When it comes to fetch, almost every dog loves it! While some dogs love it more than others, most engage in the game of fetch in some way. But have you ever wondered why dogs love fetch so much? In this article, we're going to cover why dogs love fetch, why fetch is so important in a dog's life, and how YOU and YOUR DOG can celebrate the 5th anniversary of National Fetch Day!

Why Dogs Love Fetch

Dogs enjoy the game of fetch for a variety of reasons. First, dogs love fetch because of their natural instincts. Before dogs became "Man's Best Friend", they were wild animals who roamed in herds. Together, they would hunt and chase their prey in order to have something to eat and survive on. When humans saw the dog's fantastic ability to hunt, they were domesticated and used to help humans hunt and retrieve their prey. Over time, dogs have become part of the family and today, dogs enjoying a game of fetch is really them engaging their natural instincts left behind from their ancestors.

Another reason dogs love fetch is because it's a way to relieve pent up energy. Most dogs – especially younger and middle-aged dogs – have higher energy levels than their owners. While most of us get up and go to school or work all day and have ways to relieve our energy, some dogs don't get the same pleasure. In fact, most dogs spend more than half their day sleeping while their family is away from home. So, at the end of the day when you're tired and have no energy, your dog is ready to go out and play to relieve the energy they've saved up all day. Getting outside and playing fetch with your dog not only gives them a change to relieve energy, but it also gives your dog a chance to exercise and play!

Importance of Fetch

Fetch is important in a dog's life for so many reasons. First, fetch is self-rewarding. We all know how much a small treat can motivate a dog to do just about anything, if trained. Well with fetch, there's no treats necessary! The game of fetch is its own reward for your dog! Second, fetch provides a positive outlet for your dog's instinctual chase drive, providing essential mental stimulation. This goes back to your dog's natural instinct to chase and hunt their prey. While dogs' spend most of their day sleeping, they need a game that will mentally challenge and engage them, which is what the game of fetch does. Third, fetch is a great way for dogs to get exercise. Just like humans, exercise is vital for dogs, and fetch combines essential physical activity with playtime so that your dog doesn't even realize they're exercising! Lastly, fetch builds bonds. Bonding with your dog through play can forge strong emotional connections between you and your dog and cause your relationship to grow stronger. When it comes to fetch, it's important for so many reasons in your dog's life.

National Fetch Day

Did you know there's a national holiday for the game of fetch?! That's right! It's called National Fetch Day and it falls on the 3rd Saturday of October every year. This year, National Fetch Day is on October 19, 2024.

So, what exactly is National Fetch Day you ask? It's a national holiday that was created 5 years ago by the #1 dog fetch toy brand, Chuckit!. At Chuckit!, we call it The Best Dog Party of the Year! But it's more than that. It's a day devoted to the importance of the game of fetch – an ago-old ritual that satisfies natural instincts and builds strong bonds between dogs and their owners.

All you need to do is grab your dog's favorite fetch toy, get outside, and #MakeFetchHappen! No matter how you decide to celebrate, your dog is going to love it!

To get more information and find all the ways to celebrate National Fetch Day, click here.