Wednesday, August 26, is National Dog Day.
Our dogs offer us so much love and affection –cuddles when we are feeling sad, motivation to get outside and take a walk, and of course lots of laughs with their silly antics. Take some extra time on National Dog Day to shower your furbaby with lots of love in return. At Gulf Coast K9, we love dogs as much as you, so we’ve got you covered with some fun ideas to make this day special for Fido or Mittens.
Dog Day Celebrations
Let them pick out a gift. Who doesn’t love a present? Bring your pup to your local pet store and let them peruse the toy aisle. Buy them whichever toy they express the most interest in. Of course, don’t let them put any toys in their mouth until you’ve bought one–you don’t need to spoil someone else’s National Dog Day by spreading germs.
Explore the great outdoors together. Are you and your dog an adventure-loving pair? This is a perfect day to explore a new area with your canine pal. We have lots of great hiking trails, parks, and nature preserves where you both can stretch your legs and discover a place you have never been to before. If your dog loves to get wet, set out to find a dog beach, or choose a trail that runs alongside a creek so you can splash and cool off together.
Make them a yummy treat! There are endless delicious and nutritious recipes you can create at home as a special treat for Rover. You can never go wrong with baked items like cupcakes cookies that are sweet, but packed with healthy ingredient combinations like peanut butter and banana or apple and cheddar. Dog-friendly ice cream is perfect as a post-hiking snack in this hot weather– simply blend bananas, yogurt, and peanut butter together, then freeze the mixture for at least 4 hours. Your dog will thank you for this delicious and cool snack.
Arrange a doggie playdate. Does your dog have a furry best friend (or maybe a whole pack of friends)? Get the whole gang together so that your pups can enjoy their special day running, playing, and enjoying the delicious snacks you’ve made. You can combine this with a new adventure if you all gather at a park or beach, or turn it into a party for the humans too with snacks, drinks, and some music. If you’re really into it, consider making the food dog-themed: throw some hot dogs on the grill, set out a bowl of “puppy chow” (chocolate- and peanut butter-coated Chex cereal with powdered sugar), or share some pup-peroni pizza.
In summary…National Dog Day is a great day to spoil your pet – even more than usual. You can customize this holiday so that it’s perfect for your pup specifically. Think about what your dog loves most and be intentional about giving them extra special love.
This is also a great opportunity to consider revisiting some training or obedience classes for your pet. A dog with boundaries and rules is a happy and safe dog. After all, your dog is more secure knowing the rules and making you happy with their obedience. Dogs can get anxious if the rules as they understand them keep changing – so give your pet the gift of obedience training! Call Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training today for more information.
