Magazines used to be a primary source of knowledge for dog owners to improve their pet care, however, currently, the internet has become the dominant platform for obtaining information and amusement.
While they may no longer hold their former position as the primary source of information, magazines should not be overlooked; it is highly recommended that you peruse the top-quality options to acquire valuable pointers, techniques, and counsel for your furry friend. Presented below are the finest periodicals centered around dogs, accompanied by essential particulars concerning each publication.
The 10 Best Dog Magazines: Barkin’ Good Reads
We’ve searched thoroughly for the finest dog magazines and found options to suit every dog owner, whether you desire helpful tips for dog care in general or for a specific breed. Take a look at these essential canine publications.
1. Modern Dog
Modern Dog is a highly sought-after publication that assists pet owners in managing the challenges of raising dogs. The magazine is primarily focused on animal wellness and health, but it also discusses a wide range of dog-related subjects, including pet nutrition, breed traits, training suggestions, book suggestions, DIY pointers, and reader competitions.
In the past, every edition comprised of an extravagant celebrity interview, cover, and photo shoot. Nonetheless, it seems that this tradition has been altered. Currently, the covers boast stunning photographs of canines.
A total of four issues are published annually by Modern Dog.
2. ShowSight Magazine
ShowSight Magazine is committed to serving and exhibiting purebred dogs. Rated as the “World’s Most Beautiful Dog Publication,” it is a visually appealing magazine that has earned the nickname “The Architectural Digest of Dogdom.” ShowSight Magazine caters to all dog owners, including those with mixed breeds (your secret is safe with us).
Published monthly, ShowSight has four companion magazines – Top Notch Toys, The Orient Express, The Doberman Digest and Sight & Scent – all of which are produced by the same publisher.
3. Dog’s Today
A UK magazine called Dog’s Today, along with its website, provides information on various topics related to having a dog as a companion, such as feeding them the healthiest dog food and dispelling common misconceptions. Additionally, readers can participate in online surveys and read essays written by other dog lovers.
Monthly issues of Dog’s Today are accessible globally through both print and digital subscriptions.
4. Dogster Magazine
Can you recall the Dog Fancy magazine? It was a favorite among Baby Boomers and Gen Xers since it was established in 1970. As time passed, the publication gained immense popularity and declared itself the “most extensively read dog magazine” worldwide, with over 200,000 reimbursed copies in circulation. Sadly, the magazine ceased operations in 2014 and was succeeded by Dogster.
The publication Dogster releases every alternate month, while its counterpart Catster is released during the intervening months. Dogster is a general magazine that covers all the fundamental information related to dogs, which is particularly helpful for novice dog owners. Similarly, Dogster has a website that complements the magazine, like most other magazines.
5. AKC Family Dog
Family Dog, published by the American Kennel Club, lives up to expectations with its impressive content. Like other reputable dog magazines, it serves as a valuable resource for dog enthusiasts with informative articles on various topics. However, it stands out with its exceptional quality, boasting stunning visuals, intriguing coverage, and insightful advice.
To get a copy of Family Dog, which cannot be found at newsstands, you must subscribe to the magazine published six times annually.
6. K9 Magazine
The name of the magazine is praiseworthy, and its content is just as appealing. K9 Magazine delves into essential subjects related to dogs, such as guidance in training, suggestions for pet products, and buyer’s guides. Additionally, readers can enjoy celebrity cover art and interviews in certain issues.
You can access K9 Magazine in digital form on their website or choose to receive the print version through a subscription. The magazine is released monthly and provides a plethora of enjoyable content for you to share with your furry friend.
7. Gun Dog Magazine
Gun Dog Magazine is focused on offering helpful advice to hunters and gun-dog enthusiasts on identifying, nurturing and instructing their hunting dogs, but it is also a valuable source of information for individuals passionate about retrievers, pointers, setters, and other hunting breeds. In addition, it discusses a range of hunting- and gun-related subjects, so it may not be the best fit for every reader.
Published seven times annually, Gun Dog Magazine also features a website that offers ample supplementary content focused on gun-dog breeds, making it the ideal read for gun-dog enthusiasts.
8. Best Friends Magazine
The Best Friends Animal Society, a non-profit organization committed to eradicating pet homelessness, publishes Best Friends Magazine. The magazine is touted as the biggest general-interest animal publication in the nation by its publisher, and it is produced with an emphasis on optimistic and inspiring tales.
Best Friends Magazine is released bi-monthly and cannot be found in newsstands. It is exclusively provided as a token of appreciation when contributing $25 or more to the non-profit group.
9. Animal Wellness Magazine
The focus of Animal Wellness Magazine is to enlighten pet owners on the physical and emotional wellbeing of their animal companions. Moreover, it also caters to topics such as training and lifestyle. The magazine is published every two months and is easily accessible in both print and digital formats, as is common with contemporary magazines.
When you subscribe, there are some additional benefits that come with it, such as a booklet of coupons and 12 reports related to natural health. Additionally, your subscription grants you entry to over 10 years’ worth of digital back issues of Animal Wellness Magazine.
