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Now, we know people often think Christmas, Halloween, or their birthday may be the best time of the year, but at ManyPets, we have our eye on what we think is the main calendar event: Doggy Date Night.
Whether you’ve just heard about Doggy Date Night or you’ve enjoyed your fair share of dog-friendly days and nights out, we’re here to help you celebrate in a way that you and your tailmate will love.
Key takeaways
Date: February 3rd.
Goal: Bonding, enrichment and having some fun with your pet.
Options: Pub walks, cosy nights in, dog-friendly meals and anything you and your tailmate enjoy.
What’s Doggy Date Night?
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Doggy Date Night is a designated occasion for pet parents to spend some extra time with those who are most important in their lives: their pets. The day is about stepping outside of your usual routine to prioritise new, fun experiences with your dog.
This can include an at-home spa day, an extra-long hike, or, most commonly, a meal and a drink at a dog-friendly spot.
There isn’t really a right or wrong way to celebrate it, but if you’re looking for ideas, we’ve got you covered.
Dog date night ideas, listed
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Coffee shop gossip session
A nice coffee and a bit of a gossip with your favourite four-legged pal. That sounds like a good time to us!
Dog-friendly pub session
There’s nothing wrong with a nice meal and a pint with your pup in tow. You don’t need to get fancy for Doggy Date Night, and plenty of pubs are dog-friendly now.
You can even tie a pub session in with a nice, long walk (and yes, we’ve listed our favourite pub walks in the UK if you need ideas).
Dog-friendly events
Doggy Date Night is your chance to check your local area for dog-friendly events, like meetups or markets. It’s a good way to meet like-minded people, too!
Dog park meet-ups
If you fancy something more social, you can try visiting your local dog park and meet up with some friends. We’re sure your tailmate will enjoy running and playing with all the other pups.
You can pair this with an outdoor picnic (if it’s somehow not raining).
Go for a run or some dog-friendly yoga
This is one for high-energy breeds, but bringing your dog along with you for a hard walk or a run will keep them happy, but make sure they’re trained for it first.
Alternatively, look around for some dog-friendly activities, like dog-friendly yoga. You don’t need to go out anywhere for food and drink on Doggy Date Night - you can just pick something that lets you spend time with your tailmate.
Hiking or urban exploration
Pretty much all dogs (well, unless yours is very low-energy, and we respect that) love a walk, so pick a new hike or explore a different part of your town or city for some fresh sights, smells and memories.
Photo shoot
Doggy Date Night is all about experiences and memories, so creating an interactive, fun photo shoot can be a strong way to immortalise your special bond with your tailmate.
What if your dog (or you) is introverted?
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You don’t need to go out or face other people. If your tailmate is anything like you, they may prefer a night in and a longer walk; there’s no pressure to join what other pet parents are doing on Doggy Date Night.
Our Christmas guide for introverted pet parents offers some generally helpful advice that could be of use. But for introverts, low-key cosiness is the name of the game on Doggy Date Night:
Cosy nights-in
Back garden scavenger hunt: Hide some high-value treats around your back garden and challenge your dog to find them. You can do this indoors, too, if the inevitable British weather strikes.
“Barkuterie” board: This is essentially a charcuterie board with food that’s safe and nutritious for dogs. Double-check if they’re safe first (our Pet Food Safety hub can help here). Pair this with your own and settle in for the night, which sounds yummy to us.
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DIY spa session: Pamper your pet and yourself with an at-home spa day. This is where you take some extra time to groom your pet - cutting nails, combing their coat, all that good stuff - while you give yourself a much-needed reset.
Film night: Pick your favourite film or something dog-themed, get a few snacks and dog treats together and unwind on the sofa.
Play, puzzles and new tricks: Some play, food-dispensing puzzles and taking half an hour to teach them a new trick with positive reinforcement training can be a more than good enough date for your pup!
Low-key outings
A chill walk: A laidback walk somewhere quiet is honestly more than enough for Doggy Date Night.
Quiet coffee shop date: Visit a pet-friendly cafe for a "puppuccino" (whipped cream) and enjoy the quiet atmosphere.
Pet store adventure: Let your dog sniff out a new toy at a local pet store - they’ll be happy, and it’s a nice way to have a memento of the day.
Picnic in a spot (with just you two): Pack a simple picnic for yourself and a special KONG-stuffed treat for your dog to enjoy outdoors, like at sunset.
How to find dog-friendly date spots for Doggy Date Night?
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Thankfully, more businesses are becoming dog-friendly in recent years. There are lots of dog-friendly business apps out there, and forums and Facebook groups are some of the best ways to find them.
Many businesses host events for Doggy Date Night, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding somewhere.
But we’re a bit biased, and we think ManyPets Approved is one of the best ways to find dog-friendly events, pubs, cafes, and everything else near you. Find a spot for your Doggy Date Night below:
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Frequently asked questions
When is National Doggy Date Night?
It’s on February 3rd. The event started in the early 2020s, and it’s meant as a nice day to celebrate the bond between dogs and humans. It’s a day for pet parents like us, basically.
Is Doggy Date Night an official holiday?
No, it isn’t, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be good fun or important, especially if you have a close bond with your dog.
What if my dog is reactive or anxious in public?
It’s important to follow what both you and your tailmate will enjoy for Doggy Date Night (or anything you do together, really).
We’d recommend taking a look at our “What if your dog (or you) is introverted?” section above. But typically, try to keep your date idea low-key, and visit our guide on anxious dogs for more advice.
Can I take my dog to a restaurant for Doggy Date Night?
Yes, you can. Just make sure it's dog-friendly first, and check in on your tailmate to see if they’re in the mood for all the noise, smells and inevitable pats on the head.
What are the best dog-themed movies for a date night in?
We prefer to keep things upbeat, so things like 101 Dalmatians or The Fox and the Hound are our picks. But you can watch anything you like!
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