St. Patrick's Day Parade With Your Dog: A Practical Plan

A St. Patrick's Day parade with your dog works for some dogs and not for others, so the first job is deciding which kind you have. If you do go, keep the visit short, keep the leash short, and know where your exit is before the first drum.

Decide first whether this dog belongs there

Be honest about it the night before, not at the curb. The American Kennel Club says in its Fourth of July advice: "Activities like parades, fireworks, and backyard parties can be overwhelming for dogs." A March parade has the same marching bands, the same packed sidewalk and the same forest of legs.

If your dog does not do well with noise or crowds, make it a watch-from-home day and take the walk later. If that sounds like your dog, staying home is a fine plan. A walk on a quiet street on March 17 still counts as celebrating.

The leash and the ID

Use a short fixed leash, not a long line and not a retractable. Clip it on before you open the car door.

The AKC's Fourth of July advice says: "In any new environment, keep your dog on a leash so you can control introductions and step in quickly if they become uneasy". It also includes this line on ID: "Make sure your dog has a permanent ID with a microchip in case their collar falls off". Check the tag and the chip registration a few days ahead.

Planning a St. Patrick's Day parade with your dog: where to stand

Pick the edge, not the middle. A spot near a side street, a shop doorway with room, or the back of the crowd gives you a way out without pushing through people. Skip the curb, where wheels, boots and spilled drinks all end up, and skip the stretch right beside the pipes and drums. Bagpipes are loud at fifty feet and much louder at five.

Park as close to the edge of the route as the town allows, so the quiet place is thirty seconds away.

Noise and crowds, handled with steps

You do not need to guess about the noise. Plan around it:

• Arrive early, before the crowd is three deep, and leave before the last float.
• Take a break away from the route, around the corner or back at the car, every twenty minutes or so.
• Bring a bowl and water, because parade sidewalks have none.
• Ask people to check with you before they pet.

The sidewalk after the beer

Parade sidewalks are where cups get dropped and green beer gets spilled. Food hits the ground too. Keep the leash short, walk on the cleaner side of the crowd, and do not let your dog lap from puddles or pick up anything off the ground. The American Kennel Club is direct about beer: "Dogs should never drink beer brewed for humans."

We wrote a longer page on that question, can dogs drink beer. For the parade, the plan is simple: nothing from the ground and nothing from anyone's cup.

Shamrocks at the shops

Shops and bars put shamrock plants in the window and on the counter for the week. Keep your dog away from the pots. The ASPCA keeps an entry on the shamrock plant, and it is linked here so you can read it yourself before you carry one home.

The treat pouch

A short parade visit is easier with something small in your pocket, and it is easier still if the pieces break clean. We make two things in Malvern, Pennsylvania, that suit it.

Our freeze-dried cheddar cheese bites have one ingredient, cheddar cheese. The pieces are small, they stay crunchy and non-greasy, and they need no refrigeration, so they ride in a pouch or a car without any mess. They contain dairy, so they are not suited to dogs with dairy sensitivities. The bag is 8 ounces.

Our Pot of Gold Dog Treat Coins are the seasonal option, and they come in two versions that are not the same. The chicken coins are boneless chicken breast sliced into rounds and air-dried, a single ingredient. The gold coins are plain Greek yogurt tinted with a pinch of turmeric and freeze-dried, so they contain dairy and are not single ingredient. Both break clean for a training pocket. Pick one version and read its page.

If your dog is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before the day, not at the parade.

Our dog parade treats guide covers the rest of what to carry.

A bandana for the photo

Every parade has a photo. Our bandana is one size and ties on, with a 3-inch circle logo on the front, and it comes in white or black. The folded triangle is roughly 21 inches along the long edge. The green can come from your own coat.

Take the photo early, at the edge, while the leash is still short and the sidewalk is still open. Then put the camera away.

A green toy for after

If you want something green to hand over once you are home, the Lucky Dog Shamrock Tug is a green plush shamrock with a tug handle. It measures seven inches by six, with a six inch handle, and it squeaks and floats. It comes with a choice of sayings, or customized with your dog's name. American Dog recommends it for small and medium dogs and gentle players only. American Dog items are sold and shipped by American Dog through Shopify Collective, not made or shipped by Sniff and Shift. Here is the tug if you want a look.

The drive home

Keep the leash on until the car door is shut, then buckle your dog in before you start the engine. Keep a towel in the back, because March sidewalks are wet, and wipe off paws before the seat does it for you. Offer water.

If you would rather spend the afternoon on the road than on a curb, our St. Patrick's Day drive in Chester County is a route that works with a dog in the back seat.

Parade questions

Should I bring my dog to a St. Patrick's Day parade?

Only if the crowd is something your dog already handles, and only for a short visit. If you are not sure, take a quiet walk instead. A few minutes at the edge of the route is a better test than a full afternoon.

How long should we stay?

Short is the right answer. Arrive before the sidewalk fills, stay for a float or two, take a break away from the route, and head home before the end when everyone leaves at once.

Do I need a microchip?

A tag with your cell number should be on the collar either way, and the microchip is the backup if the collar comes off. Check both a few days before the parade, not that morning.

What do I do if someone offers my dog food?

Say no, thank them, and keep walking. The treat in your pocket is the one your dog gets.

Where is the best place to stand?

At the edge of the crowd, near a side street, away from the curb and well away from the bands. You want a spot where you can turn around without asking anyone to move.

Can my dog wear a bandana?

Yes, if your dog is used to it. Put it on at home, not at the curb.