Your Dog Magazine Your Dog Magazine December 2020 Back Issue

As the festive season approaches, I’m sure I’m not the only person wondering what Christmas will be like this year.

But for those of us lucky enough to have dogs, there has been one constant throughout this pandemic — and he or she is probably sitting beside you right now!

‘Reliable, immutable’ dogs — as vet and author Bruce Fogle describes them in our ‘Last word’ feature this month — have been by our sides throughout these uncertain times. And Christmas 2020 just might be the ideal time to show your appreciation of their steadfast loyalty and support, by making it a really dog-focused occasion.

Our lead feature this month has lots of ideas on how you can make the best of it — from virtual fun, to digital detoxes, and trick training.

Christmas shopping isn’t likely to be easy this year either, so being prepared and buying online might be the best options. Our ‘Christmas is coming…’ feature has lots of ideas on dog-themed gifts for friends and family (both human and canine).

And since we may all be spending more time at home with our dogs this year, it’s an ideal opportunity to use that time wisely and productively. Check out part two of Sarah Fisher’s fascinating series on Free Work, which looks at how giving your dog choices can benefit your relationship, and make him a willing and enthusiastic partner in the training process.

Finally, from the Your Dog team, we wish all our readers and their dogs a very happy, and safe, Christmas.

Until next year!