August 10th is National Spoil Your Dog Day, which is the perfect opportunity to show all your canine companions how much you appreciate them and have fun together. Here are 20 ways to pamper your pup (while spending little or no money).
1. Let Your Dog Take You for a Walk
Do you usually take your pup on a specific walk around your neighborhood, leading the way? Let them take you for a walk today instead!
Dogs rely on their noses to explore their environment and gather information. So a “sniffy stroll,” by simply following their noses, can help them stimulate their senses and reduce boredom. Naturally, you will want to intervene on the route at some point, but when your pup wants to stop and sniff, let them do it for as long as they wish.
2. Set up a Scavenger Hunt
If the weather isn’t great on National Spoil Your Dog Day, consider hiding treats in all the rooms they are allowed to go to and encouraging them to sniff them out. Also, it helps all the family members move around and get active if you’re stuck indoors.
Start by hiding treats in easy-to-find places and gradually make them a bit more challenging to find. Give your dog more goodies as they get better at the game. Perhaps you could also vary the challenge by hiding different kinds of treats or toys. If the weather is excellent, take the game to the yard or the park!
3. Take Some Cute Photos or Videos Together
While your pup might not directly benefit from pictures you take or share on social media, they may enjoy preparing or posing for them with you. You might also teach them to pose for a selfie with you, as Ellie does in the following YouTube video. Look how happy she is!
4. Teach Your Friend a New Trick
Dogs love learning because it challenges their brains and makes them feel accomplished. Even older dogs enjoy a new challenge within their means. For National Spoil Your Dog Day, a fitting new skill to teach might be to roll over or fetch your slippers because they will feel rewarded and happy when you praise them and give them a treat. Get started with some simple yet powerful dog training tips for beginners at home.
5. Play Fetch, Tug-Of-War, or Hide-And-Seek
These classic bonding games work wonders to stimulate a dog’s mind and make them happy.
- Fetch: Scientists say dogs love fetch because it satisfies their natural hunting instinct and rewards them. The best objects to throw are balls, frisbees, or a bumi, as mentioned above. Please avoid throwing sticks because they can splinter and injure your dog’s mouth, even if your pup loves them.
- Hide-and-seek is a game you can play anywhere: at home, doggy daycare, or in an off-leash park. A good approach to allow your pup to enjoy this game without worrying about where you have gone is to start with easy hiding spots and give them some straightforward verbal clues. That way, they will learn to use their nose and ears to find you.
- Tug-of-war helps dogs exercise their jaw muscles and release stress, but we must be careful not to pull too hard or let them win every time. You can use a rope but my favorite tug toy is the West Paw Bumi because it is highly durable and stretches to twice its length, which makes it twice as fun! I also believe it’s safer on the animal’s teeth and you can throw it in the air to play fetch with, too.
6. Create a DIY Obstacle Course
Lay out some household items like boxes, pillows, or chairs. One straightforward way to encourage your pup to move through the obstacles is to use treats or toys as lures and rewards. At the end, praise them and give them a big hug!
7. Read Them a Book or a Story
According to Purina Pet Behavior Scientist Annie Valuska, PhD, anecdotal reports suggest dogs enjoy being read to because it helps them socialize with humans and other animals, which makes them feel happy and loved. This activity can also benefit us as pet owners by:
- improving our literacy skills
- reducing our stress levels (sometimes much needed)
- strengthening our bonds with our pets
Why not give it a try and see how your dog reacts?
8. Have a Picnic With Your Companion
This idea is a beautiful way to spoil your dog if the weather turns out well. You can combine the fun of a gentle stroll or challenging hike (whichever your pup enjoys the most) with their favorite treats.
Pack a picnic basket with healthy and tasty goodies like carrots, apples, or cheese. You can make homemade treats (as described below) or spoil them with a few pet-safe options they may not have tried before, like hydrating watermelon or blueberries. This helpful list can guide you on human foods to steer clear of.
9. Make Homemade Dog Treats
What better way to spoil your dog on this day than with a variety of homemade goodies, all baked with love? Most of these easy homemade dog treats have only 3 simple ingredients! There are many snack ideas you can make using ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat. For example, peanut butter (without xylitol, which is toxic to dogs), oatmeal, and carrots; many of us already have those ingredients in our pantries.
Caution:
Some brands of peanut butter contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Please check the jar to ensure it doesn’t contain this harmful ingredient!
10. Make Some Art Together
Did you know that canines have an artistic side to them? As Jessica Pierce, Ph.D., explains, “Canine creativity and well-being are linked.” They can benefit from expressing their creativity by making unique patterns and shapes. Why not try nurturing this talent by dipping their paws or noses in non-toxic paint and letting them stamp on a canvas? Praise their efforts to make them feel special, and enjoy their artwork as a lasting keepsake.
