Happy Campers

Have you signed up for dog camp yet? Planning your summer vacation with your pooch?   Canine Getaway in NY is this month but others have dates in July and August and even September (see camps below) and get with the camping program ! Sounds like a lot of fun. Imagine camping with your best friend.

Did you ever go to camp as a kid? I went to day camp and when I became a teen, I went to sleepaway camp near Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains. Camp Somerhill, when I went there, was only for teens. And I made a lot of friends. We  swam, went canoeing, made crafts, sang songs by the campfire, played ball, archery, went bowling and to the movies and went on trips into town and beyond.

There are plenty of places you can visit that are pet friendly, hotels, inns and b&b’s. And places to leave your dog for a dog friendly time away from you.

Now, you and your dog(s) can partake of doggie camp together.  There are a few different summer camps for you and your pooch to choose from.

Canine Camp Getaway of NY will run from June 24-28, 2012 and it is located near Lake George too. It is a unique vacation for dogs and dog lovers, where dogs aren’t just allowed, they’re an integral part of the fun!

This is a dog-friendly vacation, where you can take your dog everywhere from the pool and the hiking trails to the dining room and the bar for nightly “Yappy Hour.” Guests can try all kinds of dog sports– like agility, frisbee, canine freestyle dancing, lure coursing, scent detection, flyball and doggie skateboarding — take classes like Canine CPR, “Barks & Crafts” and Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog preparation and testing, and learn from top veterinarians, trainers and dog nutrition experts, all while having fun with like-minded dog lovers.  Dogs are required to be on leash and at times dogs are put in different groups. Some smaller dogs feel more comfortable with dogs their own size. And individual activities for you and your dog can also be arranged.

This vacation also offers “human-friendly” activities like horseback riding, zumba classes, evening entertainment, gourmet dining and an onsite spa. If you sign up in the next 7 days, get $50 off!

Held at the Roaring Brook Ranch in Lake George, NY, Canine Camp Getaway of NY offers a scenic paradise where you and your dog can get close to nature. With nearly 300 acres, the resort offers plenty of wide open spaces for recharging body, mind and spirit while strengthening the bond with your four-legged best friend.

Located less than two miles from the lake, and surrounded by majestic mountain views and all the glories of nature, the resort is located just 3-1/2 hours from New York City.

There are activities for dogs of all levels, from beginner to advanced…  agility classes, swimming lessons and free swim, lure coursing, flyball, frisbee, scent detection, rally obedience, tricks classes, guided walks, Barks and Crafts, Canine CPR, Doggie Fitness Evaluations, Canine Good Citizen prep classes and testing, Therapy Dogs International prep classes and testing, obedience classes, a Doggie Costume Contest, dog trivia, dog bingo and much more.

Plus, seminars on such topics as Emergency Canine First Aid, how to address various behavioral issues and canine nutrition, among others. Nighttime entertainment include live music, cocktails and dancing in the dog-friendly lounge.  you can do as much or as little as you want.

http://www.caninecampgetaway.com/activities.php

This doggie camp has been happening for the past four years and generally is attended by 70+ dogs and owners says Janice Costa, chief top dog. Single rooms, double rooms and suites are available, and filled on a first-come, first served basis. Rates include lodging, three meals daily (beginning with dinner Sunday evening and ending with breakfast on Thursday), all tips and gratuities and all dog activities. Extra charges apply for alcohol, spa services, horseback riding and photography packages.

http://www.caninecampgetaway.com/

They welcome dogs of all sizes, ages and abilities, as long as they are social with dogs and humans. No formal training or experience is needed. Well behaved dogs may join their humans for meals in the dog-friendly section of the dining room.

Dogs are welcome throughout the premises, from the lounge during our nightly “Yappy Hour,” to the sparkling pool to all evening seminars. For those who want a little private human time, the facility offers an onsite spa, horseback riding, a sauna and an exercise room. A short drive into town offers guests opportunities for boating, golfing and outlet shopping.

Jessie Costa is the Senior Ambassadog

Born in Pennsylvania and dumped in a kill shelter when she got “too big,” Jessie had to overcome some major trust issues with humans when she was first adopted. However, she always enjoyed the company of other animals (even helping to rescue an injured squirrel once), so dog activities became a major part of the socialization process once she found her “fur-ever” home.

Coming from strong working lines, Jessie shared her Mom’s “Type A” personality, and it soon became clear that, like most working dogs, she was happiest when she had a job. Obedience, retrieving balls and running agility initially filled that void, and later, she expanded her “work” to include retrieving medicine, water and the cordless phone on command, as well as working with the elderly.

She welcomes like-minded dogs and dog people to join in the fun and to celebrate that most powerful bond between dog and human.

