Camping with Your Dog
It seems only natural that man’s best friend should accompany his or her own on a fun camping outing. After all, what dog wouldn’t love spending a week or more outdoors, sleeping under the stars and hiking through great, unexplored forests? However, taking your dog camping isn’t all fun and games. You’ll need to plan ahead to ensure that your dog is safe and sound at all times during your trip.
Check with the Campground
Not all campgrounds allow pets on the premises, so you’ll need to call ahead to ensure that your campground is fine with your furry friend. If the campground doesn’t allow pets, don’t risk it – defying the ranger’s orders can put a damper on your whole vacation. If you are caught, you’ll likely be forced to head home early, and if you’re not, you’ll spend the entire trip worrying about whether or not you’ll be discovered. If the campground does allow pets, find out what rules they have for visiting animals. You may be required to clean up after your pooch, and there may be areas of the campground that are off limits to you.
Packing for Puppy
Even if your dog was descended from the wild wolf, today’s canines are a bit more accustomed to the comfortable indoor lifestyle. If you plan to take your dog camping with you, there are a few things you’ll need to pack to keep him or her healthy and safe.
First, pack a large water bowl for the campsite or a portable version if you’ll be hiking during your trip. If the weather is warm or if you spend more time running around and playing than usual, your dog could dehydrate quickly. Take plenty of drink breaks and keep your dog out of direct sun during the hottest parts of the day.
Your dog may also be upset by the change in accommodations, so consider bringing a blanket or toy from home. Give your dog its own corner of the tent and allow him or her to retreat there whenever necessary. The noise and activity of a public campground can be overwhelming for some dogs – allowing your dog to seek out his or her own space will help to relieve some of this stress. Maintaining your regular feeding schedule with the same food you use at home will also prevent any stress-related digestive issues from popping up.
Safety First
There are a few safety precautions you’ll need to take when your dog accompanies you on a camping trip. First, no matter how well behaved your dog is at home, keep him or her on a leash at all times in the campground. This will prevent Fido from running after children and squirrels, into the path of oncoming traffic throughout the campground. Also, keep your dog firmly tied up whenever you have a campfire going to prevent serious injury from occurring.
It’s also a good idea to take down the name and number of the 24-hour emergency vet closest to your campground. Even if you keep your dog on a leash at all times, you may still have to deal with bee stings, allergic reactions to local plants or injuries caused by rough, unfamiliar terrain.