Loki and Zues

During the week while you are busy at work, daycare is a great place for dogs to be safe and have a fun day. When the weekend hits, we all look for some great outdoor activities we can do with our dog. Spring is right around the corner and that means your pooch is probably aching to shake off that winter sweater and have some fun in the sun. While the Lower Mainland may still have some rainy days in store for us yet, longer daylight hours and (slightly) warmer weather mean that there are plenty of reasons to check out your local dog parks, dog friendly hiking trails or doggy meetups.

Here are some of our suggestions for you and your four-legged friend:

HIT UP THE LOCAL DOG PARK

Coquitlam is home to several off-leash dog parks but one of our favourites is Mundy Park. Located just to the west of Mariner Way and south of the Chilko Drive parking area, Mundy Park has two dedicated off-leash areas for big and little dogs. Not only can your dog get acquainted with some new pals in these safe and enclosed zones, dogs are also permitted on the walking trails off-leash until 10:00am.

MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS

If you’re part of the Dogtopia family, you know that your pooch makes plenty of friends during our active play doggy daycare. If you want the same experience and the opportunity to meet some like-minded humans, take a look at this list of Coquitlam Doggy Meetups! (http://www.meetup.com/topics/dog-play-groups/ca/bc/coquitlam/) There are plenty to choose from, many based on breed or size of dog but you can also find group hikes, relaxing chit-chats and, yes, even free workshops with our talented Dogtopia trainers.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Do you and your furry friend dream of making a difference in the community? St Johns Ambulance is always looking for canine volunteers to join them as Therapy Dogs. (http://www.sja.ca/English/Community-Services/Pages/Therapy%20Dog%20Services/About-The-Therapy-Dog-Program.aspx) If you have a gentle, patient pooch with extra love to give, you may consider registering them as a Therapy Dog and volunteering to visit with children, the sick and the elderly.

SEE ALL THAT NATURE HAS TO OFFER

If your pup needs a little more activity in their day, why not check out one of the many dog friendly hiking trails Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities have to offer? VancouverTrails.com (http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/?sort=region&filter=dogs#list) has a list of dog friendly trails searchable by region and level of difficulty, so you can choose what’s right for you and your pet.

Before heading off into the great unknown, whether that be a hiking trail, the dog park or a volunteer opportunity, always remember:

BUT…

Dogs are not always welcome at every weekend activity so Dogtopia is open Saturdays and Sundays so that you can enjoy your family time knowing your best friend is having a great day at Dogtopia.

SAFETY FIRST

  • Make sure your pooch is up to date on all vaccinations.
  • Have your pet registration handy.
  • If your dog has yet to master the re-call command, best to keep them on-leash.
  • Don’t forget to take a bottle of water. A hydrated pup is a happy pup!