Pictured above Cassie (a 3 month old lab cross).  She is very sweet and eager to learn.  She just needs that special someone to help her reach her potential.  No experience is necessary to be a puppy raiser, just a willingness to learn yourself and to share your heart and your life with a cute puppy.  If you live within 1 hour of Wolfeboro NH or 1 hour of Fryeburg ME and you would like a very rewarding volunteer experience, please contact us at hydewilliams@assistancecanine.org or at 603-569-5277.   To learn more about being a puppy raiser, click here.

July 9 - 13, 2012 in Fryeburg, ME- FULL
July 16 - 20, 2012 in Fryeburg, ME
July 30 - August 3, 2012 in Tuftonboro, NH - FULL
Camp runs Monday to Friday 9am to 3 pm

Register Early - Space is Limited
Campers from last season are already signing up!

It's time for another season of Camp Canine.

During Camp Canine, boys and girls ages 10-14, are given the opportunity to train assistance dogs.  During each of our one week sessions, we will assign each camper one of our puppies in training to work with.  Each dog and handler team will be together for the week and will be working on the skills needed to complete each puppies training as a service dog.  Puppies range in age from 8 weeks to 2 years and are all at different levels so campers will see dogs at all levels of training.  Each day of camp includes lots of time working with their dogs on a wide variety of skills. 

Campers will learn basic training techniques and will also learn how to use clicker training to teach their dogs service dog tasks like turning on and off a light switch, tugging open a door, fetching, and pressing buttons.  Socialization is an important part of service dog training and so we will work with each team on different socialization excercises and games.  The nature of working with puppies means we have to combine fun and games with work.  So campers and their assigned puppy will play games designed to help train and socialize the puppies.  They will also have an opportunity to try out some fun event sports like Agility and Rally Obedience.  During puppy rest periods our program does not stop.  We have games, demonstrations, and art projects designed to help campers further understand dogs, dog training and service dog training.  

At the end of the week campers will test their new handling skills on a field trip with the dogs.  On the field trip each team will practice public access skills and will have an opportunity to see how service dogs are expected to work out in public.  

For further information on Camp Canine contact Cathy Burke at 603-986-6600.
The cost of Camp Canine is $350 a week per camper.   
Space is limited.  Registration closes the Friday before each session.
Campers provide their own box lunches.


If you are over the age of 15 and interested in our Counselor in Training Program please contact Robin Crocker at 603-939-2041.

To see pictures of last years campers and the puppies, click here.

For more information:
Check out our Camp Canine Flyer
Download the Camp Canine Application
 

Meet Phoenix.  He was born on November 12, 2011 and has an amazing story.  Check out Phoenix's blog for all the details.