Pamper Your Pooch: The Perfect Dog Day Afternoon in the City

Your pup is your pride and joy. He waits for you faithfully when you get home from the office, showers you with unconditional affection, and there’s nothing like taking him for a walk in the park on a beautiful sunny day. But if you’re looking to change up your shared routine—and pamper your pooch with some extra special outings—we’ve got a few suggestions in mind.

Once you’ve brushed up on city living for pups, it’s time to grab your leash and hit the town. If your dog is lose-her-mind excited every time she hears you say “walk,” just wait until she hears “puppy sundaes."

Chasing squirrels all day? Totes stressful. Help your canine unwind at (where else?) a doggy spa. Photo courtesy of Roger Lanoue

DOGGY SPAS

Fresh air and exercise certainly do your puppy good. But just like their human equivalents, dogs can benefit from a bit of extra R&R every now and then. And we’re not just talking a typical grooming sesh. For Big Apple-based dog owners, pamper your pooch at New York Dog Nanny, where the expected baths and trims are offered alongside mani/pedis—even reiki treatments. And at Stay, a “modern dog hotel” in Chicago, a day’s events can include everything from nature walks to aquatic fitness sessions.

It’s a dog-eat-hot-dog world at Austin’s Banger’s, where pups can dine on the best of the (brat)wurst. Photo courtesy of Tyler Malone

SCOOBY SNACKS

Find yourself having to make the choice between a night on the town with your friends and an evening at home full of canine quality time? Now you don’t have to choose: A growing number of restaurants are offering dog-friendly menus, so when you chow down, your chow-chow can, too. It’s a dog’s world at Banger’s in Austin. While their human companions sip brews and sink their teeth into bratwursts and boudin, pups can dine on sausages of their own before going for a sprint around the dog run. And then there’s the Liberty Hotel in Boston, which offers a Yappier Hour every Wednesday. Think finger foods and tipples for people, dog treats and puptails for fur balls.

Shake Shack’s dog-friendly ice cream will help Fido get over his latest break-up in no time. Photo courtesy of Shake Shack

WHO’S A GOOD DOG

If you’re anything like us, you pamper yourself with ice cream. So when it comes time to pamper your pooch, make a beeline for the frosty treats, too. Shake Shack offers a special “Pooch-ini” across its various locations, which includes dog-friendly vanilla custard, peanut butter sauce, and ShackBurger dog biscuits. Looking to get handy paw-y in the kitchen? Three Dog Bakery, which operates 30-odd locations around the country, serves up all manner of dog treats straight from the oven. Pupcake, anyone?

NYC’s Canine Styles: ensuring no two metro pups show up to Fashion Week in the same outfit since 1959. Photo courtesy of Canine Styles

A-FREAKIN-DORABLE ACCESSORIES

Everyone likes looking their best—and your pup is no exception. Upgrade Sparky’s collar-and-bandana game and head to Canine Styles in New York, which rivals human-oriented boutiques in style and scale. You can outfit your fluffy companion in everything from cable-knit sweaters and cozy fleeces to leather collars and harnesses in every rainbow hue—or even an I <3 NY tee.

Let your dog live life unleashed at Fort Worth’s aptly named Fort Woof off-leash park. Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Dog Park Association

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Your dog’s been dressed to the nines, treated to, well, treats, and groomed to perfection. Round off your pooch’s perfect day with a rip-roaring outdoor adventure (and playtime with other local pups). If dogs could vote, they would likely nominate Fort Woof in, yes, Fort Worth, as one of the top places to let loose. A sprawling off-leash park with separate areas for big and little dogs, it’s ideal for both human and canine socializing.

Surf’s always pup (er, up) at Rosie’s Dog Beach in sunny California. Photo courtesy of JustinRudd.com

And then there’s the dog beach. If you’re lucky enough to live in the LA area, make your way to Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach for some jubilant seaside splashing. Special breed meet-ups might see the beach taken over by hordes of bulldogs or corgis, but no matter when you visit, Fido is bound to love frolicking in the sand. (You will too…or at least until cleanup time.)