There are so many options of pet accessories available in the market either from the local stores or online shopping. In fact, the choices are overwhelming and become confusing to dog owners which are the essential and which are the optional.
The accessories are ranging from name tags, shock collars, bark collars, leashes, outfits, shoes, feeding bowls, water bowls, flat beds, raised beds, heated beds, cooling beds, dog houses, dog tents, invisible fences, harnesses, steps for the car, steps for the bed, seat belts, toys, pen, etc. It is just like having a little new born baby.
It takes a little trial and error to pick the right kind of accessory for your pet depending on the purpose and practicality of it. I personally own quite a few similar types of accessories over the years just to find out which one work best base on the personality of that specific dog. There is really no one size fit all. For example, I have 2 German Shepherds. One ran away all the times and the other always stay by my side. Obviously, the one that loved to run away needed a shock collar to get him trained. Another example is that one always liked to chew and scrunch up the bed to find the perfect spot to lay down and the other just calmly walks up to the bed and flop over. So, the fussy dog will need a more durable bed to withstand the abuse and the other just need a soft fluffy bed.
By the way, all the beds are not made from the same material. There are hypoallergenic materials and composite material, which is toxic and bunches up easily. Some are made to be washable and the cover is removable which is the best kind Some cheap ones are just made for one seasonal use. Examine the label closely next time before purchasing.
As for the cooling gel bed for the hot summer or heated bed for the cold winter or even a raise up bed is purely an optional depending on your budget and personal preference. On the practical side, it is much depending on whether the dog is an indoor or outside guard dog. An investment on an insulated dog house will work best for the outside guard dog.
Dog tents are also very useful. It is versatile can be propped up anywhere. You can bring it to the beach, camp site, or even use it during a relaxing afternoon tea in your backyard. It protects the dog from any extreme weather and of course, the rain.
Toys are the most important accessories for the dog especially during the puppy and teething stage. If they are trained to understand the toys are free to destroy without getting into trouble, they will stay away from your hundred dollars shoes, socks and cables. There are many interactive toys for training for just for playing reinvented.
There will be a whole new chapter on this subject because there are so many elements to consider before buying a simple toy. However, there is this new online service called Bark Box or Wag Box. The concept is where you must subscribe to their monthly auto-delivery package per your budget. The boxes contain new toys and treats suited for the monthly theme. It feels like a Christmas morning when opening presents every month for your beloved dog. What a life made simple for all the dog lovers out there.
Apart from the toys, there are designer dog collars and name tags. These come in attractive avatars and letter engraving to help your dog make a stylish impression.
Dog seasonal clothes in trendy designs or just dressing up for an occasion and festive season has become a new fashion statement. Stores are stocked up with variety of styles and sizes to fit all the needs of their customers. Believed it or not, there are enticing themes that you can choose from and even shop by the gender.
Cool bandanas are the cheapest way to give your dog an extra swagger. You can buy a special made bandanas or just cut a little triangle from any printed material old cloth to make a unique bandana yourself. A little imagination goes a long way.
Out of all the accessories, the one most important thing a dog should have is a good collar. I like a simple comfortable material, bright color with a big clear print.