wide variety of behaviors where the handler isn’t physically close to the dog, from driving forward in dog agility to building duration sit and down stays at a distance, to helping with door manners.

Whether you have a nervous pup who needs lots of counter-conditioning or you just want to keep your dog’s recall sharp, carrying treats with you in a dog treat pouch is vital. You never know when a training opportunity will arise, and one of the best ways to positively reinforce your dog is with a tasty snack. We tested five popular options and came up with the best dog treat pouches and bags for hiking, training, and more. Read on for how we tested and our top picks:

You need to stay hydrated while hiking, and so does your dog! Giving your dog plenty of water while hitting the trails will ensure they stay cool and avoid heatstroke, especially in the hot summer months. That’s where portable dog water bottles come in. A dedicated dog water bottle will make it easy to carry your pup’s water and make it easier to offer them a drink more frequently.

Pet water fountains offer a steady supply of fresh water and encourage drinking by attracting a dog’s attention with their sights and sounds. Some fountains filter impurities, and constantly circulating water maintains a cool temperature, which dogs enjoy. Fountains are convenient for dog owners, too, because they don’t require the frequent refilling that water bowls do.

Dogs are natural foragers, the best snuffle mats can give your dog a good outlet to practice this instinctual behavior.

Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably in a crate. A crate that is too small can cause stress and discomfort, while one that is too large may not feel secure and may make training more difficult.

Here at WDJ, we’re always on the lookout for products that improve life with our dogs in any way. Every year, we talk with our experts and determine the toys, training and care tools, and treats that provide the biggest lift to them and their canine companions. These are their top picks for 2024!

Flirt poles allow for erratic, prey-like movement of the lure or toy at the end that’s fantastically fun for pets to chase. Though they’re often used for cats, there are flirt poles big and sturdy enough for dogs of all sizes, too.