International Dog Day: How to celebrate your pet

International Dog Day is celebrated every year on the 26th August.

Also known as National Dog Day, this day was founded by dog trainer and animal rescue advocate Colleen Paige in 2004. She chose the day because it’s the anniversary of when she adopted her first dog, Sheltie, when she was 10 years old.

Her goal was to create a day that not only celebrates our beloved dogs, but also highlights adoption and animal welfare, plus recognises the important role dogs play in our lives – from pampered pets to hard-working service dogs and police canines.

Want to recognise the day, but not sure how? Here are seven ways to make it special.

If your dog loves to eat, homemade treats are the perfect way to celebrate International Dog Day. Most treats aren’t complicated to make and only need a few household ingredients. Simple recipes include baked peanut butter bones, no-bake pumpkin treats, frozen blueberry yoghurt treats and soft chicken liver treats.

Sometimes, the best way to show your dog how much you love them is to simply hang out together. Whether you set up a paddling pool and spend a sunny afternoon at home, create an enrichment garden, or play a game of hide-and-seek with the whole family, think about what your dog loves to do and tailor your activities around their interests.

If your dog loves playing with other dogs, set aside some time to take them to a dog park – you could even head to one of Petplan’s Adventure Parks to explore the fun obstacles. Or, if they prefer the company of people, head out for a long walk to enjoy some quality bonding time.

Massaging your dog brings all sorts of benefits, from improving the bond between you to boosting blood circulation and easing anxiety or stress. These sessions also double up as a great time to check for any lumps, bumps or other signs of soreness.

If you do notice something unusual and you’ve got dog insurance with Petplan, talk to one of our qualified vet experts through Pet Expert Chat. Just log in to your My Petplan account to access.

International Dog Day is the perfect opportunity to fill up your phone storage with even more photos. Here are some tips for taking dog-friendly photos of your pet.

• Use burst mode to capture action shots of your dog running, jumping or chasing their favourite toy, then choose the best shot.
• Head out first thing in the morning or early evening to capture a warm ‘golden hour’ portrait.
• Take a sweet photo while your dog is snoozing in their bed or curled up next to you.
• The secret weapon for great portrait shots? Toys or treats! Use whatever your dog loves best to capture their attention as you’re taking a photo.
• Avoid dressing your pup in any outfits – these can feel restrictive and stop your dog from moving naturally.

If you’re sharing your photos on social media, use the hashtag #InternationalDogDay and check out what other dog owners have been posting. You could also print out your favourite pictures to frame or turn them into a canvas. Why not make it into a yearly tradition, so you can capture how your dog changes over the years?

Celebrate one of the original aims of International Dog Day by volunteering at or donating to your local animal shelter. If there’s one you regularly support, ask what they need ahead of time, and consider donating food, bedding, toys or anything else they may require.

You could also make an online donation to a charity.

If your dog loves exploring, International Dog Day is the perfect excuse to take them somewhere new. Visit a dog-friendly beach or take a road trip to a different region. You don’t need to travel far for a new experience, though – you could set up an obstacle course at home, create a treasure hunt or teach your dog some fun tricks such as paw, spin or jumping on command.