After being in the dog business for 15+ years, we’ve had countless conversations with dog lovers all over the world. In those conversations, we’ve learned about the challenges our customers experience when buying a gift for themselves or for another. This guide will hopefully help you overcome the most common challenges we’ve assisted our customers with over the years.
Problem #1: Identifying Your Breed
Even if you are shopping for a purebred dog, each dog can have unique features in regards to their physical appearance. For example, many customers have contacted us looking for a Samoyed gift. They sent us a photo of their Samoyed and we found that it looked a lot like many of the Pomeranian gifts we carry. We suggested they take a look at our Pomeranian collection because of the resemblance between the two breeds — and the buyer was thrilled. Just because you have a Pomeranian doesn’t mean that only our Pomeranian gifts will resemble your dog.
Pinpoint My Pooch
Not sure which breed matches your dog’s look? Browse by breed using the menus above, or contact us and send us a photo — we’re happy to help find the closest match.
Problem #2: Product Use and Application
More times than we can count, customers ask whether a product is safe for outdoors or for a dollhouse. The list below covers our major product categories and their recommended uses and applications.
This list does not include all product categories — some are self-explanatory when it comes to usability, like our socks, pillows, magnets, ornaments, and bracelets.
Explanation of terms: “Application” refers to how the item can be used. “Uses” refers to where it can be used. “Customer Use” is an example of a unique way one or more of our customers have used the product.
CAUTION SIGNS
Applications — magnet (included), Velcro (included), pin (not included), customer-applied double sided tape
Uses — on a fridge, cork board, in a frame, in a window, on a Velcro-adherent surface; do not expose to outdoor elements
Customer Use — One of our customers didn’t have a dog but wanted to deter visitors from approaching her home. She bought a Pitbull caution sign to put on her front porch so people would think she had a large dog.
STICKERS, RHINESTONE STICKERS, AND BUMPER STICKERS
Applications — self-adhesive back
Uses — on a car (except rhinestone stickers), a laptop, a locker, a notebook, a phone or tablet; use rhinestone stickers on craft projects like homemade birthday cards; on a plastic or metal pet carrier
COASTERS
Uses — in a wine or tea themed gift basket, paired with a bottle of wine, displayed on a bar cart, in a hostess gift basket, displayed on a shelf or wall (customer-applied hanger), on a coffee bar, in a tablescape, under a plant pot
Customer Use — One of our customers put a set of our coasters in a clear gift bag along with one of our bottle stoppers, then tied the bag around the neck of a bottle of wine with a pretty ribbon.
ZIPPERED POUCHES
Uses — as a makeup bag, a coin bag, great for traveling, for jewelry, clip on to one of our lanyards at a concert or amusement park, use as an organizer inside your purse, store travel-size toiletries in your gym bag
WOODEN WELCOME SIGNS AND GARDEN STAKES
Applications — stakes (removable), customer-applied sawtooth hanger; welcome signs are customized to say whatever you’d like
Uses — in the ground, in a planter, on a fence, on a porch, on a wall, near a dog house or kennel, in front of a dog memorial, near a pool house or garden shed, in a garden or along a walkway; may be used indoors or outdoors
Customer Use — One of our customers didn’t have a front yard to put the sign in the ground. Instead, she had a planter at the front of her house and put the sign in it using the stakes.
WALL PLAQUES AND FIGURES
Applications — sawtooth hanger
Uses — on a shelf, wall, dog house, fence, door, on a large-scale craft project like a homemade wreath, above a fireplace
Customer Use — One of our customers had 3 different dog breeds with custom dog houses. She bought 3 face plaques — a Husky, an Australian Shepherd, and a German Shepherd — and hung them on the front of each dog house to identify which breed lived where.
GIFT BAGS
Uses — put gifts inside, use as a party goodie bag, use as a “thank you” bag with gifts inside for a dog groomer, dog sitter, or veterinarian
Customer Use — Many of our customers shop our site for birthday gifts, add a handful of items to their cart, then add one of our gift bags at checkout to bundle everything together as a complete gift.
GIFT WRAP
Uses — wrap gifts, use as scrapbook paper, frame a piece to display the design, make a DIY gift bag or envelope, mod podge onto craft letters or coasters, die-cut shapes to make homemade confetti or garland, use as book covers, line a drawer or shelf
LUGGAGE TAGS
Uses — loop onto luggage, a purse, stroller, carry-on bag, gym bag, child’s backpack; great as destination wedding favors or for announcing a surprise vacation
NOTEPADS & PENS
Uses — on a desk at work or school, near a phone, as a shopping or to-do list; magnetic notepads can be placed on the fridge; great teacher or secretary gifts; carry one of our pens in your purse; pair notepads and pens together as a gift set
Customer Use — One of our customers and her daughter come to us every year to pick a gift for their Pug-loving bus driver as an end-of-school-year thank you. Most recently she chose our notepad set that comes with a magnetic notepad, a mini notepad, and a pencil.
MINI COLLECTIBLE FIGURINES
Applications — use indoors unless treated with an outdoor protective sealer; flat bottom
Uses — in a dollhouse, as a cake topper, on a shelf, on top of an urn
Customer Use — One of our customers made an outdoor country-themed display with a birdhouse as the centerpiece. They used one of our mini Bloodhound figurines as the dog on the front porch — the perfect scale. Our Little Critterz figurines are collectibles, so customers buy all available breeds to complete the set.
STANDARD SIZE COLLECTIBLE FIGURINES
Applications — use indoors unless treated with an outdoor protective sealer
Uses — on top of a cake, on top of an urn, on a shelf
Customer Use — This is the most common size our customers use as cake toppers. We’ve had countless customers use these on top of wedding cakes. This size is also used for model scenes — for example, one customer placed a Bloodhound figurine next to his Sherlock Holmes figurine. Our Sandicast figurines are collectibles, so customers select a different breed each time to build their collection.
WEATHERVANES
Applications — mounted to a roof; on the ground with base (available at additional charge)
Uses — on the roof of a house, shed, pool house, dog house, garage, or barn
Customer Use — One of our customers ran a dog sitting business from home and had a large kennel building on his property. He put a dog weathervane on top of the building so clients could easily identify which building was the kennel.
EMBROIDERED PATCHES
Applications — iron on, adhesive fabric glue (not included)
Uses — hats, backpacks, jeans, jackets, scarves, sweatshirts, totes, purses, banners, flags, sashes, fabric dog carriers, aprons, most fabrics
Customer Use — One of our customers ironed an Australian Shepherd patch onto her son’s backpack after they got a new puppy over the summer, so he could have his dog “nearby” during the school day.
KITCHEN TOWELS
Uses — in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room; near your dog’s kennel or water bowl to wipe spills; near the door to wipe your dog’s paws after being outside
Customer Use — One of our customers thought the artwork on our Cocker Spaniel towel was so beautiful that she framed it. She folded the towel so all edges were tucked in, artwork perfectly centered, then hung it on her wall.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
Applications — hang from attached gold string (may be removed); sit on flat gold base (not recommended to remove)
Uses — hang on a tree, sit on a shelf, attach to an urn or memorial box, hang from a car mirror; use indoors only
PLANTERS
Applications — self-standing; inner plastic bottom included; hole for drainage
Uses — on a front porch, back deck, garden, beside a walkway, backyard, or anywhere inside your home; use for plants, seasonal flowers, starting vegetable seedlings, or beside a dog’s memorial; may be used indoors or outdoors