Creating an Interactive Advent Calendar for Dogs for Paw-Picked Christmas Fun
Who doesn’t love an Advent calendar during the Christmas season? These days, there’s a version for everyone — even our dogs! If you’d rather skip the pricey, mass-produced Advent calendar for dogs and create something personalized and budget-friendly, you’re in the right place.
It’s time to get creative and design a custom, interactive Advent calendar made just for your pup. Whether your dog chooses their daily surprise by sniffing out a treat in a numbered bag or cheering you on as you spin an activity wheel, there are endless ways to make the countdown fun for both of you.
So get ready to enjoy every day of December with your four-legged sidekick. You’ll both love celebrating the season with a playful, hands-on countdown that rewards your pup for being by your side during the busiest time of the year.
Making an Advent Calendar for Dogs
There’s no limit to the number of creative ways you can make an Advent calendar for dogs. You can fill it with treats, toys, or even make holiday crafts together. If you need help coming up with ideas, we have a dog Advent calendar ideas post filled with fun, holiday-themed activities.
You will also have to decide whether you want to create a 12-day, 24-day, or 25-day countdown based on what your December schedule will look like. We typically do a 12-day calendar so we can spend one-on-one time with each of our 4 pups.
Once you know what each day’s surprise will be, it’s time to decide how involved you want your pup to be in choosing it. To help you get started, here are nine different ways to create an interactive Advent calendar for dogs.
Most of these ideas let your dog choose their own Christmas countdown. From numbered treat bags to pick-a-ball games, there are countless fun ways to design an Advent calendar your pup can truly participate in.
- Numbered treat bags or stockings– number some paper bags or small stockings and slip a tasty treat and a slip of paper with the activity in each one. Let your dog go up and pick one they want. This way your pup gets a fun activity to do with you AND a treat!
- Hanging treat game– This one is borrowed from our Christmas Dog Party Games post. Number your holiday-themed treats with dog-safe frosting or Kong paste. Hang them up and see which one your pup grabs first. Just don’t forget to check the number before they scarf it down. And of course- don’t let them accidentally eat the string or twine.
- Toilet paper rolls– Similar to the treat bags, hide some treats and number each toilet paper roll. You can either lay them out on the ground or hide them in a room to really challenge your furry friend. Just don’t let them sneak into the room until it’s time to pick the next activity.
- Balls– number each ball and see which one your pup grabs first. This is a fun option if you’re trying to watch your doggy’s weight this holiday season.
- Spinner wheel- Don’t have the time or energy to try to get your pup to help pick what comes next? Get our Dog Advent Spinner Wheel or make your own! Spin the wheel and see what your canine companion’s next daily surprise is.
- Paper from a hat– Old-fashioned but a classic. Put the numbers or activities in a hat and pick one.
- Cardboard Advent house– This is one for you, craft-loving pet parents. Cut two matching pieces of cardboard. The top piece is the one you will cut little windows or doors in. The back piece is where you will write the numbers that you will see when you open the door/window.
- Numbered gifts– wrap up some doggy gifts in numbered boxes, so when your pup picks one, they get a present, and you get to see what activity they selected.
- Snuffle mat– Get or make a snuffle mat with 12 – 25 pockets or color-coded areas. Each pocket or color will correspond to a number, and whichever one gets eaten first is the activity you guys will do.
Dog Advent Calendars with a Twist: Letting Your Dog Choose the Fun
Creating your own interactive Advent calendar is a wonderful way to include your dog in the holiday countdown. Whether they’re picking a numbered gift or sniffing out options on a snuffle mat, there’s a method that works for dogs of every age, size, and personality. No matter which idea you try, you’ll be adding a little extra Christmas magic to your pup’s December — and making magical memories together along the way.
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