Are you planning to go camping with your dog? Want to learn how to make the most of your next trip and avoid any mishaps or problems? If so, this article is for you.
Camping with dogs is not only for the brave and adventurous, but it can provide a rewarding experience for both you and your furkid. Although bringing canines on a camping trip might be something that seems out of reach or scary to some people, there are many benefits. They’ll keep you warm on cold nights, help ward off any wildlife that might approach you while you sleep (although this isn’t always effective), and after all, who doesn’t love having their best friend by their side?
But before you go, there are a few things to consider. First, how old is your dog? Is this their first time? Do they have any medical conditions that might require medication while camping? What type of weather does it get at the campsite? Do they need protection from heat, cold, rain, wind? Does your dog like car rides, and if not, how long will it take them to adjust after being in a car for hours on end with no break. These questions are all vital as they will determine whether camping is suitable for your dog.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know to ensure a great camping experience with your four-footed family member!
Read More: Winter Camping with Dogs: Tips to Keep Your Pup Warm!
1. Is Your Dog Ready for a Camping Trip ?
The first question any camper should ask themselves before bringing their pup along is, is my dog ready to join me on my camping adventure?
Many dogs are happy to get out of the house for a day or two, but some may need an adjustment period. To give them time to adjust, consider taking shorter trips with your dog first and gradually increasing the distance over weeks or months.
And are they old enough? If your fido is too young, they may not have the stamina to keep up with you and your family. The same applies if they are in their senior year. So, make sure that your fido is physically fit and healthy before heading out on a camping trip!
The right age for dogs to go camping is debatable. Eight weeks is generally the minimum age for a puppy to go camping, which most experts agree, although some argue that dogs should wait until they are at six months or even one year old! But if you don’t want your young pup to miss out on this incredible experience, and as long as they are fully vaccinated and trained, take them on shorter trips!
2. What’s Your Dog’s Personality or Temperament ?
Is your dog a yapper? A chewer? A cuddler? Whatever your dog’s personality, it is crucial to keep in mind that their temperament on a camping trip will be different than an average day at home. You may find them more restless and anxious as they are away from what they know best.
Plan for this by bringing calming aids like calming collars or music so your pup can still enjoy the experience of being outdoors without becoming too stressed out.
If you have a particularly high-energy furball who doesn’t always listen well, make sure to put them on a leash every time he leaves the campsite, even if it’s just going down the trailhead! They will need some reminders about appropriate behavior while exploring new territory with all their senses wide open!
3. Refresh Your Dog’s Training
You would also want to refresh your dog’s training before a camping trip, as you may find them more restless and anxious than usual. If your pup has any behavioral issues or needs help with obedience training before they can be trusted off-leash when exploring new territory on the campsite, make sure to do that beforehand! You’ll want them listening well for safety reasons, both in camp and out of it too!
And remember to brush up your dog’s recall and leave it command before your trip. Being able to reliably tell your pup to let go of any object and get your dog to come back will help keep any wild critters and other dangers away from them, which could be a life-saver if they’re wandering off on their own!
4. Is the Campsite Dog-Friendly
You wouldn’t want to go to the campsite only to find out that it has a “no dogs allowed” sign. So before you pack up, let’s make sure that your favorite campground is friendly to four-legged campers!
And this will be a significant factor in deciding on where you want to go. Many parks and campgrounds are dog-friendly, but some may not have any designated areas for pets, or they might only allow small dogs under 20 pounds inside their gates.
It’ll also depend on which type of camping experience you’re seeking. For example, if you love fishing with your pup by your side when it’s time to break out the poles after dinner, then this could potentially limit your options right off the bat because most public lakes don’t permit dogs at all.
5. Find Out About the Campground Rules and Regulations
Campgrounds that allow dogs also have their own rules and regulations such as how many dogs you can bring, what size and breed they have to be, whether or not there’s a charge for them (yes!), and more.
There are some campgrounds out there, like KOA Campground, where pets are welcome all year round. But these campsites often require a $35-$50 fee per pet! Hence why it’s good to call ahead before booking your site so that you have the right amount of cash on hand.
There are also other camping rules and etiquette you have to be mindful of when camping with your dog. For example, never leave them unattended while they’re tethered up. Pick up your dog’s poop, and don’t leave it behind for the next camper to deal with. Don’t let your pup bark uncontrollably. Keep in mind that there are leash rules in place as well, meaning dogs can’t be on their own without being leashed up! And always make sure your four-footed friend is wearing their ID tag or a real-time tracking device in case they get lost and can be reunited with you!
As a general rule of thumb, if you consider bringing your pet on an outdoor adventure like camping, do research beforehand about local regulations and try to contact the campground ahead of time just so you know what to expect once you arrive at the campsite.
