5 Ways To Celebrate Valentines Day With Your Dog

February 14th is Saint Valentine's Day.  Americans celebrate the entire month of February as the month of romance.  Valentine's Day is celebrated in the U.S. and many other countries as well.  It is an ancient celebration, thought to have originated as part of a pagan fertility ritual in ancient Roman times.

The origins of Valentine's Day weren't exactly hearts, flowers, and kisses, but that's what it symbolizes in modern times!  Valentine's Day is synonymous with cards, candy, gifts, and flowers.  And for pet parents, it's also synonymous with special treats, toys, and dates with their best furry friend.

My Furry Valentines, Phoebe and Icy!

Making your dog your Valentine?  Great! 'Cause Dogs Make The Best Valentines Day Dates!!

Here are 5 Extra Special things to do with your dog this Valentine's Day. 💕

RELAXING SPA DAY OR HOMEMADE FACIAL

Several grooming salons and hotels offer spa treatments for dogs.  They know many pet parents want to thoroughly spoil and pamper their pets.

The Pooch Hotel, with a number of locations in California and a few on the East coast, will pamper your pet with style.  In addition to more traditional dog grooming you can add spa treatments to thoroughly indulge your dog.  I read about one place that even offers a warm Hydro Surge massage bath, hydrotherapy for dogs with arthritis and other muscle problems.

If a doggy day spa isn't in the budget, create an at-home spa treatment.  Give your dog a facial and a pawdicure, dog friendly nail polish and all!   I found a fun recipe for a homemade Blueberry Facial for your Dog on Wag's web site: 

In a mixing bowl, grind up a half cup of oats to a powder.  Add crushed fresh blueberries and combine.  Wag says that this will create a facial mix that is high in antioxidants and good for the dog's skin and fur.  Check out their web site for full instructions and the proper method to give your dog a facial.  Blueberries tend to stain so make sure you don't use your good white towels!

DOGA (Dog Yoga) CLASS

Get some Valentines Day relaxation for you and your pup by taking a DOGA (Dog Yoga) Class.   In New York City, you can book a private DOGA session with your dog, or find a group DOGA session to attend. Search for a DOGA class in your city. If you can't find one in local search, check out the site Trips With Pets.   They list some DOGA classes being given in various parts of the country.  You can also Call a local yoga studio and ask if they know of any instructors that have led DOGA classes.  A local animal shelter in my area actually hosted a few DOGA classes last Summer!  How cool is that?  There's a yoga studio in The Hamptons, NY that gives DOGA sessions in Summer as well.    According to DOGA in NYC,    "Doga is simply creating a space of presence where you and your dog can share a state of peace"  That sounds good to me!

VALENTINE'S DAY YAPPY HOUR

Host a Valentines Day Yappy Hour party for your dog's best furriends at your house, or search for one in your neighborhood. 

A local brewery here in New York is hosting a Valentine's Day Yappy Hour.  When I lived in Phoenix, Arizona there was a local bar that regularly hosted Yappy Hours.  If you live in a warm weather state and are near water, you may be lucky enough to find a Valentine's Day Yappy Hour Cruise!

A few years back I read about a singles group that hosted a mixer for singles looking for love... and their dogs!  Attendees brought their dogs along to the event in the hopes of  finding love.  Talk about a great ice breaker, having dogs at the event!  The event doubled as an animal welfare fundraiser.  I love that idea.

Do an online search for Valentine's Day Yappy Hours in [your city].   BringFido.com/event lists Worldwide Dog Events, so it might be worth checking out their event page as well.

If you host a Valentine's Day Yappy Hour yourself, invite your dog's best furriends and have fun with a Valentine's Day theme!

💗 You can find inexpensive party themed items at the dollar store or craft store.

💗 Get some Valentine's Day themed dog treats to serve your furry guests.   Petco and PetSmart always have fun holiday themed dog treats.

💗 Set up some fun games for the dogs to play.  I like the tennis ball muffin tin game.  You place treats in a muffin tin and cover each of the muffin holes with a tennis ball.  The dogs have to knock the balls out of the way to get to the treat!  

Find the Treat is a super easy, fun game.  Have the dogs stay out of the room while you hide small treats all around the room.  Then let the dogs in and tell them to "find the treats!".  Dogs catch on fast and will have a ton of fun treat hunting.  I play this game with Icy and Phoebe on rainy days if they get antsy about having to stay indoors.  They love it!

If you have a few interactive dog toys, bring them all out and have the dogs circle around to each one.

Interactive games can be fun for multiple dogs to play with together

SERVE UP A SPECIAL VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER

Serve your dog a special home cooked Valentine's Day dinner.  Boil up some Chicken, beef, or liver in a pot with healthy dog friendly vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, broccoli or other pet friendly veggies.  Leave out the onion & garlic, as those can be toxic to pets! Add some brown rice or barley and serve up a homemade feast.

If you don't have the time or desire to cook, look for special holiday dog foods such as Merrick Pet Food's PUGS N' KISSES Grain Free canned dog food.  It's one of their many special Limited Edition, Seasonal Recipes.  Available through Chewy.com and other pet retailers.

SPECIALTY DOG CAKES & TREATS

Bake some special Valentine's Day dog treats, or Find a doggie bakery that makes something special for Valentines Day.  Many dog bakeries (or BARKeries, as they're often called) will ship goodies right to your home.

Our friends at My GBGV Life have a great recipe for Strawberry Banana LuvCakes !  These are really special. My DIY Recipes, Crafts & Projects Pinterest board has lots of pet friendly recipes too, check it out.

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Now that you've planned something extra special for your dog this Valentines Day, why not treat yourself to something special?  

Our UNCONDITIONAL LOVE design was created exclusively for Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them by Brooklyn artist MendyDraws.com  It's our own unique design, inspired by the Unconditional Love our pets give us every day.  You won't find this exclusive design anywhere else!

Hoodies

Lightweight Sweatshirts

T shirts in several styles & colors

 iPhone and Galaxy cases, Laptop Cases & Skins, Mugs, Bags and more!

Are you doing anything special with your pet on Valentine's Day?  Tell us about it in the Comments!