The Game That Could Change Your Relationship with Your Dog p 48
The lifestyle magazine for modern dogs and their companions
Raising a
GREAT DOG Secrets from Puppy Kindergarten
FALL · WINTER 2026/27
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Fun Dogs
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WIN!
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15 signs you’re their person moderndogmagazine.com DISPLAY UNTIL JAN 31 ‘27
$7.95
Plus:
Celebs & Their Dogs
AI is Finding Lost Dogs Sleeping Positions Decoded
INSIDE: Giveaways, Tested & Approved Dog Gear, Fun Contests, Adorable Dogs & More!
FALL • WINTER 2026/27 V O L 2 5 N O 2
64 FEATURES 34
15 Signs Your Dog Considers You Their ‘Safe Person’
The quiet ways your dog shows they feel safe with you. BY ROSE FROSEK
Play This Game, Change Your Relationship with Your Dog Lessons from Duke University’s Puppy Kindergarten. BY CASSIE GILL
56
What Your Dog’s Sleeping Position Says About Their Personality
From pretzel-twisted sleepers to belly-up goofballs, every pup has a bedtime alter ego. Discover yours in this hilarious illustrated guide.
18
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHELLE SIMPSON
60
AI is Helping Find Lost Pets
When they had given up hope, AI reunited them with their lost pets.
THE GOODS 22
BY SHERI RADFORD
64
7 dog toys that make indoor days more fun
Mission: Adoption
Armed with her camera, photographer Bre Burge is helping hundreds of shelter pets find their forever homes.
32
Tiny Dogs with Surprisingly Intense Jobs
Don’t let their small size fool you—these diminutive breeds were bred to do very real work.
52
BY ROSE FROSEK
70
BY KELLY CALDWELL
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FALL • WINTER 2 0 2 6 /2 7
The Dog-Lover’s Home Edit
Clever, cozy, and dog-approved finds for every room in your home.
The Russian Toy
Is this small, charming, smart breed for you?
The Dog Gear Look Book
Your round-up of staff favourites and current obsessions!
READ YOUR BREED 28
Bored Dog? Try These Indoor Toys
68
Healthy Paws
48
Solution for everything from skin issues to sore joints!
PHOTOS CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: BRE BURGE; HEATHER HIGGINS; ILLUSTRATION BY VICTORIA SCOBBIE
48
The Dog Treat Brand Giving Back to Autism;
34
Canine Cancer Survival Linked to Microbiome
DOG LIFE
42
From golf legend to dog treat philanthropist: Ernie Els’ inspiring mission. 44
Early study connects dogs’ cancer survival with which microorganisms live in their gut.
20
We’ve got months of incredible giveaways—from dog treats to grooming essentials—and winners every two weeks. See what’s up for grabs on page 20!
Why Small Dogs Have Bigger Dental Problems
46
Their teeth may be tiny, but their mouths can be seriously crowded.
26
REGULAR FEATURES 6 8 10 12 18 79
Editor’s Letter Contributors Stuff We Love The Scoop Smile! Photo Contest Marketplace
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This issue's cover was shot by Bre Burge of The Photo District NC. Our adorable cover pup Honey was found as a stray in Duplin County, NC. Honey landed a forever home after being photographed by Bre as part of her Seen & Saved Initiative. Turn to page 64 for more! FALL • WINTER 2 0 2 6 /2 7
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Funny Bone
A decade's worth of the funniest dog cartoons from Speed Bump’s Dave Coverly brings the laughs.
ON THE COVER
4
We’re Giving It Away!
Stars, They’re Just Like Us
A new book packed with fun portraits of celebrities and their furry best friends reveals that the bond between owners and their pets really is universal. 66
Connie’s Book Club
Editor-in-Chief Connie Wilson’s selection of new, mustread books for dog lovers. 74
Tiny Dog Stories
Dog love in short form: miniature, reader-submitted dog stories of no more than 100 words. 80
One Last Dog.
Because You Can Never Have Too Many
M AT H E W SI LV EST E R / SH U TT E R STO CK ; I L LU ST R AT I O N BY M I CH E L L E SI M PS O N
BODY & SOUL
PHOTOS CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: SPEED BUMP/DAVE COVERLY; SERGEY KOLESNIKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK;
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EDITOR'S LETTER
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Circle Only use blue and/or white.
CO N N I E W I L S O N W I T H P E N N Y, RO S E , A N D E S T H E R , P H OT O K H A R E N H I L L
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I
OUR READERS WRITE
Nose Approved!
My nose says it’s the best magazine ever! —@Mića
couldn’t be more pleased to share our fall/winter issue of Modern Dog with you! There are so many fun, informative features to help you live a better life with your dog. Inside, you’ll find articles that explore dog behaviour, wellness, dog culture, the coolest dog products, and so much more.
Our relationships with our dogs are often some of the closest and most meaningful of our lives. Who else do we spend more time with? It’s worth the effort to make it a good one. We tapped Duke University’s Puppy Kindergarten for their secrets to raising a great dog. Among the findings? A game that will change your relationship with your dog (p48). Wonder how your dog sees you? Find 15 signs your dog is truly bonded to you on page 34! The rapid evolution of AI has sparked concerns, but here’s one feel-good story: AI is Helping Find Lost Dogs. Discover how technology is bringing pets home on page 60. Bust your dog’s boredom! Is your dog under-stimulated? Check out our fun finds for indoor play—flip to page 22 for the toys that keep tails wagging!
Cover Star Nine-year-old Morkie, Rockefeller, posing with his Spring/Summer Modern Dog cover! —@rockefellernyc
Many people underestimate little dogs, but these size-small canines were often bred to do serious, tough work. In Tiny Dogs. Big Jobs: meet the little dogs doing extraordinary work. This article may turn your perception of smaller dog breeds on its head! We also try wellness solutions, recommend the cutest, coolest, coziest, most useful dog gear, and of course, there are fabulous giveaways for dog lovers—this issue has it all. From fun photos of celebs and their dogs to your pup’s sleeping position decoded, we hope you enjoy this issue as much as we loved putting it together. Thank you for being a part of our amazing community of dog lovers! With love,
Summer Reading
Connie Wilson, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
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Taking some “me time” with my favourite magazine!—@Shak
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