National Walking the Dog Day is a holiday observed annually on February 22nd. It’s a day to remind people that walking their dogs is an important activity. Not only does it provide the dog (and its owner) with much-needed exercise, but it also helps owners bond with their furry friends.

These walks don’t have to be very long. Even 20 minutes of walking a day can provide dogs and their owners with a host of different benefits. That’s why everyone who has a dog should take the time to be with them on this holiday.

The History of National Walking the Dog Day

Despite searching far and wide, we were unable to uncover the creator of National Walking the Dog Day. What we did discover during our research, however, was that dog walking as an activity hasn’t been around for very long.

In fact, the first professional dog walker didn’t start until the mid-1960s. Since we can’t delve into the history of this holiday, let’s take a moment to look into the history of professional dog walking.

Jim Buck began one day in 1964 by walking an acquaintance’s dog on the Upper East Side of New York. As time went on, he began to take on more clients, until he was making more than $500 a week walking people’s dogs.

Eventually, he founded Jim Buck’s School for Dogs, a business that specialized not only in dog training but also in dog exercise. He remained in this business for over four decades.

Since Jim Buck’s time, dog walking has evolved from something only a few dog owners did to something that all dog owners are expected to do regularly. And we feel that this is not only good for dogs but also for the people walking these dogs. It’s great exercise and a wonderful way for people to bond with their canine friends.

Observing National Walking the Dog Day

Obviously, walking the dog is the best way to observe this holiday. It doesn’t matter if it’s rainy or sunny, or if it’s clear or snowy. Just put the dog on a leash and take them for a walk.

Upon your return, you can use the hashtag #NationalWalkingTheDogDay to spread the word about this holiday. This is the perfect day for people to bond with their dogs, so let’s all go out there and celebrate National Walking the Dog Day in style!