Celebrate National Get Out of the Doghouse Day the 3rd Monday in July

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We all end up in the doghouse sometimes. But every July you get a chance to get back into the good graces of whomever you have hurt, offended or otherwise wronged. It’s National Get Out of the Doghouse Day.

This day happens annually on the third Monday in July.

Who came up with this day? Most of the sources we checked didn’t say, but according to Ted Zwayer on lextalk, a florist named Heidi Richards Mooney created it as a unique way to promote her business.

 

Why ‘In the Doghouse’?

Before we try to get out of the doghouse, let’s take a moment to wonder why on earth we’re in the doghouse.

No, not why we’re in trouble. The answer to that is usually pretty clear.

But why is being in trouble called being “in the doghouse?”

It’s pretty simple really:

What do you do with a dog that is misbehaving? You send it to its cage or doghouse.

So the expression suggests being punished in the same way as a dog. While there is no actual doghouse involved in your case (usually!), you (and the dog) are still banished from the presence of the person you upset.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this unofficial holiday.

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Celebrating National Get Out of the Doghouse Day

Well, you’ll want to apologize for whatever you’ve done or said wrong and attempt to get out of that doghouse.

Unlike many sites that reference this day, we don’t see it as a “get out of jail free card.” We see it more as a day when both sides can agree to give a little and meet in the middle. Even if the person in the doghouse really was all wrong.

So, assuming the person you upset is willing to honor the spirit of the day and let you work your way out of the doghouse, here are some tips for doing that:

• First, show you understand why you’re even in the doghouse. Apologize and make it clear exactly what you’re apologizing for. In other words, state what you did that upset the other person.
• Admit responsibility for your own actions.
• State how you hope to make it better. Or ask how you can make it better. Then listen to the answer and actually do what’s asked.
• Pitch in and help with household tasks without being asked. Or if there’s something you’ve been putting off, get it done now, before getting asked yet again when you’re going to get to it. But don’t make a big deal out of having done it!
• Plan time for just the two of you to do something together. If the person you’re in the doghouse with is your significant other, make it a romantic evening (preferably after you’ve made your apology, or he/she may not want any part of romance).

 

Finally, recognize that the other person may just need some space and time to forgive you even after you’ve apologized. Just make it clear that you’ll be there when she/he is ready to move forward.

Of course, if your doghouse looks anything like these, you may not be quite so worried about getting out of it:

 

Dates for Future Get Out of the Doghouse Days

Just in case you do something wrong between tomorrow and next year, here’s the date for the 3rd Monday in July next year (and a few years after that … you just never know!):

• 2019 – Monday, July 15
• 2020 – Monday, July 20
• 2021 – Monday, July 19
• 2022 – Monday, July 18
• 2023 – Monday, July 17
• 2024 – Monday, July 15
• 2025 – Monday, July 21
• 2026 – Monday, July 20
• 2027 – Monday, July 19
• 2028 – Monday, July 17
• 2029 – Monday, July 16

 

Soooo … Will you be “celebrating” this day this year?

 

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