Today was the second day of camp, along with some very exciting new developments for the campers!

When everyone arrived in the morning, they cleaned their dog’s crates so they would be ready for the day. Then they got to learn the crate exercise -- where they teach their dog to stay in their crate until they are asked to come out.

Next, it was time to learn loose leash walking and "driving" their dogs. This exercise teaches the dog to stay by their camper's side during walks. 

Driving includes: 

• inside turns: turning into the dog to continue walking in the other direction, and
• outside turns: turning away from the dog and asking them to follow. 

One-at-a-time, each camper demonstrated loose leash walking in the barn before they moved outside onto the grass strip to continue working.

During lunch, the campers were asked fun questions that everyone got an opportunity to answer. This is another way we're continuing to get to know each other.

The campers also got to play Two Truths and a Lie -- where they guessed which one was the lie - and Telephone -- a fun game to see if the phrase given at the beginning matches the phrase the final person receives at the end.

Once lunch was over, it was time for the campers to take their dogs back out and continue working on loose leash walking. It is important to stay consistent with these exercises to teach the dogs what to expect over the next two weeks.

When everyone got back inside, it was bath and massage time!

One-at-a-time, the campers took their dogs into the bathing room for a bath, ear cleaning, and nail trim. While waiting to be called, campers sat with their dogs for some downtime and learned how to massage -- a deeper physical connection than simply petting.

Back in the barn, it was time to learn the next step of the crate exercise: “Free.” This is the part where the camper asks the dog to finally exit their crate.

To continue on with the exercise once the dog has exited the crate, the campers learned to lure them around to go back inside the crate. After another good session, it was time for one last walk and then allow the dogs to rest and process everything they had been learning today.

In the barn, campers got to play more fun games together. They played Hot and Cold, taking turns trying to direct each other to a hidden object.

They played Heads Up, Seven Up (however our version was "three up" because of the small group we had) -- in this game, the campers tried to guess who could’ve tapped their thumb while their eyes were closed.

And finally, they played a game called Electric Fence, which required all campers to hold hands and limbo under a low hanging leash. This game was a fun team-building activity that got more challenging the lower the leash was placed each time.

After game time, it was time for a blindfolded activity! The campers had to make it all the way to the back fence of Doglando's Nature Play area, and back, using all their senses… minus one of course. 

Whether the campers teamed up or braved it alone, it was up to them to get across the yard and back by relying on senses other than sight.

Once all campers had completed this challenge, it was a free-for-all. Everybody crossed the marsh and back when an unsuspecting someone started a mud fight!! 

The campers had a blast running around, jumping in the lake, and attempting to cover each other in mud. They really let loose and had some fun!

At last everyone was hosed down and went inside to dry off and head home after another successful day at camp.

Until tomorrow,

Ayla

Camp Doglando Volunteer