11. Give Your Dog a Relaxing Massage
Experts say that dogs benefit from massage in many ways. For example, if your pup has anxiety or arthritis, you can help them relax by gently rubbing their muscles and joints. Watch their reaction, avoiding sensitive areas and focusing on their favorite spots.
The best way to make your dog feel truly relaxed is to have a calming Adaptil diffuser in the room. If you’re unfamiliar with Adaptil, it’s a plug-in device that emits synthetic particles mimicking natural, anxiety-fighting canine pheromones. This product works wonders to help dogs feel calm and relaxed, especially in stressful situations, such as during thunderstorms.
12. Turn It Into a Spa Day
There’s no need to stop after the massage. Spoil your dog even further by brushing their fur, gently cleaning their ears, and trimming their nails. Humans and dogs alike can enjoy the benefits of relaxation and bonding together. In fact, some experts believe a regular spa day can help with stress reduction and improve overall health. So take your time with it; your dog is worth it!
13. Make a New Toy
You could put a tennis ball in a sock to disguise it as something new or hide one of their favorite toys in a cardboard box. But if you feel like getting adventurous and have some felt in your craft box at home, consider making a homemade snuffle ball. These puzzle toys are terrific for stimulating canine senses and brains.
They work by hiding treats inside the felt pieces and letting your dog sniff and snuffle them out. All you need is some squares of felt and zip ties; the following YouTube video walks you through the straightforward steps. You can build a homemade snuffle ball in less than an hour and give your dog mental enrichment with hours of fun!
14. Play Dress-up With Your Dog
Not all dogs enjoy dress-up time, but some pups appreciate the quality bonding time it brings with their owners, and some feel pampered and enjoy the attention this activity brings. Some play along because they feel happy seeing their owners smiling and laughing.
If your four-legged friend seems open to it, you can dress them up as a superhero, a pirate, a princess, or a cowboy. If they aren’t so keen, keep reading for plenty of other ways to spoil your dog and make them feel loved and special.
15. Create a Unique and Cozy Bed
Since dogs love their owners’ scents, how about repurposing an old blanket, sweater, or pillow? You could stuff a pillowcase with a blanket or sweater that smells like you and sew it shut to make a soft, warm cushion for them to snuggle on.
16. Watch a Movie or TV Show Together
Selecting a suitable film or show is key; you want to pick something that won’t scare or overly excite your dog. Try to avoid anything with loud commercials or obnoxious music. Instead, look for mellow entertainment that allows them to relax and enjoy your company. For example, a classic movie that might make your pup feel relaxed and happy would be Lady and the Tramp.
17. Learn Their Language
It’s always fun to guess what our pets think and narrate their perceived moods. But have you ever really thought about what they are trying to communicate to you? A fun game might be to pretend you’re on the phone with a friend, discussing some activities you want to do today.
Talk in an upbeat, excited voice, dropping in all your dog’s trigger words like “walk,” “park,” “treat,” or “play.” Watch how your dog reacts to each word and try to guess what activity they would love to engage in the most.
18. Do Some Yoga or Meditation Together
Experts say puppy yoga is an excellent way for humans and canines to interact physically and emotionally. This activity can be enjoyed in puppy yoga classes or at home using a yoga mat. If yoga isn’t your thing, try sitting quietly with your dog and being present. To encourage your pup to play along, you can pet them gently, talk to them softly, or give them a treat. You may find that they become more calm and relaxed.
19. Play Music They Will Enjoy
Experts say that certain music helps calm dogs and relieve separation anxiety. You may be surprised that classical or reggae music can work wonders for a dog’s mood. These genres work because they have soothing rhythms and low frequencies. Try it for yourself! Elevate your best friend’s mood by selecting a calming playlist and singing along softly.
20. Tell Your Dog How Much You Love Them
You may wonder if they understand what you’re saying, but studies show that dogs process both the meaning and the emotion of human speech. Telling your pup you love them or that they are a good boy or girl costs nothing but can make them feel like a million dollars. Watch their faces before and after to see how much they appreciate your kind words.
Holidays or Observation Days Related to Dogs or Pets
| Name of Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| National Train Your Dog Month | January |
| National Pet Dental Health Month | February |
| National Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month | March |
| National Pet First Aid Awareness Month | April |
| National Pet Month | May |
| Take Your Dog to Work Day | June 25 |
| National Mutt Day | July 31 |
| National Spoil Your Dog Day | August 10 |
| National Dog Day | August 26 |
| Responsible Dog Ownership Day | September 18 |
| National Walk Your Dog Week | October 1-7 |
| National Cat Day | October 29 |
| National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week | November 7-13 |
| National Mutt Day | December 2 |
Final Thoughts
Happy National Spoil Your Dog Day to you and your pup! Don’t forget to mark your calendar: National Spoil Your Dog Day 2025 is on August 10th, every year. And now, you have 20 free or inexpensive ideas to show your best friend how much you love them and strengthen your bond. Which one will you both enjoy first?
