COLTS NECK — ?Be a tree,? Loni Lucina told a group of fifth- and sixth-graders on Friday.
The class of eight instantly straightened their posture while making quick laps around a fenced-off section in Dorbrook Recreation Area with their dogs.
The group was learning the art of loose-leash dog-walking with their furry pets ? standing tall, or ?being a tree,? makes the task easier, according to Lucina. The tip was part of the final lesson during the four-day Camp Woof program sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System.
?They are learning how to be responsible dog owners,? Lucina said. ?They learned how to get them (the dogs) to sit, go down, wait and weave through cones. And, the kids learned how to clean up after their dog. The girls are usually better at that.?
Lucina said the dogs also learned good manners, how to roll over and how to spin. Luckily, the pack meshed well. Only small dogs under 35 pounds were invited to join the session.
?They are all sweet and have good personalities,? Lucina said of the dogs. ?They became fast friends.?
Michael Campanella, an animated 12-year-old from Holmdel, said he saw plenty of improvement in his dog Snuggles?s behavior. The teddy bear dog, who he affectionately calls Snuggie, had never enjoyed playing with other dogs before the class. But, during Friday?s lesson, she playfully rolled around with many of her classmates.
?She had a great, great time,? Michael said. ?This is beyond my wildest dreams that I would see her playing around with other dogs.?
Michael has had Snuggles for about a year and half, but had never trained her, he said. This was the case with most of the dogs in the group, according to Lucina. Only one or two were familiar with the commands during Tuesday?s introductory class, she said.
?She learned like an angel,? Michael said. ?I never thought my Snuggie would be able to do these things.?
Madeleine Hicks and her dog Barley traveled from Tinton Falls for the course. The 11-year-old said her dog made necessary improvements.
?He needed to learn to listen more,? she said. ?He doesn?t listen at home.?
Though this was the only session of Camp Woof this summer, Mary Ann Sage, a cultural service department employee in the park system, said the training will be available next year as well.
?It has been so successful,? she said. ?We?ve all learned a lot this week.?
Sage said the park system had been trying to create a summer activity incorporating dogs for a few years now, and this option seemed like the best fit.
This was the first year Camp Woof was offered.
?Often kids don?t get to be a part of the obedience process,? said Sage. ?We?re glad we got to include them.?
The class cost $140 and met from 9 a.m. to noon each day. For more information or to register for next summer, visit monmouthcountyparks.com.
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