DogBasics Day 2008

On 5 July 2008 we held our second DogBasics Day in a meadow in Great Offley, Hertfordshire. Everyone had a lovely dayout and the dogs had the best time running around like lunatics and eating themselves silly.

We played games like Ball Bobbing where the dog has to retrieve a ball from a bucket of water, Snaffle the Sausage where the dog has to eat a row of sausages on their way to their owners (harder than you think!), Best Trick, Waggiest Tail, Best Looking Pooch, etc.

We also had Kat, Pam and Dorothy selling cakes for charity (all the proceeds went to the Blue Cross). Dot helped me sell things from my ActivateYourDog.com shop.

Below are some highlights from our day...

For highlights from our first DogBasics Day, 2006, click here

Tilly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel won the Agility competition against far more seasoned contestants. No wonder they are smiling!

Joya Labrador won the Fastest Recall race. Boy was she fast!

Lucie Labrador won the Slowest Recall race. It would have been Snoopy Beagles win, but he wouldn't return at all (see picture below).

Millie Labrador won the Contact Slalom.

Lola Golden Retriever won the Search and Retrieve. Go Lola, Go!

Joya Labrador won the Apple/Ball Bobbing!

Daisy Portugese Water Dog won the Snaffle the Sausage race. Sorry I couldn't find a picture of her snaffling the sausages!

Pickle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel won the Best Looking Pooch. He's the gorgeous little guy in the left bottom corner. Sorry I don't have a better picture of him from the day!

Poppy JR X won Waggies Tail by miles! Her tail is like a propeller blade!

Molly JR won the Best Trick category with her fantastic routine of turns, rolls, paws and begging.

Snoopy Beagle won the special Clown of the Day prize!
(what is he up to now?)

Between all our games the dogs had free range to play and play they did!

Lottie Border Collie was there, showing off her Ball Bobbing skills...

Otis Golden Retriever was trying out the Agility equipment...

Tilly CKCS took a nap towards the end of the day...

Flynn Irish Setter X spent the day running...
(mainly to the cake stand, nicking cakes, from what I hear!)

There is is again, begging for more cakes!

Marley Labradoodle was another cake theif
(even though his face looks like butter wouldn't melt...)

Bonzo was peeved that somone else got the prize he wanted...

Bruna Bernese Mountain Dog was there to keep the ActivateYourDog stand safe...
(and to look pretty!)

Benji Springer Spaniel had his fun between games, running after everyone!

Jasper Boxer X had the best day - playing and playing and... well, playing!

My own Toby Saluki X was there temporarily to keep an eye on things...

This is a picture from the day before, when Millie Lab kindly helped Dorothy with her cake baking
(did she eat it all, or did you manage to salvage some of it?)

Guess which spot on the field was the most popular? With both humans and dogs...
(picture shows Pam and Kat who organised the cakes and drinks for the day)

Best picture of the day?
(taken just after they were released from their 1 minute stay)

I take that back, THIS is my favourite picture from the day!
Marley and Bonzo waiting for some kind of treat...

Barley Labrador with owners Neil and Ethan, waiting to show off his trick!

Yes Ian, it was laughable how little contact there was between ALL the dogs and owners in the Contact Slalom... and how much contact there was between the dogs and the toys/treats on the floor... Must improve for next DogBasics Day!

Hazel and Andrew strategising before the next game. Joya seems focused, but what about Flynn? Looking at the cake stand! Sigh...

Dogs and owners enjoying their day! Millie and owner Dorothy featuring here...

Snoopy's always clowning around - here trying out the MiB look!

Barley Labrador and owner Ethan didn't win anything this year, but it wasn't for the lack of trying! I still think Barley's crawl was a winner (see below)

Alison found her dog hiding in the tunnel. What were you doing in there Benji?

That is what it is all about, a fun and relaxing day for all!

16 dogs were lined up for the Snaffle the Sausage...

The Prettiest Pooch in full swing...