CAMP R.E.W.A.R.D. - October 15-19, 2003
(Realizing Excellence With Attention Redirection and Desensitization)
(5 Day Camp)

We had a mix of dogs – breeds and issues:

• Victoria Woods (Who drove all the way from California!) and her dog Cody, the Australian Shepherd (reactive to humans).
• Virginia Wind and her dog Needy, the Mastiff (afraid of everything).
• Cindy Combs and her dog Bear, the Husky/Border Collie Mix (reactive to dogs trying to usurp his food and certain resources).
• Gerry Cassidy and her dog Biscuit, the Husky/Shepherd mix (reactive to dogs – used to be humans and now she loves people).
• Jennifer Peterson and her dog Murray, the Boxer (reactive to humans and dogs).
• Renee Ryan and her dog Austin, the Boxer (reactive to dogs).

Everyone who came had different levels of training and expertise. Renee had only rescued Austin 3 weeks before camp, he had no prior training whatsoever and Renee had no idea of how to handle him. Victoria and Cindy had done extensive research on their own and just needed some “fine tuning.” Gerry, Jen and Virginia are my regular students and wanted the opportunity to work with their dogs in similar contexts, for 5 whole days, with new people.

---

Day one:
In the morning we discussed the principles of positive training and how to enrich our relationships with our dogs. Diane Mayer, MSW, came and worked with the group on breathing and relaxation exercises. We then worked with the dogs in the afternoon, to ascertain where each dog’s thresholds were. Since Austin didn’t know a sit from a hole in the wall, we worked him in 2 short sessions, teaching him his name and “come,” that eye contact pays off, sit and down. The boy is brilliant! Gerry was so confident about her training with Biscuit that when she brought her into the building, Gerry took her off leash – even with new people around! Jen and Virginia brought Murray and Needy in the building and they were super dooper! Trainer of the day went to Gerry Cassidy!

Gerry with Biscuit doing touch desensitization while we walked around	Gerry keeping Biscuits attention while we all walked around

---

Day two:
We worked the dogs in 2 sessions in the morning at Swayze Mill park and Gerry let Biscuits leash drag while she worked on recalls toward the group and away from the group! Way to Go Gerry! Bear did not react to my Cody at all and was very attentive to Cindy. Victoria’s Cody did not aggress at us – even when we called his name and looked at him!

Meg Irizarry taught us how to do some freestyle moves and we were actually able to work 2 dogs at the same time - teaching the dogs to back up and spin and twist. Then we brought each of the dogs into the building (separately) and picked music for each of the dogs. Everyone had SO much fun doing this that they all remembered to breathe! And because everyone was breathing and laughing so much, not one dog aggressed or even thought about aggressing! The incredibly great thing about this was that for a few minutes, everyone got to practice treating their dogs like “normal” dogs and guess what? The dogs ACTED like normal dogs! Renee in particular was fascinated by Meg’s dog costumes and really wanted an Elvis costume for Austin. We all took a walk at the same time around the big field – all dogs were great! No reactions! Trainer of the day went to Renee Ryan!

Jen with Murray the Boxer working on moving attention while we all stood or sat	Victoria with Cody doing attention exercises
Virginia tossing food to Cody after saying his name Cody has a hard time with strangers looking at him	Needy the Mastiff being brave and eating food off the ground near a group
Virginia working Biscuit!!!!	Gerry doing recalls with Biscuit WITH THE LEASH DRAGGING!
Meg with her Golden Retriever, Carly, dressed up like Elvis	Gerry and Biscuit Gerry is teaching Biscuit to back up
Victoria teaching Cody to back up	Cindy getting Bear used to the baby gates in prep for backing up

---

Day three:
I was in the mood for shopping, so we all went to Cherrybrook to shop and work the dogs. Unbeknownst to me, Cherrybrook was having their tent sale, which was great in terms of great prices on good stuff, but a tad scary because of all the people and cars there. However, my applause for the group - everyone handled it well and Murray only snorted a time or two and was then very attentive. Gerry and Biscuit rode in Virginia’s van along with Needy (Needy was in a crate and Biscuit was loose in the van). Gerry was a nervous wreck but Biscuit was so relaxed that she took a nap!

Austin continued to learn new stuff – like pay attention to Renee – even when outside, the start of loose leash walking, sit even when a bit excited and responding pretty quickly to his name. He was also learning to come when called – even with me trying to distract him with food!!!!! Holy Smokes! Needy was coming out of the van almost instantly (it used to take her 45 minutes to be brave enough to come out) and was coming into the building without hesitation (she used to be terrified of buildings). Bear was learning that Cindy existed – even on grass(!) and Victoria was learning to make her cues simple and clear and voila! Cody was now giving her almost rapt attention! Trainer of the day went to Victoria Woods!

Cherrybrook – what you can’t see from the pictures are all of the cars and people there during the tent sale!
Needy going to Gerry for her breakfast!	Victoria and Cody working on attention at Cherrybrook
Jen and Murray doing great attention heeling	Jen and Murray in foreground, Gerry and Biscuit in background
Victoria and Cody in foreground, Jen and Murray in background, both working on attention

---

CLICK TO SEE DAY 4 & DAY 5

Click for information about new Camp R.E.W.A.R.D. dates.
Read about and view photos from
Camp R.E.W.A.R.D 2002,   Camp R.E.W.A.R.D July 2003,    Camp R.E.W.A.R.D October, 2003