Remember when we talked about celebrating Valentine’s Day with your dog? Well, let’s keep the Butter Love fest going. Ever heard of a dog mom and me date?
A dog mom and me date is a special, planned activity devoted to spending quality time with your dog. It’s not only a great opportunity for dog moms to bond with their dogs, but it’s also an opportunity for businesses to help dog moms create memorable experiences. So, in this blog post we’re sharing tips on how to create a dog mom and me date and why you should create one.
WHAT IS A DOG MOM & ME DATE
Dog mom and me dates are not a new concept. We dog moms have been doing them for years. However, over the last few years the concept has increased in popularity.
In 2019, Rover.com released a survey that 3 out of 4 female dog owners consider themselves a “dog mom.” The survey also reported that 50% of female dog owners celebrate their dog’s birthday and milestones, bring their dog with them to run errands, share announcements about their dogs on social media. Forty percent of the women surveyed have stayed up at night to comfort a crying puppy and 24% admitted to staying home from work with a sick dog. The pandemic also increased the attachment that dog moms feel to their dog.
According to Pawlicy Advisor, some dog moms are even starting to bring their dogs on their first date with a potential significant other. According to the study, dogs on a first date can provide talking points, can ease the awkward silence, and can help calm them down and relax into the actual date.
In essence, dog moms love spending time bonding with their dog. It’s a great way to strengthen the connection between you and your dog. Spending time with your dog can help you reduce stress and promote relaxation. It also gives you the opportunity to create a few memories and possibly meet some new people. So, a dog mom and me date isn’t too far-fetched (pun intended).
DOG MOM & ME DATE IDEAS
There are a thousand and one date ideas for you and your dog. However, it’s usually cold in February. If there’s one thing that Sugar and I agree on, we don’t do cold weather. So, I like to keep my dog mom and me dates inside. Here are three indoor activities you can use to create a date night with your dog.
Baking Pupcakes – No surprise here. Baking pupcakes is always a great meditative activity. It’s a fun way to get creative and show love to your dog with food. The great thing about baking pupcakes is you can bake at home or find a pupcake baking class in your area. Hint…hint. Bakeries, restaurants, and other food businesses, consider this your nudge to think about it as a pupcake baking class as a business opportunity.
Movie Night – Sugar doesn’t have a favorite movie, but she loves to cuddle in my lap. So, a movie night cuddling on the couch is a win-win for both of us. Movie nights are simple to plan and don’t take a lot of effort. You can have a movie night with your dog at home. Or, if you’re feel like sprinkling on a little more razzle dazzle, a short staycation in a dog-friendly hotel is cool dog mom and me date.
Spa Day & Lunch – Dogs love to be pampered too. So, a nice spa day for your dog followed by lunch at a dog-friendly restaurant may be a nice change of scenery. As far as I know there are no dog mom and me spas in my area. However, I’ve had moments when I’ll schedule Sugar’s appointment at the groomer while I’m getting my hair done. After that we can head for lunch, whether it’s at home or a local dog-friendly restaurant.
DOG MOM & ME PUPCAKE RECIPE SUGGESTION
Those Butter Love Pupcakes are great for Valentine’s Day. However, you don’t have to limit it to one day a year. Butter Love Pupcakes are great for dog mom and me date baking sessions all year long. They’re sweet and have most dog’s favorite flavor, peanut butter. Since dog mom and me dates are specially planned activities, giving your dog a treat that he or she doesn’t get regularly makes the day more special for your dog.
WHAT DO I NEED FOR A DOG MOM & ME DATE
Every dog mom and me date is different. Dog moms and dogs have different interests and tailor their dates based on the area they live. However, there are three things that every dog mom will need for her date with her dog.
Dogs Comfort Items – This may be a toy, special blanket, or other item that brings your dog comfort. These items can be used to keep your dog calm and relaxed, especially if your dog is in a new environment. Sugar can get a little nervous when she’s in a new environment. So, I’ll bring her favorite toy with me to make her feel a little more comfortable.
Scheduled Time – Dog mom and me dates are special activities. So, make sure you dedicate time for your date to participate in the activity. This way you can have fun in the moment with your dog and create more enjoyable experience with your dog without rushing.
A Plan – Yes. A plan. This doesn’t have to be anything too detailed, and you can leave some room for spontaneity. However, your plan should include all the materials you need for your dog mom and me date. This way you know what you need to make it a success. For instance, if you decide you’re going to bake pupcakes at home, you’ll need to make sure you have the ingredients in your kitchen.
HOW TO PLAN & PREPARE FOR YOUR NEXT DOG MOM & ME DATE NIGHT
Speaking of plan, we’ve got you covered. Plans don’t have to be extremely detailed, but when you’re going on a date with your dog you do need a little structure. Here are four things to think about while you’re planning your dog mom and me date.
Choose A Date – Pick a date on your calendar where you can be uninterrupted during your date. This way you and your dog can enjoy the activity without worrying about your plans being interrupted or canceled at the last minute.
Comfortable Environment – If you’re venturing out for your dog mom and me date, choose a place that will be comfortable for both you and your dog. Uncomfortable situations can lead to your dog getting anxiety, which won’t make for a great date.
Supplies – Make a list of all the supplies you’ll need for your dog mom and me date. This way you’ll know what to pack or have ready to go.
The Guess List – Yes. This article is dedicated to planning a dog mom and me date, but dogs are a part of the family. So, there’s no rule that a dog mom and me date can’t turn into a family day with more people. Invite people who love your dog and will take in the full experience. This will make for a more enjoyable time for your dog and the family.
Creating a dog mom and me date for you and your dog is more than just a chance to spend time with your pet. It’s a chance to create memories. And we’d love to hear about them. What are you planning for your dog mom and me date this month? Stay connected and share your stories with us @pupcakesugar.
MORE PUPCAKE RECIPES FOR DOG MOM & ME DATE
What if you’re dog doesn’t like carrots? And it’s true. All dogs do not like peanut butter, which would make the Butter Love Pupcakes I suggested a no go for your dog. So, why should your dog miss out on the pupcake date night experience? Plus baking the same pupcake recipe can get boring. We all need a little variety.
Don’t worry. We got you covered. Sign up for the Pupcake Sugar mailing list to get Sugar’s favorite birthday pupcake recipe to try at home with your dog. Also, check out the Shop page for more of Sugar’s pupcake recipes and the stories that inspired them.
You’ll also get a chance to step into Sugar’s world. I love my dog, Sugar, and her daily shenanigans make me laugh. So, I created an illustrated character inspired by her and her love of pupcakes. Sugar’s character is a “pupcakepreneur” that owns and operates her own pupcakery called Pupcake Sugar. It’s a tongue twister, but it’s amazing what you can create when you let your imagination lead the way.
