Pride parades and festivals can be fun, dog-friendly events. They can offer dog owners who want to celebrate a great way to spend time in the community with their dogs. Pride parades and festivals are often annual events that take place around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Pride events honor and celebrate the diversity and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and are a place for people from all walks of life to come together in celebration. It’s common for Pride events to take place in dog-friendly public parks or city centers. If you’d like to bring your dog to a Pride parade, how can you best prepare to participate?
Will Your Dog Have Fun at Pride?
Many Pride events are dog-friendly, and it’s common to see people enjoying the day with their dogs. But not every dog enjoys attending any event with lots of people. Not every Pride event is a good fit for every dog. Smaller, community Pride festivals might be easier for dogs to navigate. Bigger Pride events can be more overwhelming with large crowds.
Bethany Spencer and Lee Thorpe of Western North Carolina love bringing their dogs, “Stinson,” an All-American Dog, and “Sally,” a Labrador Retriever, to Pride. Even though the dogs are working service dogs and go everywhere with them, Stinson believes there’s something extra special about having them at Pride. “We dress them up, and everyone loves to see them,” says Thorpe. “We let folks take photos, and we just really enjoy the extra connection the dogs foster.”
It’s important to consider your dog’s personality, level of training in crowds, and temperament when deciding if you want to bring your dog to a Pride event with you. Natalie Yates, who often attends Pride events with their Shetland Sheepdog, “Ruthee,” notes that it’s essential to ensure your dog is set up for success before bringing them to such a busy environment. “I attribute Ruthee’s enthusiasm to responsible breeding and appropriate socialization,” says Yates. “My favorite Pride memory was taking Ruthee as a 9-month-old to ‘Twin Cities Pride,’ and watching her actively want to meet every drag queen we came across. It was fantastic.”
Check the Forecast to Protect Your Dog
With Pride celebrations taking place during June, summer temperatures are a concern for your dogs’ comfort and safety. Check the forecast before heading to any outdoor events and make sure the temperature is safe for your dog. Adam Skandarani’s Boston Terrier “Wibble” enjoys crowds and the attention he gets from kids at Pride. Skandarani recommends a backpack carrier for small dogs, so it’s easy to carry them if the ground gets too hot. You can also condition your dog to wear protective dog boots, which can come in handy all summer (and winter) long to protect their paws.
Do your research about what the Pride location will be like, especially on warm days. Some Pride events are located in parks and on grass, which may help keep things cooler. Others are on asphalt or concrete streets, which can be dangerously hot and burn your dog’s feet. If the day is going to be hot, or you have a dog prone to heatstroke or other heat-related issues, it may be a good idea to leave your dog at home or plan to only attend for a short period of time.
Dog Training Considerations Before You Go
While many Pride events are welcoming to dogs, not all are dog-friendly. Before planning any Pride outings, think carefully about if the event will be enjoyable for your dog. For example, if your dog is often uncomfortable in busy areas, a parade could be stressful for them or even set their training back. It’s completely OK to decide that an event isn’t appropriate for your dog. While you might feel disappointed you can’t bring your dog, it’s often the responsible decision to keep your dog safe and help ensure that others can enjoy the day.
Attending a Pride event can be stressful for your dog or provide challenges for others if they aren’t behaviorally prepared. Rebecca-Eli Long of Lafayette, Indiana, remembers bringing their service dog “Tizzy” to a local Pride event. Tizzy is used to attending busy events, but other dogs’ behavior was concerning to Long. “I ended up deciding to leave early because someone had a dog that was continually barking and lunging at Tizzy. After it happened a couple of times, I decided that it was in our best interest to go home.”
This was especially disappointing for Long, who looked forward to attending Pride with their service dog. “As a disabled queer person, I felt like I couldn’t fully enjoy Pride because of other people not realizing how they were creating an unwelcoming environment with their dogs.”
Prioritizing Your Dog’s Comfort
If you decide to bring your dog to a Pride event, you’ll want to be prepared with everything your dog might need. Consider which supplies you might need to help your dog navigate summer temperatures, like dog boots, a collapsible water bowl, and plenty of fresh water. Pride events often involve stage performances, which can be very loud, so dog ear protection may be useful if you expect you’ll be in a noisy area. Just be sure to acclimate your dog to any protective gear ahead of the event.
While at Pride, be sure to focus on your dog’s comfort. You are your dog’s advocate, and just because your dog is attending the festival with you doesn’t mean they have to be social with others. It’s OK to say “no” if someone asks to pet your dog or if their dog can greet yours. Big, crowded outdoor events can be overwhelming for dogs, so planning for a shorter day may be a good idea. If at any point the event becomes stressful for your dog, take a step away from the festivities and get your dog somewhere cooler and quieter for a break, or head home early if needed.
Celebrating at Home
If you think your local Pride event will be too hot, crowded, or overwhelming for your dog, there is no shame in leaving your dog at home while you go to Pride. Another way to get into the Pride spirit with your dog can even be going for a walk in your neighborhood. You could also join other dog walkers for a mini “parade” of your own.
Mistie Melver of Coralville, Iowa, got creative and set up an entire Pride-themed photoshoot for her dogs, “Miley Rae,” a Dachshund, and “Daisy Mae,” an All-American Dog. “Miley does not do well with other dogs, so we can’t take her to many places.”
For Melver, the dogs’ Pride photoshoot was a fun way for her to show allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. You could also encourage your local breed or training club to host a Pride-specific gathering or event.