Reading Dogs:
Their signals to other dogs and to you

Dogs speak quickly to each other in a language that you can understand if you are willing to learn how to read them. Leave your dog books at home and put yourself in a canine mini-camp to actually experience first-hand what dogs are saying to each other as they meet so you can be a better leader for your dog in a positive way. Reading Dogs, taught by Lillie Goodrich, the founder of Glen Highland Farm, provides usable tools to understand and handle dog-to-dog relationships. Using 'live' dogs meeting for the first time, you will witness the themes of dog-to-dog communication as it unfolds. And, find out techniques to make it easier for your dog to 'win' in canine social interactions.

Dog books are helpful to add to your knowledge but understanding how dogs talk to each other is something best witnessed in person with dogs. The rescue dogs at GHF as well as other camper dogs will provide the perfect opportunity to orchestrate interactions. You'll observe first meetings; play styles; submissive and dominant reactions; conflict avoidance and even dogs who don't like each other. You will see the difference in dogs together on-leash and off-leash, working in our fenced areas with plenty of room for interaction.

The honesty in dogs as they get to know each other provides the learning you need to understand canines better. The key to reading dogs is to see this language over and over again, recognizing the patterns that are inherent in every communication. This weekend experience will give you a depth of understanding way beyond a dog trainer consultation or a book.

Who is this for? Everyone with a dog!

• If you feel stumped when things 'go wrong' or wonder what it all means with tail wagging;
  ears back or lip curling
• If your dog has dominance issues meeting new dogs and chaos erupts
• If you worry about dog play turning into fights
• If you feel 'out of control', 'not understanding' why your dog reacts one way with some dogs
  and another way with others
• If your dog is great and playful with other dogs but ends up 'picked on'
• If you have more than one dog
• If you manage your dog with a leash
• If you're thinking of adding another dog but unsure how to do that
• If you have multiple dog interactions to manage
• If you're frustrated with books and want to see this first-hand!

Build skills that last a lifetime

By attending the Reading Dogs mini-camp at Glen Highland Farm you will have the unique opportunity to experience dogs in a relaxed setting, which is important in learning how dogs communicate. You will see dogs as they really are, with each other and then with your interaction added to their experiences. Reading Dogs provides a foundation of skill building that will last a lifetime, helping you with your dog; with the future situations you encounter. Your own confidence in handling dogs will increase ten-fold and due to the small size of the camp, the camp is customized to those attending.

Mini-Camp Schedule

Reading Dogs: Day 1
Arrival by 1pm

Mid-afternoon Session, starting at 3pm:
• Demonstrations of dogs meeting, using GHF rescue dogs, on-leash
• Off-leash meetings between dogs
• Signals in play; problem solving; submission vs. 'dominance'

Reading Dogs: Day 2
Morning Session:
• Signals and the themes of dog communication; demonstrations continue
• How to manage introductions to insure success
• Why dogs have problems and your role; how your energy impacts dogs
• Mixing various breeds and inherent challenges

Mid-afternoon Session:
• Dominant dogs introductions; how to help smooth out the problems
• Submissive dogs introductions; how to understand what they need
• Shy dogs vs. confident dogs; how they signal to other dogs
• Male vs. female mixing and matching; puppies vs senior dogs

Early Evening Session:
The Impact of You and the Leash
• The Impact of Toys & Food
• Your role in leadership; your energy

Reading Dogs: Day 3
Morning Session:
• Each camper will manage a new introduction on-leash & off-leash

Mid-afternoon Session:
• Problem Solving with camper dogs

Early Evening Session:
• Open based on campers

Mini-Camp Fees

Reading Dogs Mini-Camp requires a minimum of 12 people and their dogs. For group inquiries, contact us!

$475 plus the cost of lodging. Fee includes instruction. No meals are provided. We have a wonderful outdoor dining pavilion and pantry building where attendees may store food and supplies and prepare their own meals. Utensils, cooking uquipment, refrigerators, freezers, coffee maker, outdoor sink, gas grill and large wood burning grill are available for use. For a full description of our facilities visit Lodging, Meals & Facilities.

Lodging Fees: Lodging fees will vary depending on accommodation type and date of departure. For complete and detailed information about lodging, be sure to visit Lodging, Meals & Facilities.

Small Cabin with 2 beds: $100/night*
Large Cottage with 2-3 cots: $115/night*
Standard RV with full bed: $140/night
Standard RV with queen bed and couch, sleeps 2: $140/night
NEW Deluxe RV with a king bed and couch, sleeps 2: $185/night
Bring your own RV: $95/night

*September and October stays in cabins and cottages will incur a $25 fuel surcharge for heat.

With Reading Dogs, you can build skills that will last a lifetime.

Lillie Goodrich

Lillie Goodrich is a student of dogs, their behaviors, their personalities and their gifts. She believes that canines have much to give to humans and willingly do so, especially when they are understood and handled with respect. She knows first-hand that dogs teach people about love, joy, play, patience, honesty and commitment. In return, they ask of us to be clear, consistent and genuine in our heart to heart connection to them. Stepping into the world from their vantage point, she offers insight and clarity not often found in the dog world.

As co-founder of Glen Highland Farm, Lillie is on call 24/7 caring for and learning from the Border Collies in the Sweet Border Collie Rescue program. She has personally loved and lived with 1100 dogs, finding them new homes where they can flourish. Her intuitive ability to know what they want and communicate with them, guides her every decision. In addition to her hands-on interaction with this breed, Lillie hosts various camps, where over 150 dogs of all breeds come together at the Farm each summer. All breeds from beagles, labs, afghan hounds to boxers and dobermans frolic and come together for a remarkable experience off-leash. Dogs are given the rare opportunity to be naturally who they are in the company of other dogs while humans take a back seat and learn, witnessing the freedom of dogs without owner constraints.

Glen Highland Farm is a 175-acre nature sanctuary designed around dogs: the Border Collies who live there awaiting new homes; the dogs who visit for camp; and those that come to the Farm to join in new adoptive homes. The farm is a doggie paradise where health and healing surrounds all that visit whether two-legged or four.