CGTTD's has their own chef to prepare all the meals, which were very good. Meals were always one of the highlights of the day as we knew we would be having something delicious. After each evening meal, they would make announcements about evening or next days' events and campers would submit their "strokes" to be read to the group. A stroke is a compliment to another camper, a dog or the instructors. Usually they were written by the dog and were quite funny.
Since I had took Nacho only this year, I decided to concentrate on just a few disciplines instead of rushing to event to event. (They have about 30 different choices). This was our daily schedule:
8 a.m. - jump chute (this was a good way to burn off early morning energy so he could concentrate on his skills in agility class later) Jump chute consists of 5 hurdles within a closed-in area or run; the instructor will hold the dog on one end and the owner is on the other end. The owner does a come call and the dog races over the hurdles to be rewarded and sent back to jump the hurdles again on the way back to the instructor. Nacho was so funny, he would get to me, and immediately turn around and race back to Mayuki and then turn around and race back to me. After about 5 loops, we had to stop him as he was getting tired but would have kept right on running as he loves doing the jump chute.
9:30 a.m. - Beginner Agility which was a progressive class and each day the dog and owner would learn a new obstacle or sequence. Each day was interesting as the instructor would give tips and advise on taking your dog through each obstacle and how to successfully maneuver the course. There is so much to know about handling your dog and communicating by hand signal and voice command to help them to know where you want them to go. This year was so much fun as something really clicked in my brain this year and I am starting to really understand how to interact with Nacho. Here's a few pictures:
Coming out of a tunnel and heading toward the A frame
Through the tire
Holding at the jump
Over the jump
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Going up the A Frame
A good angle of a jump
Fierce determination for the tire :)
We had all extremes of weather from cold and dry, to hot and extremely humid to rain, rain, rain. This is what Nacho looked like after running his course on a raining day:
At 11 a.m. we participated in Intermediate Focus and Skills class where we concentrated on how my actions, signals and body position effects the dogs performance and how he runs the course and responds to me. This class made a huge difference in how Nacho and I improved as a team this year. The things I learnt were very valuable and made a huge difference. No. 1 tip - the dog NEVER makes the mistake, it's the handler who messed up!!! LOL!!!
By the time these two classes were over I was exhausted!!! Great, because it was time for lunch!!
After lunch we had our choices of behavioral classes, lectures or crafts. Or just resting!
3 p.m. brought Obedience Rally which I enjoyed as I had some experience with obedience commands and work since I had completed obedience training with two of our Labs in the past years. Since I really hadn't worked with Nacho much on obedience I was pleasantly surprised on how well he did. The instructors encouraged me to continue with him and consider novice training and participation in Rallies locally. I just might do that as it was fun and he responded well.
At 5 p.m. it was on to Lure coursing where a wire is laid out on a 2 acre course and a "bunny" is attached (white plastic bag) and the dog chases the bunny through the course hoping to catch the bunny. This is another way to burn energy and most dogs love it!!!! Last year, Nacho lost interest and never finished the course (it's a bit of a long run). This year he loved it, as he waited for his turn, he would get so excited!!!! He completed the course on each run and couldn't wait to take another turn. This course is very exhausting for the little dogs, so usually one lap was enough.
After a delicious dinner, we had our choice of lectures or an evening class. Nacho and I participated one night in beginning scenting, which he really took to and surprised me in how well he did. First timers start with food. In a large ring various containers such as large or small boxes, buckets, plastic containers in various sizes are distributed around the ring. A piece of food is hidden under one container. The dog is brought into the ring and instructed to "find" and allowed to wander and sniff out the food item. When he finds the food and signals where it is, he is rewarded with the food and additional treats. As the handler you have to learn to read your dog's body language and encourage them as they search. This is beginning training to teach a dog tracking which is used for Search and Rescue.
Very fun, educational and tiring days!!! Nacho and I thoroughly enjoyed our time at camp.
If you are interested in finding out more about CGTTD, Camp Gone to the Dogs, here is the website:
CGTTD
A great big thank you to Pamela for letting me hitch a ride with her, her wonderful companionship and conversation and most of all for the wonderful little dog she sold me!!!! We had so much fun together!!!
We also enjoyed a couple farmer markets and a cider and maple shop during our travels along with a ferry ride across Lake Champlain.
A great vacation!!!! Thanks Dave for encouraging me to go!!
Hugs and Kisses
Candy and Nacho
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