10 Ways to Make Valentine's Day Special for Your Dog | Pupford

You know the traditions – flowers, chocolates, a well-thought-out card, maybe even a nice dinner date. Valentine’s Day is all about showing that special person how much we love them.

But what about that special dog?

While a box of chocolates is a BIG no for our pups (and some flowers too!), there are still plenty of ways to make Valentine’s Day special for your dog.

Before we share our ideas, we’re curious to know if Cupid’s arrow struck your dog. Have you ever celebrated Valentine’s Day with them before?

If you answered yes, we want to hear all about your celebrations in the comments!

While we can never truly thank our dogs enough for the unconditional love and friendship they give us, Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show a little extra love – and we have 10 ideas to help you celebrate!

10 WAYS TO MAKE VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL FOR YOUR DOG

1. TAKE A WALK IN A NEW AREA

Walks are a great way to spend quality time with your dog and give them some exercise.

To make it special for Valentine’s Day, try walking them on a new route or bringing them to a new park or trail to explore. New sights and smells will make it extra engaging and fulfilling for your dog.

If you live somewhere that’s pretty cold this time of year, you can still enjoy a walk as long as it’s not dangerously cold or snowing heavily. Just be sure to protect your dog’s paws and consider a sweater or jacket.

Here are more tips for walking your dog in the winter.

2. TRY SOMETHING NEW TOGETHER

Many couples use days like Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to try something new for a fun date – like a salsa dancing class or visiting a trampoline park. Why can’t you do the same with your dog?

While the dance studio might be humans only, you can try something new with your dog this year. Have you always wanted to get your dog into agility or another sport? Consider it a gift from Cupid!

Here’s an Intro to Dog Sports if you’re looking to get started!

3. OR LEARN A NEW SKILL

Maybe a new sport isn’t for your dog, and that’s okay. You can still have a fun bonding experience by teaching them a new skill or trick.

Teaching your dog a trick like a Figure 8, Nose Touch, Take a Bow, or Sit Pretty isn’t just fun to show off – it’s a great way to strengthen communication and trust between you and your dog.

The Pupford Academy’s Trick Training Course gives a full breakdown of how to teach an old dog (or new dog!) a new trick or two.

4. CUDDLE UP FOR A MOVIE OR TV SHOW

Sometimes the best bonding moments with our dogs happen during cozy nights in. Get some blankets and a movie or TV with a lovable dog character and get watching.

This is a great option for families or if you have cold/bad weather on Valentine’s Day. Plus, cuddling has mental and physical health benefits for both you and your dog, as it eases stress and helps regulate blood pressure.

All the more reason to let your dog curl up in your lap!

5. DON’T FORGET GIFTS!

What would Valentine’s Day be without sweet little treats and thoughtful gifts?

While chocolates are a big no-no for dogs and they can’t read what you write for them in a card, there are still plenty of things you can give your dog that they’ll love. Some ideas:

• A new stainless steel food bowl
• A pack of low-calorie, high-quality dog treats
• Long-lasting, high-quality chews
• Enrichment toys or a flirt pole
• A snuffle mat or lick mat
• A new bandana, sweater, collar, or accessory
• A homemade, healthy treat

6. TREAT YOUR DOG TO A SPA DAY

Treating your dog to a spa day is a great Valentine’s Day gift and can actually benefit their overall health.

You can either take them to their favorite groomer or do it yourself at home with our Pampered Pup Pack.

Either way, make sure your spa day is more than just a bath. It should include a full brushing (for long-haired dogs), teeth brushing, nail trimming, paw pad care, and trimming any hair that can impact hygiene.

7. HAVE A DINNER DATE

You may not be able to take your dog with you to the fancy new restaurant in town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t include them in your dinner plans.

You can make a nice dinner with your family that has dog-friendly components you can share with your dog as a special treat. For example, if you make a roast chicken with vegetables and sweet potatoes, you can give your dog a small serving of white meat with no skin, bones, or seasonings. You can also set aside some of the vegetables and potatoes before cooking to make sure they have no seasonings/spices and roast them plain for your dog. Just be mindful of portion sizes.

If you’re eating something that you can’t share with your dog, you can still make their dinner special with a meal enhancer designed specifically for your dog’s food!

8. MAKE THEM A SPECIAL TREAT

There are so many great recipes out there for dog-friendly treats and baked goods. The best part is that most of them use ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your pantry or fridge!

Just be sure to choose nutrient-dense, simple ingredients and steer clear of chocolate, sugars, flavorings, etc. Most dogs love peanut butter, pumpkin, and apple flavors!

While your dog won’t know the difference, a bone-shaped cookie cutter or dog treat maker will really add a festive touch.

9. GIVE THEM A PUZZLE TO SOLVE

We know, it sounds like you’d be putting your dog to work – how much fun could that be?

Well for your dog, a ton.

Puzzle games and enrichment activities put your dog’s nose and brain to work, but your dog thinks they’re just having fun and, well, being a dog. And in the end, they typically get the treat they’re working towards, so it’s a win-win.

In our A-Z Guide to Mental Enrichment, we share ideas for simple at-home puzzles and enrichment games your dog will love.

10. HAVE A THEMED PHOTOSHOOT

December isn’t the only time of year to dress up in themed outfits and take family photos. Valentine’s Day decor is perfect for snapping photos with your four-legged friends and capturing memories full of love. Bonus points if your dog will let you put them in clothes and accessories!

Be sure to share all your photos with us on Instagram!

How will you be showing your dog a little extra love this Valentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments!