Tips for Camping with Your Dog
With the summer in full swing, now is a great time to explore the great outdoors with your canine companion. Camping is a fun way to go on a little vacation while also taking in nature, and what’s even better is when you get to take your pup along with you. But, before you hit the road, here are some camping tips to keep in mind to ensure your trip runs smoothly!
Make Sure the Campsite is Dog Friendly
The last thing you want is to drive all the way out to a park to go camping, only to discover that it’s not dog-friendly. So, be sure to do your research ahead of time and also double-check by contacting the park to ensure they’re dog-friendly. Your future self will thank you tremendously. Check on the leash laws and individual campground dog-related rules as well so that you know exactly what to expect and how you can behave with your pooch there ahead of time.
Practise Canine Campsite Etiquette
One important part of campsite etiquette that many pet parents can forget has to do with refreshing Fido on their obedience training. Before heading out into nature, be sure you have a reliable recall command set up with your canine to not only help keep them away from other campers but also out of harm’s way. Another command we suggest doing a refresher on is “leave it,” just in case you and your pooch come across any snakes or other dangerous wildlife.
Now, once you arrive at your campsite, it’s important to be courteous to your fellow campers by using a leash (or your recall command if Fido responds to it extremely well) to help keep your pooch out of other’s campsites. It’s best if your furry friend stays by your side at all times and is never left unsupervised at the campsite, in your vehicle, or on any trails.
This should go without saying, but it’s an important campsite etiquette to remember: pick up after your pooch and dispose of their waste properly.
Be Prepared for Anything
While it’s no fun to think of the worst things that could happen, it is important to prepare for them. You should come prepared for several emergencies, including having a doggy first-aid kit on hand. Here’s a helpful checklist of things you should bring with you to the campsite or do before your trip:
- A laminated card with your dog’s updated information, vaccination record, health history, and contact information
- Make sure Fido’s microchip and tags are up-to-date
- A bandana to use as a muzzle if needed
- Tweezers to remove ticks
- An emergency fold-up blanket to treating cold or shock
- A multitool that has needle-nose pliers
- Doggy booties for protecting an injured paw
- First aid book with instructions for treating various dog injuries
- The information of a pet emergency clinic near your campgrounds
- General dog first aid kit
Bring the Right Gear
While you do want to be prepared for anything when it comes to your furry friend, you also want to make sure you don’t end up overpacking. So to keep your packing list light, here is some gear that will make sure you’re prepared while not weighing you down or taking up too much room:
What’s most important is that you have fun, and coming prepared will help you achieve that!