29/10/2026
A sad update from OutBark.
Unfortunately, we’ve received a couple of messages this afternoon from clients letting us know their dogs have developed symptoms of canine cough (commonly known as kennel cough) after attending OutBark. We were initially hopeful this was an isolated case, but with 3 reports so far, we wanted to be transparent with our community and share some information.
Canine cough is an unfortunate reality of social dog environments. It’s highly contagious, can spread before symptoms appear, and even vaccinated dogs can become infected. Dog parks, walking routes, training clubs and anywhere dogs socialise can present opportunities for exposure.
While we thoroughly clean and disinfect our toys, bowls, equipment and facilities daily, the same environmental control isn’t possible in public spaces. Even with strict hygiene protocols, respiratory infections can still find their way into social environments. Unfortunately dogs aren’t particularly concerned with personal space. Their idea of a friendly greeting usually involves putting their entire face inside another dog’s mouth. 🫠
But on a serious note, these situations can significantly impact small businesses like ours. We intentionally operate with smaller groups, and when illness circulates, it affects attendance, bookings and the financial realities of our first year of operation. However, our highest priority is always the health and wellbeing of the dogs in our care, which is what drives the purpose of OutBark.
We’re asking our wonderful community for a little extra consideration during this time. If your dog is coughing, gagging, sneezing or showing signs of respiratory illness, please keep them home, avoid contact with other dogs and seek veterinary advice.
If your dog develops symptoms after attending OutBark, we’d appreciate you letting us know, even if they seem mild. This helps us monitor cases, communicate with clients and make informed decisions to protect the wider group. We also encourage everyone to be mindful of visits to busy dog parks and communal dog spaces while respiratory illness is circulating.
We’re so grateful to our community helping look after one another. 💚