About The Bark Side

Off-leash dog camp in Fairfax

The Bark Side in Fairfax runs a dog camp: a two-hour off-leash outdoor adventure where dogs hike, play and train as a pack. It is offered as an alternative to doggie daycare for dogs that are well socialized and have excellent recall. Camp runs Tuesday through Thursday, 9am to 3pm, with home pick-ups and drop-offs included in the Fairfax to Sheldon zone, at $40 per dog per day. Owners apply for camp after reading the program information.

Recall training

For dogs that struggle to come when called, Reliable Recall programs work toward off-leash freedom so they can join the pack.

The trainer

Owner Caitlin started her dog work through her family's foster-to-adopt involvement with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and came to training through her own rescue dogs, an anxious, reactive dog named Ellie and a fearful puppy named Ginger. Ellie now helps when she trains other insecure, reactive dogs. Caitlin graduated from the My Dog Camp course and lists completed courses in Happy Rescue Dogs, E-Collar Training, Puppy Training and Play to Train, and says she is enrolled in a Master Dog Trainer's program. She also keeps bees at Goldenrod Grove and sells honey and beeswax goods.

What to ask

Ask about recall program pricing and camp availability.