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National Dog Party Day 2024: When It Is & How Its Celebrated

Jessica Kim

By Jessica Kim

couple celebrating dogs birthday

People are always looking for ways to celebrate and party with their dogs. So, it’s no surprise that National Dog Party Day exists. This holiday was established by pet health and safety coach Arden Moore. The first National Dog Party Day was celebrated in 2011 and has been observed every June 21 ever since.

If you love partying with your dog, make sure to mark your calendar for the next National Dog Party Day. Here’s what you need to know about this fun holiday and how you can celebrate it with your dog.

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What Is National Dog Party Day?

National Dog Party Day is a fun holiday with a purpose. Arden Moore created this holiday in 2011, and the first National Dog Party Day party was hosted in New York City and San Diego. The purpose of these parties was to encourage and bring awareness to the power of play in a dog’s health and well-being.

On the surface, playtime may just look like a fun way for dogs to pass the time. However, it’s a necessity for their daily lives. Puppies benefit from playing because they learn motor skills and learn to have healthy interactions with other puppies and dogs.

Adult dogs continue to reap social benefits through playtime. One theory on canine play behavior suggests that dogs establish social cohesion through play. Play is also a great form of exercise and allows dogs to channel and express their energy and emotions through a healthy outlet.

Playing is also a great form of exercise and mental stimulation for dogs. They can burn a lot of energy fetching a tennis ball or engaging in a round of tug-of-war. Playtime also helps strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners.

golden retriever dog playing with his owner
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock

Ways to Celebrate National Dog Party Day

There’s no set way of celebrating National Dog Party Day. The goal is to just have fun spending time with your dog. You can certainly host a dog party if your dog is social and likes playing with their friends. Since the holiday occurs in the summer, you can host it outdoors and set up a kiddie pool, snack station, and photo backdrop. Dogs will also appreciate eating dog cookie treats and dog-friendly cake.

If your dog’s more of a people-lover, you can invite some of their favorite people over to play with them. Your dog can still enjoy National Dog Party Day even if they’re on the more introverted side. Try to set aside a few hours to spend quality time with your dog. You can plan an outdoor excursion or play all of your dog’s favorite games. Your dog may also enjoy visiting a pet store and choosing a new toy.  If your dog is a foodie, they may have fun baking with you and trying out a new homemade dog treat recipe.

german shepherd dog in dog show
Photo Credit: Ksenia Groshova, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

National Dog Party Day is an excellent reminder for dog owners to have fun and enjoy spending time with their dogs. Play is an important part of a dog’s daily life, and it’s important to actively engage with your dog and provide plenty of play opportunities throughout their days.

Not only is play a great form of exercise, but it’s also an essential means of connecting and bonding with your dog. So, even though National Dog Party Day may not be today, make sure to enjoy a part of your day playing with your dog and creating fun memories together.


Featured Image Credit: Prostock studio, Shutterstock

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Jessica Kim

Authored by

Jessica is a freelance writer who spends most of her day reading and writing while her fluffy Cavapoo, Nora, naps beside her. She loves and appreciates pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for people. As a dog mom, she understands the special relationship that pet pa...Read more

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