Lessons for people at Doggy Day Camp

As a kid, I was terrified of dogs. Now that I'm older, I still am, but I make an effort to hide my fear. It seems almost everyone I know loves dogs. Even if it's just a photo posted on Facebook, the sight of these four-legged creatures is more than enough to make my friends melt. I'm okay with photos, but when the dog is in front of me, it takes a lot of self-control to keep from running away.

 

At National Geographic Channel's first Doggy Day Camp on November 11, hundreds of dogs and their humans filled the Amphitheater at Bonifacio High Street. A couple of hours before the event, campers were already in line for registration. No one seemed to mind waiting in the heat, as the dogs kept everyone occupied. Tangled in their dogs' leashes, owners made friends with each other. Kids ran around, having their pictures taken with the dogs who didn't seem to mind their celebrity status.

 

Meanwhile, I focused on finding a way to get around without getting my feet licked. In the first few minutes, I got around five different kinds of slobber on me. I was also nervous, because while there were a lot of tiny breeds, there were also some that looked more like wolves than dogs.   

Lessons for people (dog lovers or not)

 

After a while, I began to relax, because it looked like all the owners had their pets under control. I realized there were lessons to be learned from these dogs and their humans. 

 

Apart from the experts' tips during the talks, there were some basic things, not unlike Robert Fulghum's "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." Take turns (and don't cut in line). Share (the doggy treats). Clean as you go (if your dog poops, pick it up). Make friends (with the other dog owners). Don't bite (or bark too loud). It doesn't matter if you're black or white (or if your face is squishy, or your legs are short).  

Mai, who owns a bullmastiff named Hunter, shared that she decided to register for Doggy Day Camp because it was an opportunity for Hunter to socialize with other dogs, which he sometimes gets to do at dog meets. "Kasi wala siyang kalaro sa bahay," Mai said. 

 

However, she said the talks were more helpful for new owners. "Medyo alam na namin," said Mai, whose dog just turned four. "Siguro 'yung mga iba na new owners, it's good for them. Admittedly, mayroon ding iba na matagal ng dog owner pero hindi naman knowledgable. So they can also benefit from the talks," she said.

 

How to feed your dog

 

During the event, GMA’s “Born to be Wild” host Ferdinand Recio debunked some common myths about feeding dogs. 

 

Recio said feeding a dog chicken or fish does not cause galis or skin disease. "In reality, chicken and fish are good sources of protein, which is important for dogs' skin and fur," he said.

 

He also advised campers not to mix commercially prepared dog food with other food, as this will cause nutritional imbalance.   

When it comes to feeding your dog other food, Recio said this may be done only if your dog needs variety. He suggested steamed vegetables, fruits (except grapes and raisins), and meat. On the other hand, he warned against mixing condiments with dog food, as products like soy sauce and oil used for cooking are rich in salt, and can cause problems for your dog.

 

"There's a common saying that a fat dog is a healthy dog, but that is not true... Kung magbibigay tayo nang magbibigay, they will gain more weight and they will get the same consequences na puwedeng maranasan ng tao na obese," he said, noting that obesity leads to diabetes and an increased risk for cancer, among others.

 

"Use a measuring cup. Don't estimate. They would always want to eat more, and you would want to give more," he said. Recio also warned against feeding your dog chocolate, coffee, or macadamia nuts.