Being a dog owner is a big responsibility, but it’s also a lot of fun. This list of apps for dog owners helps to make sure you’re keeping it fun, whether you’re on the go or at your desk.
Dog Boogie
The difficulty that can come with catching a cute picture of your dog is the bane of every dog owner’s existence. This free app for iOS aims to help, with sound effects to make them actually look at the camera, as well as fun filters and a social networking element (you can follow users within the app for your daily dose of cute dog pictures and share your pictures to Facebook and Twitter).
Puggin.it
This isn’t a mobile app – it’s a Chrome extension. It magically turns any photos on a website into photos of pugs, often with hilarious results (like the above screen-cap of a ‘puggified’ Buzzfeed article). Proud pug owners can add their pet photos to the extension by posting them on the Facebook page.
Dog Whistler – Your Free Dog Whistle
This free app makes training your dog that much easier, with a built-in dog whistle and multiple options. You can change the frequency of the dog whistle and also modify the sound patterns. Possibly the niftiest feature: you can set an alarm that’s motion activated and triggers a dog whistle! So once you figure out which frequency is most effective for training, you could, for example, click the motion activated alarm and set it to trigger a dog whistle when your dog jumps on the couch. Automated training and a better-behaved dog!
DogeWeather
Okay, it’s not technically an app, but if you’re a fan of the doge meme, this should totally be on your browser’s bookmarks. It’s exactly what it sounds like – it gives you the weather forecast in doge-speak.
Dog Translator
We’ve all wondered what our dog is thinking – the Dog Translator gives you an entertaining way to find out. The free novelty app for iOS lets you record your dog’s barks and other noises, and then gives you a translation (like the example shown above). Good for a laugh!
DoggyDatez
DoggyDatez is sort of the dog owner’s Foursquare. The app (free for both iPhone and Android) lets you “mark your territory” and claim a spot, letting you see who else visits your “territory” – just like dogs do. You can also steal territories from other dog owners, as well.
BringFido
Finding dog-friendly hotels, parks, beaches, and other pooch-friendly places can be difficult as a dog owner – but not when you use BringFido. The app allows you to filter out hotels that have pet size or breed policies, and can even let you find hotels that don’t have a pet fee. Once you’ve found the hotel you want to go with, you can book straight through the app. You can also search for other attractions and establishments that are dog-friendly inside the app, too.
MapMyDogWalk
A healthy dog is a happy dog, and MapMyDogWalk will keep you and your dog healthier by keeping track of when you walked, how long you walked, and what route you used. You can spice up the routes to keep your dog from becoming bored, and view all of the data either in-app or online at MapMyWalk.
Pavlov Dog Monitor
This training app ($1.99) is just for the iPad, letting you keep tabs on your dog’s behavior while you’re gone. It helps train your dog to be more independent and behave better while you’re out of the house – great for getting barking dogs to be quieter during the day.
Dognition
Dognition is another app that’s web-based, not mobile based. However, the concept is truly intriguing – you sign up, get a set of tests, perform the tests on your dog, and record the results. You’ll receive a profile of the way your dog thinks, which you can then use to understand your dog better and train them more effectively. You can choose to pay a monthly fee in order to receive monthly games and analysis, as well as tailored training tips and activities based on your dog’s profile.
Featured photo credit: Good Night, My Friend/Stefano via flickr.com