6. Visit the Vet
Once you’ve chosen the campsite, visit the vet to evaluate your dog’s general health, discuss any concerns you may have, and ensure they are up-to-date on vaccines and current with all of their shots, which will save a lot of time and hassle during your adventure!
The vet will also provide information on other precautions to keep in mind for trips like heat stroke. Also, talk to the vet about using flea and tick preventatives on your dog to help keep them safe from nasty pests. That will ensure that the campground is a happy, healthy place for both you and your pup!
7. Locate a Vet Near the Campsite
Yes, you might not need to visit them but locating a vet near the campsite is just another way to make sure your dog has all the best care and attention.
Plus, if you have any general concerns about your dog’s health, this could be an excellent opportunity to address those issues before they become worse and more challenging to remedy on the fly in remote locations.
Additionally, if you find that something might not be right with your pup’s health and need emergency medical treatment during your trip, these vets can treat them on the spot or at least know where to refer you so that no time is wasted!
8. What Do You Need to Bring For Your Dog?
It may seem a lot in the list below, but when considering how vital safety is, we feel that it is necessary as it is better to be safe than sorry!
Food
Food is a must-bring essential for your pup. If you don’t have any experience camping with dogs before then, it’s best to bring some food that won’t spoil since once the meat goes wrong in the cooler, they’ll be out of luck for anything else!
Water
Dogs need access to fresh drinking water at all times as dehydration is something that we want them far away. Bring an ample supply of bottled or filtered water with you on the trip. If possible, purchase portable dog water bottles made of silicone material, which are incredibly lightweight and will take significant space out of your backpack during the camping experience.
Treats
Extra treats are also essential to keep your dog happy while being on such a long trip. But don’t feed them too many high-calorie snacks at one time because this might lead to digestive issues later on during your camping adventure.
Toys
Bringing a toy or two for them is never a bad idea, especially since you’ll have the time and space in your car to bring along their favorite blanket. This way, they will feel more at home while on this long journey of yours.
Dog Boots
Boots are also necessary for any campground because they can help prevent grass seeds from entering onto sensitive paws or getting hurt by sticks or rocks on the ground.
Dog Harness
A harness is much safer than putting a collar around their neck since collars might lead to choking hazards during playtime outside, not to mention you will potentially damage their neck by jerking it. Plus, the repeated stress can lead to long-term neck issues. It’s best not to take chances here, so bring a harness if you have one.
Doggie Backpack
Letting your dog wear a doggie backpack is also a good idea if they don’t mind. This way, you don’t have to carry their food and water all the time and any other items they might need with them in case of emergencies or if you’re too tired carrying everything around for a while.
Dog Life Jacket
While all this is true no matter where your campsite might be, there’s an added benefit for camping near bodies of water such as rivers and lakes: fishing! If you’re fortunate enough to camp at one of these sites, then taking your dog along may not only make it more comfortable but give them something fun to do out on the land rather than just around the camper site itself. That also means you would want to bring along a life vest for your canine companion. Although most dogs are natural swimmers, wearing a vest can give them added stability in the water.
Scissors and Brush
If your pooch has a long coat, it’s best to bring scissors and brush because when they get wet from the rain or creek water, dirt will make its way down past their fur into their skin, where bacteria can become trapped. And that’s something we want to avoid as much as possible!
Dog Jacket
Also, consider bringing a jacket for your canine because it’s usually colder outdoors. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something that will keep your pup warm when it gets chilly at night.
Leash
On top of all these items, remember that they will need an appropriately sized leash as well, as most campgrounds will require you to keep them on a leash at all times.
Poop Bags
And remember to bring poop bags, although there might even be designated poop bags stations, depending on where you are and who the campground’s host is.
First Aid Kit
Please also do not forget to bring your dog’s first aid kit with you as they may be exposed to more bacteria and even bugs than you are. And cleaning up their wound or bug bite can become a lot easier if you have all of the supplies needed on hand! Also, make sure to include a tick removal tool in the first aid so that you can safely remove any ticks on your dog.
9. Secure Your Dog at the Campground
The last thing you want to do while camping is chasing your canine’s tail all over the campsite! So, ensure to secure your pup whenever they might have access to open space to prevent them from wandering off too far and accidentally get lost, which is especially important if your dog has the habit of escaping. And you can secure them with a campsite dog-hitching system, tie-out, or a portable wireless dog fence.
A campsite dog-hitching system is a long cable with two carabiners on either end, which allows you to hook your pup up and keep them close by the campsite while still being able to get fresh air and relieve themselves away from the tent.
A tie-out is easier for some types of campsites. It is just a long cord that you tie one end securely to an included stake in the ground and the other end to your dog’s harness, and your pooch will be able to roam around while still being close by!
