Tips for Camping with Your Dog
We love to camp!
We started out in a tent. When our girls began to keep us awake at night, questioning EVERY noise they heard, we graduated to a pop up. As the girls grew older and needed a little more privacy, we graduated to a 33 ft travel trailer. A hotel on wheels. The only thing better is lying on a pristine beach with someone tasked to bring me a margarita, chips and guac. Camping has allowed us to travel across the United States seeing this beautiful country and appreciating it in a way that cannot be done from a stationary hotel room.
And we always take Maggie, or before her, Carmi. We have lucked out that our pups have loved camping. Maggie enjoys hiking, bike riding (she has a basket on the back of my bike), walking along the shoreline, and sitting by the campfire. She has her own chair and her own campfire blanket.
Maggie is NOT one of those dogs that barks at everything, so she is not annoying to our camping neighbors. Maybe she doesn’t bark incessantly because she doesn’t realize she is a dog? She likes to park herself on top of the picnic table. From there she has a great view of her surroundings (and is out of the dirt).
Ridiculous. I know. But she is part of the family and we wouldn’t think about camping without her. From the minute we park the camper in front of the house so that we can load it, Maggie knows a dogcation is coming soon!
Here are a few things to consider to make your dog’s camping trip successful:
- Make sure where you are going allows dogs. For a variety of reasons, we always camp in State Parks. Allowing dogs is one of those reasons. Many private campgrounds are not as dog friendly as state parks.
- Make sure your pup’s vaccinations and check ups are up to date. Be sure you have all of the prescriptions with you your dog may need and anticipate what you might need. Going to a heavily wooded or grassy area? Take tic precautions. Preventing tic or a flea infestation will help everyone have a better time and your pup won’t be miserable. Locating a vet while travelling is a hassle.
- Wondering what to pack? Leash, kennel or bed, food and water bowl, a few toys, a long cable so that your pup can enjoy wondering around your campsite, and a nightlight for your dog’s collar so that you can see your pup in the dark.
- Protect your pup from wildlife by never leaving your dog tied up alone outside. A tied up dog cannot defend itself if it is attacked.
- Maintain your pup’s regular exercise schedule and remember to pick up after your pet.
- Going on a hike? Take water for your pup. “Wanna go on a short hike?” has often turned into a much longer hike. Over prepare for your hike.
Have fun and be safe!