Camping With Dogs

by Brandon Phillips

A good canine camper is well-behaved around others, including adults, children and animals too. Their owners understand camping etiquette, such as activity time, quite time and everyone gets along beautifully. While a campsite may be lively during the day, once evening falls, it’s time to settle down. Your dog will need to understand when playtime is over and how to be quiet (no barking). If your dog has never been to dog school, consider enrolling them before you head into the great outdoors. The cost is minimal, and it will make you a better, more responsive dog owner, as well as a better camper with a dog.

Preparations Vaccinations and Licenses: It is of absolute importance that your dog’s vaccinations be up-to-date or they should show positive titers, as dogs can encounter unvaccinated animals while camping, even if they are leashed at all times. Dog licenses should also be current and can vary somewhat by state. Be sure you check in advance so you have minimal problems, should you become separated from your dog. Get a vet check-up before camping season begins, and be sure to ask about the areas where you will be traveling, as some carry different health risks for dogs which may warrant additional precautions. Chip Your Dog Your dog should be micro-chipped, and remember to make sure your contact information is up-to-date with your vet and in the manufacturers database. Know Your Dog What excites your dog? What puts your dog “on guard?” What makes your dog bark, growl or whimper? How does your dog deal with chil

dren? How does your dog deal with large dogs, small dogs, female dogs, male dogs, and certain breeds? Know your dog’s language; know what sets him off, and know how to calm him down. Learn to read his tail, eyes, ears and body posture. These are all good things to know about your dog during any social outing, and you may just find more opportunities to experience these things with the growing number of dogs visiting campgrounds across the country.

Start with Short Day Trips Dogs tend to stress out when their routine changes. Too much stress can lead to erratic, aggressive behavior, or even illness. Getting your dog used to the many scenarios he’ll encounter while camping, in the weeks before your trip, is easy and fun for both of you. Try to replicate the situations your dog will experience during a camping trip: a long drive, exploring a new area, playing time and quiet time, and even having a meal away from home. If you’re staying in a tent, put up your tent in the back yard a week before you camp. If you have a camper, be sure your dog is familiar with it inside and out. They should have a meal in the camper and would even benefit from the familiarity of a nap in the bed they will sleep in while traveling.

Packing For Your Dog

Leash: Be sure you have a leash, collar and buckle that are in good condition. Old collars and harnesses can break if the dog suddenly lunges. Carry an additional collar and leash, just in case. I suggest two leashes and collars per dog. Perhaps one style which is tough, such as a thick leather or rope leash. Use this one when your dog needs to be kept in absolute control, such as when there are lots of other strange dogs around Then maybe use a lightweight leash if the opportunity presents itself to explore in a relaxed atmosphere.

Bedding: If you’re sleeping in a tent, bring bedding to keep your dog off the ground. If it’s a cloth bed, use something under the bed, such as a tarp, to keep the dampness from the ground coming up through the bedding and chilling your dog. This is particularly important if your dog is older.

Water: Because clean drinking water can be a concern, your dog should drink bottled water while camping. It’s easy to carry and you don’t have to worry about contaminated streams, ponds etc. If your dog is very particular about his drinking water, begin the change- over to bottled a week or so before you leave for your trip. By then, they will be familiar with the taste.

Dog Food: Take two extra days of dog meals beyond our planned stay, just in case. Whatever you use for food storage, it should be sturdy, water proof and critter proof.

First-Aid kit: There are lots of commercial first-aid kits on the market. Make sure you have one on hand especially if you plan to stay away from “civilization.” Also, be sure to pack any regular medictions your pet may take, again, with a few extra days worth.