As has become something of a tradition, we attended the summer training camp organized by the Slovak Cuvac Breeders’ Club. This club was founded in a respectable history back in 1933, and true to tradition, they organize events that actually serve a purpose. We’ve been joining them for a while now, and we are truly grateful that our Old English Sheepdogs are so welcome among the Cuvacs. It is by no means a given that a club would be this open to “non-members” and owners of other breeds. Fortunately, there is no place for bias here; you’ll even see Bernese Mountain Dogs or even a Yorkshire Terrier at the camp. It’s a refreshing contrast to other clubs that seem to exist only on paper and whose activity level is near zero.
The camp is structured as a week-long immersion focusing on your dog. But really, it’s not just the dog being trained—it’s the human, learning how to communicate and truly “read” their partner. It’s incredible how many signals our dogs give us when they aren’t happy or when they want something, yet we humans are often completely oblivious to them. Of course, the week isn’t just about drills; it’s about fun, chatting, and some friendly competition.
This year’s week felt more relaxed, with more room for both the dogs and the humans to rest. I personally enjoyed the luxury of after-lunch “kindergarten-style” naps. Our girls welcomed this too, and they were always well-rested and excited for the next session.
The first day was a meet-and-greet. In our group with the trainer Zdenička, we discussed our struggles and how to handle difficult situations. I walked away with an important lesson: we don’t have to work with all three of our girls at the same time. Doing it one by one takes more time, but it really helps resolve unwanted behavior—like when all three of them start barking at a passing dog, racing each other to see who can scare it more.
In the afternoon, we attended a very engaging lecture called “Dog Shows from the Judge’s Perspective.” We learned that there are judges who value the dog as a whole and don’t view themselves as opponents to the handler. On the contrary, they are on the same side, as they care about the future of the breed. It is also important to respect differing opinions and never forget that dog shows should be about joy!
The second morning was dedicated to socialization. The dogs finally got to meet, sniff each other out, and—most importantly—not eat each other! This was wittily followed by a lecture on canine nutrition. And then, the camp moved at full speed. Games like “The Shells,” “The Peanut,” and “Blind Man’s Buff”—activities where communication between dog and handler is pushed to the absolute limit. It’s hard to describe; you really have to experience it yourself.
As every year, we wrapped up with a costume parade, this time with a “Superheroes” theme. I took on the role of the supervillain (well, superhero) Gru, Denisa was Lucy Wilde, and our OES girls? We dressed them up as Minions. It was such a hit that we won the prize for best costume! It’s worth noting that the Batmen and the Paw Patrol team were also great—check out the photo gallery.
The evenings at the camp were never boring. Jirka played for us by the fire two nights in a row—it was essentially a private concert; the attention was clearly on him rather than the fire. We also had a nighttime run with our dogs, and for those of us who prefer not to run, there was a pub quiz. There was something for everyone.
To sum it up: thanks to everyone for a beautiful week, and I’m already looking forward to next year!