Taking Your Dog Camping

Dog Camping 101

Think you know all of the basics about camping with a dog? Let’s find out.

Know Your Camp Site

It might come as a surprise to you that some campsites do not allow dog and others only allow them at the campsite itself and not on the trails.

The reason for this is usually to protect the local wildlife, so if you plan on staying in a preserve, you should check in advance to see where your dog is allowed in and out of the campsite. Even if you are not in a preserve though, it pays to contact your campsite and get the rules on dogs.

Bring The Right Leash

I hope you did not plan on having your dog off leash the entire time. Most campsites will require that your dog be on a leash for the entire stay. This serves a number of purposes.

Being on a leash will protect the natural surroundings from your dog and protect your dog from the natural surroundings. When you think about it, your dog is not used to the freedom of the wild and getting loose could very well lead to an injury or even a lost dog. Besides, there will be other campers in the area and not everyone is comfortable with dogs.

When choosing a leash, it is usually best to go with a short 6 foot lead. This is what most parks require and it is much safer than a retractable.

Have Reasonable Expectations

If this will be your dog’s first camping trip, keep your expectations reasonable. Don’t expect them to handle all of the sights and sound with ease the first time. They might be a bit jumpier and a little less likely to follow the commands that they follow at home. Have patience and give them time to adjust.

If your dog is very young or very old, keep endurance in mind. They probably will not have the ability to handle long hikes or go on extensive geocaching excursions, so keep it reasonable.

Gear Up In Advance

Spend as much time prepping your dog for camping as you do yourself. Mostly that means providing enough food, having a good leash and knowing where you will get all of the water that you will need. There are other considerations to make however.

Make sure that your dogs tags are up to date and it would be a good idea to bring records with your. Also, look to see if your dog is current on flea and tick medications because you will most likely encounter some pests.

Why Should You Be Taking Your Dog Camping?

If you are like most of us, your dog is a part of your family, so what you should be asking is “why not take your dog camping”. The same things that you enjoy will be enjoyed by your canine. This includes all of the sites, sounds and companionship.

We are not going to lie though, it is not all fun and games. As the leader of your camping trip, you will be taking on the added responsibility of another individual and there are safety concerns on the trail for a dog.

Dog Camping Safety Tips

Take note of a few simple safety tips and your trip is very likely to end in success.

• Practice At Home
  Your dog is probably very well behaved at home, but what will happen when they get out amongst all of the distractions? On the weeks or days leading up to your trip, take your dog for walks in different environments. Get them used to following commands while surrounded by strange noises and sounds, it could save their life.
• Be Prepared For Pests
  One of the most important things to check is that your dog is up on their flea and tick medication because in most parts of the country, you will be exposed to these pests. You can also consider some canine luxuries such as citronella collars.
• Have Emergency Supplies
  If you already have a well stocked medical kit, be sure to throw a few things in for your dog. What would happen if they get a cut or blister on a paw? Would you have the supplies you need to shave your dogs fur so that you could apply a bandage? Think about the types of emergencies that you could face on the trail and make sure you have the right supplies. If you are at a loss, ask your vet.
• Have More Water Than You Need
  If you are packing in water, consider how much water your dog will use. Make sure that you bring in more water than you actually plan to use and have an efficient way for your dog to drink it. A collapsible water bowl is a great idea. Should you be the type who likes to find and treat water, have a plan for where you will get it and make sure in advance that your dog will drink chemically treated water.