Summer may be ending, but in Toronto, the fun has just begun — there are so many exciting events and things to do in the city this season. The best part? Many of them are totally dog-friendly. So let your dog dictate your social calendar this month and try out one of these amazing things to do in Toronto with your pup in September.
Canadian Pet Expo
When: Sept. 13–14
Bring your pup (and the whole family) to the 2025 Fall Canadian Pet Expo! This event doesn’t discriminate: reptiles, aquatic animals and even plants are all welcome here. The weekend brings together four shows: the Canadian Pet Expo, the Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo, the Canadian Aquatic Expo and the Plant Expo. Expect interactive activations, the TICA Cat Show, creative grooming demonstrations, celebrity pet appearances and a huge marketplace showcasing some of the top pet product vendors in the industry. Your dog will leave with a whole bunch of new friends!
Catch Me Outside: Dog-Friendly, 3K Social Walk/Run
When: Sept. 13
Take your hyper-active dog on a walk alongside hundreds of others this month, thanks to Catch Me Outside — a 3 km dog-friendly walk/run hosted by Take it Offline, designed to bring together dog lovers and wellness seekers. The pup-friendly route is great for pets of all energy levels, and there will be both dog treats and post-run treats for the humans.
BYOD Yoga
When: Sept. 13
Help your pooch gain some inner peace at BYOD (Bring Your Own Dog) Yoga! Hosted at the Waterfall Garden at the Sheraton Centre, you and your pup will enjoy a relaxing 60-minute guided outdoor yoga class for all levels. A juice and your choice of coffee or tea will also be provided, as well as a swag bag.
Underdog Strong: Dog-Friendly Fitness and Adoption Event
When: Sept. 6
Fitness lovers and adoption hopefuls, this one’s for you! Visit dog-friendly gym Stay Gold for a day of movement, adoptable rescues, a dog training demo, free physiotherapy treatments and fun fitness challenges! There will also be raffle prizes — so who knows, you may leave with a prize and a new pup in hand!
Air Bud Lookalike Contest: Toronto’s Golden Retriever Appreciation Day
When: Sept. 6
Prepare your pooch: there’s an Air Bud lookalike contest taking place this weekend, and your dog can win, if they can perform some cool tricks just like the titular dog of the iconic film! The event will also be a Golden Retriever Appreciation Day, so even if your pup isn’t the best at shooting slam dunks, bring them anyway for plenty of pets and love. A three person panel of judges will pick the winner, who will take home a $25 gift card. And if your dog isn’t a golden retriever, well… bring them anyway and they can join in on the fun!
Riverside Dog Lovers’ Market
When: Sept. 21
The free annual dog market has returned! The paw-some outdoors event is co-hosted by the Riverside BIA and Toronto Dog Moms, and will feature live music, pupachinos, freebies of all kinds, pet vendors and services, incredible rescue organizations and even the opportunity to pre-register for a micro-chipping service. Bring your pup and join your fellow dog lovers for plenty of fun!
Paws Walk
When: Sept. 13
Toronto Dog Moms has been running some of the best pup-focused events in the city, and this month they’re back with their popular Paws Walk series. On Sept. 13, explore Old Town with your dog and other canine-loving friends as you stop into the top art, food and dog-friendly spots in the neighbourhood!
New’Bark’et 2025
When: Sept. 6–7
Head just north of the city for a family-friendly dog festival! With exciting events and vendors, there will be plenty of fun for pups and humans alike. Then, head back to the neighbourhood on Sept. 21 for Pooch Plunge — the last chance for your dog to cool off in the Gorman Outdoor Pool before it is closed for the year.
Berczy Park Dog Fountain
An underrated spot in the city, Berczy Park Dog Fountain is pretty magnificent. Honouring the four-legged friends that visit this neighbourhood gem, the fountain is made up of three tiers of dog sculptures, all with their eyes glued to the bone at the top. See if you can spot your own dog’s breed on the fountain; there are 27 featured in the design, including a Dalmatian, Great Dane, Jack Russell Terrier, Golden Retriever and Pug. The whimsical fountain is located in the very charming Berczy Park, littered with benches and tables and just steps from St. Lawrence Market. Bring your dog here and see if they try to play with one of the pretty realistic looking sculptures. Don’t worry, they won’t be disappointed — the park is always teeming with dogs on their walks!
Trivia Escape Rooms’ Escape the Pound
An escape room that not only welcomes, but needs a dog to operate? Sign us up! Trivia Escape Rooms hosts a room called Escape the Pound that requires a furry friend to help your team navigate the pound by sniffing out codes to locks, retrieving balls and more. The premise: your pet has been snagged by the villainous Dog Catcher, and it’s your job to break your dog out of the pound before they put them to sleep forever! The escape room company notes that even if your dog isn’t the sharpest when it comes to sniffing out smells, it will still be plenty of fun. Just be sure to bring treats your pup is familiar with!
