8 Cute Ways To Celebrate National Dog Day Beyond Puppy Treats

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Every dog has its day — and that day happens to be August 26. That's when dog lovers around the world honor their very good girls and very good boys by celebrating National Dog Day. How long has this celebration been around? Good question. As it turns out, animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, author of "The Good Behavior Book for Dogs," created the holiday in 2004 as a way to promote canine adoption and companionship. 

National Dog Day is worth celebrating, and we'll always advocate for pups getting a treat on the holiday. But there are plenty of other ways to make your dog feel special each August 26, whether you simply want to celebrate in many ways or your dog can't have too many treats. Here, we present eight fun ways for you and your favorite furry friend to mark this year's National Dog Day, from tasty treats and stimulating toys to luxe spa treatments and pampering hotel stays.

Basic treats are out this National Dog Day. Instead, whip up yummy homemade dog treats such as dog popsicles or pumpkin treats. They're easy to make and sure to satisfy any hungry hound. Or, buy your pet some eco-friendly snacks such as cricket dog treats. (Yes, they're made from real insects.) Perhaps a trip to Starbucks is in order, where you can get a caffeinated indulgence for yourself along with a Puppuccino for your pooch. This fancy-sounding drink is really just unsweetened whipped cream in an espresso-sized cup, but your doggo will love it like it's a million bucks.

Even if your pooch seems content with a chewed-up stick or an old tennis ball, why not splurge on a new puzzle toy to keep your dog mentally stimulated? Hide-and-seek dog toys are great for mental stimulation, too! If you're looking to offer your dog both mental and physical stimulation, try building an agility course in your backyard. Fill the course with fun but challenging obstacles such as tunnels, jumps, seesaws, and weave poles.Doggo playdates are another way to keep your pet engaged. This type of supervised interaction is especially helpful for socializing puppies.

Take your dog for an extra-long walk on National Dog Day to give it some extra exercise and fresh air. You can even get an added boost of serotonin by doing a good deed at the same time: Bring the dog of an ill or elderly acquaintance along for the outdoor excursion. To shake up your typical dog-walking routine — and log some extra steps for both you and your canine companion — drive to an off-leash dog park or a dog-friendly beach or hiking trail and spend the day in nature.

Spa treatments aren't just for stressed-out humans — pet spas are a big business, too. In addition to the expected bathing, brushing, and nail trimming, some dog spas offer luxe treatments such as facials, massages, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, reiki, and detoxifying mud baths. A deep-conditioning treatment will make your dog's coat shiny and silky soft, and a "pawdicure" may include cute nail art using non-toxic, dog-safe nail polish. For the ultimate in convenience, find a mobile pet spa in your area to bring the services to you.

Sometimes, cellphone snapshots just aren't good enough to show the world how attractive your very good dog truly is. That's when you need to bring in a professional pet photographer. A pro knows how to keep your dog calm and content while capturing priceless memories. Many pet photographers are also skilled at doing action shots. To make sure your dog looks as snazzy as possible, schedule a grooming session for a day or two before the shoot.

If you think only downmarket lodgings allow pets on their premises, think again. Some of the fanciest hotels you can imagine open their doors to furry, four-legged guests, and these places regularly go above and beyond, such as the Copley Plaza in Boston with its codfish and caviar dish on the doggie room service menu or the Plaza in New York, which offers well-heeled hounds miniature bathrobes, dog-friendly macarons, and bowls of Evian water. Your dog deserves the royal treatment, too.

Whatever your skills and interests may be, chances are that a local animal shelter or rescue group could use your volunteer help on National Dog Day (on most days, really) with everything from grooming and cleaning to socialization and adoption. These organizations tend to run on shoestring budgets and rely on the generosity of animal-loving individuals to keep doing their life-saving work. Gifts of toys, old towels and blankets, and pet food are usually welcome — check with local organizations to learn which particular items are needed at any given time — and monetary donations are always appreciated.

Good foster homes for dogs are always in short supply. If you aren't quite ready to commit to adopting a(nother) dog permanently, fostering is a great temporary way to help a needy animal. But, of course, one of the best ways to celebrate National Dog Day is by adopting a dog. In 2024, hardworking animal shelters and rescue groups across the United States took in about 5.8 million dogs and cats. Of those animals, only about 4.2 million found their forever homes, but you could help push the needle toward loving homes for all.