Theme Ride Thursday: 🐶 National Puppy Day—A Paws-itively Fun Way to Celebrate in Your Cycling Classes! 🐾

Every March 23, we celebrate National Puppy Day, a day dedicated to the boundless joy, slobbery kisses, and unconditional love that puppies bring into our lives. It was created in 2006 by animal expert and behaviorist Colleen Paige as a reminder of the many dogs in shelters waiting for their forever homes, and the importance of adopting rather than buying from puppy mills.

But why limit the fun to just one day? We also have National Dog Day on August 26—because let’s be honest, our four-legged best friends deserve more than one day of appreciation! This holiday, also founded by Colleen Paige in 2004, raises awareness about rescue dogs and encourages adoption. (We’ll be sure to remind you in August!)

If you’re an animal lover, ICA has you covered year-round with curated playlists for World Animal Day, International Pet Month, and of course, our Dogs & Wolves Bucket Playlist with 140 tail-wagging tracks! (🐾 ICA Members can find that playlist below! 🐾)

Bring Some Puppy Love to Your Ride! 🚴‍♀️
You don’t need to dedicate an entire theme ride to our canine companions (unless you really want to), but why not sprinkle in a few dog-themed songs to make your fellow dog-loving riders smile? Whether you’re climbing hills, sprinting, or recovering, here are some of our favorite tracks to work into your ride:

Quiche Lorraine, The B52s, 3:57, 133 bpm
“She’s a good doggy! She’s a sweet, sweet, sweet…puppy!” That is, until that 2-inch tall dark green doggie in sunglasses and a bonnet runs off with a Great Dane—you mangy mutt! This quirky, fun track is perfect for a steep climb while you imagine chasing after your runaway pup.

Hey Bulldog, The Beatles, 3:11, 102 bpm
You can’t help but grin when you hear the background barking and playful energy in this track. The tempo fluctuates between 99 and 105 rpm, making it a great choice for leg surges or a hard effort over 100 rpm. Feel free to throw in a few woofs of your own!

Chihuahua, DJ Bobo, 3:01, 90 bpm
If you’ve ever met a Chihuahua, you know they have big dog energy in a tiny package—and this song is just as high-spirited! Use it to power through a fast-paced interval and channel that little pup’s boundless enthusiasm.

I’ll Name the Dogs, Blake Shelton, 3:03 84 bpm
Blake’s all about divvying up life’s responsibilities—his partner can name the babies, but he gets the fun part: naming the dogs! This lighthearted country tune is perfect for a recovery segment or warm-up while you think about all the great dog names you’ve heard.

Me and My Arrow, Harry Nilsson, 2:05, 93 bpm
A sweet and nostalgic tune about a boy and his dog, written as the theme song for the 1971 animated film The Point. Oblio and his dog, Arrow, remind us that it’s OK to be different. This short mellow track is ideal for a gentle recovery.

Giving the Dog a Bone, AC/DC, 3:31, 132 bpm
This high-energy rock anthem is a must for any dog-loving rock fan. The steady beat and driving guitar make it perfect for a tough, resistance-heavy climb—just like a determined pup digging up the backyard! Let the rhythm pull you through as you push to the top.

🐾 Wrap-Up: A Tail-Wagging Good Time! 🐾
National Puppy Day is the perfect excuse to add some paws-itively awesome energy to your ride. Whether you’re a proud dog parent or just love a good puppy meme, these tracks will bring some fun, nostalgia, and even a little rock and roll to your class. So go ahead—pick a song (or two) and celebrate man’s (and everyone’s) best friend in the saddle!

If you want even more animal-inspired tunes, check out our Dogs & Wolves Bucket Playlist with 140 tracks. ICA members, the full playlist is waiting for you below! 🐕🎧🚴