10. Whole Dog Journal
The Whole Dog Journal offers a plethora of knowledge pertaining to dog care, canine healthcare, and training; however, what sets it apart from various other publications is its unwavering commitment to utilizing natural methods and remedies. Consequently, the magazine is an ideal option for individuals who prefer adopting a comprehensive approach to pet care that incorporates natural dog care and alternative therapies.
By subscribing to Whole Dog Journal, you will receive both a monthly magazine and exclusive access to a vast collection of past issues. Additionally, Whole Dog Journal maintains a website that offers a plethora of holistic and natural remedies to help care for your furry companion.
BONUS: What kind of Treats Should You Use to Train Your Dog
The success of your training sessions can be greatly influenced by the type of dog treat you choose to use.
Using the correct dog training reward can aid a dog in maintaining focus amidst disturbances. However, in certain scenarios, the reward may prove to be so enticing that the dog may lose focus on the given task at hand.
A common question posed by my clients interested in dog training is which type of treat is best suited for their furry companions. Given the overwhelming variety of dog treats available for purchase, it can be difficult to determine which one to choose.
It’s a straightforward solution to this inquiry; simply utilize whatever training reward pleases your dog! Nonetheless, grasping the knack of “evaluating” your dog’s rewards and diversifying them can bring multiple benefits to you.
Read on for tips to figure out what training treats your dog likes best and when to use different treats to bolster your dog’s training.
How to Figure Out What Treats Your Dog Likes
Your dog instructor may mention “high value” versus “low value” training treats, which pertains to the significance your pooch gives to each food prize and not its store price. It’s important to determine which treats your dog perceives as more valuable than others.
Although we generally have certain assumptions about the types of treats that dogs find more appealing, there will often be cases that contradict these beliefs. For instance, a dog owned by one of my training clients favored tasteless dry treats over pungent freeze-dried liver.
What Are “High Value” Dog Treats?
Moist or freeze-dried snacks that emit a strong odor and are rarely given to your dog aside from during training sessions are considered high-value treats. Examples include small portions of chicken, liverwurst, tripe, or peanut butter (sans xylitol) spread on a spoon. Providing your dog with high-value treats is like giving them an outstanding grade for their behavior and training accomplishments.
When Should You Use High-Value Treats?
- When first introducing a brand new behavior
- In highly distracting environments, such as a group dog training class
- When rewarding your dog for a quick or high-quality response to a cue
- During important socialization and proactive exposure training for puppies
- If working on counter conditioning as part of a behavior modification plan for leash reactivity, aggression, anxiety, or fear
To prevent your dog from experiencing an upset stomach or pancreatitis, it is advisable to refrain from feeding them foods that have a high-fat content, like bacon or sausage.
What Are “Medium-Value” Dog Treats?
Typically, these snacks are either semi-dry or dry and contain ingredients that are not part of your dog’s usual diet. They are considered as medium-value rewards and are used more often during training sessions and in day-to-day activities than their high-value counterparts.
When Should You Use Medium Value Treats?
- When maintaining an already learned behavior
- In mildly distracting environments
- Throughout the day for good behavior
- As part of regular enrichment activities
What Are “Low-Value” Dog Treats?
Incorporating treats with lower value is highly recommended during training sessions as they are typically lower in calories compared to the medium and high-value options. Such treats are often dry and crunchy. To treat our dogs at this level, many pet owners including myself rely on their regular food. The availability of low-value treats plays a vital role in gradually phasing out reliance on treats in training.
When Should You Use Low-Value Treats?
- If your dog performs a requested and previously generalized cue, but it’s a “C” grade performance (this also might indicate that your dog needs to be further from a distraction or might need to go back a few steps in training)
- Throughout the day to encourage continued good behavior
- In low to no distraction training environments
- As part of regular enrichment activities
- When you’re working on fading out the use of treats for a specific behavior
Have a Dog Treat “Taste Test”
To ensure your dog enjoys and responds well to the training treats, conduct a taste test for your furry friend while also checking the ingredients to avoid any potential allergic or sensitivity issues.
To begin with, select several treats options for them to test, considering:
- Protein type: Have a variety of fish, poultry, beef, pork, or lamb. Include non-meat-based treats, such as peanut butter.
- Texture: Choose different treat options based on their texture type — dry, semi-moist, jerky, freeze-dried, or wet.
- Ease of Delivery: When you’re picking out taste test options, make sure you’re choosing treats that are easy for you to give your dog. Training treats should be pea-sized or smaller. If the treats are larger than this in the bag, see if you can easily break them up into smaller pieces.
After that, offer your dog the option to choose from various treats. Place one type of treat in each hand, then clench your fists. Alternatively, if your dog tends to be grabby with treats, you can use little cups to conceal the treat selections on the ground.
Observe your dog as he sniffs both of your hands and determine which one he shows more interest in. Offer him the hand that he sniffs, licks, or paws at the most.
To determine your dog’s preferred high-value, medium-value, and low-value treats, change up the types of treats you give them and switch in alternatives that you have previously used.
