Dog Scouts of America - Paws Pack 183

04/21/2024

If you haven't done so already, register for DSA Paw-lympics via dogscouts.org. Event activities start next week!

04/13/2024

DSA Paw-lympics running the whole month of May, offers five activity categories that strengthen your foundation in scientifically-proven dog training principles and encourage creativity in their application to promote clearer communication, quicker responses, and a closer partnership for handler and dog teams.
Five weeks, five categories, five opportunities to add a bronze, silver, or gold rocker patch (per category) to your participation patch.
Paw-lympic Team DSA is accepting registrations via the homepage:

DSA Paw-lympics Our virtual fundraising event runs the whole month of May 2024.   Training tips and weekly activity lists will be posted to the private Facebook group.   In addition to the participation patch, bronze, silver, or gold rocker patches can be won in each of the five categories by p...

10/17/2023

Turkey Trot & Mile Gobbler registration is now open. You can register multiple family members for either the Trot, Gobbler, or both, and have the option to purchase additional patches (if you are registering for the Mile Gobbler).

Registration for Sparky's Annual Turkey Trot and Five-Mile Gobbler is now open.
https://form.jotform.com/232757722985066
Register to run, walk, and/or bike during the week of Thanksgiving for Sparky's Turkey Trot and/or any time during December for Sparky's Five-Mile Gobbler. These are virtual races to be completed at your convenience and will raise funds to further DSA's goals and mission - DSA membership is not required to participate. Registration closes December 9, 2023 - but don't be a turkey and leave it to the last minute!

04/16/2023

The Spring edition of The Scoop is now available on the DSA website. Check out what Scouts are doing around the country!

http://dogscouts.org/base/tonto-site/uploads/2023/04/DSA-Scoop-2023-01-Spring.pdf

02/16/2023

DSA is hosting a virtual event in March:
THE ADVENTURES OF FLAT SPARKY AND HIS NEW FRIENDS!

Feel free to share this announcement with non-DSA members as all are welcome to register and complete 3 badge-related behaviors, skills or activities with Flat Sparky each week during the month of March as a way to encourage positive interactions and learning experiences which will enhance the canine-human bond.

Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/230258101225139

12/13/2022

We had a great time at Castle Keep Dog Training's new location in Clermont. Thank you for having us, Kelly! We love this location and all the plans you have for it.

We also enjoyed meeting one of Dave & Jeanette's former fosters, Ranger, with his mom, Stephanie; we're glad they could join us.

11/27/2022

We enjoyed our walk with Jurnee, Marvin, & Nim this afternoon, logging our mile for DSA's Sparky's Turkey Trot fundraiser. One mile done, five more to go during the month of December for those of us who signed up for the Mile Gobbler as well 😁

10/20/2022

We're scheduling our hike for November 27, 2022 - be sure to register for DSA's Turkey Trot & Mile Gobbler and make the miles count.

Registration is open for our 8th Annual Turkey Trot . . . don't forget to sign up! It's an easy way to help raise funds for your favorite dog-centered non-profit.

Sparky's 8th Annual Turkey Trot is on Sunday November 20, 2022 to Saturday December 31, 2022. It includes the following events: Sparky's Turkey Trot, Sparky's Five Mile Gobbler, and Sparky's Trot & Gobble (Both).

08/12/2022

Don't forget, registration for DSA's Right on the Nose Scent Challenge closes on Monday. Two challenges will be posted to the Facebook group each day, one to bring along those new to nose games and the other for those who are already involved in scent work. There's something for everyone! Hope you'll sign up:
https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/SaintHelen/RightOnTheNoseScentChallenge

07/15/2022

Registration for DSA's Right on the Nose Scent Challenge is now open. 30 days of scent activities for beginners and advanced nosey dogs. Registration includes a Scent Kit, with 4 vials of pre-scented q-tips and scent vessels - so the hard work is already done for you!
https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/SaintHelen/RightOnTheNoseScentChallenge

The Right On The Nose Scent Challenge is on Thursday September 1, 2022 to Friday September 30, 2022.

05/03/2022

Most dogs don’t like to be pet on their head by strangers. Instead, if you want to say hello and you’ve asked their guardian, say hello verbally and allow the dog to choose if they want to be pet. If they come closer for a sniff, leave your hand at your side. Allow them to sniff and initiate a pet, then pet their side behind their shoulders and stop. If they want more, they’ll let you know. Consent is important for dogs, too.

03/17/2022

If you have ANY dog behavior problem, the first step is simple. STOP Feeding your dog from a food bowl! Food is so valuable for modifying your dog's behavior, but not if you dump it into a bowl and walk away.

Download this document, sign the Pledge, and start harnessing the power of your dog's food today!

We can show you how to work MAGIC with your dog's food, but only if they care about it. If your dog eats their food, for free, with zero effort, from a bowl, they're not going to care very much about your food and you've lost the magic.

You can use food to teach your dog to feel calm and confident in any situation, and perform behaviors on cue, promptly and reliably. We can even show you how you can USE YOUR DOG'S FOOD TO GET THEM TO TRAIN THEMSELVES when you are busy or away!

But not if you feed your dog from a bowl.

Sign up for our free course: Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems to learn more: https://dunbar.info/6steps

12/01/2021

If you're not otherwise committed with work, consider having some fun with your dog(s) on Friday in Deland or see if they need volunteers to help rat wrangle over the weekend - great way to learn about barn hunt, rat tube handling, course set up and dog behavior.

11/22/2021

Congratulations to Tachi Conley who earned this Manners merit badge after his video submission was approved. Thank you to troop member, Amy, who assisted with the polite greeting demo.

Check out the Manners badge requirements at http://dogscouts.org/base/manners/

11/07/2021

It's getting closer to the week of Thanksgiving when troop 183 members will be walking for DSA.

If you're inclined to help us in our i.e. improving the lives of dogs, their owners, and society through humane education, positive training, and community involvement., please register for Sparky's 7th Annual Turkey Trot & Mile Gobbler

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/SaintHelen/Sparkys7thAnnualTurkeyTrot

DSA membership is not required to participate.

Sparky's 7th Annual Turkey Trot is on Sunday November 21, 2021 to Friday December 31, 2021. It includes the following events: Sparky's Turkey Trot, Sparky's Five Mile Gobbler, and Sparky's Trot & Gobble (Both).

10/10/2021

Registration for our 7th Annual Turkey Trot is now open: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/SaintHelen/Sparkys7thAnnualTurkeyTrot

Hope you'll join us . . . it'll be a great excuse to log backpacking, cycling or hiking miles, geocache, letterbox, and/or parkour with your dog. Encourage your friends and family to join you with their dogs too.

07/31/2021

After our troop activity last week, Marvin and Tachi went out for ice cream. Marvin slurped his ice cream in one bite, so he searched for cone crumbs while waiting for Tachi to finished.

07/09/2021

Simple and safe steps into K9 Fitness

Pre-cavaletti skills are simple, low-impact, and appropriate for dogs of all ages, breeds, and lifestyles.

06/22/2021

Our troop's updates are on Pages 25-26

The newest edition of our newsletter is out!!Please click here to to get the latest DSA news.Thanks as always to our newsletter editor Shirley Conley!

06/20/2021

Yay, DSA's virtual summer camp is open for registrations. We'll be working on the Freestyle steps from this camp in our July meeting. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/SaintHelen/SparkysSummerBlockParty

Sparky's Summer Block Party is on Friday July 9, 2021 to Sunday August 8, 2021.