Camping with Dogs

Camping with your pet can be as much fun for you as it is for your pet.  

A few things to consider:

• Remember your dog needs to stay cool and warm just like you do
• Do not leave your dog unattended
• Be current on all shots esp. rabies and wearing the tag
• Apply flea and tick meds a few days prior to travel
• If your dog is aggressive or unfriendly it’s best to leave them at home as you WILL have some strange kid or person walk though your campsite unannounced if only to take a short cut to the bathroom.
• Bring the same bedding as home if possible, kennel, bed, blanket etc...
• PLEASE put a name tag with phone number on your dog
• Use something to glow or light your dogs collar at night.
• Bring your dogs medications 
• Bring a brush to use to dust off your dirty little beast 
• Always make water available in a bowl 
• Keep your animal's food in a sealed, bug/critter proof container
• Bring one or two towels for your dog
• Bring a leash and something longer to tie off your dog at campsite. If your dog is small, consider using a play yard to keep your animal safe. 
• Bring a toy or two, something to chew on or throw
• Carry a picture of your animal in case he or she becomes lost or put one on your cell phone
• Bring small bags to pick up dog’s waste anywhere you go even in nature PLEASE!
• Never allow your pet to roam the campground esp. If there are bears
• Never leave your animal alone at your campsite
• Before you camp, find the nearest emergency veterinarian 
• Try a spray collar for dog that barks too much, like mine

To continue with the whole bringing your dog thang. Bringing my dog can both be a hassle and the best idea EVER. Wouldn't it be great if every campground had a dog run? Now that's a good idea. It can be a bit nutty for them as they smell so many new things and can't explore much because they REALLY need to be on leash. OK sure for many years I didn't fallow that rule much and had my dog off leash. My dog mostly hung out around the campsite anyhow. But now most of the campgrounds I go to have bears and BRAVO, our one year old labradoodle is VERY curious. So I have to and should have him on leash at all time. The bummer about most places you camp is that you may not be able to take them on trails or to beaches either. It comes down to your going to need to get up off your camping tush and take them for a walk or find a way for active dogs to get their energy out or your going to end up with one frustrated animal by the end of the day. One time my camping neighbor who ran in the mornings offered to take Bravo on her runs. WOW that was great.

WHAT IF I'M SIGHT SEEING THAT DAY

Before you leave for your camp trip find a kennel or dog sitter in the area. Use Google maps to find the campground then in the search box that says “Find businesses, addresses and places of interest” put in find dog sitter or vet. and get yourself a dog sitter for the day if your wanting to go see the sights and no dogs are allowed. Also in most places your not allowed to leave a dog in the car and let's face it's probably too hot anyhow.

THE STUFF I USEBravo likes to bark allot too. So I bring a citronella spray collar and it stops him from barking, esp. early mornings.

I also bring frozen knuckle bones, one or two depending on how long the trip is. Of course if you have a small dog you would bring something else. The point is to bring something irresistible they can occupy themselves with. Don't forget to put that DIRTY thing in a baggy and in the bear box at night or when you leave the campsite!!!!!

Dogs get really dirty, they always lay in the dry dusty dirt no matter where you put the bed, blanket or tarp for them. So I use a bristly hair brush to brush off the dust before I let Bravo come into the tent. I might even take a damp cloth and wipe him too.

I use a spiral screw thingy with a long wire coated in plastic attached to it that goes in the ground so Bravo has some room to move. I like screwing it in the ground so that when it's extended it ends up right where were all sitting without tangling up the chairs or getting him close to the fire.

OK don't tell anyone. I bought Bravo a jacket. Yes and when we go camping this year I will use it at night. I have found all my dogs get cold at night. A dog I had named Toma who was half Irish Wolf Hound climbed right under my covers once and then slept like a baby. Loved that dog.


SOME PEOPLE LET THEIR DOG SLEEP IN THE CARI like my dog in the tent with me, bears do not want to be near dogs for the most part so I like my beast to be in my tent and well honestly I would regardless of bears. However I must say he is usually so darn tired that no matter how loud or near noises are to the tent he is OUT cold and snoring.  Some people let their dogs sleep in the car. This idea works great for people who have a small tent or just don't want the dog in the tent. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety it won’t work but if your dog is mellow it will. Some dogs feel more comfortable esp. If they are in the car daily, it is then familiar. Just make sure your dog has air to breath, is warm and can not get out what so ever.

OH........ and PEOPLE don’t set your car alarm. No one wants to hear if go off at 3am.

OPPPS A FEW OTHER THINGS
Don't take an elderly dog camping unless you know for sure you can make them totally comfortable.

Camping is a bit stressful for most dogs as the temperatures are colder and hotter, everything is unfamiliar. I think you know what I'm saying. Yes yes they are dogs but let's face it if your dog isn't living outdoors and working a ranch they are likely sitting on your couch with you eating bon bons.

Pick up after your dog even in the wild. No one wants to see or smell you dogs doooooo and it's impolite to the other critters who live there for more reasons than I feel like writing.

If your doing serious hiking make sure to bring a first aid kit for animals. If not most of what you have in the people first aid kit will do. If your taking it easy then it's likely your dog will too.

Dogs rate above people to me however remember that some people don't care for dogs. Respect their space and keep your dog near you unless you see they are interested.

If your large dog doesn't know how to sit, go to your bed or lay-down then you will find it helpful to teach them a command before you go camping. Any command that will tell them what to do when they get excited or stressed.

On some occasions I can find another dog owner who’s dog wants to play and with monitored play they can be taken off leash. Against the law of course. But anyhow they are so interested in each other and playing that they wouldn’t think of running away. Know your dog as to weather this is a good idea or not. Or do with them on leash. Yeah right~

Most of all have fun with Fido, take him/her for walks around the campground, you will have so many friends by the time you get back to your campsite from all the people who wanted to pet and say hi to your dog. Really for most of us our dogs are our kids and they need to be shown the campground and happenings with love and joy just like the two legged kids.

COMMON TELL ME YOUR DOG STORIES