Bark with Buster at The Dog Lovers Festival 2024
The Dog Lovers Festival Melbourne 2024 was one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve had as Bark with Buster®. Over the weekend we met hundreds of passionate dog owners, introduced dogs to our natural treats for the very first time, and shared countless conversations about enrichment, healthy rewards and natural Australian-made dog treats.
Standing at Stand E526 at the Melbourne Showgrounds, surrounded by thousands of dog lovers and their incredible dogs, we were reminded of something we already knew but rarely get to feel so clearly: the bond between Australians and their dogs is something truly special.
And it was an honour to be part of it.
The energy at the Melbourne Showgrounds was electric from the moment the doors opened.
Reconnecting With Our Community
One of the most rewarding parts of the festival was reconnecting with so many existing Bark with Buster® customers and hearing the stories behind their dogs.
It was incredibly special having people return to the stand to tell us how much their dogs were loving our natural treats at home — especially our meal toppers, which quickly became one of the most talked-about products across the entire weekend.
Many dog owners shared how meal toppers had helped encourage fussier eaters, added excitement back into mealtime routines and become part of their dogs’ daily enrichment. Seeing dogs instantly recognise the scent of their favourite treats and rush back to the stand for another sample was something we genuinely loved experiencing throughout the event.
It was also wonderful seeing so many repeat customers returning to the Bark with Buster® stand to say hello, share stories about their dogs and tell us which treats had become household favourites since the last event. Those conversations mean everything to us as a small Australian business.
Those moments — a dog pulling their owner back through the crowd to get back to our stand — are the ones you never forget.
Who We Are and Why We Were There
Bark with Buster® was built by genuine dog lovers — people who have fostered dogs, supported rescue organisations and spent years learning what dogs truly need to thrive. After years caring for dogs through Pet Stays Melbourne, we’ve seen firsthand how much the right nutrition and the right treat can change a dog’s energy, focus and overall happiness.
That hands-on experience is why we care so deeply about what goes into every treat we make. No fillers, no preservatives, no shortcuts — just real, single-ingredient, air dehydrated natural dog treats made for dogs who deserve the best.
When the Dog Lovers Festival came around, it felt like the most natural place in the world for us to be.
Our stand at the Dog Lovers Festival Melbourne 2024 — packed with natural Australian-made treats and plenty of happy dogs.
The Treats Dogs Could Not Get Enough Of
Some products quickly became clear favourites across the weekend. Dogs don’t lie — and the reactions at the stand made it very clear which treats hit differently.
Our Kangaroo Cubes were incredibly popular with owners looking for high-value training treats, especially for puppies and dogs needing focus during obedience work.
Fish Jerky attracted dogs from halfway across the aisle. The natural aroma had dogs instantly interested — and owners loved hearing that it’s rich in natural omega oils while still being a simple single-ingredient treat.
Beef Liver continued to be one of our most talked-about products for training rewards and recall work. Many Melbourne dog owners told us they had fussy dogs at home and were amazed at how quickly their dogs responded to it.
Dogs trying our natural air dehydrated treats for the first time — the reactions never get old.
For stronger chewers, our Pork Trotters, Pig Ears and Kangaroo chews became major talking points. Owners loved finding natural alternatives to heavily processed chews commonly found in supermarkets.
And our meal toppers — perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend. Dog after dog went absolutely wild for them, and owner after owner told us they’d been struggling with fussy eaters at home. Watching a dog who “never eats anything” devour a meal topper sample in seconds was one of the most satisfying things we experienced all weekend.
“He never likes anything.”
“She’s usually so fussy.”
“That’s the fastest recall response we’ve had all week.”
Festival Specials That Dog Owners Loved
Some of the biggest crowd favourites across the weekend were our popular festival specials, with many visitors stocking up after their dogs sampled the treats at the stand.
- 🦴 10 Bones for $50 — a brilliant way to stock up on long lasting chews at incredible value
- 💚 Buy 1 Get 1 Free on selected 500g protein bags — perfect for owners wanting to try new proteins without the risk
- 🐾 Any 5 x 100g bags for $50 — our most popular bundle, letting owners mix and match across our full healthy dog treats range
There’s something really special about watching a dog try a treat for the first time at a festival, fall in love with it, and then seeing their owner immediately grab a bag to take home. That’s the moment we work for.
