Doggie Holiday

[BillyMalc]

Last week we went on an "activity holiday", organised by Sheila Harper, near Cannock. It was themed "Nose work and Social Skills", and consisted of talks on the subjects and, of course, practising both the nose work and the social skills with your dog(s). Both Kiera and Sparky enjoyed the nose work in particular:

 

Kiera tracking a "missing" person. The person involved would leave an item of clothing, like a jumper, behind and then hide somewhere:

 

 

"Found you!"

 

 

After we had repeated it another 2 times, Kiera became quite worried about leaving this person behind: she could obviously not look after herself if she kept going missing!

 

Highlight of the week was the treasure hunt on the last day. A trail was made around the woods at Cannock Chase, with different stations with things for the dogs to do, in order to find the hidden treats. One REALLY nice thing was the "Treat Tree": treats are stuck in a tree, obviously no higher than that dogs could reach. Dogs are usually used to finding treats on the ground, so they have to adjust their focus, away from the ground, to find the treats. Great fun!

 

Treats on the ground and at the bottom of the tree to start off with:

 

 

Then a bit higher:

 

 

And they ended up nearly climbing the tree!

 

 

Kiera took the term "cheese wedge" to another level, by getting wedged into a tree while looking for cheese

 

"Hmmm, I'm stuck. Oh well, I can still get to the cheese, so never mind!"

 

 

 

Kiera did get unstuck at the end, and continued to find another treat in a haystack:

 

 

"Wassat? Can we eat it?"

 

[BillyMalc]

We stayed at a campsite a few miles up the road. Our little abode for the week:

 

 

Kiera having a cheeky snooze:

 

 

On "guard duty"

 

 

There were fantastic dog walks right behind the campsite: through the gate and you were in the woods!

 

 

... where there was lots to sniff and see:

 

 

But watch out! Demon dogs about - aaaarrgghh!!!

 

 

Ra-ra-ra-raaahhhh!!

 

 

Love this picture

 

 

The Hednesford Hills were right behind the training venue, and of course there was lots to sniff, plenty of space to go "ra-ra-raaaahh", and even to roach simultaneously!

 

 

 

We came home absolutely knackered, but have all recovered nicely, and I'm really looking forward to do more nose work with the guys

[kats n greys]

Looks like it was fun for all, think the last photo say's it all

[chickentikka]

What lovely pics, and Kiera worrying about the stoopid hooman wot keeps getting lost

[Whizzie]

Oh wow, that sounds like a brilliant holiday.

 

I love the treat tree idea & also Keira's concern about the poor lost lady!

[ranirottie]

what brilliant pics,you obviously all had a fantastic time x

[Happylittlegreensquirrel]

oh wow what fantastic photos , I have always loved looking at your dogs days out

[safneo]

I looked at these holidays a while ago but wasnt sure about them. Looks like they are fantastic for the dogs. Cannock Chase is brilliant dog walking country (as long as you can pre-empt the mountain bikers) We really must get a walk arranged there. Wonder what Leslie is upto. I havent seen her on here for a while.

[lil_angel]

Ooh that looks like such a fun holiday

[Laurel n Hardy]

great pics billy, showed that you all had a fantastic time

[Purrpuss]