These 9 activities will make any Vancouver pup feel special this National Dog Day.
National Dog Day is coming up on August 26, and it's the perfect excuse to shower your pup with even more love and attention than usual.
There's no denying that our dogs are our best friends and they bring us so much happiness everyday, so a holiday created especially to celebrate how amazing they are is something no dog owner wants to miss.
Not sure how to celebrate? Don't worry, we've come up with some fun activities you can do with your dog in Vancouver to show them just how much you appreciate them.
1. Play Day at one of Vancouver's Dog-Friendly Beaches
Everybody loves a beach day, including our pups, so it's pretty handy that Vancouver has so many amazing dog-friendly beaches for us to enjoy with our furry bffs. Your pup will love any of them so if you haven't taken your dog to a beach in a while, National Dog Day is the perfect time to do it.
Remember to protect your pups paws with against the hot elements before heading over to the beach - we love Canadian company Hemp4Paws's Nose & Paw Balm and we also recommend packing plenty of treats! (The Hemp4Paws Beach Bag is also a great choice.)
2. At-Home Doggy Pamper Day
Every dog deserves a bit of pampering, so why not treat your pup to a at-home spa day?
It's a great bonding experience if approached correctly (find tips here) and it's sure to your furry bff feel very special - and smell great! Plan a nice bath, a good scrub and a relaxing massage, and your pup will thank you for it.
We love Ontario company Walton Wood Farm’s Pets Don't Stink grooming products.
3. Treat them to some Doggy Dessert
An after spa-day dessert is another great way to spoil your pup. Every occasion can be made better with a special dessert, so pick up some tasty treats for your pup to enjoy on National Dog Day.
There's some great doggy-friendly options - we love Canadian brand Bosco and Roxy's dog very creative cookie designs!
4. Take a (Dog-Friendly) Hike
If your pup loves the outdoors, why not take them in a dog-friendly Vancouver hike after work? There's so many great on and off-leash options that any active pup would love to burn off some exercise while spending time with their favourite human!
5. Challenge them with a New Puzzle
A new toy or puzzle for some mental stimulation and play time is a great treat for your pup. They'll get hours of fun, and you'll get lots of entertainment watching them try to work out how to get to treats inside.
We're big fans of the Wooden Treat Puzzle from Vancouver store Good Boy Collective.
6. Make some Homemade Dog Treats
If you have some time, it might be nice to make some homemade dog treats from your pup this National Dog Day! It's quick, fun and will make you feel like a great dog parent! Here's an easy recipe to try out:
Ingredients:
- In a blender, add 2 cups of dry food (we like to use PetKind Grain-Free Dry Dog Food with Tripe) and grind into a powder.
- Pour powder into a mixing bowl and gradually add about 1 to 1¼ cups of water, stirring until it forms a dough consistency.
- Shape into individual "treats" or "cookies" and flatten the dough using the back of a spoon (the cookies will not flatten like standard "people cookies" do.)
- Place treats on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.
- Store baked treats in the refrigerator and discard leftovers after 5-7 days.
Check out the full recipe here.
7. Add some New Accessories to their Wardrobes
Our pups can't shop for themselves, but if you'd like to spruce up their wardrobes, what better excuse than National Dog Day to do it?
We love these Canadian company Rover Boutique for adorable bandanas, collars and bows and we it doesn't get much cuter than Vancouver company Miss Dapple Dog Co's personalized doggy necklaces!
8. Take a trip to Red Truck Beer Company's dog park and dog-friendly patio
If the sun is shining, why not take your pup to super dog-friendly Red Truck Beer Company. They offer 'puppy parking' with free doggy treats and water bowls at the brewery, as well as a park next door so your dog will have as much fun as you will!
Check out the contest details below for a chance to win two flats of a variety pack Red Truck beer or the new Remix vodka soda after a long day of spoiling your dog!
9. Enjoy quality time with a walk on the Sea Wall
Sometimes just a little quality time is all your pup needs to feel special, so if you can't fit in any of the above, a nice stroll around the Seawall is sure to make them very happy this National Dog Day!
For a chance to win goodies valued at $550 from all the companies mentioned above, make sure to check out the entry details on our Instagram page. Contest closes on August 26, 2020. Good luck!