Getaway with a difference

I’ve been thinking about booking my holiday for this year and want something a bit different. I rarely go away without my dog, but fancy something a bit more than just hiring a cottage by the sea for a week, which is what I usually do.

Are there any activity getaways me and my boy could book on to? We love long walks and also do agility, but I’m open to any ideas. I'd be happy to join a group of like-minded dog owners. Have your readers been on any they can recommend?

Thanks.

Julie South, by email



Lauren Langman, Devon Dogs, advises...

Hi Julie,

I think your holiday plans sound fantastic, what a great suggestion and how lucky is your dog? You really are the perfect dog owner.

Have you ever thought of a training camp or weeks training break? For example you could look at Dash2Devon. It is a week of agility, flyball, life skills, obedience, heelwork to music and so much more where you can select your chosen training sessions along with like-minded folk. From the fun you will have whilst training, to the BBQ, bring and share dinners and the additional club quiz you couldn’t ask for a friendlier week. You would be able to enjoy the training sessions booked, visit local attractions and countryside, meet new friends and also leave with ideas to take your training to the next level.

Another option would be to visit a cottage with good access to agility or dog sports either on site or close by. Devon Dogs have a fun filled innovative and lively agility, life skills and flyball timetable alongside Bowerland Holiday Cottages set in the heart of Devon. Their cottages are warm and dog friendly (allowing multiple dogs) with great access allowing you to stroll up on to the moor and get to the beach easily whilst also being able to have a mixture of dog sports, 1-2-1 lessons, groups whilst on your holiday.

These sorts of camps, cottage holidays and activity breaks are vibrant, fun and different. They are definitely increasing in popularity and I really think they sound like they could be just what you have been searching for.

Winter weather activities

Can any of your readers suggest some activities for my family and our dog? Our husky is called Blaze and he’s 20 months old and needs lots of exercise. We take him for lots of walks but would like some other activities to do with him, especially now its winter and sometimes my wife and I need a bit of an incentive to take him for a walk! My kids are 12 and 14 and we’re an active family – enjoy biking etc.

Thanks,

Greg, by email

Spring has sprung

Dear Dogs Today

I saw a bee on our dog walk this morning so spring must be here! I have two very energetic Springers, both of whom are, like me, still hanging on to a little bit of Christmas holiday weight.

Can anyone suggest any fun activities that we can all do together and get some fresh air at the same time? At the moment we go for a couple of two-mile-odd walks a day, usually through woodland and fields.

Gem is six years, and Kyla is almost four. It’d be good to get the kids involved too, who are both boys aged nine and 11.

Thanks

Claire Christopher, by email

Is agility the answer?

I have a Labrador-collie cross who may have some other breeds mixed in with her. However, she is a rescue and was once a stray so her age is unknown. She is approximately seven years old. I understand dogs of this type need lots of mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. I try doing different activities with her having recently taken up clicker training, which she thoroughly enjoys. I try to play with her lots and have always wanted to do agility. But I don't know how I would go about doing this. I have tried searching the internet for clubs in my area but are there any specific sites that can inform you of agility clubs in your area? Also, would this activity be suitable for my dog? I have often thought of doing agility at home but the prices of equipment are too high! Another thing I would like to know is, will agility (or other activities) make my dog more active? When she first arrived she was very active but has now become very lazy! Any advice would be appreciated.

Lauren Bulmer, by email

Wish you were here

I love spending time with my three-year-old Border Collie, Maisie, and we often go away on holiday together to Pembrokeshire, where we spend a week taking long walks along the coast. However, this year I would love to have a week where we can spend quality time together doing lots of fun activities. We especially like agility and flyball, so it would be great if we could incorporate these into our holiday too. Can anyone recommend some activity holidays for dogs and their owners we could look into?
Judy Hall