What is National Dog Day? Activities & Ideas to Celebrate

Even though we celebrate the love we have for our canine companions every day, National Dog Day gives us a wonderful opportunity to spend the whole day fussing over them. Celebrating National Dog Day allows us to honour the joy that our pooches bring into our lives, giving us the perfect opportunity to plan a fun-filled day of pup adventures!

Today, we’ll be sharing some of our favourite ways to celebrate National Dog Day. Whether you’re a dog parent or lover of all things canine, we’ve got a whole host of ideas to help both dogs and humans enjoy the day to the fullest.

What is National Dog Day?

National Dog Day is celebrated annually on the 26th of August. It was first established in 2004 by animal advocate Colleen Paige. With this dog appreciation day, her aim was to help people take better care of their pets as well as to encourage adoption and raise awareness about the well-being of dogs.

Having a whole day dedicated to our pups highlights the various roles dogs play in our lives. From loyal companions to working dogs in law enforcement and therapy, they deserve to be celebrated for all they do!

Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day

Whether you’re a proud pet parent or someone who simply adores dogs, there are many ways to celebrate National Dog Day. Even though every day as a dog parent is about caring for our precious pooches, this day allows us to go that extra mile to show our appreciation.

Adopt or Foster a Dog

One meaningful way you can celebrate this special day is by supporting dogs in shelters. If you’ve been considering adding a furry friend to your family, National Dog Day is the perfect time. Visiting a local shelter allows you to meet and get to know different dogs, helping you find the right canine companion. By adopting a dog from a shelter, you can give them the most special gift on National Dog Day—a home for life!

However, if adoption isn’t what you’re looking for yet, fostering a dog is another great option. Fostering a dog provides them with a temporary home, which helps them have an easier transition into their forever homes. But if you’re looking for a little more flexibility, there are many platforms where you can ‘borrow’ a dog. This is a great way to spend time with dogs without adoption or fostering.

Volunteer at a Shelter

Helping dogs in need extends further than just fostering or adopting. Many shelters or rehoming centres welcome volunteers to help, and being surrounded by pups is a dream come true for any dog lover! You can spend time walking and playing with the dogs in the shelter, which is great for their well-being and socialization skills.

Shelters may also offer other ways for you to help depending on your skills. For example, they may need help with their social media presence or organizing a fundraising event.

If you’re unable to find the time to volunteer, shelters often need supplies like food, toys and blankets. Donating these items is an amazing way to support both the shelter and dogs on National Dog Day. It’s also great to keep an eye out for any fundraisers your local shelter may be doing. Helping at an event or donating to the shelter can have a huge impact on many pups’ lives.

Throw a Party for Dogs

What’s a celebration without a party? Throwing a dog-themed party is a great way to celebrate National Dog Day. You can invite friends and their dogs over for a doggy playdate with all their favourite toys, food and games. Set up a safe, enclosed space that’s big enough for all your dog’s canine crew to allow them to play, socialize and play dog games. You can even decorate with dog-themed items to make it the ultimate party for dogs!

Plan Fun Activities

If your dog prefers spending time with you rather than their furry friends, planning fun activities is a great way you can make sure your dog has a special day. Planning enrichment activities for dogs, such as setting up an obstacle course, creating a food puzzle or exploring new environments, are all ways to add fun to the day.

Taking part in dog enrichment activities, as well as being fun for your dog, is brilliant for their mental and physical well-being. If you’re looking for some inspiration for new activities to do with them, there are many different DIY projects that both you and your dog can enjoy, letting you celebrate National Dog Day in style.

Educate and Advocate

National Dog Day has always been about raising awareness of our canine companions. Advocating for the importance of dog adoption can help people understand more about shelters and the responsibilities of being a pet parent.

Educating your pup through training courses, games and activities can help your dog build their skills while strengthening your bond.

Spoil Your Dog

On the day completely dedicated to dogs, it’s only right to spoil them! Surprise them with a new toy or two; not only will this make them excited, but it’ll also keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. With their new toys, you can schedule in an extra playtime so they can play their favourite game or go on their most loved walking route. Another way to spoil your pooch is by making or buying them special treats, because we all know that treats are the best way to a dog’s heart!

If your dog prefers more of a relaxed lifestyle, you could treat them to a new bed or a cosy blanket. Creating a calm space for your dog can help them feel relaxed enough to chillout whenever they want during their special day. Adding an ADAPTIL Calm diffuser to their favourite place to relax can make the space even more comforting and reassuring.