Planning the trip properly is essential, and taking care of a few necessities is mandatory if you take your travel dog on a camping trip. We have shared some tips to keep your dog safe during the campaign adventure.
1. Invest in the Right Gear:
You must always carry the right gear when camping, which can make a big difference. The same rule applies when you are camping with your dog. Investing in high-quality equipment can differentiate between life and death in dangerous situations.
Also, when you get good quality camping gear, your camping trip can be very comfortable for you and your dog. For example, get a sufficient-sized tent to share with your pet. Use a harness on your dog throughout the camp. Also, carry both short and long leashes. Water and food bowls should be durable. Carry a dog brush with you to get rid of tangles and dirt from the dog’s fur, especially when traveling with a double-coated dog like the labrador retriever or with long curly hair like the Goldendoodle. Learn more about the best dog brush for a Goldendoodle
2. Watch Out for Wildlife
When you take your dog on a camping trip, you might encounter various critters, which is normal, but you don’t want your dog to come nose to nose with larger and more dangerous animals like a poisonous snake, beer, or wolf. You may want your dog to have free rein in the wild, which is fine as long as you use a long leash to keep the dog close.
3. Bring Dog Food:
It may tempt you to share the camping food with your dog. It is better to avoid that because your pup may get a bad stomach. You should try to keep the dog’s diet as normal as possible, especially when traveling with the dog, to prevent stomach upset. Feeding them plain pieces of chicken or fish with no condiments added is fine, but sharing your oily food with the dog is not recommended. Your dog may stare at you with those longing eyes but do not get swayed away. Just stick with the dog food.
4. Keep a Water Bowl for the dog:
At the campsite, you have to always place a fresh bowl of water for your dog so that it can have access to clean water all the time. Also, ensure a shaded area for the dog to rest, especially in summer, to prevent heat stroke. There may be a pond or stream nearby to give your dog a refreshing drink, but honestly, it should be avoided as the water may contain algae or parasites, which can harm the dog.
5. Visit the Vet:
Before you embark upon any journey with your dog, you should always speak to your veterinarian. Your vet should have all the information about where you are taking the dog. The dog’s vaccination should be up to date, and the vet should give a medically fit certificate to the dog so that you know that traveling with the dog is safe. Get their nails trimmed, so it does not get caught outdoors. Also, get medication for ticks and fleas, be it an oral medication or a spot on. It is essential, as your dog will stay in the wild, and getting ticks and fleas are a common side effect that can be prevented.
6. Do a Trial Run:
If your dog has never gone camping, it is best to do a trial before going to the actual campsite. You can do this trial run in your backyard. This way, you will understand how your dog deals with living in a tent and staying outdoors 24/7. To make your dog feel more comfortable, bring a few familiar toys that will relax it. Also, get a blanket for the dog to lie down on, as it may find the tent material uncomfortable.
7. Research Dog-Friendly Campsites
Though you will find several campsites to choose from, there is nothing worse than reaching the campsite to learn that it is not a pet-friendly site and dogs are not allowed. Therefore, whichever campsite you choose, you need to do some research and call them first to understand if it is a dog-friendly camping ground. Check on other pet laws; for example, a few campsites only welcome restrained pets, whereas a few others are ok if you let your dog off leash as long as they respond to a good recall.
There are also a bunch of campgrounds that keep changing the rules based on the season. During busy seasons, they do not allow dogs on the site, whereas campgrounds become pet friendly during the off-season. Hence, checking the rules online first is essential if you plan to camp there with your four-legged furry friend.
8. Refresh Camp-Friendly Training
Before taking your dog camping, you should refresh its training sessions. A few commands come very handy when they are outdoors with you. Your dog should mainly respond to a solid recall, as their life may depend on it. Just brush on a few basic commands, such as “leave it,” in case your dog encounters any wildlife on the trail, such as beer, snakes, or wolves. Their response to the recall should be immediate. Training them indoors is not helpful because there are few variables. Hence, take them outdoors to train, preparing them for the campsite.
The Bottom Line
Camping with your dogs is a great way to bond with your best buddy. Far away from the distractions of the daily workload and chores. Your dog loves the wilderness and also spending time with you. Hence combining both of these together would be like a paradise for him, and snuggling up with your dog in a cozy tent can be a great way to destress for you.
