The Rec Report
Welcome to
Your behind-the-scenes pass to all things Barks and Rec. From pup wellness tips to road stories and rescue features, we’re here to bring the outdoors to your home—one tail wag at a time.
Fall Back, Keep Moving: Helping Your Dog Adjust to the Season
November brings shorter days, cooler weather and changing schedules. Learn how keeping a consistent exercise routine can help keep your dog happy and active.
Before the Costumes Come Out: Get Your Dog Run Ready for Halloween
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year! Learn how a little exercise and preparation can help your dog handle visitors, costumes, doorbells and Halloween excitement.
Shorter Days, Happy Dogs: Keeping Your Dog Moving This Fall
Shorter days and cooler weather don't mean less exercise for your dog. Here are simple ways Central Oregon dog families can keep pups moving this fall.
When Your Dog Needs You Most: Compassion in Motion in Central Oregon
Cancer treatment can make everyday routines difficult. Bend Barks & Rec's Compassion in Motion mission helps local cancer patients by providing complimentary exercise sessions for their dogs.
Compassion in Motion: Helping Local Cancer Patients One Run at a Time 🐾💗
This October, Bend Barks & Rec is shining a light on breast cancer awareness and our Compassion in Motion mission, providing complimentary dog gym runs to local cancer patients in treatment.
🍂 Fall Is Here: Getting Your Dog Ready for a New Season
Fall is here in Central Oregon! Learn how to safely adjust your dog's exercise routine, enjoy cooler weather, explore outdoors, provide enrichment and keep your pup Run Ready this fall.
National Dog Week: Celebrating the Dogs Who Make Life Better
Celebrate National Dog Week 2026 with seven simple ways to improve your dog's health, happiness and daily routine—from exercise and enrichment to training, companionship and preventive care.
Hug Your Hound: Celebrating the Dogs We Love and Remembering the Ones We’ve Lost
Celebrate Hug Your Hound Day in Bend, Oregon by appreciating the dogs beside us and remembering beloved pets we've lost. Learn about canine grief, pet memorial ideas and ways to honor your dog's life.
National Disaster Preparedness Month: How to Keep Your Dog Safe During a Wildfire or Emergency in Central Oregon
Learn how Central Oregon dog parents in Bend, Sunriver, Redmond and surrounding communities can prepare their dogs for wildfires, smoke and other emergencies. Discover what to include in a dog emergency kit, how to create a pet evacuation plan, update identification and veterinary records, find pet-friendly evacuation locations, and safely exercise dogs during poor air quality.
🍎 Back-to-School Reset: Helping Your Dog Adjust to the Fall Routine
Back-to-school season means big routine changes for dogs, too. Learn how to help your Bend dog adjust to more alone time with predictable exercise, enrichment and a consistent fall routine.
Concert Night in Bend: How to Help Your Dog Relax While You're Away.
Heading to a concert at Hayden Homes Amphitheater? Learn how to prepare your Bend dog with exercise, enrichment, a calm environment and a predictable routine while you enjoy the show.
🐾 Meet Your New Best Friend: August 22 at 10 Barrel West Side
Considering dog adoption in Central Oregon? Learn how to help a newly adopted rescue dog decompress, establish a routine, build confidence and safely introduce exercise and enrichment. Plus, join us August 22 at 10 Barrel West Side in Bend for a local dog adoption event for Paw Print Rescue!
Every Dog Has a Different Routine: Finding the Right Exercise Balance for Your Bend Lifestyle
Not every dog needs the same exercise routine. Learn how to find the right balance of physical and mental enrichment based on your lifestyle, your dog's personality, and your daily schedule.
Smoke Season in Bend: Keeping Your Dog Active When Outdoor Air Quality Changes.
Wildfire smoke can impact your dog’s health and routine. Learn how Bend Oregon dog owners can safely exercise their pets during smoke season with indoor enrichment options.
Summer Schedules Change but Your Dog's Need for Exercise Doesn't
Summer schedules can get hectic, but your dog's exercise routine shouldn't. Discover why consistent physical and mental exercise helps reduce unwanted behaviors, maintain a healthy weight, and keep your pup happy all season long.
Wildfire Smoke Isn't Just Hard on You; It's Hard on Your Dog, Too!
Wildfire smoke is an unfortunate part of summer in Central Oregon, but it doesn't have to derail your dog's exercise routine. Learn how smoke affects canine health, what warning signs to watch for, and how to keep your pup active while protecting their lungs during wildfire season.
Mid-Summer Is Here: Keep Your Dog Safe, Happy, and Moving
Summer has arrived in Central Oregon, bringing hotter days, dry trails, and an increase in foxtails and cheatgrass. Discover simple ways to protect your dog's paws, avoid dangerous grass awns, and keep them active even when the temperatures climb. Learn why indoor, climate-controlled exercise can be the safest way to help your pup stay healthy all summer long.
Why Regular Exercise Makes Your Dog Easier to Walk (And Happier at Home)
Daily walks shouldn't feel like a tug-of-war. Learn how consistent exercise can reduce excess energy, improve leash manners, and help create a calmer, happier dog in Bend, Oregon.
Bend's Fourth of July Pet Parade, Fireworks, and Tips for a Calmer Dog This Holiday Weekend
The Fourth of July is one of the busiest weeks of the year for dogs in Bend, Oregon. Learn how exercise, routine, and preparation can help your dog enjoy the Pet Parade and stay calmer during fireworks season.
Celebrating Dog Dads: The Treat Dispensers, Ball Throwers, and Adventure Guides
This Father's Day, we're celebrating the dog dads of Bend, Oregon. From early morning walks to endless games of fetch, here's to the dads who make life better for their four-legged family members.