Whether you’re heading into the great outdoors with your favorite four-legged friend for the first time or the four hundredth time, we will help you plan ahead and make it an amazing time for you and your dog.
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Will You Doggo Be A Happy Camper?
We have had several dogs over the years and their reaction to camping has been as vastly different as their distinct personalities. One dog loved it and wasn’t phased by sleeping in a tent and being surrounded by woods, campfires, and wildlife. Our current dog is not what you would call a “happy camper”. She is a fiercely protective dog and the one and only time we took her camping had her completely stressed out, on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She just couldn’t relax. Every voice that carried into our campsite, chipmunk chirp, or snapping branch had her hackles raised and she was ready to go on the attack. The moral of this story is as much as you would like to bring your favorite four-legged companion camping, knowing their personality and how they might handle camping is vital.
Protective or timid dogs camping might just not be ideal camping candidates. A trial run might be in order to see how your dog will handle a camping trip before embarking on an epic adventure into the great wide open. Try doing an overnight in your own backyard, if you can. You might even want to start off slower by planning a few day picnic trips to get your dog used to being out in nature.
Dog-Friendly Campgrounds
I think you will find that there are plenty of dog-friendly campgrounds that will welcome well-behaved doggos. Most campgrounds will usually state very clearly on their website whether they allow dogs or not. Each destination will probably have its own specific policies but the following are fairly universal.
Proof of Rabies – This will always be a requirement and campgrounds will not allow your dog to stay without a valid rabies certificate. Rabies tags do not count as proof.
Leashing – Most places agree that dogs must be leashed at all times with no more than a 6-foot lead.
Walking – Of course anywhere you venture out with your pup, you are always prepared to pick up after them anyway, so this should come as a surprise. Just make sure that you follow the campground procedure on how they would prefer you to dispose of the poop.
Campground Etiquette
We have what some might affectionately call, a barker. She barks at everything from falling leaves to someone walking within a square mile of our homes. As I mentioned before, she is pretty protective. We tried camping with her once and decided that we didn’t make very good neighbors with our growling and barking dog being an overall annoyance. As much as I would love to take her with us, it just isn’t fair to those around us.
Also, while our dog is very loving with us, she can be aggressive with strangers who come into what she believes is her territory. This again didn’t make her the best contender for camping. A campground is not the place for an aggressive dog.
This might seem like a given but never leave your dog unattended. Most campgrounds are very firm about this rule.
Protect your Dog From Other Animals & Insect
When you are taking your dog camping and into the woods, you need to protect them from the perils of the great outdoors.
Keep Your Pets Food Locked Away – This is camping rule #1, regardless of bringing along your four-legged friend. Keeping your food locked away will help keep the wildlife at bay. If your campsite comes with an installed bear box, utilize it. Critters are smarter and more ingenious than we sometimes give them credit for.
While camping in the Adirondack we didn’t put our dry foods like bread and chips in the bear box, we simply locked them away in our vehicle. In the morning, we found that tiny mice (or chipmunks – haven’t ruled them out as the culprits either) found their way into our vehicle and had a late-night snack. Take my advice keep your food sealed in plastic containers and use the bear boxes if they are provided.
Wild Animal Encounters – Keeping your dog leashed at all times and never leaving them unattended protect them from wildlife and vice versa. Always make sure you can see your dog when they are leashed, especially at night. Any seasoned camper will tell you that the smell of food will many times draw in all sorts of wildlife. Everything from raccoons, weasels, mice, minks, and even occasionally skunks and bears. Nothing ruins a camping trip like a dog that has been sprayed by a skunk.
Protect From Biting Insects – Ticks are one of the nasty pests that unfortunately venturing out into the wild brings us into their realm. Ticks and Lyme disease don’t just affect people, they can be harmful to your pets as well. Visit your vet to get your pet on the best flea and tick products that will protect your pooch.
Packing for your Pooch
- Water & Food Bowl (perhaps invest in a portable collapsible water bowl for any hiking you plan to do)
- Dog poo disposal bags
- Dog Tie-Out
- Dog first-aid kit
- Your dog’s favorite toys
- Their leash
- Vaccination records
- ID tag
- Your Dog’s favorite treats
- Towels & dog bed
Neat little extras you might consider purchasing:
- LED Collar and Leash – This will make it easier to see your dog in the dark.
- Portable Dog Shower – In case you need to clean up your dog on your camping trip.
- Raised Dog Cot
- Dog Travel Bag
- Leak Proof Travel Dog Waterbottle
- Dog Life Vest
Be prepared for Emergencies
Emergencies happen, so when you head out camping, it is best to be prepared. Here are some simple ways you can be prepped for your outing:
Take a Picture of Your Dog – Although it is horrible to even conceive of, but if your dog should go missing during your camping trip, you will want to have a current photo, in good light, on your cell phone.
Have a Dog First Aid Kit – You can either buy one already put together or create your own. Here is what it should include:
- A muzzle
- Tweezers
- Sterile Gauze Dressing
- Sterile Non-Adherent Dressing
- Irrigation Syringe 10cc. with 18 Gauge Tip
- Elastic Bandage Self Adhering
- Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg.)
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Antiseptic Wipe
- Alcohol Swabs
- Saline Wound & Eye Wash
Make Sure Your Dog Has ID on His Collar – If your dog should get lost on your camping trip, you will want to make sure that if someone finds him, they can get in contact with you. Be sure that the ID tag has your current cell phone number on it.
Beware of Overheating & Dehydration – Dogs can get dehydrated just like people, especially when camping. If your campsite is wide open without any natural for your dog to get out of the sun on a hot sunny day. You will want to make sure that your dog stays hydrated and has a place to get out of the sun. Tents get exceptionally hot when sitting out in the sun. Put out an awning or lean-to that provides shade without trapping the heat.
Here are the signs of overheating and dehydration:
- Panting & Heavy Breathing
- Agitation or Disorientation
- Restlessness
- Weakness & Lethargy
- Dry gums, Nose or Bright Red Tongue
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting possibly with diarrhea
- Sunken, dry-looking eyes
- Thick saliva
Happy Camping!