Dog Camp

[Andrea]

Has anyone ever vacationed with their dog at a dog camp?  There is one in Asheville, NC that has a 4 day package and my friend and I are thinking about taking our babies.  It is in September.  They have all type of classes and activities and the dogs share your room.  I think that this would be so much fun and something that I could share with Noah.  If anyone has gone, let me know your thoughts.  We also found one outside of Chicago, but you have to bring all your linens, towels,etc and the dogs have to be crated at night. 

[Schnoppy]

Has anyone ever vacationed with their dog at a dog camp?   We also found one outside of Chicago, but you have to bring all your linens, towels,etc and the dogs have to be crated at night.  

I would think that owners & their fluffs would be provided with pup tents vs. crates?   Sorry. Had to sneak that in there Andrea.    
Sounds like fun.

Cheers

Ken - The Human  

[Princess Lucy Loulou (Tina)]

Sorry ive never heard of them,  I dont think we have them in the UK,    sound good though 

[Susan J]

Do you do activities together or separately?  It sounds interesting - do you have a link?

[Freedom (Sandie)]

Sounds like fun, especially with a friend so there are 4 of you.  I agree with Susan, do you have a link?

[Andrea]

http://www.campunleashed.com/    The camp we are looking at is in Asheville, but there are 2 other locations.  If you look at the activities at the top of the page you will go to a page that shows all the classes/activities offered.  All of the activities are centered around your dog and you do them together.  There is also a sample of a daily schedule- activities from 7am-10pm.  It just sounds like such a neat bonding experience with your dog.  This will be the first class in Sept at the Asheville location.  

Susan, I did see a dog camp in Austin Texas but did not check it out.  Wouldn't it be fun if we could get a group together and do this camp.    Now mind you I am not a camper, but there are cabins and indoor plumbing so I think that I can survive and it is for Noah- so need I say more.  

Ken, too cute about your "pup" tent suggestion.    I guess that is ok as long as the tent is for the "pup" and not the human.  I do not do tents.

[Alison]

I haven't,we don't have them here.Sounds like great fun though!!!! Alison

[Susan J]

It really is camping.  It looks as though it would be great fun for outdoor lovers.       I have a hard time even "camping" out in luxury hotels.      

It's a great concept though.  My boys went to specialized camps, sports, music, etc.  when they were young.  It's nice to see all these endeavors now moving toward accommodating furpup enjoyment too.   

[Marsh's Mum (Carol)]

Andrea, this looks like so much fun!  I'm in VA, so the Asheville one is quite doable for me.  Maybe one day...

Great find!  I can't wait to see if you go and how much fun you have!

[Andrea]

I am just waiting to see when Noah's therapy dog classes are as he starts in September.  He is not allowed to go to the one in April because he will be 2 weeks shy of being a year old.  If I can work it out, we are definitely going .  I, like Susan, am not a real camper, but maybe with cabins, I could "rough" it for 4 days.  I am really excited.  Can you imagine how dirty Noah will be when we leave there, but all worth it if he has fun.

[Angels_ Mom_ Ann-Marie]

I did one ages ago with my 1st  Frizzy.  Unfortunately, we hated it!!    The grounds that many of the activities were on were not well groomed, so there were all kinds of icky things that got caught in her fur, not to mention all the prickly things we had to run through IN the grass.  The lodging was only so-so, too, so we only stayed one day then headed home.  Would rather take a vacation with my girl and do special things..... have even rented a place and had friends with their dogs join us for the fun!!!

There's my 2 cents worth......


  and am

[Andrea]

thanks Ann Marie for your thoughts.  I am a little worried about my Noah and Josie who is a 5 pound pom as I as afraid that a lot of the dogs will be a lot of big dogs and our little ones will not enjoy the activities so much.  I want Noah to be a dog first, but I do not want to have to brush and scrub him every night.  I still have some mixed feelings, so appreciate your experience.

[Angels_ Mom_ Ann-Marie]

You're most welcome Andrea. 

I am a little worried about my Noah and Josie who is a 5 pound pom as I as afraid that a lot of the dogs will be a lot of big dogs and our little ones will not enjoy the activities so much.  I want Noah to be a dog first, but I do not want to have to brush and scrub him every night.

  Now that you mention it, that WAS the case (as I personally find with most of the "dog training schools" I've attended with my      They seem to focus ONLY on the big dogs AND many of their owners pay little or no attention to the fact that their dogs run roughshod over our little ones, regardless of the fact that our babies CAN and DO keep pace with theirs!! 

If I were to do it again, I'd do lots of research.  Write down LOTS of questions to ask and then request references of past guests so that I could get a "gut" feeling.  If they (the camp/school) won't/can't give me satisfactory/specific answers, references or get the least bit snitty about my requests, I'd drop them like a hot potato!  My baby's welfare is my ultimate concern and I would hope they'd understand/respect that!

Ok, I'm up to 5 cents worth......

am and 

[kjb131313]

I have been to Asheville, NC. All I can say is....DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I live in Florida and would love to move to North Carolina. The people in North Carolina are great and Asheville is laid back and quaint but totally worth it. Don't hesitate at all. You will love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andrea]

Ann Marie, I do plan to ask questions, but this is the first year for this camp in Asheville.  They have another camp in Mass. but I do not feel that some questions would not be applicable since the areas are different.  This is a much used camp area in the Blue Ridge mountains so will read about the camp site but still ask questions about their enrollments and acitivities in regard to small dogs.  Will post what I find and make a safe decision for my baby boy  and for Josie who is even smaller than Noah.