MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — The dog days of summer may have come and gone, but for people who own a dog, every day is National Dog Day.
Newswatch 16 found lots of folks out and about, taking their four-legged companions on a walk through Brodhead Creek Park in Stroud Township.
"Just their unconditional love, you know they are there when you come home wagging tails. They are better than people, and they love you for who you are no matter what," said Jim Gregory of Marshalls Creek.
"I love my dog; my family loves him; I take the dog with me everywhere I go," said Laticia Hardez of East Stroudsburg.
Lisa Kirschner owns Sit, Stay, N' Play in Stroud Township. Her border collie Bourbon showed off some of the basic commands.
Kirschner says lots of families bring their dogs in for obedience training so they are well mannered. she says with the uptick in people bringing new dogs in their homes, each dog has different needs.
"A lot of dogs that we got during the pandemic, a lot of them weren't properly socialized, which means they don't get out outside of our own homes, they didn't get out in public whether it's main street or a place like this so some of those dogs are having challenges with the world," explained Kirschner.
Dog trainers say when it comes to teaching your dog, consistency is key.
"Only you have the rules for your family and for your house but you have to set the rules like you would for a toddler. They either can do something or can't do something," said Kirschner.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in 2022, nearly 45% of homes in the U.S. had at least one dog.