TGIF! Friday was the fifth day of camp. As usual, the campers came in this morning and cleaned their dogs' crates for the day. 

Up first, was long line walking outside on the grass strip. The campers worked to keep their dog's attention on them and stay by their sides while walking. They also got to run and play with their dogs this morning. After a good session, everyone went back to the barn.

Once in the barn, it was time to sit down and revisit loose leash walking and driving your dog. We went over the different scenarios of placement for a handler and their dog, and which ones are ideal and which ones to avoid. A big rule of camp is no dogs nose-to-nose or nose-to-butt. 

By discussing and having the campers demonstrate these scenarios, they were better able to understand driving their dogs and what is needed in certain situations where that rule could be broken.

Then it was time to go to a wolf sanctuary! The campers hopped onto the bus and headed to In Harmony With Nature Wolf Sanctuary. Here they got to see wolves and wolf dogs and learn the distinctions between wolves and dogs. 

They also got to learn a little bit about genetics, behavior, and how the facility is run. At the end of the visit, they got to meet two wolf dogs!

On the way back to the barn, the campers ate lunch on the bus, and we went around asking questions like we do every day. We also stopped at Publix to get Nim -- who is a big part of Doglando -- some things for his birthday.

Back at the barn, the campers quickly took their dogs out to potty since they had been in their crates for a while. They ran their dogs up and down the grass strip to get some of that energy out, and they continued, as always, to work on their loose leash walking.

The next training session introduced something new! The campers learned the pedestal exercise with their dogs, which is where the dogs get up onto a small square elevated platform.

Then, the campers had their dogs sit as they increased their distance, added distractions, and increased the duration that they were away from the pedestal.

Next, they moved into the bed exercise, which is very similar to pedestal, but the campers have their dogs on a cot lying down. Both exercises started with a “free” from the crate and continued from there. After good sessions of both of these, the campers took their dogs out once again to potty and run.

When everyone was back inside the barn, it was time to get ready for the mini-surprise party we were throwing!

The campers blew up balloons, made a poster, and decorated cookie cakes. When it was time, everybody threw a little celebration and sang Happy Birthday to Nim. Then we all got a slice of cookie!

Back at the barn, the campers had some time to chill and talk a little bit. Then it was time for a very exciting development. We discussed that the olympics are this year, so we were going to have our very own "Doglympics" next week. 

That means the campers needed to choose three tricks to teach their dogs to showcase. They ended up going with: jumping over hurdles, weaving through legs, and telling a secret. 

The campers first started with teaching the dogs to tell them a secret by holding a piece of kibble to their ear for the dog to have. 

Then they started the hurdles by getting their dogs to walk over a pole placed on the ground. After a good quick session of those, the campers put their dogs away.

The schedule to follow for the weekend was written on the board and the kibble for each dog was distributed. Then it was time to go home.

That concluded an amazing first week of camp. Can you believe it’s already halfway done?!

See you soon!
-Ayla
Camp Volunteer