Lexie Costa the Junior Ambassadog

Part of an “oops litter” from a Black Labrador narcotics dog and a Belgian Malinois protection dog, Lexie comes from strong working lines. However, her joyfully silly personality and love of all things social suggest that somewhere in her lineage, she has equally strong “playing lines,” making her ideally suited for her unofficial job of “doggie cruise director” for Canine Camp Getaway of NY.

A high-energy dog who adores every creature she’s ever met, Lexie loved the idea of hosting a vacation where dogs and humans could spend time together romping, playing, learning, socializing, relaxing, and just having fun.

An inveterate swimmer, she loves pools of all sizes, and would swim in her water dish if she could. Lexie believes the dog-friendly pool is the very best part of Canine Camp Getaway of NY (though she also gets pretty wired up about lure coursing, too).

For more info, call 877-K9CAMPG (877-592-2674).

Glen Highland Farm

Another doggie summer camp getaway for you and your pooch is also in New York at the Glen Highland Farm. A gorgeous 175 acres of rolling countryside, it is a place for dogs and people to join in nature.

Border collies reign supreme at this farm. Since Glen Highland Farm is a year-round Border Collie Rescue, the Camp attracts many herding breeds. About 1/3 of the dogs at camp are border collies.

You have a choice of two different adventures… a six day group camp or you can stay in a tent, RV or cabin with your dog for two nights minimum.

For the six day group camp, Sept. 8-13, they offer an off-leash vacation with a little more ruffing it. There will be only 30-35 other guests here, so there is personalized attention during the day at all the sports and speaker sessions.  People that attend range in age from 25 years to 65+ and come as singles, as couples or with a friend.

Animal communication, tellington touch, energy balancing, doggie massage, homeopathic care and much more are available during the week with guest speakers who share their knowledge and experiences. And, they give you hands-on experience whenever possible.

This is a luxury camping experience with various options to boot. Magnificent tent sites are situated in private spots in the forest and creekside and most importantly, you sleep on comfy Swedish cots off the ground with tents on platforms. Each spacious tent fits two people and two dogs easily with large zippered windows and a screened porch for good airflow. Every tent site has an outdoor lantern for nighttime light as well as fresh water for you and your dog each day,  brought right to your door. There are 13 campsites available. You can also bring your own tent and enjoy the comfort of camping with gear you already know.

You can also choose to stay in the comfort of a rustic cabin. There are two cozy cabins available on The Ridge nestled in the woods, near the kid’s camp. Each cabin provides plenty of room for two people plus their dog or one person with multiple dogs or for anyone who wants to enjoy the cabin fully for themselves and their beloved canine companion.  And, two comfy cottages at the foot of The Ridge – with enough room to sleep 3-4 people with their dogs.

And you can also bring your RV or rent one. There are 11 RV hookups for use at the Farm, situated in a gorgeous 30 acre meadow.

Or you can stay at a local B&B. The Butternut Lodge is located right in the village of Morris, about 2 miles from GHF. There are four bedrooms, with shared full baths, kitchen, dining and living room areas and a sundeck porch. The kitchen is stocked with dishes and cooking utensils if you wish to cook meals for yourself apart from those offered at the camp. Contact Matt Meyers at 607-263-2580.

Delicious catered food will include organic vegetarian dishes as well as humanely raised grain-fed poultry and beef. At GHF, we honor dogs as well as all animals by offering food choices that do not encourage factory farming or cruel processing methods.  If you’re interested in a meal away from the camp,  there are restaurants moments away in Morris or Oneonta. There is no cooking at tent sites due to fire hazards.

Meals for your dog(s) are not provided at the GHF. Most campers enjoy preparing special meals for their dogs and there is access to the Doggie Kitchen. It’s a full kitchen complete with refrigerator, microwave, blender, sink and dishwasher plus it’s dog proof.

http://www.glenhighlandfarm.com/caninecamp.htm

Camp Unleashed offers 4-day weekend retreats from May to September in various locations including Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Berkshires in MA and Sequoia, CA…

Camp Sequoia Lake is located near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and the town of Miramonte, California. At 5,500 feet above sea level, surrounded by large pines and other beauties of nature, Camp Sequoia Lake is on 800 acres of privately owned lake and forest. The lake itself is nearly 3 miles around, the perfect place for you and your dog to play and relax.

Explore the Giant Sequoias on a nature hike, canoe together on the lake, learn new tricks with your dog and try canine musical freestyle. Rates and accommodations vary from sleeping in a tent to a cabin.

http://www.campunleashed.com/

http://www.campunleashed.com/Activities.html

Dog camps are open to pure breeds and mixed, big and small, experienced and novices, so any dog can learn new things, or get better at the activities he already loves. If you’re looking for a real bonding experience with your dog, there’s probably no better place than a good dog camp.

