Bring a dog along on your next outdoor adventure BY IAN TAYLOR
T
he notion of dogs being man’s best friend does not stop at the front door; it extends to anywhere you can bring your furry friend, which can include the great outdoors. While dog parks are a fun way to enjoy nature and get a dog some exercise, they can also come along on camping and hiking adventures. However, a dog is not a
human, and taking them to the great outdoors requires specific prep for not only having a good time, but also having a safe one. When looking to go camping with a pet, the first thing to do is look up pet-friendly campgrounds. Each campground will have different rules, for example, Linville Falls Campground, RV Park and Cabins has a one pet max with a fee, while Blue Bear Mountain Camp in Todd has no
pet fee and allows more pets. According to outdoor equipment company REI, a dog should be a constant companion, keeping it with you at all times to not potentially disrupt the wildlife or other campers. It is also a good idea to only bring food out during meals, as to not teach wildlife that a campground is a place to hang out for food. At night, the dog should sleep in the tent with you, and a doggie bed will give
to them what your sleeping back gives to you. If you’re planning to bring a dog camping, grab a tent that’ll accommodate all of the humans, plus one more. According to REI, some backyard camping can help them get accustomed to the sleeping arrangement. When bringing a dog hiking, many of the rules with camping also apply, but there are additional things to look out for. SEE DOG ON PAGE 141
PHOTO COURTESY DARIN CONRAD Pets can make excellent camping and hiking companions, but like humans need some prep work for them to have the optimal experiences.
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167 Locust Street (Lower Street) Spruce Pine, NC SUMMER TIMES 2021
