DIY Holiday Crafts For Your Dog
The holiday season is here! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another holiday, it's time to get festive. But what about your pup? We know the holiday season can be stressful for a pet parent who has a dog because they want their beloved pet to have a good time too.
The holiday period should be a period of happiness for the entire family, including your dog. So, we are challenging you to get creative and to include your dog in the process. These holiday projects will help you create something fun and creative for your pup as well as your entire family.
These DIY crafts could be a fun reason to spend quality time with your family and friends, an opportunity to spoil your dog, an opportunity to create a gift for a family member, or somewhere in between.
Dog Paw Print Ornament
If you are looking to involve your dog in a craft as well as create a lasting memory for many years to come then creating a dog paw print ornament is a great option! You can make an ornament out of just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients For A Dog Print Ornament
- 1 Cup of Salt
- 1 Cup of all-purpose baking flour
- 1/2 cup of water
- Oven safe parchment paper or aluminum foil
- A Pencil or straw for poking a hole in the ornament
Once you have gathered your ingredients, it is time to get started. The first thing you should do is mix the salt, flour, and water in a large bowl. Spend a few minutes mixing the ingredients until the mixture becomes firm.
Once the dough is firm, you can shape the ornament into any shape you want. The easiest option is to use the rim of a glass cup to make a perfect circle. But you can be creative with the shape of your ornament by creating a square, a star, or any other shape you have in mind!
It is important to not stretch the dough too thin as you need around an inch of thickness to make the imprint on the ornament.
Once you have your desired shape, it is time to gently press your dog's paw into the center of the ornament. This will leave their personalized paw print engrained into the dough. It is important to make sure your dog doesn't eat any of the dough and to clean their paw afterward to avoid potential irritation with the salt and other ingredients.
After your dog has left their print, you can take a pencil or a straw to poke a small hole in the top of the ornament so that once it is baked you can add a string to the ornament. It is important to do this before baking the dough as it will be difficult to punch a hole in the ornament afterward.
Now it is time to bake your ornament! The exact temperature and time will depend on the thickness of your ornament and the strength of your oven. For most ovens, you should bake your ornament at 200 degrees for roughly two hours or until it is completely dry.
When it is in the oven, you should check on the status of your ornament periodically to make sure it is drying. Once your ornament has completely dried you can take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
At this point, you can add further decorations such as paint, glitter, or another coloring method to customize the ornament even further. Once you are finished it is time to add your string to your ornament and hang it up on your Christmas tree or place it somewhere else in your home for all of your friends and family members to see!
A few examples from One Little Project.
Create An Advent Calendar For Your Dog
Advent calendars can come in many different shapes and styles!
Advent calendars have been around for a long time, but why should only humans have all the fun? This holiday season you can buy or create an advent calendar for your dog! There are a few premade options that are available from retail stores as well as online stores, but it is always recommended to make sure that all of the ingredients included are safe and beneficial for the health of your dog.
For this reason, many pet parents will decide to make an advent calendar for their dogs. You should only include healthy snacks or treats for your dog as well as safe toys or other gifts.
Making an advent calendar for your dog can be fun to put together but is also an entertaining way to spoil your dog this holiday season. Each day on the calendar could include a new fun activity, a new adventure for them to explore, a new treat to eat, a new toy to play with, or anything in between!
If you are struggling with ideas for gifts for your dog, why not check out our Superfood Dog Treats or our Daily Dog Supplements that your dog will love!
Sew Your Dog A Holiday Sweater
If you are looking to keep your dog warm and cozy this holiday season then maybe you can think about sewing your dog a holiday sweater! This craft is a bit more advanced compared to the others we have mentioned but it will provide your dog with a once-in-a-lifetime outfit for your next family gathering.
If you have an old holiday sweater or ugly Christmas sweater then you can reuse the material to make a sweater that fits your dog! All you need to do is cut the holiday sweater up and sew it back together! This craft will be a real hit at your next family holiday party.
Once you have found an old holiday sweater or material to use then you should start by measuring your dog. You want the sweater to fit comfortably but it shouldn't be too tight that it could cause irritation to their skin. Below are a few of the measurements that you should take into account:
- Neck - Measure the size of your dog's neck around the collar position. Make sure you give some extra space so the sweater isn't too tight around their neck.
- Length - Measure the length of your dog from their collar to where you want the sweater to end. For some this could be from the collar to the base of the tail, but others may prefer a shorter sweater that only goes to the beginning of the dog's belly.
- Chest - Measure the girth of your dog's chest and abdomen at the widest part. Again, make sure to give some extra space so the sweater isn't too tight on your dog.
Once you have your measurements, it is time to begin sewing your dog's new holiday sweater! There are a few different examples and tutorials online that can help you if you are a beginner. Below are a few examples from across the internet to give you inspiration!
Tips For Keeping Your Dog Safe and Involved This Holiday Season
The holiday season can be tremendous fun because of all of the different holiday activities, events, and traditions. But it is important to make sure your dog doesn't feel neglected or is put in harm's way during this time period. Your dog is part of the family and should be included when possible! Below are a few quick tips to keeping your dog involved and safe during this eventful time period.
- Sweets and treats are common during this time of year. But it is important to remember that most sweets can be dangerous for the health of your dog. Common ingredients such as large amounts of sugar, salt, or chocolate can make your dog sick. Avoid giving your dog any food or treats that are dangerous for them and stick to only healthy and safe options!
- When the family is gathering during this time period your dog will want to be involved in the fun as well. It is common for many families to overlook their dogs because of other things that may be happening. But always try to think about how you can involve your dog in family activities or make sure they still receive enough attention and activity during this time of year.
- The holiday season is typically filled with holiday parties and traveling for many families. It is important to think about the well-being of your dog when you are traveling or leaving the house for extended periods of time.
