Faq
Our guests come from all over the U.S. and Canada, and include singles and couples, people who come with friends and people who come alone, active folks and couch potatoes and everything in between. Guests range in age from 22-80+, and the one thing they all share in common is a love of dogs, and a desire to enjoy a vacation doing things with their four-legged best friend.
Canine Camp Getaway is for all kinds of dogs — young and old, large and small, pure breeds and mixed breeds. Dogs do not need formal obedience training or experience in any of the activities we offer, but in order to attend, dogs must be at least four months old and fully housebroken, non-aggressive toward people and dogs, up to date on shots (titers are acceptable) and reasonably well socialized.
Unfortunately, because of the large number of dogs attending and the highly social nature of camp, dogs that are not good with other dogs are not appropriate for camp.
Your dog is welcome to sleep wherever he or she normally sleeps, whether that’s on a dog bed you bring from home, in a crate, or in bed with you! We ask that if your dog sleeps in bed with you, that you bring a sheet to cover the bedding.
Because every dog has different food preferences and requirements, we request that you bring your dog’s regular food from home. Our Camp Store will carry a selection of yummy treats, as well.
We have activities for dogs of all levels, from beginner to advanced, so even if you’ve never tried something, Canine Camp Getaway of NY is a great opportunity to teach your dog some new tricks (or brush up on some old skills). Our staff is made up of talented dog sport instructors who can guide you in learning the ins and outs of the activities, whether you’re a novice or an advanced student. If your dog prefers a more laid back vacation, we have plenty of lazy day options, from lounging by (or in) the pool time to rally obedience, guided walks and plenty of lectures and seminars where you and your dog can sit and rest a while. Remember, this is vacation, so you can do as much or as little as you want.
We require that all dogs be up-to-date on Rabies as per NYS law and recommend standard vaccines (titers are acceptable). You must also show proof of a negative fecal sample in order to attend. If your dog has health issues that would cause vaccinations to be contraindicated, please contact us to discuss your specific situation. All dogs must also be free of fleas; we highly recommend some form of tick prevention prior to attending camp.
Our two staff veterinarians are onsite 24/7 in case of any unexpected illness or injuries, and there is a 24-hour animal hospital located just up the road in the event of an emergency.
We recognize that in real life, dogs get sick, people get sick, work schedules change and family emergencies happen — and any of these can force someone to have to cancel their trip, sometimes after the deadline for refunds or credits has passed. If you are concerned that you might need to cancel, or if you want the security and peace of mind that your investment will be protected in the event of the unexpected, we strongly recommend purchasing Trip Insurance.
Dogs do not have to be neutered/spayed, but dogs in heat are not permitted to attend camp.
Each day, guests have the opportunity to participate in dozens of activities, including beginner, intermediate and advanced agility classes, swimming lessons and free swim, lure coursing, flyball, frisbee, nose work, barn hunt, DOGA (dog yoga), rally obedience, tricks classes, guided walks, canine freestyle dancing, Barks and Crafts, Canine CPR, Doggie Fitness Evaluations, Canine Good Citizen prep classes and testing, Therapy Dogs International prep classes and testing, obedience classes, a Doggie Costume Contest, dog trivia, dog bingo and much more. We will also have seminars on such topics as Emergency Canine First Aid, how to address various behavioral issues and canine nutrition, among others. Nighttime entertainment will help you wind down with a variety of evening activities such as karaoke (dogs welcome!), game show night, movie night under the stars and cocktails in the dog-friendly lounge.
Canine Camp Getaway of NY provides three meals daily with a variety of choices, including vegetarian options.
The Gettysburg, PA camp in June offers spacious, hotel-style rooms with private baths, a/c, wifi, queen size beds, refrigerators, coffee makers and cable TV. The more rustic East Durham, NY camp in September offers basic, motel-style rooms with private baths, a/c, double beds and cable TV.
For your dog, you’ll want to bring a leash and a spare (no flex leads, please), food, treats, food and water bowls, a dog bed (if your dog doesn’t sleep with you), a sheet to cover the bedding with (if your dog prefers to sleep in bed with you), a crate (any dog left alone in the hotel room must be crated), dog towels (to clean up your pup in case it rains or your dog likes to go swimming), a picture of your dog, poop bags, and a costume for the doggie costume contest (if you’d like to participate). For you, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, a flashlight with extra batteries, alarm clock (rooms do not have alarm clocks), hair dryer, swimming gear, rain gear, sweatshirt or jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, mosquito repellant, a portable chair, personal toiletries/medications and a fanny pack. Our CCG Store will also be available to purchase sweatshirts and T-shirts, hats, dog treats and other dog-related items.
Weather can range from sunny and very warm to quite chilly at night, so be prepared for both extremes. We also recommend bringing an umbrella, rain poncho and rain boots, since some outdoor activities will be held rain or shine.
While June and September are known for their beautiful weather, rain is always a possibility – but we never let that get in the way of having a good time! For our June Camp, we have a spacious indoor conference center to accommodate many activities in the event of rain, while some activities will be held outdoors, rain or shine. For our September Camp, all activities are held outdoors, though we have several covered pavilions or provide shade and protection from the elements.
Unfortunately, due to liability issues, no human children under the age of 18 may attend Canine Camp Getaway of NY.
Dogs do not need obedience training to come to Canine Camp Getaway, as long as they are reasonably well socialized and good with both humans and other canines. Aggressive dogs (toward humans or other dogs) are not appropriate for Canine Camp Getaway. If you’re unsure about whether or not your dog would do well in such an environment, give us a call and we can talk with you further about whether or not this would be a good fit for you and your dog.
We accept both Visa and Mastercard, as well as personal checks. Please note that for the Silent Auction for Animal Charities, we only accept cash or checks.
It’s not too late to crate train your dog! Most dogs quickly come to understand the concept of the crate as their “den,” and will soon regard the crate as their safe place where they can take a break, or rest after a busy day of activities. If you need help with crate training, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to send you some information with tips for getting your dog comfortable with a crate.
Dogs may be left in the rooms during meals, or if you prefer, well-behaved dogs may join you for meals in the dog-friendly section of the dining room. Please note that for the safety and comfort of all our guests, dogs in the dining room may not bark excessively, jump on the guests or wait staff or steal food from the table or visit the buffet line, and dogs may not be fed in the dining room under any circumstances. Dogs left in the room MUST be crated when you are not present. This is for the safety of both the hotel staff and your dog, and will be strictly enforced. Please be sure to bring an appropriate sized crate for your dog as we do not provide crates.