The Thanksgiving Season brings thoughts of gratitude and reflections on what we are thankful for. Your puppy is the center of your universe, and you can’t imagine life before her. She fills your heart with so much love and expects nothing in return. What did you do to deserve such a loving, steadfast companion who loves you no matter what?
The gratitude you have for your puppy can overwhelm you with emotion. Think about why you are thankful for your pup, ideas to show your puppy gratitude, and learn if puppies show their thanks.
12 Reasons to Be Thankful For Your Puppy
It’s easy to say, “Yes, I’m thankful for my puppy!” Take the time to sit and think about all the reasons why you are thankful for your puppy.
- They give you a literal reason to get up in the morning
- You never have to ask for their unconditional love
- They remind us to never give up
- Your puppy can be your best friend
- They have low requirements of you and love you as you are
- A puppy knows all of your secrets and loves you anyway
- They help you keep a routine
- Your puppy never fails to make you smile
- They completely change your entire life for the better
- A puppy stays with you through better or worse, in sickness and in health
- The joy your puppy brings to you and others makes you swell with emotion
- They make you strive to be your best self
What would you add to this list?
When you recover from being choked up with thanks and wonder just who keeps cutting onions nearby, you set your mind right then and there to plan the most fun, unique ways to share your gratitude with your beloved puppy.
14 Ideas to Show Your Puppy Gratitude This Season
You don’t have to have a lot of money to express your attitude of gratitude to your puppy. Here are some easy ways to show your puppy thanks and how grateful you are for being a part of your life!
1. Find a new activity to do together
Stuck in a routine? Switch things up! While you may already do some things regularly on our list, we guarantee your puppy will appreciate an activity out of the ordinary to keep things fresh and exciting.
2. Make a fall-themed tasty treat for Thanksgiving
After consulting with your vet when introducing new foods, whip up some tasty fall-themed dog treats for those moments when you want to make your puppy feel loved.
3. Go to puppy-friendly fall activities
From jumping in leaves to exploring new trails, choose a variety of fall activities to do with your puppy.
4. Host a “pupperbowl” tailgate party for puppy friends
Invite other puppy owners and puppy friends to tailgate either inside or in an enclosed outside space. Puppies can wear team colors, fun bone-shaped snacks can be served, and you can even try to organize a puppy bowl.
5. Build your puppy an agility course
Does your puppy love to jump on your furniture or try to escape the playpen? Tap into these instincts by building a really fun and challenging obstacle or agility course! You can use common household objects like cinder blocks, blankets, broom handles, practice cones, and more to create a one-of-a-kind adventure for your pup.
6. Dedicate a whole day to your puppy
Think of all the fun things your puppy likes to do, and turn it into a day filled with fun. Visit the designated doggy beach, go on a shopping spree, check out the new dog park across town, get bacon from the drive-thru, or take him on a scent walk – whatever you do will thrill your puppy because he’s with you!
7. Present a special new toy
Puppies love variety, so surprise your puppy with one of the best puppy toys on the market. Make it something you never would normally buy, so go all out! Keeping puppies mentally stimulated is great for brain development and helps them problem-solve while having fun.
8. Take a dog-themed vacation
It’s exciting planning and going on a vacation! Your puppy is just happy to take a car ride, but she will be even more surprised when she realizes her entire vacation is planned around her! Maybe there’s a yearly dog-themed festival, a brewery tour with dog “beer,” a scenic train ride, or a gorgeous dog beach for some fun in the sun you’d like to check out with your puppy. Find a dog-friendly vacation destination and book those tickets!
9. Give a doggy massage
Put on some calm music for puppies to set the mood and create a peaceful atmosphere. Learn how to give a doggy massage. Starting at the head, use a flat palm to rub in a circular motion. The base of the tail, under the ears, and the base of the neck are all spots puppies love.
10. Buy some new clothes
Some dog breeds have thin skin, short hair, and get cold easily. Not only is it cute, but it’s also part of keeping your dog healthy and comfortable when you buy amazing outfits for your puppy. ‘Tis the season to dress up your pup in holiday dog outfits and accessories!
11. Throw a puppy birthday party
Party hats? Check. Special birthday tee? Check. Pupcakes arranged? Check! Throwing a birthday party for your puppy is a way to make her feel extra love. She may not understand she’s starting a new year, but she sure feels your gratitude!
12. Watch a movie marathon
So many movies feature dogs and puppies as the main characters. Grab some popcorn, a snuggly blanket, make a spot for your puppy on your lap (yes, even your Great Dane puppy), and press Play!
While definitely not a comprehensive list, you may enjoy these dog-themed movies with your puppy:
- Air Bud series (Snow Buddies, Spooky Buddies, etc.)
- Turner & Hooch
- Dog
- 101 Dalmatians
- Beethoven
- Marley & Me
- Best In Show
- Lassie
- Lady and the Tramp
- A Dog’s Purpose
- A Dog’s Journey
- Homeward Bound
- Benji
- The Secret Life of Pets
- Marmaduke
- Bolt
- Max
13. Bring your puppy over to cheer up someone
You know how amazing your puppy is at cheering you up, so why not spread the love? Bring your puppy to someone who needs a pick-me-up. The unconditional affection your puppy has will help them turn their frown upside down. Emotional support puppies know just how to love us at our most vulnerable moments.
14. Assess Their Health
Take a quick look at vet records, dental hygiene, and preventive medicine dates to see if your puppy is due for updated vaccinations or a well-visit. Schedule an appointment or restock products to help keep your puppy happy and healthy.
Can Puppies Be Thankful and Feel Gratitude?
Your list of amazing plans is complete, and you can’t wait to get started on your puppy’s special days. You may be wondering, “Wait a minute. How does my puppy know I’m thankful for her? And how does my puppy express her thanks?”
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and relate to or seek to understand their perspective and how they feel. While dogs may not quite be capable of that, they do respond to human emotions. Think of when you cry or are sad – your puppy will come to try to comfort you. They also get excited when you are excited!
As we know all too well as humans, actions speak louder than words, and it’s no different with your puppy. She can “smile” at you, give you puppy kisses, and put her sweet paw on you. There’s nothing better than a contented puppy snuggled up in your lap because she feels safe with you.
According to Cesar Milan:
"Our dogs express their gratitude to us whenever they look into our eyes and take comfort in our calm, assertive leadership. They don't say it in words, but they express it with their energy, a wag of the tail, and maybe a smile: 'I'm thankful that you're here, and happy to just be in this moment with you.'”
We Are Grateful For You
At Pawrade, we are so thankful for our wonderful breeders who can think of a thousand ways they love the puppies they are raising. We connect you with honest and reputable breeders where puppies are raised with compassion.
You’ll also be thankful to know that our Pawrade Process makes buying a puppy for sale easy and secure. We’d love to help, so contact us to learn more.
*Paid partnership with our friends at Chewy
