Now is the paw-fect time to start thinking about how we can shower our cuddly companions with the love and affection they deserve to receive this Valentine’s Day.
From learning and communicating with your dog through your pup’s preferred love language – whether it’s high-fives for physical touch, barks of affirmation, quality time tail wags, gift-unwrapping excitement, or acts of service – to fun-filled activities that are sure to light your tail-wagging buddy up, there are lots of ways to make your dog’s Valentine’s Day one to remember.
So, let’s dive into the ultimate Valentine’s Day bucket list for your fuzzy sidekick!
1) Pamper Your Pup with a Massage
Out of all the love languages, most dog moms and dads say that physical touch is by far their dog’s top love language. If you know that physical touch is your pup’s preferred love language, then a puppy massage is the paw-fect way to show your dog how much you love them on Valentine’s Day. Some of the benefits of a dog massage are relieving stress and anxiety, elevating your dog’s mood, improving their physical well-being, and strengthening the bond between you and your snuggle pooch!
2) Strike a Pose for a Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot
We all know that dog moms and dads love taking photos of their pups. One study even revealed that 65% of dog owners admitted taking more photos of their dogs than their significant other. But what about photos with you AND your dog? Now that can be a special treat for you, your dog, and your spouse (who is usually left out of the photos)! So, go ahead and ask a friend to take Valentine’s Day themed pictures of you, your four-legged love, and your partner, or consider hiring a professional photographer for the photo shoot.
3) Treat Your Dog to a Special Gift
Does your dog get super excited whenever you give them a new toy or treat? Then receiving gifts is probably your fur baby’s preferred love language. If you’re looking for a special treat to give your canine companion this Valentine’s Day, Crumps’ Naturals has you covered with the aptly named “I Love Variety Bundle.” Carefully crafted and curated to nourish, elevate, and nurture your dog, this love bundle features Sweet Potato Chews, Semi Moist Duck Mini Trainers, and Semi Moist Lamb Mini Trainers. It also includes a 10-pack of Plaque Busters Advanced Whole Mouth Dental Sticks. So, give the gift of love to your dog this Valentine’s Day with the “I Love Variety Bundle.”
4) Unleash the Joy of Quality Time with Your Furry Friend
If you have to spell “w-a-l-k” in your household because you know your dog will run straight to the closet to get his or her leash at the mention of the word “walk” then it’s probably a safe bet that quality time is your dog’s love language of choice. So, set aside some extra time on Valentine’s Day (and all month long, if you can!) to take your dog on a nice, long walk. You can also play an epic game of fetch or have fun at the dog park together. The key here is for your dog to know that they have all of your love and undivided attention when you’re together.
5) Roll Out the Red Carpet for a Dog-Themed Movie Marathon
On cold winter nights, there’s nothing better than cuddling up on the couch with your pup and enjoying a movie. But instead of watching one of your favorite films this Valentine’s Day, choose one (or some) of these “10 Movies to Watch With Your Dog” so they know just how much you care about their happiness.
6) Teach Your Dog a New Trick
A great way to bond with your dog this Valentine’s Day is by teaching your dog a new trick! Some easy tricks you can teach your dog are: shake hands, roll over, and fetch. One of the most effective ways to teach your dog new tricks is through positive reward training. So, make sure you have some Crumps’ Naturals Training Collection treats ready to reward your dog with as we know they’ll love them!
7) Go Above and Beyond with an Epic Act of Service
All the little things you do for your dog on a daily basis, like providing them with fresh water or a clean bowl, are definitely acts of service. But if you want to show a little extra love and take things to the next level this Valentine’s Day, consider creating a safe space for your dog in your home. To create a safe space for your dog, find a comfortable area in your house and designate it as your dog’s special spot. Then supply it with food and water, add comforting items, and do your best to limit noise and distractions. Also, make sure it’s safe and easy for your dog to get to this space on their own. By creating a special space for your dog, you can reduce stress and anxiety for your pup and establish comfort and safety. Now, that’s definitely a worthwhile act of service that your dog is sure to appreciate!
8) Amp Up Mental Stimulation for Your Dog
Since dogs thrive when their minds are active and engaged, provide mental stimulation for your dog by getting your furry Valentine an interactive puzzle toy that you can hide treats in. Playing with the puzzle toy will allow your pup to use their cognitive abilities and enhance their problem-solving skills, while also bonding with you. Now that’s a win-win!
9) Plan a Puppy Playdate
For your dog to have a happy and well-balanced life, puppy socialization is crucial! So, plan a Valentine’s Day playdate with your dog’s BFFs and let them enjoy each other’s company. Or, if your dog doesn’t have many BFFs just yet, consider enrolling your four-legged friend in doggy daycare so they can make some new canine friends!
10) Speak the Language of Love with Puppy Praise
95% percent of dog owners say they believe their dog loves them, according to a survey. Well, 100% of dogs can know for certain that their owners love them as long as their owners say, “I love you!” That’s because a recent study, which tracked the heart rate data of different dogs, found that there was a 46.2% increase in the dogs’ heart rates after their owners said, “I love you!” This shows that sometimes the simplest way to let your dog know you love them can also be the most effective. Talk about the power of words of affirmation!
So, make sure to let your good girl or boy know just how much you love them this Valentine’s Day by showing them, telling them, or, better yet, by showing and telling them!
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Sources:
- https://www.hsnt.org/post/what-s-your-dog-s-love-language
- https://spca.bc.ca/news/benefits-massage-dog/
- https://www.abc27.com/local-news/study-dog-owners-take-more-photos-of-their-pet-than-spouse-family/
- https://www.mission-pets.com/blogs/news/top-10-dog-movies-to-watch-with-your-furry-friend
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/doggie-valentines-day/
- https://www.dutch.com/blogs/dogs/sanctuary-space-for-dogs
- https://www.dogtopia.com/blog/dog-socialization-benefits/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/a-dogs-love-95-of-dog-owners-say-they-believe-their-dog-loves-them/
- https://people.com/pets/dogs-heart-rates-increase-owners-say-i-love-you-study/
- https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/doggy-devotion