The 10 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers in 2020

Best GPS Tracking Collar: LINK AKC Smart Dog Collar

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If your dog is allowed to roam freely in your yard, but you're still nervous about him or her escaping, invest in the LINK Smart Dog Collar by the American Kennel Club. The smart collar has GPS tracking to locate your dog within the range of your home or yard via the base station, or if they are lost outside of your borders. Just place the base station in your home, which also charges the collar, and get updated on your dog’s temperature, location in the house, and how many minutes a day they are active. Plus, the sleek collar also comes with a light that you can control from the app. The collar comes in small, medium, large, and extra large. The app is available for iOS and Android. LINK AKC subscription plans are sold separately.

Best Small Tracking Device: Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker

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Another option for a GPS tracker is the Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker. This small, lightweight tracker attaches to your pup’s 1-inch collar or harness and is able to determine their location, as well as their active minutes throughout the day by using cellular, GPS, and wi-fi technology. If your dog leaves the designated safe place (say, your yard or your house), you’ll get notified right away via email, text, or through the app. The tracker is waterproof and has a battery life up to seven days. The app is available for iOS and Android. Subscription plans are sold separately. 

Best Pet Wash: The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash

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Here at The Spruce Pets, we understand that pets are far more than just animals—they’re part of your family. That’s why we set out to create our own pet care collection which we’re thrilled to share with you now. First up: our plant-derived waterless pet wash, which will freshen up your dog without the need for H2O. 

The Spruce Waterless Pet Wash is ideal for cleansing and conditioning and it moisturizes your pet’s skin as it works. The enzyme-activated formula—which is free of parabens, sulfates, and dyes—eliminates impurities like dirt, urine, and feces, and leaves your pup smelling fresh. Our pH-balanced pet wash is available in a handful of scents including Lavender (with clary sage), Oatmeal (with fresh mango), and Fresh (with neroli, apple, and orchid)—each which is formulated with pet-safe natural essential oils and fragrances.

To use it, simply shake the bottle, spray a generous amount on your dog’s coat, let it sit for a minute, then wipe it down with a soft cloth. The formula will dry on its own, so you don’t have to worry about wet-dog smell!

Best Carpet Cleaner: The Spruce Stain & Odor Remover

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Even the most well-behaved pet has occasional accidents, and that’s precisely why we created The Spruce Stain & Odor Remover. Our plant-based, enzyme-activated formula eliminates organic stains and odors like urine, feces, and vomit. Best of all, it not only rids your home of unsightly scents and spots, but it also discourages your pet from soiling the same area again.

The Spruce Stain & Odor Remover is simple to use. After testing it on an inconspicuous corner of your carpet or couch, just shake the bottle, spray liberally on the affected area, and scrub with a cloth. For really stubborn stains, let the area soak for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping clean. The Spruce Stain & Odor Remover is available in our Fresh scent—a pleasant combination of neroli, apple, and orchid.

Best Training Tool: Caldwell’s Pet Supply Co. Potty Bell

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Whether you’ve brought home an older dog from the shelter or just got a new puppy, teaching them to use a potty bell will help immensely with accidents. The Potty Bell by Caldwell’s Pet Supply Co. is 26 inches long and easily slips over a door handle or knob. From there, work with your dog to learn cue words about going outside to use the bathroom, and give them treats near the bell to get them to nose it. Eventually, they’ll learn to ring the bell whenever they want or need to go outside. Colors include black, blue, brown, green, red, and yellow.

Best Car Accessory: BarksBar Luxury Pet Car Seat Cover

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If you tend to take your dog on frequent adventures, investing in protection for your car will help with any muddy, mucky, or wet mess from your furry friend. The BarksBar Luxury Pet Car Seat Cover is ideal for cars without a trunk that they can hop into. The cover is convertible between a regular seat cover or hammock-style with full protection over the middle seats and back of the front seats, as well as the floor. There is enough space for your pooch to sit, lay down, or stick their nose up front. With a built-in rubber backing and seat anchors, the waterproof cover won’t slip around even as your dog moves around.

Best Hiking Pack: Ruffwear Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack

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Dogs love having a job to do, and with the Ruffwear Approach Full-Day Hiking Pack, your dog feels like they are working hard and you don’t have to carry their extra food. The saddlebag style pack has two larger pockets for food and other gear needed for an overnight trip, as well as smaller stash pockets for treats and poop bags. Integrated into the pack is a harness to keep the pack centered and sturdy, and allows for a leash to be attached on the front or on the back. The pack also has a padded handle and is made from a lightweight, durable material. Sizes include extra small, small, medium, and large. Colors include orange, green, and blue.

Best Hiking Bowl: Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Collapsible Bowl

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For the active pup, a portable bowl is a must, especially on hot days or in dry areas. Use the Port-A-Bowl collapsible food and water bowl from Outward Hound. The bowl is made from a durable, quick drying nylon that is lightweight and folds flat. Size includes a 24-ounce bowl that holds 3 cups of food and is 3 inches high and 4.5 inches in diameter, as well as a 48-ounce bowl that holds 6 cups of food and is 3.5 inches high and 6 inches in diameter.

Best for Nighttime: Illumiseen LED Dog Collar

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Latch on this light-up collar the next time you are letting your pooch out for a late night bathroom break. The LED collar by Illumiseen is USB rechargeable (five hours of light after a one-hour charge) and has three modes of use: steady light mode, rapid flashing, and slow flashing. Colors include red, green, blue, orange, pink and yellow. Sizes range from extra-extra-small to extra-large.