COBB, Calif. – Twenty-seven dogs and more than 40 humans joined Lower Lake dog trainer Suzi Stephens, her dog Scooter, and co-sponsors Friends of Boggs Mountain and Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Company in making the second annual Dogs at Boggs a howling success.

The event was held at Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest just north of picturesque Cobb in mountainous southern Lake County, California, on Saturday, May 10.

Held trailside near the forest’s office building, the training portion of the event helped prepare dogs and owners for safe hiking and socializing.

“Your first priority when you are in public with your dog is your dog’s safety,” Stephens said.

She counseled against introducing your dog to every dog you meet. “I don’t like every human I meet,” she noted, “so why would I expect my dog to like every dog she meets?”

Stephens noted that the “sit,” “stay” and “come” commands are among the most useful when handling dogs in the forest.

She demonstrated sit and stay with her own dog Scooter, then borrowed Nala, a small terrier mix, to explain how to train a dog to sit, stay, and come. Nala was a great student, nearly trained in just minutes.

Stephens also discussed trail etiquette. “Do not allow your dog to chase bikers,” she admonished.  

She recommends stepping to the low side of the trail with your dog when meeting horseback riders. Mountain lions and other predators generally attack from above, and if we move lower, horses are less likely to mistake us for predators.

Stephens demonstrated shortening a leash to tightly control your dog as you step ten or twelve feet off the trail, speaking in a calm, friendly voice as horse and rider approach.

Stephens also demonstrated the use of poop bags, which most participants already use. “I turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, turn it inside in, tie a knot in it, and hook it to my belt to pack out of the forest.”

Thanks to Friends of Boggs Mountain, there are now four dispensers installed at forest entrances and camps.

Following the training session, Karen Rhoads led a hike on the 1.3-mile Interpretive Trail.

The hike’s theme was “The Edible Forest.” Temporary signs had been posted along the trail earlier, identifying plants that are edible by humans and dogs.

Rhoads talked about harvesting pine nuts for food during a water break at the halfway point.

First, she stressed that if you or your dog have peanut or tree nut allergies, avoid contact with pine nuts.

She then shelled some gray pine and Coulter pine nuts with pliers, and two adventurous hikers tasted them.

“Delicious,” both hikers exclaimed in surprise.

The group learned that the local pine nuts make rich, flavorful pesto.

Rhoads discussed the problem of rapid oxidation once a pine nut is outside its protective shell, recommending that we eat them quickly if shelled on the trail, and freeze them to preserve them as they’re shelled at home.

Following the hike, dog participants received bags that included treats, kibble samples and canned food from Evanger’s along with an “I’m a Boggs Dog” button.

Evanger’s also provided a gift basket of kibble, treats, canned foods and retail coupons that was raffled off to one lucky participant.

The Boggs Mountain Coloring Book, designed and illustrated by Karen Rhoads and published by Friends of Boggs Mountain, made its debut at Dogs at Boggs.

A number of copies were sold, with the author autographing each one.

Proceeds from coloring book sales support other projects of the non-profit, volunteer FOBM.

Sadly, the event ended and participants headed home, tired and happy.

Tent, water bowls, and extra leashes were stored for next year. Friends of Boggs Mountain already is planning the third annual Dogs at Boggs.