Welcome to 2025! NOTE: this post has been updated from the original 2024 version – and will likely be updated every year. In 2025, our resolution is again to travel with the dog more, and attend more pet events across North America. We’ve already scheduled some dog-friendly hotels near the events we plan to visit.
We’ve also updated both the dog events in Canada page (US to come, bigger and better than ever). This is becoming an annual tradition, although we try and keep both updated throughout the year. Let us know what we’ve missed.
We’ve discovered in 2025 that more event organizers are scheduling dates much earlier than in the past years, so I guess optimism and interest for in-person festivals is increasing. 2025 is looking good for dog travel.
Dogtrotting Pet Event Guides
Please, check back frequently, or even bookmark either or both of dogtrotting.net’s pet event pages, because information will change throughout the year. We’re doing our best to keep all information updated. Note that links to the sponsoring organization’s site are included with each listing so you can verify times, dates, and cost.
I also discovered that 50 states are a lot of states – so if you know of an event near you (in Canada or the United States), please let us know either by email or in the comments below. Listings are free – comprehensiveness is my goal.
New Years Resolution (Again): Attend more Pet Events
This is also the time of year when people make resolutions, or some prefer declarations. One I particularly love is ‘Read More in 2025,’ and we’ve got a dog-focused book list coming up on dogtrotting.net. Get out and about more is also definitely on the to-do list.
I’m inking in the following pet events for 2025 – and booking hotel rooms in advance. Things are booking early in 2025 (and increasing in price). Here are the highlights of our plans so far….
Toronto Dog Event
1. The Spring Canadian Pet Expo in Mississauga near the Toronto airport in Ontario, Canada has become an Easter tradition. Running April 18 to 20 in 2025, this huge expo of pet product vendors, dock diving competitions, and dog shows gets my dog excited each time – plus she recognizes that this is where she can participate in a lure course, one of her most favourite activities ever.
Ottawa Dog Event
2. In June 8 and 9, 2025 we plan to make a trek to the Ottawa Pet Expo, a similar pet product vendor-driven event but this time in Ottawa, Ontario. I’ve been to Ottawa several times with my dog (and my previous dog) including in 2025. However, June which might be the best time to experience the Rideau Canal and other dog-friendly heritage sites in the capital.
Michigan Dog Event
3. Dog Bowl in Frankenmuth is not to be missed (although we did last year!). I recommend heading to Michigan this summer to attend Dog Bowl on the May long weekend (May 23 to 26, 2025). I’ve attended this event with my previous dog, but he was at the age that he required a stroller. I’m hoping my current, much younger dog, is going to rock the dog parade with her usual energy.
Plus, the last time we visited the dog-friendly river boat was not able to run, so I’m hoping we get to enjoy that dog-friendly adventure this year. Note: few hotels in the area are dog-friendly and those book up early, Check expedia (affiliate link) below:
NYC Dog Event
4. The Westminster Dog Show is back at Madison Square Gardens in February 10 to 11, 2025. Awesome! This is a much easier location to get to, especially if you stay at a hotel across the street. (Honestly, the Queens location in 2023 was sketchy after dark). The WKC annual event is the highlight of the weekend, of course.
But the Canine Celebration event on Feb. 8, 2025 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre is also not to be missed. (We’ll be at the Dog Writer’s of America evening awards ceremony too). Check out our previous fun at the Canine Celebration here.
Finally, I keep planning to go to the National Dog Show…. this year will be my year, right? This year I will check out an American Thanksgiving tradition in person: The National Dog Show hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia in November. Unfortunately, this one is not a pet-friendly event, so I’ll be leaving my pup home. But I hope to tour Philadelphia with my pup in the summertime to discover just how dog-friendly the city is. then … watch for a dogtrotting dog-friendly guide to Philadelphia, PA.
General considerations when taking your dog to pet events
- Keep your dog hydrated: This one I forget often then scramble on site or during a trip to find bowls and water. Instead, bring some containers of water for your dog easy to drink from and carry. Check out our review of dog water bottles here.
- Check the event’s rules and regulations: Pet-friendly events usually welcome ‘well-behaved dogs.’ I’m not entirely sure what the parameters of that is, but I’m sure we’ve pushed them on some occasions. I’ve never seen an event limit dog size or breed, but I have seen a limit of one per adult. Also, leashes are always mandatory even when some events have leash-free zones (like Pawlooza in London, Ontario).
- Prepare your dog for the event: Make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm prevention. If your dog is not used to crowds or loud noises, consider taking them to a smaller event first to get them acclimated.
- Bring the essentials: I’m not suggesting you carry it around, but packing a car bag with your dog’s food, water, bowls, leash, poop bags, and any medications is a good idea. Towels in the car I’ve found to be indispensable for so many reasons. (Here’s a list of dog travel essentials).
- Watch the temperature: Keep an eye on your dog and make sure they are not getting too hot, tired, or stressed. Well-organized dog events usually provide water and wading pools.
- Clean up after your dog: Always pick up after your dog and dispose of waste properly. This is the non-negotiable rule everywhere – and it’s the big one that gets dogs banned from places previously dog-friendly.
If you have any suggestions or places you’d recommend taking the dog, please let us know via email or in the comments below. We’re always looking for new dog-friendly experiences.
Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!
