Camping with your dog can be a great experience for you and for your dog. For most of us, our dog is a member of our family, a true friend. Having them with us while we experience the great outdoors is amazing and certainly worth the effort.
But it can come with its difficulties, too. So here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re camping with your canine companion.
Tip 1: Dog Friendly
The first step to camping with your pooch is to find places that are dog friendly. Not every campsite will allow your dog to even enter the site.
But more than that, most campsites will have different rules regarding your dog. Some won’t allow dogs of a certain size or even breed. Some will allow dogs only during certain times. There will be rules about what equipment the dog must have. The list goes on. Just make sure you research where you want to take your dog and know the rules before you visit.
Tip 2: Get Control
You have to take a real, unbasis look at your dog. I know it’s easy for us to think our dog is the best dog of all the dogs (I know my dog is). But if you’re taking your dog to a campsite, you’re not just responsible of your dog, you’re responsible for how other people feel.
Other campers that see your dog matter. If they see you pulling you dog around as you bark commands at him, they’ll think your dog is dangerous, even if he’s just excited. They might complain and you’ll find yourself in a pickle.
Get control of your dog so they are not only safe, but others feel safe. I know it sounds like a lot of pressure on you, but it’s the only way to ensure a safe and fun adventure for all parties involved.
Tip 3: Test It Out
The city is very different than a campsite. Your backyard is different than a campsite.
What I mean to say, your dog at the campsite will have a unique experience. It doesn’t matter how good your dog is at the dog park or in your own home, the campsite is different.
This is why it’s imperative to have a chance to test out nature with your dog. You get to see them in a new experience and they get to practice it and work out any kinks.
Nature can be scary. No matter how good of a dog you have, go ahead and test it out first.
Tip 4: Plan For Your Pup
If you’re a very active camper and hiker but your dog is old and not very active, you have to change how you camp for your dog.
Once you decide to bring your dog camping, it’s all about them. If you’re used to relaxing but have a very active puppy, get ready for a busy time.
The more your camping situation is planned with your pup in mind the better time you both with have.
Tip 5: Documentation
Just in case, make sure you have proof of ownership of your pup, their tags are up to date, and all shots are current and you have proof of them. This is just in case something should go wrong or someone starts freaking about your dog.
You’ll have all information to quench any fears.
If you know the campsite in advance, you can make a new tag that has not only the usual information for your dog but also the campsite information.
Tip 6: Bring Too Much
If this is your first time camping with your dog, make sure you bring too much. Bring extra bowls for them. Too much food, too many poop bags, and extra collar and leash, too.
The idea is that having too many things is much better than having not enough. Running out of dog food or having your only leash break when you’re stuck at the campsite can spell disaster.
As you figure out your dog and camping with them it’s worth it to have too much as a precaution.
Camping with your pup is a great way to bond with them and have some new experiences. But this comes with a certain amount of danger. Luckily, the right preparations and forethought will dispel most of that trouble so you can just enjoy camping with your canine companion.
