Dog Appreciation 101: Our ReBARKable Dogs

Welcome to Dog Appreciation 101! Our not-so-serious course on the many kindnesses that our dogs share with us every day! We hope you’ll embark on this course with us! All you have to do to pawticipate is enjoy the little things that our dogs share with us each and every day. The goal of the course is simply to love, play, laugh, and have fun with your dog by your side. 

Dog Appreciation 101: Our Rebarkable Dogs

Welcome! Let’s embark on an Overview of Dog Appreciation 101

Of course, we want to give you a proper welcome to our course, so please check out our official welcome letter…

Let’s Get Rolling! Dog Appreciation Defined

Every course needs a basic course description. Dog Appreciation 101 is…

Roles Dogs Play in Our Lives

Shake? Roll over? Speak? Dogs can do some pretty amazing tricks, but their most remarkable feat may be their smiley, sunny, happy, loving ability to understand, bond, and love us hoomans. They’re some our the best teachers, listeners, personal trainers and friends.  (Adoodable Chloe is better than any trainer when it comes to motivating me to take my eyes off my work, computer, or dishes in the sink and head outside for a hike.)  

Our dogs can warm our toes on a cold night and melt our hearts with a gentle look. Their silly antics can cheer us on and their loving licks can cheer us up. They play many roles in our lives, but their biggest role may simply be “heart stealer.”

Five Ways You Can Show Appreciation For Dogs

So now that we have a definition of “dog appreciation” and an overview of the role dogs play in our lives, what can we do to show our dogs how much we appreciate them? Here are five ways that we can show our dogs we love them. After all, they will always be our top dog. 

1. Pamper them with play 

Whether it’s a brain game or an active game, dogs feel pampered through play time. Kiddoodle Chloe loves physical games like fetch and brain games like hide and seek. Both physical and mental stimulation are important for our furry friends…and it solidifies the communication and bond you have with them. 

2. Share a Paw Spa Day

If “muddy paws are happy paws” is your mantra, then your furry friend may enjoy a paw spa treatment after a messy day of play…or any day. Chloe’s “ahhhh…paw spa” treatment includes:

•          Hopping in the bathtub filled with a couple inches of water. (Or the kiddie pool in the summer. )
•          A cool drink of water from the bathtub faucet. 
•          Favorite doggie tub toy. 
•          Towel dry.
•          Gentle paw rub or ear rub. 
•          A tasty treat.  
•          For even more fun, make it a paw spa for two and dip your toes in the water, too!

3.  One-on-One Fun

Focused time with your furry friend shows you care in a way that they understand. Here are some activities to do together: 

• Go for a walk, hike, or jog.
• Enjoy a nap beside each other. Snuggles on the sofa or flopping down on the floor beside your dog reinforces being part of the pack.
• Head to a favorite pet store or pet-friendly restaurant.
• Talk or sing to your dog.
• Practice their favorite commands and reward them with the really good treats!

4. Say Some “EYE” Love Yous

Through their sweet looks and kind expressions, our dogs tell us they love us in so many ways. We can show our appreciation simply by gazing back at them in a gentle, tender way. 

5. Celebrate Dog Times! Come On! It’s Dog Appreciation Day

Dog Appreciation Day is August 26. It’s a great day to show dogs EXTRA appreciation and love. Whether ball-bringer or lap sitter, working or playing, service or sweetness, dogs do so much for us.  Raise the WOOF for dogs, and celebrate them in ways that they will appreciate! In their eyes, you’ll always be at the head of the class. 

“DOGS LOVE U”  FREE PRINTABLE

Get your free “DOGS LOVE U” 8 1/2 x 11 printable and add an extra smile to your day. It’s our way of saying thanks for being top dogs and joining us on our adventures!

Download the free Dogs Love U printable

What do you do to show your dog how much they’re loved and appreciated? 

We’d love to hear. Please comment below.

Thank you for attending Dogs Love U!  If this story brought a smile, a laugh, or a woof, you might enjoy our first blog story in the Dogs Love U series… 

DOGS LOVE U: A BONE-FIDE UNIVERSITY OF HAPPINESS

Also, please check out…

EIGHT (SPECIAL) WAYS YOU KNOW YOUR DOG IS FAMILY

WHY I SCRAPPED MY BLOG POST AND WROTE THIS STORY INSTEAD

FOUR QUOTES ABOUT DOG LOVE THAT ARE PERFECT FOR DOG PEOPLE

Doodle kisses and tail wags!

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