Finn catches early morning rays On Peaks Island

Just a few miles by boat from down town Portland, Peaks Island is a treasure and very dog friendly!
I am forever grateful to friend and fellow dog trainer Jenny Yasi for
setting up our Training and Freestyle demo, and inviting, me, my three kids and both dogs to stay in her wonderful home and training facility for the weekend. We all had a fantastic time and I got a much needed mini vacation.

This was our second training collaboration, and Yasi and I will be getting together for lots more events in the future. The Common Hound Fair was a hoot by the way, and the competition was fierce with a total of 29 dogs vying for top honors in classes like: Sleekest, best tail, best wag, best trick, most obedient, tallest, shortest, longest ears...well you get the picture. Yasi was kind enough to donate training classes to the least obedient dog. It was a tie by the way and both "winners" got certificates good towards future training from her. I just love that idea and I will be stealing it...I mean borrowing it, soon.

We do have a big announcement to make. I will be partnering with Yasi to expand her summer camp, The Whole Dog Camp, a clicker camp for kids on the island, starting next summer. I am very excited about this new venture and there will be more info coming soon.

My dogs Charlee and Finney had very different views of the island as they are very different dogs. If you have a laid back unflappable dog like Finn then a day trip with your dog to Peaks is a must. If your dog doesn't enjoy crowds and people and dogs in their faces, then there are better beaches for you. Either way Peaks is a great day trip with or without your dog.

Oh and speaking of laid back unflappable Mr Finney, lets have three cheers for "Peaks Fest Best In Show 07"! He was "handled (term used loosely) by my 9 year old and he was a real trooper tolerating her skills -- or lack there of.
Mid way through the dog show, two terriers got in a brief tiff right on his front feet and he didn't even budge. Good boy Finney!!! Finney is a great looking dog, and a wonderful mover, with a super sweet temperament. But I suppose it was

the matching red white and blue tiaras that swayed the judges.

Notice that we are abiding by the leash law, although many people don't.

A very tired dog listens to reggae just outside Jone's Landing.
In case you didn't know, Peaks Island has a Reggae fest every Sunday during the summer.

Thanks again Jenny and family!!!