When and What is National Puppy Day All About in Australia?

They say every dog (and puppy) has its day. Does that mean there’s a National Puppy Day in Australia? In this article we seek to uncover the answer to this question, along with tips for bringing home a new puppy.

After all, the only thing better than becoming a puppy parent is becoming a PRO puppy parent. What better way to learn the ropes than on National Puppy Day. Assuming there is one, of course.

Let’s take a peek!

Is there a National Puppy Day in Australia?

OK, now for the big question. Is there a National Puppy Day in Australia? Fingers crossed, toes too…

The answer is YES! Of course! As one of the biggest pet loving nations on the planet, we had to have a National Puppy Day. To be precise, although it’s colloquially referred to as a national day, it’s really Inter-National Puppy Day because it’s celebrated around the world.

Nearly half (48%) of households in Australia are home to a dog/s.

Who could resist, right?

When is National Puppy Day in Australia?

OK, great – now that we know there is indeed a National Puppy Day, when is it? Here’s the answer:

National Puppy Day takes place on 23rd March every year.

That means it shifts by a day of the week each year and this year we celebrate this glorious day on a Saturday. What could be better than celebrating this furbulous weekend by researching or taking ownership of a new puppy or dog?

Speaking of which, don’t overlook the more mature canine companions if you’re deciding to bring home an adopted dog. Find out all about the pros and cons of older dogs for adoption. (Remembering they don’t have many options if they don’t get a second chance in life).

In fact, National Puppy Day all started with a 10 year old shelter dog. More on this, next.

When did National Puppy Day start?

National Puppy Day was started by an animal behaviourist, animal rights advocate and author named Colleen Paige. She decided the start this special pet day of the year to shine a spotlight on puppy mills.

Her own dog, Sheltie, was 10 years old when she adopted her. This inspired Colleen to lay the groundwork for National Puppy Day by first launching National Dog Day. National Dog Day is on 26 August, the day Colleen adopted Sheltie.

The idea behind National Puppy Day is to raise awareness around the number of puppies, dogs and pets in general that are in shelters. Every one of these animals deserves a second chance.

Shelters in Australia are under pressure

Despite our massive love of pets in Australia, shelters are under immense pressure. Unplanned litters and changes in peoples’ life circumstances are leading to high numbers of abandoned and unwanted animals. Many of these are euthanised when they don’t get adopted timeously.

Unfortunately, even more dogs ended up in shelters after lockdown ended. Realisations from pet parents who’d adopted during lockdowns but couldn’t care properly for their pet as they went back to work were heart-breaking.

Work, travel and other commitments have returned to the forefront of people’s minds, leaving a lot of dogs – and cats behind. Read more in our article about Australians giving up a pet to a shelter because they can no longer care for them.

Tips for adopting a dog on National Puppy Day

Bringing home a new puppy or dog could be the ultimate way to celebrate National Puppy Day. But don’t rush in! Make sure you’ve got the time, money and love to give your potential pooch the quality of live it deserves first.

If you’re adopting a dog (or even decide to adopt a cat for that matter), make sure you’ve got your essentials in place. Here are some important reads to get you started:

• Dog adoption checklist
• 333 rule of adopting a shelter dog
• Adopting retired Greyhounds

We’ve also put together 10 tips for settling your puppy in well from day one.

1. Get first time introductions done the right way

First impressions last. Make them meaningful by introducing new pets to existing members of the household with due diligence. Generally, this takes some planning so you can do it over some days or even weeks.

Introductions between existing and new pets are like wine. Take it slow and the relationship will mature well. We’ve compiled steps by step tips for introducing your kitten and cat and introducing your puppy to a cat.

If you’re reading this and you’ve already got a dog but are expecting a new human, check out our how-tos for introducing your dog to a new baby.

2. Don’t skimp on training and socialisation

Puppies are falling over themselves with excitement at the sheer joy of life. They need a bit, or rather a lot, of direction. Providing them training and socialisation helps keep them in check and gives them confidence.

They enjoy the learning process and stability that training offers them. Not to mention the happiness they see you expressing towards them for being a well-behaved dog.

Here are several tips for training and socialising your puppy:

• Four puppy training tips
• How to find a great puppy training school
• Puppy playtime with the best games for growing dogs
• Playtime for dogs and cats is essential
• Positive reinforcement dog training

Take time out to bond with your pet each day. No matter how fast life seems, knowing you and your pet will get through the thick and thin together helps make it all worthwhile.

If you have a rescue pet know that patience is a virtue. They may have had a rough time and need that extra reassurance everything is going to be OK. If they seem to be struggling, consider a pet behaviourist to help set them on course sooner.

3. Get everything you need and balance your budget

Like human kids, pets cost a lot. But provided you’ve planned for their needs, this needn’t be a shock nor break the bank. Before bringing home a new puppy, it’s important to get your head around the real price of new pets.

Learn how to budget for vet bills and other pet care costs so you don’t get any nasty surprises along the way. This includes a range of food and health requirements, which we’ve looked at here:

• Why the fifth vital sign is key to pet nutrition
• Flea and tick treatment can be a lifesaver in Australia
• Microchipping your dog is a requirement in some states
• Puppy health care milestones are a must

Pets respond well to the security of routine. Establish when playtime, exercise and feeding times are early on so yours can get well settled in.

Consider giving your pet a den they can call their own, somewhere they can retreat to that has all their favourite things, from toys and bedding to one of your worn T-shirts! Some dogs enjoy having their own dens, so read whether to crate train your puppy. You’ll also want to read our Dog Crate Sizes: How To Pick The Right One guide.

Celebrate National Puppy Day with pet insurance

When you’re bringing home a new puppy, consider giving them the safety net of puppy insurance. Pet insurance means spending more time together bonding, rather than worrying about potential vet bills.

Your pet’s policy can help pay for hospitalisation, X-rays, surgery, bloodwork and much, much more. It covers a wide range of treatment and diagnostics and can even cover dental depending on the level of cover you choose.

That’s why pet insurance is so important – it empowers you to make quick decisions on medical care so you can focus on the positives of pet parenting. Plus, PD Insurance gives you one or more months of FREE pet insurance when you buy your pet’s plan online.

Take two minutes and get a quick quote now, simply by clicking below.