A portable wireless dog fence, on the other hand, is an excellent option for those who don’t want to have to worry about tying their dog up. It consists of two parts, an adjustable base unit and a receiver collar that you need to put on your dog’s neck. These devices will give your pup a warning beep when they approach the edge, and if they continue to cross the boundary, they will receive a harmless static shock.
10. Set Up a Safe and Comfortable Space for Your Dog to Sleep
Now that we’ve gone through all the essentials and gear you’ll need, let’s go over things you need to know for setting up sleeping space for your pup!
It might seem like a no-brainer to keep your pup inside the camping tent with you at night, but these are just guidelines and not rules because there will always be exceptions to every rule. If you have to leave your pup outside, then they should never sleep in an open area where people, wildlife, or predators can easily come upon them from behind. And make sure to keep them close by campfire light instead of letting them explore their surroundings alone during the evening hours when coyotes and other critters could exist nearby.
Also, it’s a better idea to let your dog sleep or curl up in a bed that is off the ground. It’s imperative not to let dogs don’t lay on dirt because they can end up with ticks, so look into getting a pet bed or blanket from home (make sure it doesn’t stink before bringing it outdoors!)
Also, bring some old towels for them if need be. It may not seem like a big deal, but we’re talking about camping here where there are bugs, spiders, overgrown plants, and whatnot! And then you add one more factor of animals around campfires and food scraps laying everywhere, it can get pretty messy out there, and things tend to smell really bad.
11. Plan Dog-Friendly Camping Activities
Planning more activities is crucial if you bring your pup along because dogs have more energy than humans. Plus, having more things to do will surely be more fun for them! See what activities would work well with your dog’s personality so that you can have a great time at the campsite!
Fetching Games
This is a great game to play when camping because it doesn’t take up much space, and you can do it anywhere! Dogs love chasing things, running back with the item in their mouth, ready to give it to you, at which point they may also want nothing more than a belly rub from their master!
Hiking
If you have the opportunity to bring your dog, there is no better way than taking them hiking with you! However, only go for hikes that are close by or moderate in difficulty because dogs can’t take as much physical activity, and they might get too tired while going uphill.
Trail Running
Trail running with dogs can be an excellent workout for both of you, but not all trails are dog-friendly. If the trail is wide and has plenty of space to pass other runners without disturbing them, then it’s probably ok for your pup too! If you plan to trail run with your dog, make sure that you have the right gear for them, for instance, a shock-absorbing hands-free leash, as well as a harness designed for this specific activity so that your pup won’t get in the way of you while on the run.
Biking
If biking is more your thing, then bring your dog along with you! With proper protection for them to keep their paws from getting caught up or sore from being dragged (which can happen), they’ll enjoy it just as much and even be able to help out when going uphill by pulling back on the bike! If they can’t keep up with you, consider using a bike basket or trailer to give them a lift, depending on your dog’s size.
Going for a swim
Another fun thing to do while camping with dogs is taking them swimming! It’s best not to leave them unsupervised near water, and you would also want to make sure they are wearing a life jacket, though, because things could get dangerous very quickly if they get out past their depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does my dog sleep?
Would my dog be safe at camp?
Most campgrounds are pet-friendly, and there won’t typically be any issues with other animals, but you’ll want to keep an eye on them when they’re exploring off-leash or out of sight. Make sure there is not any wildlife nearby before letting your pup off-leash. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on them when they’re near bodies of water.
How do I keep my dog from puncturing my sleeping pad?
Can my dog get cold?
Yes. Some dogs are more sensitive to cold than others. If you know that your pup is one of these, keep them close when they’re exploring the campground and consider getting a dog jacket for them.
Will my dog bark a lot?
It’s not unusual for dogs to be noisy during their stay at camp, but you can help keep them calm by sticking close or taking them on walks.
How can I keep my dog from barking at night?
What should I do if my pup gets spooked?
First, try not to worry too much and stay calm! While it’s natural for a scared pup to want space, you can also comfort them by speaking in gentle tones. They’ll feel better when they know they’re not alone.
Final Thoughts
When deciding whether or not to bring your pup camping with you, make sure they will enjoy this type of experience and be able to participate in the activities around camp without becoming over-stressed!
Dogs that love running, such as Retrievers, Labradors, and Airedale Terriers, tend to do best outside because they need lots of physical activity each day. Other dogs might prefer staying close to people at home where it’s quieter. If your pet has never been camping before or has only been camping a few times, it’s vital to make sure they’re comfortable with the idea before committing!
There are plenty of great camping destinations in the U.S., so you should be able to find something that’s within driving distance of home. And make sure everything mentioned here has been done beforehand for protection so both you and your furry family member can have a fun and safe time camping!
