If you’ve used Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa, you likely know that it can answer questions, guide you through a cooking recipe, or control your smart home. But did you know that it can help your dog relax?
With thousands of new skills created each day it can be hard to find quality skills. So, we’ve dug through the Alexa skill store for you to find the top 10 skills that are sure to improve life for you and your pup.
Alexa Deals
Amazon sells smart speakers and devices that have Alexa built in. These are called their Echo devices and are some of the most popular selling items on the website.
Right now they are on sale for a limited time, so if you don’t already have one now might be a good time to upgrade.
Here are the current Alexa Deals:
- Echo Input:
$34.99$19.99 (43% discount) - Echo Dot (3rd Gen):
$49.99$29.99 (40% discount) - Echo Dot - Kids Edition (2nd Gen):
$69.99$49.99 (29% discount)
The deals change all the time but you can view all of the current Alexa device deals on this page in case a better deal comes up.
Top 10 Alexa Skills for Dog Owners
1. Relax My Dog
Relax My Dog plays music that is soothing to dogs to help them calm down. This skill is a must have for dog owners who need to help their furry friend relax in times like thunderstorms or during firework shows. It’s also nice just to play regularly to help reduce your dogs stress levels which will help it be happier and live longer.
Not only is it soothing for dogs but it’s also pretty soothing for humans as well. By default it will play soothing sounds infinitely until you say “Alexa, stop” but you can also set how long you want it to play. Simply say “Alexa, set a sleep timer for 3 hours.” or however long you want it to play for.
You can say:
- “Alexa, start Relax My Dog.”
- “Alexa, stop.”
- “Alexa, set a sleep timer for 1 hour.”
2. Dog Data
Dog Data is a skill that helps you keep track of things like the last time you fed, walked, let out, or gave medication to your dog. It’s a pretty simple skill but it’s powerful to be able to have Alexa remember these things for you. This skill is especially useful if you have a family that helps take care of the dog or if you sometimes have trouble keeping track of everything in your busy life.
You can say:
- “Alexa, tell Dog Data that I just fed/walked/let out/gave medication to the dog.”
- “Alexa, ask Dog Data when did I feed/walk/let out/give medication to the dog.”
3. Al the Dog Trainer
Have you ever wished you had a dog trainer to help you when your Dog is acting up? Well now you can! Al the Dog trainer is a skill that lets you ask Al Longoria a question.
Al is a dog trainer based out of Houston, Texas with an impressive background and he runs a show every week where he answers these questions on the show. So if you ask a question through the skill, he will then get to work to find a creative solution for you and talk about it on his live show on Facebook. His Facebook live show every is wednesday at 8 PM central here.
If you need advice sooner you can also have the skill tell Al to call you back.
You can say:
- “Alexa, open Al the dog trainer.”
- “Ask Al,” followed by your question.
- “Contact information.”
- "I would like a call back.”
4. MyPetDoc
MyPetDoc is truly one of the most useful Alexa skills to have as a dog owner. If you’re concerned about your dog’s health you can ask MyPetDoc and it will ask a series of questions and give a list of possible solutions.
My favorite part about of skill is that if you need more advice you can speak with a US licensed veterinarian live. Veterinarians are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The skill is free to use but if you want to speak to a veterinarian there is a $25 fee. However, $25 is much cheaper than a $100+ visit if you’re unsure if a visit is needed.
You can say:
- “Alexa, open My Pet Doc.”
5. Link AKC
Link AKC is another companion skill which pairs with the Link AKC smart collar. It can help you know where your dog’s location is, keep track of your dog’s wellness and much more.
You can get the smart collar here.
You can say:
- “Alexa, ask Link Collar to check today’s activity”
- “Alexa, ask Link Collar to check yesterday’s activity”
- “Alexa, ask Link Collar how many minutes until activity goal”
6. Al’s Dog Training Tips
If you’re looking for tips and tricks to become a better dog owner then this skill is for you. It features a series of daily dog training tips, quotes, and conversations with Al Longoria, Dog Trainer and Owner of Longoriahaus Dog Training in Houston, Texas. It’s a flash briefing skill so you’ll get advice as part of your daily routine.
You can say:
- “Alexa, what’s my Flash Briefing?”
- “Alexa, what’s in the news?”
7. Dog Summer Safety Tips
Dog Summer Safety Tips is a skill has a lot of really useful tips and things that you might forget to think about, especially in the summertime. Learn things like, what surfaces get too hot for dogs in the summer and reminders to make sure there is identifying information on your dog around holidays like the 4th of july which is a holiday when a lot of dogs go missing.
You can say:
- "Alexa, open Dog Summer Safety Tips"
8. Furbo Dog Camera
Never have to leave your fur baby alone again. This skill pairs with the Furbo dog camera and lets you control it with your voice. Tell Furbo to toss your pup a treat, set up a treat schedule, or have it play your doggy diary.
You can say:
- "Alexa, tell Furbo to toss a treat."
- “Alexa, ask Furbo what’s my treat schedule.”
- "Alexa, tell Furbo to play my Doggy Diary"
9. Ask Purina
This skill is for potential dog owners or those who are looking to figure out what kind of dog would fit best for them and their lifestyle. You can get details about a dog breed that you have in mind or you can ask Purina for dog breeds that fit a certain criteria, like size, energy level, family fit, living considerations, and shedding level.
You can say:
- “Tell me about dogs that are good with children.”
- “Tell me about dogs that are hypoallergenic.”
- “Find breeds that are good in apartments.”
- “Tell me about dogs that don’t shed.”
10. Dog Trivia
Think you know everything there is to know about your canine? Put your knowledge to the test with the Dog Trivia Alexa skill. Topics range from history and biology to breed names and famous dogs. It’s a fun trivia skill for the whole family!
You can say:
- “Alexa, start Dog Trivia.”