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Happy Family Day! If you live in Canada you’ll know what we’re talking about. If not, let us explain! Today is an official holiday set aside specifically for families to enjoy some uninterrupted time together. And since our beloved pets are an important part of the family pack, we thought we’d share some of the activities that we, the PAWSH team, will be busying ourselves with on this wonderful day off.

1.  PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre

We’re a big fan of this delightful centre that welcomes human and canine friends alike and on Monday the PawsWay will be hosting a jam-packed day of fun and games. Take in some lively dogshows, skating, bouncy tents, live music and more! And be sure to bring your pet friend along for the ride! Free admission and lots of treats! Woof! (To learn more about the PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre, click here).

2. Sgt. Woof and the Woof Troop

Come down to Toronto’s waterfront to visit with the K9 Safety program, including Sgt. Woof himself! Entertaining demonstrations in canine sports, obedience, dancing and agility will be running all afternoon, providing a great way to educate little ones about proper pet care and safety. A wonderful outing for the whole pack!

3. Take a Bath

Washing the dog may sound like more of a chore than a fun family activity, but many dog behaviourists believe that grooming rituals are a terrific bonding activity. Give every member of the family a job during the process. For example, a different person could be in charge of shampooing, lathering, rinsing, toweling and brushing. Your dog will revel in hands on attention and their quirky nature around water is sure to elicit laughter from the whole family!

Oh, and we’d recommend using an eco-friendly shampoo such as Earthbath. Gentle on canine skin, nourishing to the coat and good for the environment!

4.  Hide and Seek

Games are always a good idea in our books; hide and seek especially so! Not only does this game encourage a dog’s natural ‘hunting’ and obedience instincts, but it also reaffirms the bond between a dog and its pack. To play simply have your pooch sit and stay while slowly backing away. Once you are hidden, call your dog’s name and wait into they find you! Of course, not all dog’s are great at the ‘stay’ command, so it might be helpful to have one family member distract your doggie detective while the other family members hide. They release the hound and wait for the giggles!

5. Bake Cookies!

Spending time in the kitchen is an amazing family activity and baking treats for your pup automatically includes them in the hustle and bustle. There are numerous recipes suitable for your dog, a lot of which are organic and healthy! Check out The Poop Pantry (trust us, the name is very misleading, but the recipes divine!) to find a flavourful that is especially delicious. Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a cute cookie cutter or two for the special occasion!

From Dog Like Nature
Happy Family Day! May it be filled with good times and great memories! What is your pack getting up to today?