Since 2018 in the United States, April has been declared Active Dog Month.
The initiative comes from the Om Shanti Pups blog and its creator. After a winter in Alaska, she noticed that her dog also felt cooped up in their cabin. To address this, she launched Active Dog Month. It has since become an annual event for all dog owners in the United States.
For now, this very special month is only celebrated in the United States. But it doesn’t hurt to share it with the whole world. Yes, dogs everywhere need to move!
So let’s fill this April with lots of activities for your furry friend. And as a bonus, you can fully track them with your Minitailz.
Why Have a Month Dedicated to Dog Activity? #
A happy dog is a stimulated dog! Whether it’s through physical activity or mental stimulation, your companion needs to have moments of more or less intense animation. Beyond making them happy and active, it’s also important for your dog’s health.
No matter the age or breed of your dog, they need to expend energy. If you’re not sure where to start, you can talk to your veterinarian. They can tell you about your animal’s physical activity needs.
To track their activities, their health status, and their overall well-being, there is the equivalent of the smartwatch:
Minitailz allows you to know their habits and adapt to their needs. This is a good way for you to establish an activity program to keep your dog healthy!
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Important Days of Active Dog Month #
Of course, Active Dog Month comes with a few important dates. In the United States, April 11th is celebrated as National Pet Day, and April 24th as Pet Parent Day.
These special days celebrate not only dogs but all pets. But it remains an opportunity for dog owners to give even more love than usual to their best friend.
Internationally, World Veterinary Day is held. On April 27th, this beautiful profession is highlighted, with a different theme each year. This year, the World Veterinary Association agreed on “Veterinarians, Essential Health Workers.” And considering all their work to keep our animals in shape, we can only support the movement!
How to Celebrate Active Dog Month? #
To celebrate Active Dog Month, you can start by focusing on these 3 special days. This can range from an extra treat for your dog to an appreciation message to your veterinarian, for example.
And to respect the theme of this April, you can also choose to set yourself a challenge for the whole month. Why not increase your dog’s activity time, or find new stimulations for them?
To keep it simple, and if you’re not already doing so, go to a park where they can socialize with other animals. You can also extend your walk time by a few minutes each day. Add to that some playtime, like throwing a stick or frisbee.
Active Dog Month is an opportunity to try new activities and explore new horizons with your companion. Going hiking is a good way to do a fairly intense activity, while stimulating them and keeping them healthy. If you want to give them a bit of freedom during these moments, you can be reassured by opting for a GPS tracker that gives you their location at all times. See our article:
Best Activity Ideas for Dogs #
If you’re not used to doing a lot with your dog, think simple: walks, running together, bike rides with your dog beside you… If, on the other hand, you want to take it to the next level and try new activities for dogs, many options are available to you!
- Set up a dog puzzle: they come in different shapes and have different objectives. These puzzles can be filled with treats, which stimulates your dog and rewards them when they succeed. This type of dog activity can be ideal if you sometimes lack time to spend with them.
- Teach them to tidy up their toys: it may sound strange, but it’s a real stimulation for them, especially if they’re often indoors! Start by teaching them the command “Tidy,” then turn this moment into a real activity, thanks to rewards and cuddles.
- Make your dog talk: have you always dreamed of chatting with your furry best friend? You may not have long discussions, but there are now systems that allow your dog to talk to you. It’s a time-consuming task, but the results are incredible! Not only can your dog tell you what they want, but their brain is fully stimulated. Don’t hesitate to check out the Instagram or TikTok page @Flintcantalk for lots of tips on the system.
- Swim together: it’s often overlooked, but swimming is the perfect activity for your dog. It’s the ideal compromise to keep them in great shape and active while limiting physical impact.
- Let them choose their next toy: go to the pet store with them to keep your dog active while involving them in choosing their toy. Who better than them to know what they will like the most! Take them with you and browse the toy aisles together.
Here is a list of original activities for your dog, and easy to implement. With this, your Active Dog Month will be well filled!
How to Track My Dog’s Activities? #
Some types of dog trackers allow you to keep an eye on their activity level. This is the case with Minitailz, designed specifically to give you a complete view of their activities:
Very specific activities are not recorded (like the exact game you’re playing). However, you will have their activity times in front of you. This will allow you to know if your dog has been active enough or if you need to adapt their activities according to their needs.
It’s your turn to participate in Active Dog Month! It’s the perfect month to find the dog activities that best suit you and your four-legged companion.