Looking for 2019 Dog Friendly Events in Pittsburgh? Check out the new event guide!
As you know, I love to take Lucy with me everywhere I go. Over the years I have come to recognize that some adventures are more dog friendly than others. That’s why I get excited to see events that are specifically dog friendly! When someone says their event is dog friendly I think this means that they will have water bowls, open spaces and potty break opportunities. Events that are too loud, too crowded and too boozy do not quality as dog friendly in my book.
2018 Dog Friendly Pittsburgh Event Guide
One of my favorite dog friendly events here in Pittsburgh is the Bark Shadyside Pup Walk that takes place in April each year. I was one of the founding organizers of this event and it’s still planned by a majorly dog loving team! The walk is headquartered at a local dog vendor fair where you can meet the makers of collars and treats or talk to a trainer or doggy day care provider. At 10am, everyone heads out for a 1-mile walk lead by a representative from Petagogy (a pet supplies store in Shadyside). There are usually over 150 dogs of all shapes and sizes on the walk and it’s so fun to see them all walking in a row!
When Whirl Magazine asked me what local event I’m looking forward to the most this Spring, I instantly thought of the Pup Walk! I’m so excited to be featured in the latest issue talking about it and showing off a stylish look that Lucy and I might wear to the event if the weather permits. Of course I’m wearing a Pop Your Pup tank with Lucy’s portrait on it, and she’s sporting a custom Wear Wag Repeat Chocolate Chunk bandana! Photo by Michael Fornataro.
Read about more local Pittsburgh events in Whirl Magazine’s semi-annual event guide online, or look for a print edition around town. Below I put together a list of some dog friendly events on my radar over the next 6 months. Please comment below if you know of more, and I’m happy to add to the list!
2018 Dog Friendly Pittsburgh Event Guide
February 9, 2018: Mutts and Mingle at Animal Friends
Grab your favorite four-legged friend and bring them to Animal Friends for a Valentine’s Day-themed event like none other. Enjoy wine tasting, try your luck in the raffles and bring your pup along for a fun-filled night with other animal lovers. More info.
April 28, 2018: Bark Shadyside Pup Walk
Enjoy a 1.5 mile dog walk and event featuring pet vendors and activities. Sponsored by Think Shadyside and Petagogy. This benefits Humane Animal Rescue. More info.
May 29, 2018: Wear Wag Repeat 5 Year Blogiversary
Celebrate 5 years of my blog with a celebration full of dogs, fashion and fun at dreamy Luna Boutique in Sewickley! This dog friendly pawty includes a fabulous photobooth for pups with Porter Loves | Photography (dog moms are encouraged to photobomb!), doggy treat bags provided by Three Dog Bakery – Sewickley, shopping discounts and more! More info.
May 20, 2018: Lucky’s 6th Annual South Side Dog Festival
Enjoy a block party with doggy contests, rescue visits, vendors, food, drink, giveaways, games and fun for all ages! Bring your dog and enjoy a family-friendly day celebrating our furry friends! More info.
June 2, 2018: Big Easy Dog Daze & Cafe Grand Opening
Bring your pup to the opening of a dog-friendly Cuban Café in Lawrenceville. Enjoy a full menu of Cuban foods, pastries and coffee drinks as well as pupachinos for the dogs and other fun stuff! More info.
June 3, 2018: Petagogy Shadyside’s Birthday PAWty
This customer appreciation PAWty takes place on the first Sunday in June every year. The event features representatives from pet food and treat companies, hands-on family-friendly activities, pet photos, tons of giveaways, raffles and more! More info.
June 16, 2018: Pet’n’Play at Hartwood Acres
Enjoy a whole day of fun at the Hartwood Acres Amphitheater from 9am-2pm. Try out the agility course, meet adoptable pets, get a caricature drawn of you and your pup and hit up the photo booth! More info.
August 1, 8, 15, 22: Allegheny County Parks Dog Days of Summer
Treat your four-legged friend to an evening of fun and games, including a puppy pool, for 4 Wednesdays in August. This event is held at a different park each week. More info.
August 12: Pups on the Patio with River
Pups On The Patio takes over the Garfield Primanti Bros with City of Pittsburgh Canine Ambassador River! Stop by with your pup or pop in to talk to Animal Friends about adopting. A portion of all sales for the day will be donated back to Animal Friends. More info.
September 9: Canines and Crowns
Join us to celebrate the beauty of all dogs and raise money for Humane Animal Rescue at the Canines and Crowns Dog Pageant at the Ace Hotel! Organized by HAR alum and Instafamous Pittsburgh pup Lu-Seal. More info.
October 6, 2018: DogtoberFest
Enjoy an outdoor festival and showcase for the many healthy and adoptable animals that are waiting for homes at more than 100 rescues and shelters in the Western Pennsylvania region. More info.
October 7: Paws for the Cure
Susan G. Komen Greater Pennsylvania kicks-off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the 10th Annual Paws for the Cure Dog Walk & 5K Run! Enjoy a scenic one-mile walk through Hartwood Acres or take a run, with or without your dog, through the park! There will be dog contests, apple bobbing station, photo ops, and vendor booths. More info.
October 13: Blessing of the Animals
Humane Animal Rescue, Journeys of Life, Petagogy, & Think Shadyside present the annual Celebration & Blessing of Animals on October 13th! Bring your pets for interfaith blessings, then enjoy vendors & animal psychic readings. More info.
October 21: Oakley’s 6th Birthday BASH
Total Oakley is turning 6, and he wants to celebrate by having a meet-up with all of his #dogsofpittsburgh furiends! Stop by Wagsburgh for yummy treats (for pups and humans), fun prizes, a fabulous selfie station and of course….CAKE! More info.
October 26: Pups N Trucks
Bring your best furry friend to the Pittsburgh Food Truck Park, dress up for the costume contest, drink good beer, get dinner, listen to some live music and have a blast! Costume contest entry fee benefits Shelters Helpers and White Oak Animal Safe Haven. More info.
November 2-4: Pittsburgh Pet Expo
The annual Pet Expo at the David L Lawrence Convention Center welcomes pets and people to browse vendors, watch competitions and see whats new in the pet industry. Note from Tori: Make sure your dog is vaccinated before attending this. There are a lot of dogs there and proof of vaccination isn’t required. More info.
Opal will be over 2 years at this point and just may be ready for Pup Walk (maybe…)! Love this photo of you two – a lot of joy and determination 🙂
I hope Opal can come to the pup walk this year! It’s really fun! And thanks for the kind words about this photo… i love it too!!
I work in the salon at PetSmart we wanted to participate in bark Shadyside pup walk but we’re told we can’t not too happy
That’s too bad! Hopefully you can get off work to participate next year!
I believe Bark Shadyside is meant to highlight Shadyside businesses. If there’s no PetsMart in Shadyside (and there isn’t, correct?), it wouldn’t be a good fit. There is at least one pet-related business that is based in Shadyside, so it would also put that business in an awkward position to have PetsMart there. This is all seem reasonable to me, and I apologize if I am not making sense.
There is a Pet Smart in Shadyside as well as several other pet based businesses like Petagogy and East End Veterinary Clinic. Lucy and I go to Shadyside a lot because there are so many dog friendly businesses. Looking forward to the walk!
Hi Tori – do you have any recommendations for fun places in Pittsburgh to host a birthday party for my 5 year old pup?
Yes! The Food Truck Park in Millvale is dog friendly and Grist House is great, too!
Where can I take my pup to play with other dogs in an inside place? Any suggestions?
There isn’t really an indoor exercise area, but there’s a lot of training places where you can tire out your pup indoors with other dogs.