Every August 26, social media fills up with dog photos, bandanas, and “best day ever” captions. That’s fine — dogs deserve the attention. But according to Ontario dog trainer Karen Laws, National Dog Day is a good excuse to ask a better question: are you actually giving your dog what it needs, or just what looks good in a photo?
“If we really want to celebrate our dogs, one of the best things we can do is learn how to give them a better life,” says Laws, a certified professional dog trainer with more than 40 years of experience and founder of The Ontario Dog Trainer and the Dog Trainer TRIBE Training Academy. “That means understanding the dog in front of us, providing appropriate training and enrichment, setting fair expectations, and making responsible decisions throughout that dog’s life.”
Below, Karen breaks down what that looks like in practice.
1. Celebrate the Dog You Actually Have
Not every dog wants the same birthday party. A crowded, dog-friendly patio might be a great afternoon for one dog and something closer to a hostage situation for another. Breed, age, temperament, past experience, and lifestyle all shape what a specific dog can handle and enjoy.
Think of it the way you’d plan a party for a person: you wouldn’t book a loud concert for someone who hates crowds just because “that’s what people are supposed to like.” The same logic applies to dogs. Before planning anything special, ask: What does my dog actually enjoy, need, and handle well?
2. Skip the Treat — Give Time Instead
A treat lasts a few seconds. Attention lasts. Some of the best things you can offer a dog cost nothing:
- A slow, sniff-heavy walk where the dog sets the pace
- A new trail or unfamiliar neighbourhood to explore
- An interactive game or a new skill to learn
- Focused one-on-one time, no phone included
- The right amount of physical activity for that dog’s age and energy level
The goal isn’t to “wear the dog out.” It’s to give them physical movement, mental engagement, and connection — three things a toy on the floor can’t provide on its own.
3. Good Training Isn’t About Control — It’s About Freedom
There’s a common misconception that training is about making a dog obey your every command. Karen frames it differently: training is what earns a dog more freedom, not less.
Picture the difference between someone who’s never learned to drive and someone with a license. The one who’s trained gets to go more places, more independently, because they’ve proven they can handle it safely. A dog who walks politely, comes when called, settles on cue, and copes with distractions gets invited into more of daily life — patios, hikes, visits, off-leash time — because their owner can trust them there.
This National Dog Day, Karen suggests picking just one skill that would make life easier for both you and your dog, and starting on it.
4. Remember the Dogs Without Homes
National Dog Day also shines a light on dogs still waiting in shelters and rescues. You don’t need to adopt to help. Consider:
- Fostering, if your situation allows it
- Volunteering at a local shelter or rescue
- Donating supplies or funds
- Sharing posts about adoptable dogs and reputable rescues
- Helping an elderly neighbour or family member care for their dog — organizations like ElderDog Canada exist specifically to help older adults and their dogs stay together
If you are considering bringing a dog home, Karen’s advice is simple: don’t rush it. “Adoption can be an excellent choice, as can obtaining a dog from a responsible breeder,” she says. “The key is understanding what you’re bringing home and whether that dog genuinely fits your lifestyle.”
5. The Real Gift Is Becoming a Better Owner
Dogs live almost entirely on our terms — we decide when they eat, where they sleep, when they go outside, and what they’re allowed to do. Karen’s challenge for National Dog Day is to flip that perspective, even briefly.
“We ask dogs to live almost entirely in our world,” she says. “The least we can do is learn how to see the world through their eyes, communicate clearly with them, and give them a life that meets their needs as well as ours.”
Frequently Asked Questions About National Dog Day
When is National Dog Day? National Dog Day is observed every year on August 26. It was founded in 2004 to celebrate dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, promote adoption, honour working dogs, and raise awareness around responsible dog ownership.
What’s a meaningful way to celebrate National Dog Day besides buying a gift? Spend focused, one-on-one time with your dog — a sniffing walk, a new trail, an interactive game, or teaching a new skill. These cost nothing and give a dog more physical activity, mental stimulation, and connection than a toy or treat typically does.
Does training actually restrict a dog’s freedom? No — done well, it does the opposite. A dog who can walk politely, respond to cues, and stay calm around distractions can safely take part in more of everyday life, from patios to hikes to off-leash areas.
How can someone help dogs on National Dog Day without adopting one? You can foster, volunteer at a local shelter or rescue, donate supplies or funds, share information about adoptable dogs, or support organizations like ElderDog Canada, which helps older adults keep their dogs as they age.
What should someone consider before adopting or buying a dog? Focus less on the source (adoption vs. a responsible breeder) and more on fit — understanding the individual dog’s needs, energy, and temperament, and whether they genuinely match your lifestyle and ability to care for them long-term.
About Karen Laws
Karen Laws is a certified professional dog trainer, founder of The Ontario Dog Trainer and founder of the Dog Trainer TRIBE Training Academy.
With more than four decades of experience training dogs and 20 years working professionally with pet dog owners, Karen is known for her practical, no-nonsense approach to improving communication, behaviour and quality of life for dogs and the people who live with them.
A multiple-year Readers’ Choice Diamond Award winner for Best Dog Trainer, recognized repeatedly from 2020 through 2026, Karen also mentors aspiring and professional dog trainers through her Dog Trainer TRIBE Training Academy.
Her mission is simple: help people understand the dog in front of them so they can create better behaviour, greater freedom and a better life together.
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