A personalized dog ornament is one of the few gifts that comes back every year. It goes on the tree in December, gets admired, and goes back in the box with the date on it. Below are the main types, how to choose between them, how to make a paw print ornament at home, and how to hang ornaments so a curious dog does not turn them into a chew toy.
Types of personalized dog ornaments
- Photo ornaments. A favorite photo printed on acrylic, ceramic, glass or metal. Acrylic and metal survive a fall, glass and ceramic look more classic but break.
- Name and year ornaments. The dog's name and the year engraved or painted on wood, metal or ceramic. Simple, and a nice series to build year after year.
- Breed ornaments. A figure of the breed, painted to match the dog's coat, sometimes with the name added.
- Paw print ornaments. The dog's actual paw print in clay or on a disc. Especially meaningful for a puppy's first Christmas or for an older dog.
- Portrait ornaments. An illustrated or painting-style portrait of the dog, made from a photo, printed small enough to hang.
- First Christmas ornaments. For a new puppy or a newly adopted dog, with the date the dog came home.
How to choose
- For a house with a young or very curious dog, pick something shatter-resistant without small parts that can come off: acrylic, wood, metal or fabric.
- For a keepsake that marks a year, name and year ornaments or a paw print work best, because they become a set over time.
- For a gift to someone else's dog, a photo or portrait ornament is the safest bet, since you only need one good photo. A clear, recent picture with the dog's face in focus gives the best result.
Making a paw print ornament at home
A paw print ornament is an easy weekend project. Use a non-toxic air-dry clay (look for the ACMI "AP" seal on the package) or a paw print kit sold for pets, press the paw in gently, add the name and year with a toothpick, let it dry fully and hang it with a ribbon. Keep both the clay and the finished ornament away from the dog's mouth. A few safety notes:
- Skip salt dough. It is the classic recipe, but the ASPCA warns that salt dough ornaments "can be easily confused for a salty dog treat by your pet," and that "the salt in the dough can cause dogs to vomit, drink lots of water and potentially develop high levels of sodium in the blood," which can lead to seizures. If you have old salt dough ornaments, the ASPCA advises keeping them "out of reach of pets."
- Check the label on clay, paints and inks. The ASPCA explains that the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) puts a seal on many art products: "If the seal reads 'AP' (Approved Product) that means that the product is not toxic." If the seal reads "CL" (Cautionary Labeling) and you think your dog ate the product, the ASPCA says to contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.
- Keep craft supplies away from the dog while you work and afterwards. The ASPCA notes that some products, such as colored pencils, "can cause irritation to the stomach or may become stuck in the stomach or intestines and need to be removed surgically."
- Clean the paw right after the print with a damp cloth, so the dog does not lick off clay or ink.
If your dog eats salt dough or a craft product, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
How to hang ornaments in a house with a dog
- Put the breakable and the personalized ones up high. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center notes that broken ornaments "may cause mouth, throat, or intestinal injuries, or even choking."
- Keep the bottom branches for unbreakable decorations, or leave them bare if the dog's tail sweeps the tree.
- Skip tinsel and keep garland out of reach. For tinsel, garland and tree ornaments, Cornell warns that "ingestion can lead to intestinal obstruction."
- Secure the tree so an excited dog cannot pull it over.
More holiday safety tips, plus gift ideas for the dog itself, are in Christmas gifts for dogs (and from the dog).
Our watercolor pet portrait ornament
Full disclosure: PawSums, the team behind this site, makes custom pet portraits, and now also a portrait ornament. You upload one clear photo of your pet's face and type its name and a short line, such as "Christmas 2026". We create a soft watercolor-style portrait with AI-assisted digital art for the front of a round white aluminum ornament, about 3.5" across, and the name and the line are printed on the back. Before anything is printed, we email you a preview; reply within 24 hours if you would like one free change. The ornament is $27.99 with free US shipping, which takes about 9 to 14 business days, including about 3 business days for us to create your portrait, and can take a few days longer in the holiday season.
If a small portrait on the tree is not enough, the same idea works on the wall: we also make portraits on canvas in a royal style and a watercolor style. For more gift ideas, see gifts for dog lovers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for a dog ornament in a house with pets?
Something shatter-resistant, without small parts that can come off: acrylic, wood, metal or fabric. Keep glass and ceramic ornaments high on the tree.
Can I make a paw print ornament with salt dough?
It is better not to. The ASPCA warns that dogs can mistake salt dough for a treat and that the salt can make them sick. Use a non-toxic air-dry clay with the ACMI "AP" seal or a paw print kit sold for pets instead, and keep the finished ornament out of reach.
What should I write on a personalized dog ornament?
The dog's name and the year are the classics. For a first Christmas, add "First Christmas" or the date the dog came home.
Is a personalized ornament a good gift for a dog owner?
Yes, especially as a small add-on gift. It is affordable, personal, and it comes out every December.
Sources
- ASPCA: Crafting with Care: Pet Safety Tips for Holiday Arts and Crafts (December 6, 2016)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center: Holiday hazards for dogs (updated December 2024)