Staged on 2nd September 2023 at St Catherine’s Park in Preston, Bark in the Park is a pet-friendly event sponsored by Rosedale Doodles, a family-run business with a 5-star breeding licence and more than 40 years of breeding experience.
The Bark in the Park event highlights the importance of providing mental stimulation for dogs. Just like people, dogs need to be stretched mentally to maintain their overall health. While most pet owners recognise the importance of physical exercise to keep their dog fit, healthy and happy, the need for mental stimulation can sometimes be overlooked, leading to boredom and potential behavioural issues.
Just like humans, a dog’s mental health can impact its physical health. Exercising a dog’s mind prevents premature aging, keeping older dogs sharp and helping them to fight off symptoms of anxiety, depression and dementia while also creating a strong foundation to raise clever and happy puppies.
When dogs become bored they turn to other outlets to keep themselves entertained, which may result in undesirable behaviour like chewing shoes, damaging furniture, digging up flower beds or excessive barking. Providing mental stimulation not only helps to avoid these habits but also helps canines to acclimatise to socialising with other dogs and people, which is particularly important for those with children at home as well as families with other pets. Mental stimulation has been shown to lower hyperactivity and aggression in dogs.
There are a variety of different tactics dog owners can employ to keep their pets mentally engaged. Obedience training is an excellent means of encouraging fearful or shy dogs, helping them to become more receptive to other dogs and gain confidence. Meanwhile, for dogs that spend extended periods at home alone, leaving the radio or television on can help them to stay stimulated throughout the day. Most dogs like to play with toys and enjoy games such as fetch, tug-of-war, sniffing out hidden treats or even tackling an obstacle course.
Recognising all too well the importance of mental stimulation for canine companions in terms of the positive impacts on their behaviour, health and wellbeing, Rosedale Doodles is proud to support the event, which will feature dog-friendly stalls and attractions, as well as an obstacle course, dog agility demonstrations and a two-mile sponsored dog walk around St Catherine’s Park and the grounds of Lostock Hall.
Registration for Bark in the Park costs £5 per dog, raising vital funding for St Catherine’s Hospice Care, a charity that cares for adults with life-shortening conditions in Preston, South Ribble and Chorley.