Pets4Homes x DogFest 24th – 25th September 2022

Dog lovers looking for a fabulous day out won’t find anything much better than a day, or even two, at a dog festival. From 24th-25th September, DogFest will be entertaining thousands of humans and canines in the glorious grounds of Harewood House in Yorkshire. This year, Pets4Homes will be there too giving you a sneak peek of our new logo and offering some fun activities in our stand. So come along, introduce yourselves and if your dog is with you, have-a-go at our scent work challenge!

There really is something for everyone and their dog at DogFest: you can enter your pooch into the Fun Dog Show (or enjoy watching the competition for dog with the waggiest tail, best rescue, coolest pup and much more), join the Big Dog Walk (while raising money for Dogs Trust), enjoy sensational dog displays from obedience to dancing and agility, let your dog have-a-go at a variety of activities including dog diving, agility, hay ball racing, flyball and hoopers, get advice from dog professionals on everything from grooming to nutrition, training to behavioural issues, or mingle with celebs as you become a dog-fluencer for the day. Of course, there are also plenty of shopping opportunities, festival food and drink and more dogs to coo over and admire than you could dream of!

In the Many Pets Pet Insurance Village your dog can enjoy playing in an enormous ball pit, perhaps followed by a calming walk through their Zensory Garden with its dog-friendly plants. Follow this up with a themed photo shoot and take home a free print to remember the day. 

Would your dog enjoy a festival?

If all this sounds like a perfect day out for you, do give some thought as to whether your dog really would enjoy it as well. If they hate crowds or get stressed and anxious when meeting strange dogs or people, it would be best to leave them at home while you enjoy the show – just remember to bring them back a tasty treat, a toy or simply new ideas you’ve picked up for activities they will enjoy!

Tips for taking your dog to DogFest (or any other crowded event)

Whether it’s an event, like DogFest, specifically designed around dogs or a dog-friendly festival or show, we all want to enjoy being able to take our dogs with us. To do that, we need to be responsible not only for our dog’s comfort but also for that of everyone around us. The following tips will help make it a fun day for everyone:

• Practice having your dog walk close to you, on a loose lead (not a retractable lead which is a potential hazard for other people and dogs).
  
  
• If you’re unsure of your dog’s manners around food or they just love to say ‘hi’ to everyone they pass, make sure you keep them close to you, so they don’t have the opportunity to jump up, grab food from someone else’s picnic or an ice cream cone from a child’s hand (unfortunately, often just at the right height for your dog to grab it).
  
  
• Make sure your dog’s tag is securely on his collar just in case you get separated. If your mobile number is on the tag, you’ll be reunited in no time.
  
  
• There may be times when you’ll be seated watching a demonstration or eating, so bring a filled Kong or a chew (or buy something there) to occupy your dog and help them ignore the many distractions.
  
  
• If it’s very hot, be sure to give your dog plenty of opportunities to cool down in the shade and to drink plenty of water. At a dog show you’ll find plenty of water bowls but it’s always a good idea to have some with you in case you head off for a walk.
  
  
• If you have a tiny dog, while bearing in mind that however small they are, they’re still a dog and perfectly capable of walking, if it’s particularly crowded, they may prefer to be carried as it can be tricky for them to avoid all those feet.
  
  
• Learn to read your dog’s signs of stress so you can be sure they’re having as much fun as you are. Be prepared to take them away from the crowds if necessary. 
  Don’t forget to bring poo bags!! 

Click here to find out more about DogFest, and make sure you find us on the Pets4Homes stand. We’d love to meet you and your dog!

For more training advice, please visit our dog coach Vicky Carne's website.