Dog camp can have several meanings. It can be a place for you to vacation with your dog, a boarding facility or kennel that cares for dogs while people are vacationing, etc., or a place for a dog to learn new tricks or skills. Whatever type of dog camp you choose; it should be a fun experience for your dog.
Activities
The activities at dog camp are endless. If you are looking for a vacation-style dog camp, you will find activities such as clicker training, hiking, swimming and rafting. Dog camps may train a dog to hunt, retrieve, herd and track, and owners may learn about nutrition, behavior, training techniques, acupuncture and massage. There will typically be a variety of classes and activities available to help strengthen the bond between owner and pet. There may even be activities that you have never heard of before.
If you are looking to vacation with your dog in a camp-style atmosphere, DogPlay has a listing of camps around the country. Each has different activities, while some focus on children or puppies. If you are not interested in a variety of sports and just want to focus on swimming or hiking, there are camps for that as well.
What to look for
Before choosing a dog camp, take a look at the staff and its qualifications. Do you feel confident in its abilities to train your dogs and provide proper accommodations? Does the camp promote safety and look out for the well-being of your dog? The camp needs to do these things while the staff should be able to interact well with all types of dogs.
Be sure to follow the rules and restrictions. Are children allowed? Must the dog stay with you at all times or is there boarding available so you can explore other attractions? Find out what a typical day is like and what you can expect. A successful dog camp will have repeat customers.
Dog camps as boarding facilities
Some facilities consider themselves dog camps, but they are actually boarding facilities or kennels that care for your dog and keep them busy with activities for your dog while you are away. These types of dog camps have daily fees – they can start at about $20 per day and increase from there, depending on the types of amenities you are looking for. The facility may have a play area for your dog with toys, balls and a swimming pool. Your dog will have the opportunity to socialize and play with other dogs.
These types of dog camps will often have a set schedule. For example, the staff may feed the dogs breakfast first thing in the morning, then allow a few hours for play time. The dogs may break for an afternoon nap and afterwards spend some more time playing. Dogs staying the night or being picked up late will need to be fed.
Each facility has its own rules, so it’s best to review them and make sure they are followed. Some facilities require that dogs be a certain age or may not take very young puppies or older dogs. Your dog may need to be spayed or neutered and up-to-date with all his shots. The dogs at the boarding facility also need to be friendly, as they will be playing with other dogs.
You may need to use this type of dog camp for an extended period of time, especially if you are out of town a lot. Be sure to visit the facility first and make sure that your dog feels comfortable there before making a commitment. Dogboarding has a search tool that allows you to find boarding facilities in your area.