Dogs are okay so, you know, and you know when your golden retriever runs out the back door after it rained and just destroys your entryway rug? Yeah, so that happened at my cousin’s house last Thanksgiving and I still think about it.
I love my pup more than anything, but some days the muddy paws, chewed up leash and that darn collar that keeps breaking just wears me out.
And that’s not even the point. It’s the fact that you feel like you can’t have a Pinterest-worthy home and a dog at the same time.
But you can make it work! Here are 7 must-have dog accessories that are cute and practical so your place remains beautiful and your dog’s happy!
#1: Dark Floral Bow Tie Collar on a Fluffy White Dog
I knew you would be thinking that as you are admiring my goldens ears flopping and all. Why doesn’t she have something cute like this on her?
This look is giving me cozy fall garden party vibes and I’m obsessed. A dark forest green floral bow tie against a brown patchwork collar is a total stunna against that cream-white fur.
This bow tie is made of cotton and printed with tiny wildflowers, mushrooms and other botanicals in burgundy, yellow and purple. The bow tie clips to a standard collar using a white elastic center band—no sewing required.
Its earthy tones don’t clash with golden colors. If your dog sports a warm honey color, a deep green or rust floral print will look better on him than a plain plaid.
Good news: If you’re interested in a hand sewn version, you can find them on Etsy under “dog bow tie collar slide”! Most sellers carry XS through XL.
I have several bow ties, but I only wear 2 or 3 of them at a time. I like the elastic slide style because it fits on any collar without replacing the collar. Not everyone wants to replace their collars every time they want to wear a bow tie.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @babybelle_and_barb
#2: The City-Chic Whippet in a Cozy Knit Sweater
You know that moment, when you’re about to go for a walk and your dog is shivering, like, three feet from the door before you even open it? Yeah, that was me every morning in the winter with my cousin’s little greyhound mix (he was basically a walking icicle).
I absolutely love this look! It’s giving off a cozy-meets-downtown-cool look, and it’s so easy to recreate for your pup!
A chunky knit cream turtleneck base layer with a gray herringbone wool coat on top. Layers keep the narrow-chested breeds warm without bulk. Add a braided rope leash in black and a gold D-ring collar to finish the look.
Having a knit base layer and an outer layer works like a thermos. The knit keeps body heat in, the out layer keeps wind off. That way your dog is actually warm and not running to the couch to get warm.
Before buying anything, measure your dog’s chest girth and back length. Most dog sweaters run small. A too-tight chest piece will be uncomfortable fast.
If your dog is more like a whippet or greyhound, look for brands that are specifically designed for deep-chested breeds. We found that fit differences can be quite wild.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @barkholic
#3: The Teddy Bear Harness Set That Makes Winter Walks Actually Cute
You’re standing in your cozy sweater, your golden is doing zoomies in the yard, and you’re thinking, “Why does my dog’s gear look like it came from the gas station?”.
Yeah. Same.
This Skye & Murphy Collection Harness Set is made of sherpa style boucle fabric in a warm caramel brown. This set includes a chest harness with buckles that are adjustable and a matching leash with a loop handle. Everything in this set has that chunky, curly texture that your Pinterest board is all about! And your dog is all about the walk.
The boucle material hugs without rubbing and stays in place (not falling off of you in a squirrel chase or being pulled out by your girl).
I love the little change and will get the matching collars (sold separately on their site) for the next fall photoshoot.
The buckle is at the back of the collar, so there is no strain on the dog’s neck. This is a feature that can also benefit you; as there is no pull pressure on your dog, you are more likely to enjoy the walk.
hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. put in the dryer and your scarf will soon be flat.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @shaunaspetshop
#4: The Dachshund Who Owns Every Room She Walks Into
Your dog might have that feeling when she trots into a fancy place and just looks like she belongs there more than anyone else. Well that’s the feeling we have here. A chocolate dachshund with a dalmatian print harness by Pretty Pup London. The harness has lavender trim. Yeah, she’s not a pet. She’s an event.
To get this look for your own dog, start with a harness. We love the Pretty Pup London dalmatian print vest harness. It comes in a white base with black spots and lilac binding. It comes with a bone-shaped logo patch on the chest. You can even match it with a leash for a walking Pinterest board.
Not only does this harness distribute the pressure over a wider area of the chest, rather than the neck, but it’s more supportive and doesn’t put strain on a dog’s throat, and your dog will even want to keep it on!
Dachshunds have long spines that need protection. I have a chest-first harness (not a collar) on my Golden. The harness is much less stressful on his spine when we walk on hard floors such as terrazzo and tile.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @frankie_.thedachshund
#5: Macramé Dog Collars in Blush, Rose & Sand Tones with Gold Hardware
You know, that moment when you go to grab your golden’s collar off of the hook, and you realize that your goldie looks kind of sad and utilitarian? Yeah, me too.
