Daisy had a VERY fun-filled and active weekend with the Dog Scouts of America this past weekend. She worked on many badges: Backpacking (see her with her own backpack?) Bicycling, Kayaking, Phodography, Travel Safety, and "The Art of Shaping" (teaching your dog how to paint). The highlight of her weekend was most definitely kayaking. I say this because I have never seen Daisy so calm AND fascinated at the same time. She initially jumped right out of the kayak but within 5 minutes she was settled back in for the rest of the trip. She laid down in front of me taking in all the sights and sounds. It was so cute looking at the back of her head looking up (at pelicans, yachts, planes) looking down (at ocean creatures and the splashing water against the kayak) and of course looking at passersby saying "oh look at that cute dog." I don't have pictures of it but I will be sure to take them next time around.
Daisy begins her backpacking trip with the dogscouts
....and off we go!
Dog Scout Troop stops to give water to the Dog Scouts.
Daisy and I getting tips from troop leader
Troop Leader Cynthia has us stop to practice the "leave it" command. Basically self explanatory but the exercise consists of putting something on the ground that your dog is tempted by. Then you simply walk your dog by it as you give the "leave it" command. This is a life-long exercise and one of the most challenging because there will always be things that will tempt your dog to run after something, whether that be wildlife, food, toys or people. We practiced with peanut butter, meat and cheese. Daisy "left" the peanut butter, the meat but by the time she got to the cheese she just stopped and stared at it and just wouldn't budge,
Dog Scout Troop Stops to work on "Recall." I put Daisy in a "stay" position until I walked 20 ft away to call her
Daisy running toward me as I "call" her from about 20 ft. away
Park Service Specialist Brian Older asks to take a picture of the Dog Scout Troop (and Daisy sneaks a treat from someones pouch while everyone is distracted)
Back at camp Daisy takes notes during the "Art of Shaping" class (teaching your dog how to paint) with Troop Leader and her beloved Reba (an experienced painter).
Dog Scout Troop 157
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