Cost ranges between $600 to $1,500 per person, depending on the camp and length of program. Price normally includes lodging, meals and activities. Here are a few dog camps we’ve found sniffing around the Internet:

Camp Gone To The Dogs
Marlboro and Stowe, VT

Camp Unleashed 
West Stockbridge, MA

Canine Camp Getaway of NY 
Lake George, NY

Glen Highland Farm Canine Outdoor Adventures 
Morris, NY

Camp Dogwood 
Between Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI

Camp Winnaribbun 
Lake Tahoe, NV

http://www.petcentric.com/Read/Articles/Dog-Camp.aspx?articleid=4938852f-32e2-48c0-aec2-7716d671bbdc

More info about other doggie summer camps

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-03-31-dogcamps31_ST_N.htm

how to combat dog prejudice…

I just went to a couple of websites promoting fear and hatred against pit bulls… and some well-meaning folks, who probably own pit bulls or rescue them, tried to reason with these people. First thing you should know is that you cannot reason with fear, hate and violence-filled, delusional folks. These people are projecting their own brutality onto dogs, how pathetic is that. I was raised by a mentally ill  mother so I know firsthand what I am talking about. People who are filled with fear, rage and violence do not listen to rationale thought…  

I also had an experience at a dog park. This woman had a very mean Jack Russell who was always sniping at the other dogs including mine. And she would sit around talking to anyone who would listen about my dog. One time, all of the dogs decided it was a good idea to jump into the muddy water, that stank, and had a blast and as we walked over to rescue them, I said perhaps we should get them a pool to play in.. She sniped back to me, you should get your dog a choke collar and something else I don’t recall.  I was taken aback by her unexpected and mean remark. From then on, I stayed clear of her and her vicious dog.

I started going to the park very early in the morning when no other dogs were there because it had become increasingly impossible with this woman and her friends. My dog decided to go into the stinky muddy water again and we were having words owner to dog and I was considering washing her off with a hose that was nearby or a sprinkler. She was not happy about that idea and we were in the middle of this snafu when along comes crazy Jack Russell  dog and his owner. Her dog attacked my dog who was already upset, I was crying and tried to break the dogs apart, and she stepped into it as well and she got bit or scratched. I felt really bad about the whole thing. She apologized to me for her stupid remark and we agreed to not be at the park at the same time ever again. I would do the early shift and she would do the later shift. Soon after that, I just stopped going to that park at all. It was not fenced, not available on the weekends and my dog liked to get all muddy and stinky. 

The point of this story is that this woman had projected her own viciousness onto MY dog when it was HER dog that was a BIG problem. But her dog was a Jack Russell and there are no news media stories about how mean those dogs are. She had a dog that bit and sniped at other dogs and she was very cruel to her dog. I saw her on more than one occasion trying to force and dominate the dog into submission. That is NOT how you get a dog to submit.  My dog submits at the drop of a hat. She does not have to be the top dog. She loves to play and sometimes she plays a little rough for me, but she was fine with playing with over 100 dogs over the summer (about three months) at various dog parks in different cities as well as dog trails.

When we were working at Sequoia / Kings Canyon she had a great time for ten whole days with four male (unfixed) dogs, a Great Dane, a German Shepherd, a little terrier mix and a hound dog. They explored the bushes and trees and on one occasion, the tiny little terrier was the ringleader of an escapade that scared us owners to death. He decided that my dog, the hound dog and him should go looking for his owner. The three dogs walked five miles down the road, crossing pavement where cars would drive. I could not find the dogs no matter how loud I called them. Finally, they just showed up and I found out later what they had done. A park ranger thankfully found them and the owners and told them what they had done.  All of the dogs went on immediate restriction.

Anyway, hopefully, if you have a pit bull, Doberman, rottweiler or other breed that has been discriminated against, you have to be calm, assertive, and stand up for your animal without resorting to nonsensical name-calling and adding to the attacks. There are nonviolent methods of communication available to learn, as well as healing methods.  Create peace and let your dog’s friendly behavior speak loudly for itself and others.Everywhere we go, my dog is loved (most of the time). On occasion, there are ignorant people who have been taught to be afraid of her. And I generally just try to steer clear of them. Why engage a nut case? I grew up in New York city and New Yorkers just ignore the crazies, for the most part.

We should definitely stand up and be counted against breed specific legislation. It’s like outlawing Chinese, Japanese, African Americans, Muslims, Jews, Catholics, or any other human being because of a few bad apples. It’s bigotry, racism, and stems from fear and ignorance.

Here are some resources:

http://www.hugabull.com/

http://www.nonviolentcommunication.com/ 

http://www.WantToKnow.info/070701imsorryiloveyoujoevitale

 

 

http://hooponopono.org/

 

http://www.transformationteam.net/stories/hendricks.chemistryofblame1