These macramé dog collars from Knotie Aspen are something else. Hand-knotted cotton rope in three shades, dusty rose, warm taupe, and blush pink, each with gold D-rings and engraved brand tags. These are the chunkiest collars I have seen – something you would see in a boutique, not at the big pet store.
I purchased these collars directly from the brand. I think they look great displayed on a hook or in a ceramic dish on my entryway table between our walks.
The best part: macramé rope is softer on fur than nylon, so there’s no collar-line rubbing on your golden’s neck after a long trail day. soft on skin, beautiful on display, and no compromise between the two.
Throw two or three shades together on your hook. The graduation effect? Completely intentional and as pretty as it looks here in real life as it does on Pinterest.
I store my collars away from direct sunlight because the colours can fade, especially the blush tones which seem to change colour more quickly than the darker shades.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @knotie.aspen
#6: Mustard Crochet Poop Bag Holder Clipped to a Navy Macramé Leash
You know that moment when you’re juggling the leash, your coffee, and somehow also trying to wrestle a bag out of some janky plastic dispenser that isn’t working? Yeah. We’ve all been there.
And that’s where this nifty little setup comes in. A mustard yellow crochet bag holder attached to a navy blue macramé rope leash with a brass swivel clasp – I don’t have to touch my keys again!
This quick crochet project is made with chunky cotton yarn and uses a puff stitch. The holder is the perfect size for a roll of the compostable green poop bags. It can be looped onto any of the leash clips that you already have.
Real talk: Crochet holder can take maybe 2 hours if I’m watching something. The navy macramé leash can easily be found on Etsy for under $20 if you don’t want to try and make it yourself.
This is the kind of handmade gear that makes for a truly thoughtful gift (and if you are already building out your dog’s vibe, check out these 12 Best Dog Gift Ideas: Top Picks for Every Pooch for some inspiration).
If you have one holder and are nervous about having it in your car at all times you can crochet a second holder in a color that matches any of your bags and keep it in your car to use as a backup in case you are caught without a bag somewhere.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @mingo.andco
#7: Two Dogs Dressed Up for a Forest Walk in Matching Fleece Outfits
It’s a foggy morning, you’re out for a walk with your golden. There are pine needles underfoot, and your dog is literally shivering as soon as you hit the tree line. This is how my obsession with functional outerwear for dogs began.
What’s up with these two? They’re wearing fleece dog coats. One is a black one with an orange bow tie collar and the other is a full-body red fleece jumpsuit with a plaid collar. Can you say comfy?! Love the jump suit option! Covers the belly and legs!
Give your pup a golden experience with this 100% polyester full-coverage fleece onesie. The easy fit design means that your pup can move around freely. With its four-leg design, mud won’t splatter on your puppy’s tummy after taking him on a wet trail walk. This means there is less cleanup after a trail walk and more time playing outside.
If you want to look like a real lady, you might want to look for a bow tie. And if you want to look like a fashionable lady, you can always make one! You can make one with a quarter yard of cotton fabric and a hair tie, so my cousin made one for her labradoodle for literally 3 dollars!
I’d always found the darker colors like brown and black to be better for hiding the trail dirt on my dog on longer hikes. We’ve got a pretty fluffy dog so this was a good option.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @bentley_by_the_sea
The One Dog Accessory Mistake That’s Costing You Real Money
I know that most people buy accessories because of how they look on Pinterest, and I have been guilty of doing this as well.
The number one waste of money that I see people doing time and time again is sizing their dog’s harness by weight. Golden Retrievers in particular have such a deep, broad chest which throws off sizing charts. This can leave you with a harness that chafes under their armpits or one that can slip right over their head on the first muddy walk.
Measure the widest part of your chest, then size up one. Always.
Also, water-proof collars. Not because they look cute (although they do) but because if a golden retriever gets wet on the neck, you smell the wet collar on your sofa for weeks.
If you’re already investing in your pup’s lifestyle, picking the right spot to run around in with the right equipment is essential. And if you’re already investing in your pup’s lifestyle, then you’ll definitely want to bookmark Best Dog Parks: Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Spot for Your Furry Friend.
Good gear and spots make one happy, tired dog.
Your Pup-Proof Home Is One Decision Away
Well, you’ve already done the hardest part — figuring out what your space actually needs. Now, it’s just a matter of picking the thing that makes your life easier.
Golden retrievers are a lot. The fur. The mud. The “I-just-swam-in-a-puddle” shake downs. Your home deserves to keep up. And so do you.
If you’re thinking about completely changing your space, you should definitely consider some of the best couches for dog owners as well. However, if you can start small and allow your space to work with your dog instead of against him.
What is the one spot in your home that your golden has taken over? My boy has this corner spot!
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
