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Our editors have selected the best dog gear of 2025.

Whole Dog Journal’s Gear of the Year 2025

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 for dogs are a great play toy that engages and exercises your dog.

Flirt Pole Fun for Dogs

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.
Finding the best animal charity requires doing some research to find one whose cause you fully support.

How To Pick the Best Animal Charities to Donate To

Thousands of animal-related nonprofit organizations are vying for donations, and experts say animal lovers are ready to assist. How do you know a group is a legitimate nonprofit? How do you know your money is going to give an animal the care and support she needs?
Flyball is a canine sport that engages your dog's instinct for fetch and challenges their athleticism.

What is Flyball?

Flyball takes the game of fetch to the next level by adding hurdles, a box to turn on, and other dogs racing at the same time. It's a relay race for dogs, where teams compete against each other for title points and bragging rights.
A happy dog living in an apartment.

How To Have a Dog in an Apartment

Taking care of a dog in an apartment can be complicated. Apartments often have limited outdoor areas for dogs to run in, less indoor space to play or train in, and a plethora of human and canine neighbors to try to get along with.
A dog recovery suit can

When to Choose a Dog Recovery Suit

That plastic Elizabethan cone that has been traditionally used to stop dogs from licking, biting, or scratching at wounds, surgical stitches, and skin irritations works, but it’s not comfortable. A dog recovery suit is not only less cumbersome for your dog, it is also a more effective option than a cone.
Helping a dog adjust to a new home is best accomplished with patience, clear guidance, and plenty of affection.

Welcome Home: 5 Ways To Help a Dog Adjust to a New Home

Adding a new dog to the family is an exciting time. It also has the potential to be a little stressful, especially as everyone is getting to know each other, or when you’re welcoming an older dog rather than a puppy.
Scientists have proven that dogs can smell cancer with implications for early dectection.

Can Dogs Smell Cancer?

Countless studies also show that dogs can detect certain diseases like Parkinson’s and SARS-CoV-2, along with the onset of conditions such as seizures, low or high blood sugar in diabetics, and migraines. Now, mounting evidence suggests that dogs can also play a part in detecting human cancer.
Choosing a dog transport service for long moves is a hard choice.

Hitting the Road: How to Choose a Dog Ground Transport Service

Anyone hired to transport, handle, or hold dogs in connection with their trip must register with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a carrier or handler. However, the registration process doesn't include animal or transport competency tests, criminal background searches, or driving history checks.
It can be surprisingly difficult to know how old your dog is as most owners weren't there at the birth.

How Old is My Dog?

It can be challenging to tell how old a rescue dog is, especially if not much is known about her history. However, there are some strategies that help narrow down a dog’s approximate age.
Halloween pet safety means keeping your dogs away from treats and costumes that can harm or discomfort them while involving them in the fun.

Halloween Pet Safety

From choosing safe costumes to takeaways on trick or treating, the following Halloween pet safety tips will help both you and your dog have a frightfully delightful holiday.
The cost of owning a dog can be substantial, but it's worth it in companionship.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Dog?

Few things are as rewarding as bringing a dog into your family. Dogs bring inherent expenses though and it's important to understand the financial commitments so you can budget for the known costs.

Latest Blog

Spay Surgery Is Not Required to Stop Canine Reproduction

While estimated numbers for 2023 and 2024 won’t be available for another year or two, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the number of euthanized pets will be far higher than the lowest historic counts.