You will find these tips for taking dogs camping very helpful if you are planning to take your dog camping with your family.
When we go on family camping trips we include our entire family including our canine members. Camping with dogs can be fun for both you and your pet as long as you are prepared for the unique adventures your 4 legged friends can add to your camping experience.
Making the proper preparations for camping with your dog is the key to a successful camping trip.
Here are some tips for taking dogs camping to help you prepare for camping with your dog or dogs.
Table of Contents
- Make Sure That Dogs Are Welcome Where You are Planning to Camp
- Make Sure Your Dogs Are Up On All Their Vaccinations and Shots
- Protect Your Dogs from Fleas and Ticks
- Make Sure Your Dog Knows and Obeys Basic Commands
- Provide Your Dog with the Comforts of Home
- Don’t Leave Your Dog to Wander at the Campsite
- Never Leave Your Dog Unattended in Your Tent or at Your Campsite
- Tips for Taking Dogs Camping – Other Things Your Dog May Need!
Make Sure That Dogs Are Welcome Where You are Planning to Camp
While most campgrounds welcome dogs and their owners, not all campgrounds are eager to allow pets.
When planning your camping trip make sure that the campground you have chosen allows dogs.
There is nothing worse than arriving at a campground with your pet in tow only to discover that no dogs are allowed.
Make Sure Your Dogs Are Up On All Their Vaccinations and Shots
Camping with an unvaccinated dog can put your pet in danger and make the other campers around you uncomfortable.
You love your dog and want him to remain healthy and well. So making sure he is updated on all of his shots and vaccinations is essential to help ensuring his continued health while camping.
Protect Your Dogs from Fleas and Ticks
Bayer Ea Seresto Small Dog
A visit to your Vet to have your dog checked out and get medication to help protect your pet from flea and tick infestations is important.
Ticks carry Lyme disease and many dogs are highly allergic to fleas as are many people.
Nothing can ruin a camping trip more that having tiny pests infesting your tent, your bedding, your pet and yourself.
There are several flee and tick products on the market but we prefer Bayer Seresto Flee and Tick Dog Collar because it really works!
This dog collar flee and tick treatment is so easy and convenient to use. Just wear it around your dog’s neck and you’re good to go!
I also like the fact that this simple collar does not only kill ticks and fleas, but can help prevent infestation for up to 8 months.
Better still, there is a Bayer Seresto dog collar for small dogs and one for large dogs.
Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for DogsSentry Fiproguard 6-Dose Flea and Tick Topical Drops for DogsK9 Advantix II Flea and Tick Control Treatment for Dogs
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Make Sure Your Dog Knows and Obeys Basic Commands
Just because you love your pet doesn’t mean other campers will. So when camping with your dog you need to make sure that you can control your dog especially around other campers their pets and wild animals.
One way of exercising control over your dog is to make sure that your dogs knows and obeys simple basic commands like Sit, stay, lie down, and leave it.
Practice these commands under different conditions and in different settings so that you can be sure that your dog will listen and obey your commands no matter how many squirrels are running around or how great the scent coming off a grill at a neighboring camp may be.
Provide Your Dog with the Comforts of Home
No matter how socialized your dog may be, they are more comfortable when they have some of the comforts of home.
When packing for your camping trip make sure that you pack your dog’s bowl, and bed or crate, dog tent, as well as some of their favorite treats and toys to help them feel at home no matter where you and your family decides to camp.
In addition, to providing your dogs with those items that remind them of home, sticking to your usual daily routine as much as possible will also help your dog remain comfortable and relaxed.
Don’t Leave Your Dog to Wander at the Campsite
SUREswivel 360 degree Swiveling Pet Tie-Out, Made in the USAWe do a lot of primitive camping and often times there are no other campers within a ½ mile or more of our campsite and our dogs don’t tend to wander off on their own preferring to remain where they can see us at all times.
So we don’t always tether our dogs on our camping trips.
However, if we have other campers camping within sight of our campsite or we are camping in a campground with other people close by, we keep our dogs on tethers that allow them to wander within our site, but keep them from wandering beyond our camp boundaries.
You should never allow your dog to wander beyond your campsite no matter where you are camping because this can pose a danger to your dog, other campers and their pets.
Remember that no matter how gentle your dog may be, under most conditions they are still animals and under the right circumstances their actions may be unpredictable.
Keeping your pet in camp is not only proper camping etiquette it also provides protection for your dog and other campers as well.
Pet Champion Large Tie Out Cable for Dogs Up to 90-PoundPet Champion 18-Inch Spiral Tie Out Stake and 25-Feet CablePet Champion Super Tie Out Cable for Dogs Up to 250-Pound
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Never Leave Your Dog Unattended in Your Tent or at Your Campsite
Even if you are only going for a short stroll close to camp, you should never leave you dog unattended at camp in or out of your tent.
If your dog is left in the tent and wants out, he can do real damage clawing his way out of your tent.
One of my dogs has even learned how to unzip the tent door. So while she doesn’t damage the tent, she certainly could escape if she wanted to.
A loose dog left alone at camp is likely to wander off or chase something into the wilds. And while some dogs are great at finding their way back to where they started other dogs may not have a strong homing instinct.
Tethered and unattended, your pet is at the mercy of wild animals, other wandering dogs, and even humans who may be passing near or through your campsite. So protect them by ensuring they are attended at all times.
Tips for Taking Dogs Camping – Other Things Your Dog May Need!
Below are some other things your dog may need for the camping trip.
Mkono Catoon Cute Backpack for Small DogYaping Collapsible Travel Bowl for DogsKurgo Wander Dog Travel Bed, Medium, BrownLegend Outdoor Camping Saddle Bag for Large Dog
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While there are some special considerations involved in camping with your dog, the effort to ensure your dog remains safe and healthy is worth it when you see how happy your pet is to be included in your camping adventures!
Lyme disease can be a nasty thing for humans, too.
This is a great article and just in time. I have a Belgian Mallinois named Bella and have been wanting to take her up North with me. This article left no stone unturned! Thank you!!