As if you needed any excuse, this one-day celebration actually calls for you to hug your dog this weekend.
Did you know that April 10, is National Hug Your Dog Day?
The one-day annual holiday encourages dog owners to show their pup some extra love and affection which sounds like a celebration we can definitely get on board with!
Hugging your pup releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with love, attachment and trust, from the brain of both you and your furry friend, which is all the more reason to get cuddling this weekend.
Not sure if your pup really appreciates hugs? A recent report revealed that dogs actually have a love language too, and identified how owners can recognize and understand the ways their pup likes to be shown love.
The 'Decoding Your Dog's Love Language' report by Rover.com, surveyed 500 Canada-based dog owners in January 2021 to explore the different ways dogs express affection to their human family members, and returned some interesting findings.
According to Phil Tedeschi, clinical professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, Institute for Human-Animal Connection and member of Rover’s Dog People Panel, if your dog’s love language is physical touch, you'll likely know it as these are the pups who are constantly wanting cuddles.
In an article published in Psychology Today, psychology professor and star dog psychologist Stanley Coren argues that many dogs are actually stressed out by hugs, and suggests looking for signs of anxiety, like turning their head away to avoid eye contact, whining or barking, yawning, or ears down and back. If your pup isn't a fan, you can still celebrate National Hug Your Dog Day, just be sure to show your affection in a way they'll enjoy instead. Whether it's a new toy, an extra treat, or simply just quality time, this is one holiday that can be marked extremely easily.
How to celebrate with your pup in Vancouver
If your pup loves nothing more than quality time with you, here are some easy ideas for how to spend some extra time with your pup this weekend.
1. Visit their favourite dog park If your pup has a favourite local park, why not take them for a extra long play session, or introduce them to a new one? There's some great dog parks locally, and here are 9 Vancouver parks that look particularly picturesque in Spring.
2. Take them shopping with you
There's lots of local stores that love to welcome your four-legged friends, so you don't have to leave them home alone at all this weekend. Here are 12 of our favourite dog-friendly Vancouver stores where you can shop with your pup. 3. Enjoy the sun in a dog-friendly patio
Support local and take your pup along to your favourite local coffee shop, restaurant or brewery. Not sure which businesses welcome your pup? Here are 21 dog-friendly patios in Vancouver that are all open right now.
4. Take on a dog-friendly hike If your pup loves getting active, why not get outdoors and take on one of the many beautiful dog-friendly hikes around Vancouver? Here are 12 of our favourites.
5. Go cherry blossom hunting
This holiday falls at the perfect time for exploring the stunning natural beauty of cherry blossom season. Stroll around in the sun and get that perfect shot of your pup to treasure forever - here are the best cherry blossom spots to visit in Vancouver to save you some time!
However you celebrate this weekend, just take the time to show your pup how much they mean to you.
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