Dog camp is a form of

vacation A vacation (American English) or holiday (British English) is either a leave of absence from a regular job or an instance of leisure travel away from home. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances or for specific festi ...

for owners accompanied by their dogs with dog-centric activities ranging from casual

recreational Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure ...

playtime to serious obedience or

sport Sport pertains to any form of Competition, competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and Skill, skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to specta ...

training. In many dog camps dogs can play and socialize throughout the day while supervised by their owners. Some of the activities at a dog camp might include running, fetching balls or

frisbees A frisbee (pronounced ), also called a flying disc or simply a disc, is a gliding toy or sporting item that is generally made of injection-molded plastic and roughly in diameter with a pronounced lip. It is used recreationally and competitive ...

, chasing other dogs, tug of war, socializing amongst playmates, and lessons.

Dog Scout camp

Dog Scouts of America, modelled after

Boy Scouts Boy Scouts may refer to: * Boy Scout, a participant in the Boy Scout Movement. * Scouting, also known as the Boy Scout Movement. * An organisation in the Scouting Movement, although many of these organizations also have female members. There are ...

and Girl Scouts, offers several camps in addition to their regular programs throughout the year where dogs earn merit badges for achievements. At camp, owners and their dogs convene in a woodsy camp setting for a week, lodging in RVs, tents or cabins. There are numerous dog activities including swimming, canoeing,

dock diving Dock jumping also known as dock diving is a dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water. There are dock jumping events in the United States and other countries such as United Kingdom, A ...

agility Agility or nimbleness is an ability to change the body's list of human positions, position quickly and requires the integration of isolated movement skills using a combination of balance (ability), balance, coordination (physiology), coordination ...

, backpacking, hiking, freestyle dancing, bonfires and talent shows. Some of the activities cater only to the humans. Dogs are awarded their badges or titles in a ceremony at the end of the camp week. There are over 100 badges that dogs and their owners can earn.

Clicker training Clicker training is a positive reinforcement animal training method based on a bridging stimulus ( the clicker) in operant conditioning. The system uses conditioned reinforcers, which a trainer can deliver more quickly and more precisely than pri ...

and positive reinforcement are the standard forms of training taught at DSA camps. DSA also offers weekend workshops for those who cannot attend a weeklong camp.

Doggie boot camp

A doggie boot camp is an intensive program of training away from home with the owner being present to handle the dog, rather than the sending a dog off to "board and train" at the trainer's location without the owner. Some dogs which are fearful or nervous do not cope well being handled by a stranger and do better with this method of being handled by the owner with a trainer present. The owner and dog get daily one-on-one training. Dogs may be taught anything from manners and basic obedience to dealing with behavioral problems that need attention from an experienced trainer. Boot camps are not recommended for dogs with serious

aggression Aggression is overt or covert, often harmful, social interaction with the intention of inflicting damage or other harm upon another individual; although it can be channeled into creative and practical outlets for some. It may occur either reacti ...

problems because such a dog needs one-on-one training with an experienced trainer and there is a risk factor to being around other dogs and strangers. Boot camps also typically incorporate social activities for the humans.

References

{{Reflist Dogs in human culture