Who Says Your Dog Can’t Be an Artist?

Today is National Live Creative Day, and I have a question for you:

When was the last time you created something just because it was fun?

Not because you were good at it.

Not because someone was going to pay you for it.

Not because it belonged on social media.

Just because you wanted to see what would happen.

And here’s another question:

Who says your dog can’t create something alongside you?

Meet Your New Four-Legged Rembrandt

Yes.

Your dog can paint.

And no, I’m not suggesting handing your dog a paintbrush and hoping for the best.

There’s a wonderfully simple way to let your dog create an abstract painting without actually encountering the paint.

You’ll need a small canvas or another suitable painting surface, non-toxic paint, a sturdy sealable plastic bag large enough to completely contain your project, and a dog-safe treat your dog enjoys.

Put a few small amounts of paint onto the canvas.

Carefully place the canvas inside the plastic bag and seal it completely.

Then put a little dog-safe peanut butter or another appropriate spreadable treat on the outside of the plastic.

And…

Release the artist.

As your dog licks the treat, their tongue and nose push against the plastic and move the paint underneath.

Swirl.

Squish.

Smear.

Maybe a strategically placed paw.

And suddenly—

Pup-casso has entered the building.

The American Kennel Club even offers instructions for this type of dog-painting project.

A Little Safety Before the Masterpiece

The paint should remain completely separated from your dog. Use a strong, securely sealed bag, supervise the entire activity, and don’t allow your dog to chew or tear the plastic.

Use non-toxic paint anyway, because accidents happen.

And anything you use as the edible incentive needs to be appropriate for your dog. If you’re using peanut butter, check the ingredients carefully and make certain it does not contain xylitol, sometimes labeled birch sugar, which is toxic to dogs.

**When you’re uncertain about a food or activity for your particular dog, check with your veterinarian first.**

Because no masterpiece is worth compromising your dog’s safety.

And Then There Was Van Gogh

Believe it or not, dogs creating paintings isn’t something I dreamed up.

A rescue dog named Van Gogh became an internet sensation for doing exactly this.

Van Gogh had lost an ear before coming into rescue. When he wasn’t attracting potential adopters, rescue founder Jaclyn Gartner remembered seeing videos of dogs painting and decided to see whether a dog named Van Gogh might have some artistic talent of his own.

Paint went onto the canvas.

The canvas was protected.

Peanut butter provided the motivation.

And Van Gogh supplied the tongue.

His artwork eventually attracted widespread attention—and Van Gogh found his home. The attention surrounding his paintings also helped bring visibility to other dogs in the rescue.

Sometimes creativity can accomplish considerably more than decorating a wall.

But Creativity Doesn’t Have to Be Painting

This is where National Live Creative Day becomes interesting to me.

I have spent much of my life behind a camera.

And when I look at a photograph like this one of Freedom with my cameras, I see more than photography equipment.

I see another generation of learning.

I learned from photographers who came before me—including Greg Pettit, whom we lost on September 11, 2001.

I took what I learned and developed my own eye behind the camera.

And now there’s Freedom sitting beside that equipment.

No, I’m not expecting her to start adjusting shutter speeds anytime soon.

But she is part of the next chapter of what I’m creating.

Creativity doesn’t have to be a painting hanging on a wall.

It can be a photograph.

It can be writing.

It can be figuring out a new way to exercise.

(Photo of us working out together)

It can be looking at a jump rope and wondering:

How could my dog do something alongside me?

Maybe I jump rope while Freedom spins.

Maybe I’m doing strength training while she performs a movement of her own.

Maybe we take something designed exclusively for humans and ask how we can turn it into an activity we can safely enjoy together.

That’s creativity, too.

Creativity Is Asking, “What If?”

What if we tried it differently?

What if my dog could participate?

What if I stopped worrying about whether I’m “artistic” and simply created something?

What if the result isn’t perfect?

Good.

Dogs certainly don’t worry about perfection.

They show up.

They investigate.

They play.

And if peanut butter is involved, they become considerably more enthusiastic about the creative process.

Maybe that’s today’s lesson.

Create first. Judge it later.

Better yet, don’t judge it at all.

Your Turn: Create Something Alongside Your Dog

For National Live Creative Day, I’m challenging you to make one thing with your dog.

Try a supervised dog painting.

Take a photograph together.

Invent a new game.

Create a dog-friendly variation of one of your exercises.

Write a few sentences about something your dog taught you.

It doesn’t need to be worthy of a gallery.

It just needs to be yours.

And I’d love to see what the two of you create.

Share your creation with me or tell me about it—and if you’d like more ideas for living healthier, happier and more creatively alongside your dog, subscribe to Doggone Healthy Choices.

​Email me at: pamela@doggonehealthychoices.us​

Because wellness isn’t something we have to do alone.

And apparently neither is art.

One foot. One paw. Maybe one paint-covered canvas.

Have a happy and healthy tail-wagging day,

Pam & Freedom 🐾