Canine or bushcraft survival course with your dog
Do you have the soul of an adventurer? Do you like discovering new activities to share with your dog? I discovered a Too W'ouf activity to do with your dog: the canine survival course or bushcraft with your dog. The purpose of a survival course is to learn to live in an isolated natural environment, totally cut off from the world and independently with your dog. An exceptional experience in the great outdoors, especially if you like camping with your dog!
I haven't had the opportunity to test this activity with Musher… It's on the program! In the meantime, I asked a few questions to Philippe, life and survival instructor in the wild, and his dog Irkhan. Real experts in canine survival courses! Thanks to them, you will know everything about bushcraft and maybe you will even want to test this adventure with them 😉
A canine survival course: what is it?
A survival course or bushcraft is a course where, as its name suggests, you learn to survive in a natural environment. This is practiced in the middle of nature supervised by a trained guide. He is the one who will teach you everything you need to know to survive with your dog for a few days alone.
During this type of course, you will learn, for example, how to light a fire, build a waterproof shelter, pick edible plants, fish or even hunt. You will also learn how to find water, make natural ropes, find the best camp spot and set up camp, work with wood to make tools... and know how to get your bearings.
There are different levels of internship: from the internship for budding explorer to the internship for commando where you have to secure your camp in hostile nature with bears, wolves... There are also internships that allow you to learn survival techniques in extreme environments such as deserts or places of extreme cold.
All these types of courses are not accessible with your dog. There is no question of setting off on an adventure, alone, unprepared, unaccompanied, on unfamiliar ground…Becoming Robinson Crusoe requires preparation! At the risk of ending up like the main character of the film Into the wild who goes on an adventure, eats a toxic plant and ends up dying in excruciating pain... This one would have done better to do a survival course before leaving like a single acorn. You will therefore have understood: the objective is not to put you in danger but to learn in safety with a trained and expert guide, both in survival for humans and for your dog. Only a dog specialist will be able to supervise you correctly for an internship accompanied by your dog. The latter will not have the same survival needs as you… Edible plants for you are not the same as for your dog. If chocolate is “good” for you, it is dangerous for your dog for example…
Philippe and Irkhan, his faithful canine assistant, organize survival courses adapted to dogs. It is Vanessa, a member of their team, who supervises these courses. She is an animal behaviorist, zootherapist, lecturer, trainer in ethology, survival instructor and seasoned in canine first aid gestures. Enough to be sure that the safety and needs of your dog will be respected.
There are many survival courses that you can book on the Internet, but beware, few offer courses suitable for the master + dog duo. And if you have spotted one, check the canine skills of the supervising team. To date, Philippe and his team are the only ones to offer supervised canine survival courses in France. Pay attention to the pseudo survival courses that are organized everywhere in France... To accompany people and their dog in mountainous and rural areas, French legislation requires the accompanying person to hold a state certificate as a guide. mountain. It's good to know and check before entrusting your “survival” to a stranger.
A canine survival course: for whom?
These courses are made for the curious, occasional or more experienced hikers, adventurous trekkers, those who want to push their limits or simply those who want to strengthen the bond with their dog and discover it more and more. In any case, these are great moments of communion with nature and which concretely makes you want to fight for its respect!
The "bushcraft" courses are more oriented towards the creation of tools such as cutlery for example. This training can be very useful for outdoor camping enthusiasts… Notice to Wouafer's bivouacers: this is perhaps a type of course to add to your todo list. You will thus become the Mac Gyver of the woods 😉
Whatever course you choose, make sure your dog can follow you on this adventure. He must be in good shape, sporty and enduring, well educated and obey your orders. These courses are not made for all dogs... You form a team with your dog, respect his desires and his limits. Do not put him in danger for your simple "love" of doing a survival course with your dog.
The equipment needed to do a canine survival course
Depending on the type of course you choose, you can leave with some equipment or nothing at all... Generally, adventurers start with a backpack, a sleeping bag, a survival blanket, a whistle, a hammock, a knife…
On the dog side, the essential equipment for a canine survival course is:
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Un harness type canicross ou dog traction sports for your dog to tow you OR a pack bag so that your dog can also carry some of his gear. Be careful, you will have to choose one or the other because your dog will not be able to tow you and carry equipment. Choose based on the type of exertion your dog is capable of.
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Un carrying harness will allow you to overcome obstacles such as ropes or ladders more easily. I use it for Musher who has vertigo…
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A leave alone about 1,20 meters. No retractable leash!
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Personalized croquettes in sufficient quantity for the course in ziploc type bags or treat pouch
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A light device for dogs: luminous necklace, flash strip, luminous medal, dog sports lamp, fluorescent vest...
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Provide water for the departure
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Lagrasse is the perfect setting for categorized dogs, remember to take the documents relating to the detention of the dog.
In your list of equipment, also think of your dog. Musher, my dog, sleeps at home day and night. When I go bivouac with her in the mountains, I systematically take something to cover her at night. In the mountains, even in summer, the nights can be very cold. She is used to sleeping with 20 degrees in the house, so I noticed during our first bivouac that the poor girl was shivering… This time she ended up in my duvet W'ouf race! Finally more her than me moreover… Your dog will certainly not understand the principle of the “survival course”, he will just love sharing time with you. Be careful not to disturb his habits too much so that he feels good in his paws and that he too has a Wow Good time.
Where to do survival courses with your dog?
As you will have understood, there are many survival courses everywhere in France or in the world, available in different levels, on different themes and in different spaces. In a few searches on the Internet, you will find what you are looking for.
As for survival courses suitable for dogs, there are very few. That's why today I wanted to introduce you to Philippe and his dog Irkhan who have created survival courses designed and dedicated especially to Wouafer's.
For safety issues for dogs and their masters, they have created canine survival courses in the South of France, and particularly in the Massif des Hautes Corbieres, Pyrenees Audoises, Ariegeoises et . Philippe lives in the region, so he knows it very well. Within a radius of barely 100 kilometres, the diversity of landscapes and biotopes is immense: these are lovely playgrounds and learning grounds.
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So the Wouafer's, are you in? Want adventure? I hope this article has made you want to try a survival or bushcraft course with your dog. In any case, we, for sure, for this new year 2020, it's on the program. It looks totally W'ouf as an activity to share with your dog.
Thanks again to Philippe and his dog, Irkhan, who allowed us to discover these internships 🙂 And by the way, if you want to go on an internship with them, discover Invictus France et the list of the next canine courses available.
Last thing: do you like to go on an adventure with your dog? Take a look at these articles: “Bivouac with your dog”, “Bivouac and cani-rando in the mountains” et “Hiking with your dog cannot be improvised!”. Other articles coming very soon on the Mag' of EmmèneTonChien.com ! Stay connected and listen and listen!
In the meantime, for more info, holiday advice and dog-friendly tips, follow EmmèneTonChien.com on our facebook page et our instagram account : )