Learn about the history and fun ways to celebrate in 2024

If there was ever a more appropriate time to celebrate your beloved pup, it’s definitely National Dog Week, which takes place every September! And while you may have heard of the week before, you may be wondering what it’s all about and how it all started. Let’s take a closer look!

What (and when) is National Dog Week?

National Dog Week is an annual holiday dedicated to honoring dogs and promoting responsible pet parenting. It takes place every year during the last full week of September, so in 2024 it will be celebrated from September 24-30.

Purpose and History

The week was first established in 1928 by Captain William Judy, a World War I veteran and dog advocate whose goal was to improve the lives of dogs and educate people about proper care. It’s important to remember that in the 1920s, this was a revolutionary idea. Many people at the time viewed animals as soulless beasts, but Captain Judy knew better.

He founded National Dog Week to express gratitude for the loyalty of dogs and encourage better treatment. Judy knew what many of us know now, that dogs are empathy machines and help us become better people. So the celebration serves several purposes:

Promoting adoption:Raising awareness of shelter dogs that need homes.
Education:Teaching dog owners responsible pet care.
Advocacy:Supporting better living conditions for dogs and promoting humane treatment.

Canva.com/Photoscape

” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qbgNjyw6oMx1pN.Cka8TtA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjE5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/91faeea73622 ea30f936f874621351c0″/>

We’re bringing you ten ways to celebrate National Dog Week this year, which will take place from September 22 to 28, 2024.

Canva.com/Photoscape

How to Celebrate National Dog Week

Of course, there are hundreds of ways you can celebrate your dog. You know him best, so you know what he will respond to best. But maybe you’re out of ideas. Or maybe you’re not a dog owner and are thinking about changing that. Whatever your situation, here are ten suggestions for celebrating National Dog Week.

1. Take your dog for a hike

For those of us who walk dogs, let’s be honest. We usually have one or two trails that we like and stick to them. In honor of National Dog Week, why not take your dog on a local hike? Take him (and yourself!) to nature, to the bees, birds, rivers, and trees. Maybe one of the hikes will end with a waterfall or spectacular view that you both can enjoy.

2. Take your dog for a walk in a new neighborhood

OK, so not everyone is ready for the pedestrian lifestyle. That’s fine. Then fire up Google Maps and find a new neighborhood to explore with your dog. I once read that when your dog is out for a walk, it’s like their TikTok or Instagram. They’re sniffing out all the dogs in the neighborhood and figuring out who’s happy, who’s stressed, who’s eating well, and who’s hungry. Why would you deny your dog the opportunity to check out the hot gossip in a brand new neighborhood?

3. Walk someone’s dog

Instead of your dog, why not volunteer to walk someone else’s dog? Maybe it’s a friend or family member who could use a break, or a neighbor with mobility issues. Either way, offering your services to another person (and pup!) puts you in hero territory. Be happy you earned some karma points.

Photo by PxHere/Photoscape

” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k05DZYm4EaD1XBHW8TO6qw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/947749663869 8722c6fe7386ed078207″/>

Show your pooch how much you love him with a formal photoshoot. Great for Instagram and holiday cards.

Photo by PxHere/Photoscape

4. Have a photoshoot with your dog

Show your pooch how much you love them with a formal photoshoot. It’s perfect for Instagram, but who wouldn’t want to receive holiday cards like these? Take it to the next level with double-exposure portraits in the cheesy style of 70s and 80s school photos. Half brothers.

5. Buy new toys and treats

It’s always time to buy your dog new toys and treats, but National Dog Week is an obvious choice. My dog Cyndee’s favorite stuffed animal is a lamb that’s missing an eye, an ear, and a lot of stuffing. I’m going to get her a new stuffed animal, but you know how dogs are. She’ll probably play with it for 30 seconds and then start obsessing over Lamby again.

My other dog Archie is fascinated by bouncy balls. Throw the suckers against the wall and he will chase them for a while until he gets tired. When Amazon ships a new set of balls, he can smell them on the porch from inside the house, so he starts running back and forth! It’s easy for him to shop.

You know what your dog likes. Pamper him!

Photo on GoodFon/Photoscape

” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/91cfXcaJYNgJArb5w0wd1w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/30b3d5ff6c1db0 3e81a106df28451811″/>

So your pup may not LOVE a day spa bath. But he will love the attention he gets for being such a fragrant good boy!

Photo on GoodFon/Photoscape

6. SPA day!

Speaking of which, SPA DAY, PEOPLE!!! OK, this is probably more for you than them. Your dog might be mad at you for washing the yard smell off of them. But we do it because it’s good hygiene and we love it when they’re clean and refreshed. And don’t let them fool you. You know they secretly love to have a good perm.

7. Sponsor a dog

We can all agree that shelter dogs who can’t find a home break our hearts into a million pieces. There is a way you can help. Several animal welfare organizations offer sponsorship programs that can help pay for the upkeep of a dog while it waits for its forever home.

Start with Canine Companions, Soi Dog Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, Paws for Life, and Villalobos Rescue Center, but there are likely organizations near where you live. You might be surprised how close you live to a sponsored dog.

Photo: Liz Roll/FEMA

” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TfIbjD1rkVOMzGprbFAe2w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/5dfe5dd273d5cad cf8c4459fc449535d”/>

Volunteering at an animal shelter is a rewarding way to contribute to the welfare of animals in need.

Photo: Liz Roll/FEMA

8. Volunteer at an animal shelter

Volunteering at an animal shelter is a great way to contribute to the welfare of all animals in need, especially dogs. Identify animal shelters or rescues in your area. Consider their missions, the types of animals they care for, and their specific volunteer needs.

Shelters offer a variety of roles: dog walking, adoption assistance, socialization, and even administrative tasks. There’s usually a minimum age to volunteer (usually around 14) and a set number of hours you’ll be asked to commit to. But it’s certainly a rewarding way to celebrate National Dog Week.

9. Donate to the organization

Many local animal shelters and rescues rely heavily on donations. They often need things like food, toys, bedding, and cleaning supplies, so call local shelters for a wish list of needed items.

Similarly, online platforms like CUDDLY allow you to donate directly to various rescue organizations by selecting items from their wish lists, so your donations go directly to what the animals need most.

You may also want to consider joining monthly donation programs offered by larger organizations, such as the ASPCA or Best Friends Animal Society, which provide ongoing support for animal welfare initiatives.

Photo by Helena Lopez on Pexels/Photoscape

” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EusS4hpLimrVposlLaigcQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NzQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_parade_744/eba85b58d98f4b1a3 8e751315b2602a6″/>

There is no better way to fulfill Captain William Judy’s original mission during National Dog Week than by providing a shelter or rescue dog with a forever home.

Photo by Helena Lopez on Pexels/Photoscape

10. Adopt a dog from a shelter or a rescue center

Finally, there is no better way to not only celebrate dogs, but also fulfill Captain William Judy’s original mission for National Dog Week, than to give a dog a forever home. It doesn’t have to be a puppy. In fact, an older dog may need to adopt more than just a puppy, which can take advantage of his cuteness at any time.

Whatever you decide, make sure you’re fully committed to caring for your new dog. This includes space requirements (do you have a garden?), medical obligations (will you need a vet), lifestyle compatibility (will you be away from home a lot?) and family dynamics (do you have other pets?).

But rest assured, once you adopt a puppy, your life and his life will never be the same.

Next:

Related: 25 Mixed-Breed Dogs That’ll Make You Ready to Adopt Your Next Furry Baby