Take the chance to hang out with your pup on National Doggy Date Night on February 3. You’re working all day, out running errands, or spending time with your family and loved ones. How about slowing down to spend some quality time with the one who is always there for you – your dog.
History of Doggy Date Night
People have kept dogs as pets for 12,000 years. Throughout history, humans have benefitted from that relationship with dogs, from service dogs to police and firehouse dogs, to just everyday pets making extraordinary saves. Over the years man has grown to appreciate our relationship with dogs so much more. There are countless songs, movies, books, and TV shows built around our relationship with canines. From the timeless classic “Old Yeller” to “Lassie” and “Wonder Dog,” dogs have become more than a part of society, they’re a part of our families, and with good reason. They are steadfast companions and there are enough types (more than 150 breeds!) out there for everyone.
Dogs can live for as long as 15 years, making them a significant part of their owner’s life. For years, scientists have studied the special connection between dogs and humans, consistently finding that dogs provide social and emotional benefits for their owners, and the bond promotes positive well-being for both the owner and the dog. So they aren’t just good for your Instagram, they’re good for your health. They give us so much love and affection, it only makes sense that we return that love, right?
They don’t call them man’s best friend for nothing: dogs are loyal, protective, and always excited to see you! On this February 3, spend a little extra time with your dog: play games like fetch or frisbee, or go on a nice long hike. Go beyond the standard walks and couch snuggles and make an event out of it to make your pooch feel special!
Doggy Date Night timeline
- 1988
ESA Accepted
Federal laws allow waiver of "no pets" polices for emotional support animals.
- 1979
First Dog Park Opens
Berkeley residents establish Ohlone Dog Park.
- 1955
"Lady and the Tramp" Premieres
Disney releases its animated classic featuring the most iconic doggy date yet.
- 1920s
A Nose For Crime
The German police selected the German Shepherd Dog as the ideal breed for police work and opened up the first dog training school in Greenheide
- 1750s
Guide Dogs
The earliest systematic instruction of guide dogs, as helpers of the visually impaired are known, took place in a Paris hospital for the blind.
Doggy Date Night FAQs
What are the second two most popular names for dogs?
The second two most popular names for male and female dogs are Max and Lucy.
Who was the first person to have a service dog?
Around the early 1800s a blind Austrian man named Josef Reisinger trained a spitz and later a poodle so well that others thought he was faking his disability.
Who was the first president to own a dog?
The first White House dog to receive regular newspaper coverage was Warren G. Harding’s dog Laddie Boy in the early 1920s.
5 Fun Dog Facts
The dog house
33 of the 44 U.S. presidents owned dogs.
The richest dog in the world
According to BBC News, Gunther III, a German shepherd, inherited $65 million when his owner, the late German countess Karlotta Liebenstein, died in 1992.
Loveable labs
The Labrador retriever is the most common dog in the U.S.
Dog names
The most popular name used for a female dog is Bella, for a male is Bailey.
It’s a dogs world
67% of U.S. households own at least one dog.
Doggy Date Night Activities
Hit the town
First, head to the park for a big game of fetch and some wide open spaces. Take a couple of selfies of you and the pup to commemorate the occasion. After you are worn out from playing, find a dog-friendly patio at a restaurant for some dinner. Then, for dessert, take your dog to a local bakery just for them. They’ll be in heaven over all the cakes, treats, and bones for their choosing. Make sure to post your pictures and use the event’s hashtag on Twitter: #DoggyDateNight.
Check out some canine art
The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in St. Louis, MO holds the largest collection dog-related art in the country. Take a trip to check out some of the pieces, including a permanent collection of All-Star Dogs and dogs of war. They also host a “Guest Dog of the Week” exhibit, in which dogs and their owners are on hand to meet with museum patrons. There’s even a doggy bakery that caters!
Have a spa day
Primping and pampering are not just for people! Celebrate Doggy Date Night with a little indulgence for you and your pooch. Dip your hands in moisturizing lotion, and apply some shea butter to your dog’s paws and nose! Then try out all the spa products designed just for dogs: facial scrubs, perfume, and even nail polish!
Why We Love Doggy Date Night
Dogs are good for us
The benefits of having a dog reach far and wide. They can be good for your mind, body, and spirit. In fact, research has shown that spending just 15 minutes playing with your pup can help you feel more relaxed. It also releases serotonin, improving your mood. Research has also shown lower levels of blood pressure and cholesterol in dog owners. And, they’ve gotta walk, so you do, too! Having a dog helps owners stay active and get outside.
Dogs understand you on a deep level
Part puppy-intuition, part their incredible sense of smell, dogs can pick up on how you are feeling, making them sensitive to your needs. Dogs can smell 40-50 times more than humans, which enables them to identify the changing body chemistry of people who are sick, stressed, or even pregnant. In many cases, dogs have been known to recognize cancer or cases of diabetes in their owners.
They are fascinating creatures
They come in all shapes and sizes (some as small as two pounds) and are descendants of wolves. They have hearing abilities that are ten times more accurate than the average person. They can be trained as service animals for the visually-impaired or those with physical disabilities, and are even used as sources of comfort for individuals with social anxieties.
Also on Mon Feb 3, 2025...
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