Meeting Amazing Dogs
One of the unexpected joys of the festival was the sheer variety of incredible dogs we got to meet throughout the weekend. From tiny puppies taking their very first steps into a crowd, to senior dogs trotting along with quiet dignity — every single one of them had a story.
One moment that genuinely stopped us in our tracks was meeting this magnificent Irish Wolfhound. Gentle, calm and absolutely enormous — a reminder that dogs come in every shape and size, and every single one of them deserves the very best care and nutrition.
Meeting beautiful dogs and passionate owners was one of the highlights of the festival — this Irish Wolfhound was an absolute gentle giant.
Moments like this are exactly why we show up to events like the Dog Lovers Festival. Not just to showcase our products — but to be part of the community. To meet the dogs. To hear the stories. To remember why all of this matters.
What We Learned From Talking to Dog Owners
One of the biggest things we noticed throughout the Dog Lovers Festival Melbourne 2024 was how much more aware dog owners are becoming about what they feed their dogs.
For many people, dogs are truly part of the family — and in some cases very much treated like children. More owners are now carefully reading ingredient labels, asking questions about preservatives and actively looking for healthier, more natural options for their dogs.
We also spoke with many owners managing food sensitivities and allergies, particularly dogs with sensitive stomachs or fussy eating habits. Cavoodles especially seemed to come up regularly in conversations around picky eating — which made discussing our natural meal toppers with visitors a really enjoyable part of the weekend. Many people loved the idea of adding healthy natural toppers to help make meals more exciting and rewarding for their dogs.
Another growing trend we noticed was the increasing demand for longer lasting natural chews to help with enrichment, boredom reduction and keeping dogs mentally engaged at home. Many owners were specifically searching for natural chewing options to help entertain their dogs in a healthier and more natural way.
These conversations are one of the reasons we love attending dog events so much. They give us the opportunity to connect face to face with the incredible Melbourne dog community, hear real stories and continue learning directly from everyday dog owners.
As a small Australian business built around genuine hands-on dog experience, events like the Dog Lovers Festival remind us why we started Bark with Buster® in the first place 💛
The Bark with Buster® Festival Hamper Competition
Each year at the festival we run a special competition where visitors can enter to win a large Bark with Buster® hamper filled with a variety of our natural Australian-made dog treats, chews and goodies.
It is always one of the highlights of the weekend — seeing the excitement from the winners and hearing how much their dogs enjoy exploring all the different treats inside.
Our 2024 hamper competition winners — two very excited Chihuahuas and a very happy family 🐶💛
If you’d like to be in the running at our next event, keep an eye on our social media channels and come and find us at the Dog Lovers Show in October 2026.
More Than Just Dog Treats
Throughout the weekend we also met rescue organisations, trainers, groomers, dog sport enthusiasts and passionate everyday owners who all shared one thing in common: a deep love for dogs.
We had meaningful conversations with potential retail stockists — independent pet stores and specialty retailers who share our values around natural, Australian-made products. Those conversations are ongoing, and we’re excited about what they could mean for making Bark with Buster treats more accessible across the country.
There is something incredibly special about being surrounded by thousands of people who understand that dogs are family. The atmosphere across the Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival was full of excitement, laughter, education and genuine connection.
🐾 We’re Coming Back — October 2026
We’re already excited to announce that Bark with Buster® will be returning to the Dog Lovers Show in October 2026 — and we cannot wait to reconnect with the amazing Australian dog community once again.
If you’re planning to attend, come and find us. Bring your dog. We’ll have samples, specials and plenty of tail-wagging moments waiting for you.
The Dog Lovers Festival Melbourne is now firmly part of the Bark with Buster® calendar — because showing up for the community that has shown up for us is something we take seriously.
Explore Our Most Popular Festival Favourites
Everything dogs loved at the stand is available online, shipped across Australia. Here’s where to start:
- 🍽️ Natural Meal Toppers — the weekend’s biggest surprise hit. Perfect for fussy eaters and mealtime enrichment
- 🥇 Kangaroo Cubes — our most popular training treat, irresistible to dogs of every breed and size
- 🦴 Long Lasting Chews — for enrichment, boredom busting and serious chewers
- 🫐 Training Treats — high-value, natural rewards that actually motivate your dog