This page documents how Dogmakers researches, writes, reviews, and updates everything we publish. If our standards ever slip, this is the measuring stick — hold us to it.
Our research process
- Start with a real question — one an actual dog owner asked, searched, or argued about in a forum.
- Consult authoritative sources first — veterinary hospitals, professional bodies, and academic research come before opinions.
- Cross-check at least three independent sources. If credible sources disagree, we tell you exactly where.
- Write in plain English — no jargon walls, no 400-word paragraphs, no fluff.
- Stamp and maintain — every guide carries a “last updated” date and gets re-checked on a schedule.
Sources we trust
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- VCA Animal Hospitals
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Cornell University Riney Canine Health Center
- Peer-reviewed veterinary journals, cited when used
How we review gear
Products we recommend are evaluated on five criteria:
| Criterion | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Safety & build | Materials, stitching, choking hazards, stability, non-toxic components |
| Real-world usability | How it behaves in a normal home with a normal (chaotic) dog |
| Value | Price against lifespan and performance — cheapest rarely wins |
| Owner feedback | Patterns across many verified reviews, not cherry-picked stars |
| Brand support | Warranty terms and how the company behaves when things go wrong |
Whenever possible, we test products hands-on. When we can’t, the review is based on documented research — and the article clearly states that. No exceptions.
Independence & affiliates
- Commissions do not influence ratings, rankings, or recommendations.
- Brands cannot buy reviews, previews, or changes to published content.
- Affiliate relationships are disclosed in our Disclosure and flagged next to the links themselves.
- We regularly recommend products we don’t earn from — and say when the best option is “nothing, you don’t need to buy this”.
Updates & corrections
Dog advice evolves. Guides carry a visible “last updated” date, our most-read guides are re-verified quarterly, and when information changes we edit the article — not quietly delete our mistakes. Spotted an error? Verified corrections are fixed quickly and noted on the article.
Medical scope
Educational content — not veterinary advice: Everything on Dogmakers is educational. It is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are researchers and writers — not veterinarians. If your dog is sick, injured, or “just acting off”, contact your veterinarian. For emergencies, contact an emergency animal clinic immediately.
Last updated: October 2026