Dances With Dogs 2005
rediscover the joy of the dance!

August 7-13, 2005 

2005 marks the 11th year for Camp Dances With Dogs - a freewheeling exploration of dogs and our relationships to them. Hosted by Suzanne Clothier and a talented staff of experienced instructors, this is not your everyday dog camp. We must warn you again - this is not the camp for everyone. We don't give a hoot about perfect scores, or precision heeling. We're not competitive (at least at camp!) but we do believe in developing the relationship that allows the dog/handler team to strive for their own personal best. It's all about the dance of relationship between dog & human.

This is not a camp for folks who want rigid schedules (we find anything but flexible schedules very funny) or non-stop activities.  This is a camp for folks who love dogs, and who are willing to go beyond conventional thinking to explore what is possible between a human and a dog. But this is not a "dreamy-eyed" New Age experience where animals are better than people - we respect and teach the realities of a life shared with predators, canine behavior (the good, the bad & the ugly), and emphasize depth of knowledge & understanding as the basis for humane training.

Camp Dances With Dogs can be highly emotional and is definitely challenging on many levels. There is plenty of laughter, but also tears as people work through some serious issues about relationships, themselves and their animals.

WHERE? This will be the first year that Camp Dances With Dogs will be held at The Natural Gait, a spectacular facility was created by visionaries Howard & Donna Bright in order to host Natural Horsemanship workshops to further humane training and improved relationships between people & horses.  The Natural Gait is located just outside historic Harper's Ferry, Iowa (about 4-5 hours west of Chicago). 

With hundreds of acres plus literally thousands of state & federal land, a pond, river frontage, and trails galore, The Natural Gait is a great place for people & dogs.  This is one of Suzanne's favorite places to be, and she always leaves with regret - it's lovely, serene, awash in the gorgeous native wildflowers that are the Bright's specialty business.  With clear blue skies stretching above, long vistas of rolling hills, and lovely accommodations, the energy is pure & uplifting.

WHEN? Camp begins Sunday, August 7, with check-in from early afternoon onwards, and the "official" start being dinner at 6 PM, followed by an evening get-together.  Camp ends Saturday, August 13 at lunchtime.

WHAT? Camp Dances With Dogs offers a interesting blend of lectures & hands-on activities, all designed to help you enjoy & understand your dog, and enrich the special relationships we have with dogs. If you admire Suzanne Clothier's holistic & humane approach to the dog/human relationship, this is a rare opportunity to spend a week learning from her and her skilled instructors.

On our list of plans for this year: dog/dog behavior, mentastics (have to experience it!), clicker training, tricks, fun games, problem solving, holistic approaches to caring for our canine pals, resolving performance & behavior problems, tracking, retrieving & waterwork, and of course, the classic "talent show"!  We're also hoping to include demos of Natural Horsemanship (fascinating!) and perhaps even some guided work with horses for those who'd like to experience another animal's point of view.

Many folks we've talked to are completely befuddled when we cannot (and will not!) offer them a daily plan for the camp week. If you need a schedule to even think about attending, this is NOT the right camp for you.  If you'd like to throw away your watch for a week, and relax into a human being instead of a human doing, and re-discover the joys of laying on your back with your dog watching clouds float overhead, then this might be the right camp for you.

If you love a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with excellent food, extraordinary instructors, a holistic approach to dogs & our lives & relationships with them, great people & dogs, dogs, dogs - and you have a sense of humor, then Camp Dances With Dogs may be for you. Come find out why folks just keep coming back year after year after year. There is a reason!

LODGING: Lodging is not covered in your camp fee. The Natural Gait offers several comfortable & attractive options:  

• Log cabins: sleeps 4; not air conditioned; $150.00 per night ($37.50 per person per night)

• Bedrooms in lodge: sleeps 2, air conditioned; $50 per night ($25 per person per night)

• Camping: tent or RV, with electric hookup - $15 per night

• Camping: tent only, no electric - $10 per night

• $10 "pet fee" per pet (helps with the extra cleanup involved with having dogs in the lodging)

Bring your horse too! For a reasonable daily fee, you can even bring your horse(s). Nice accommodations with portable stalls. Contact Mary for more information.   

For more details on the lodging, or to reserve your room, please contact Mary at The Natural Gait 877-776-2208.  She will handle all lodging.  NOTE:  Lodging costs will be paid separately, directly to The Natural Gait. 

Your camp fee covers all meals, a camp workbook, some nifty souvenir, diamond tiaras and all the faux fur coats you can carry (just kidding about the diamond & fur stuff). As noted above, lodging is NOT included in your camp fee.  Talk with Mary at the Natural Gait for lodging prices (vary depending on what you choose.) FEE: $1000.00 per person. $100 non-refundable deposit required with application (refunded if your application is turned down); balance due by June 15.  

"Is it time for camp yet?" (rather plaintitive camper, circa November, 1997)

APPLICATION FORM for 2005 Camp Dances With Dogs
Strictly limited to 30 campers - apply early!

© Copyright 2003-2007 Suzanne Clothier.  All rights reserved.   Email us
Our privacy policy:  We NEVER release any information about our website visitors or customers to ANYONE.  Ever!
Flying Dog Press | PO Box 105 | St. Johnsville NY 13452 | 1-800-7-FLY-DOG