The
Latest Scoop in Doggie Adventures
While some establishments simply allow dogs,
there are a handful of places throughout the United States and Canada that
depend on, and even require dogs to come along with their owners. From one
day courses and activities to one week camps, there are doggie adventures
awaiting pooches of all sizes and abilities. A dog can join an organized
hike, ride in a canoe, take classes in agility and luring, learn how to pull
a sled or cart, or go skijoring. From Oregon to New Hampshire, there are a
variety of locations and acitivites to choose from at these fairly new
"Dog Camps".
Most of the camps offer rustic lodging like
cabins, dorm style lodging and tent camping. However, there is a dog pulling
course at a B&B inn in Oregon that allows dogs. Just like the
activities, the costs can vary, but one day sessions are typically about
$100 per person (including your dog), and weekend and one week sessions can
run $400 to $800 per person.
The Dog Camps ask that your dog is
well-behaved and comfortable around people and dogs. Most of the camps offer
lots of off-leash activites, so you will need to make sure your dog behaves
well without a leash. For owners not comfortable with their dogs being
off-leash there are not too many options except for
the dog pulling and dog mushing courses where dogs are usually on leash.
Here is the scoop on three Dog Camps offered
throughout the United States and Canada.
Mushing Boot Camp
Multiple U.S. Locations:
West Coast - Ft. Klamath, OR and Seattle, WA
Midwest - Togo, MN, Duluth, MN and Plymouth, MN
East Coast - Barnstead, NH
http://www.mushingbootcamp.com
Type of Sessions: group sessions
Camp Size: 8 to 9 teams per camp (a team is a group of dogs run by one person, couple or family)
Activities Covered: One Day Pull Training includes instructions, equipment checks, fitting of harnesses, philosophy of pull training, and hands on agility, and pull and cart training. No experience necessary. Three Day Boot Camp is much like the one day class, but much more in depth. The boot camp usually requires previous experience.
Facilities Available: Varies by location. Usually held at a national forest, regional park, private property or at a dog training academy.
Time of Year Sessions Offered: Spring, Summer, and Fall, depending on the site location.
Rates: $125 for the one day session and about $650 to $815 for a weekend session
Type of Lodging: Rustic cabins, and tent camping at most U.S. locations. The exception is the Crystalwood Lodge B&B in Ft. Klamath, Oregon. Check each location carefully to see if your dog is allowed to sleep in the room with you. For example, the camp in Barnstead, New Hampshire does not allow dogs to stay with their owners in the cabins, but the Crystalwood Lodge B&B in Oregon allows dogs to sleep in the rooms with their owners.
Food: Not all sessions include food. It varies by location and session.
Dogs Food: Bring your own.
Leash Requirements: Typically on leash.
Vaccination Requirements: Dogs need to be up-to-date on all vaccinations and a rabies certificate is required.
Other Requirements: Dogs must be 8 months or older. While their orginal plan focused on training Northern Breeds like Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds, Chinooks, Inuits, etc., they welcome all dog breeds that have the physical size and health to become sled dogs. They have worked with many breeds including a Beagle, Norwegian Elkhound, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd and more.
Camp Dogwood
Ingleside, Illinios
(near Fox Lake in the Chain of Lakes region of Illinois)
http://www.campdogwood.com/
Type of Sessions: group sessions
Camp Size: Up to 100, usually 60-85 people plus 1 to 2 dogs per person. About 25-30 staff members with their dogs.
Activities Covered: Includes agility, behavior and training, lure coursing, rally obedience, flyball, herding, water sports, frisbee, tracking, carting, backpacking, games, tricks and tips. Even more fun and relaxation activities are available, as well as presentations and demonstrations. Schedules are pretty flexible as you will choose most of your activities.
Facilities Available: Held on private property that offers 180 acres of fields, woods and wetlands, and an adjoining lake with a beachfront.
Time of Year Sessions Offered: Spring, Summer and Fall
Rates: $400 up to $650 for a weekend (extra charge for the Herding class, CGC Test, and one-on-one training sessions)
Type of Lodging: Private or shared dorm style lodging and/or cabins, with shared bathrooms. Dogs sleep with their owners.
Food: All meals and snacks provided. Campers can bring extra snacks and a cooler to keep in the room.
Dogs Food: Bring your own.
Leash Requirements: Dogs are usually on leash during most classes, and allowed off-leash in between classes, on hikes and on the beach.
Vaccination Requirements: Rabies and DHLPP proof of vaccinations, or titers (blood tests that show adequate antibodies)
Other Medical Requirements: Fecal sample test results from your vet showing okay results.
Dog Paddling Adventures
Ontario, Canada
http://www.dogpaddlingadventures.com
Type of Sessions: group and individual sessions
Camp Size: About 10 in a group, or make your own individual session
Activities Covered: Specializes in canoeing with your dog, cross-country skiing or skijoring with your dog, and hiking with your dog (no prior experience necessary). All equipment, tents, park permits, lifejacks, and backpacks are included.
Facilities Available: Activites take place at nearby dog-friendly parks, rivers and lakes.
Time of Year Sessions Offered: year-round
Rates: One day rates are about $100 per person (includes your dog), Three day getaways are about $350 per person (including dogs). Higher rates for one week getaways.
Type of Lodging: Tent camping, except during the winter which offers log cabin lodging. Dogs sleep with their owners.
Food: One day trips include a meal and snacks. Multiple day trips include all meals.
Dogs Food: Bring your own.
Leash Requirements: Off-leash is encouraged. Dogs will be off-leash on trips and hikes.
Vaccination Requirements: none stated
Other Medical Requirements: none
