Pet-Friendly Fall Events Around Vancouver (and How to Keep Dogs Relaxed)

Autumn in Vancouver brings crisp air, golden leaves, and a calendar full of exciting pet-friendly events. From pumpkin patches to dog-centric festivals, this season offers perfect opportunities for you and your pup to explore, socialize, and unwind. But heading into fall fun also means thinking ahead: how will your dog stay relaxed, healthy and comfortable? At Soul Paws Massage, we know that massage, gentle routines and wellness preparation help ensure every outing ends in wagging tails — not sore muscles or stress.

Event 1: Pet‑A‑Palooza – Yaletown, Vancouver (Aug 24)

This large dog-festival held in Yaletown features vendor booths, agility demos, pup meet ups and plenty of socializing. Pet-A-Palooza - Day Of The Dog+1

Wellness Tip: Because dogs will be active, meeting new dogs and walking a lot, schedule a light warm-up massage before heading down (5 minutes of long soft strokes along the back & shoulders) and a cool-down massage after returning home (3-5 minutes focusing on hips and legs) to help prevent post-event stiffness.

Event 2: Dog‑Friendly Pumpkin Fest – Southlands Heritage Farm, Vancouver (October)

This on-farm event invites leashed dogs into a pumpkin patch, hay-rides and fall photo-ops. The Dog Network

Wellness Tip: Bring a collapsible water bowl and ensure your dog stays hydrated during outdoor time. After the event, consider a short massage session focusing on the chest and flank since excitement and novelty may cause mild tension in these areas.

Event 3: Dog-Friendly Pumpkin Patches around Metro Vancouver

A list of 8 or more local pumpkin patches that are dog-friendly, perfect for a fall outing with your pup. GoDoggo App+1

Wellness Tip: For an outing like this, spray a light pet-safe deodorizer or brush your dog’s coat before leaving — this not only helps your dog feel comfortable, it supports coat health before the cooler season sets in. A calming massage afterward can help unwind any excited energy.

How to Keep Your Dog Relaxed Before, During & After

Before the Event: Spend 5–10 minutes doing a gentle “arrival massage” — slow strokes along the spine, neck and shoulders — so your dog’s muscles are warm, ready, and the body is in a relaxed state before action. During the Event: Watch for signs of over-stimulation: heavy panting, avoidance of interaction, or frequent pulling. If you see this, take a brief break in a quiet spot to give your dog a few deep breaths and a gentle hand-rest on their side. After the Event: Once home, engage in a calm grooming session (brush coat, check paws) followed by a short massage focusing on hips, thighs, and lower back. This aids circulation, flushes out activity by-products, and helps your dog transition into rest.

Why Massage Matters on Fall Outings

Fall adventures often mix new smells, textures, outings and social interactions — all of which slightly stress your dog’s body and nervous system. Massage supports:

• Circulation and muscle relaxation after novel movement.

• Emotional calm — helping your dog relax mentally after excitement.

• Warm-up before high-energy events to reduce injury risk.

• Cooling down so your dog transitions smoothly into rest rather than staying “wired”.

Call to Action

Ready to prepare your pup for a fabulous fall? Book a pre-event “Adventure Warm-Up Massage” or a post-event “Recovery & Relaxation Massage” at Soul Paws Massage. Let’s make this fall full of tail-wags, comfort and connection.