Camping with your dog: Tips to make your trips go smoothly

Are you a camping enthusiast? Who do you like to camp with? If you are like most dog owners that I know, you probably want to make sure your camping trips include your canine companion! Spending time with your dog is always enjoyable, but spending time outdoors with your dog will be a whole new kind of fun! You can learn a lot about your dog while being outdoors. You can get a real idea of just how curious and inquisitive they are. And you might also be surprised to find out just how much energy they really have. Spending this kind of time together with your dog can help you to strengthen your bond. 

Additionally, camping trips with your dog are actually quite good for you too! Being outside with your dog will encourage you to be more active, it can help you learn more about outdoor skills and frankly, it’s fun for you too!

Tips that will help trips away camping with your dog go smoothly

Following these tips will help your camping trip stay successful and fun!

Prepare in advance

Perhaps the single most important thing you can do to make a camping trip with your dog go smoothly is to prepare for it accordingly. For starters, create a to-do list of things to do before you go. This list should include the following:

• Research the dog rules for the campground. The rules you want to look out for include leash requirements, dog barking ordinances, breed restrictions, and aggressive dog rules.
• Schedule an appointment with your vet. Be sure to schedule an appointment with the vet to be sure that your dog is in good health, up to date on all vaccinations, and is properly protected against fleas and ticks. Additionally, be sure and get your dog microchipped if they aren’t already. Being in a new location can cause confusion for your pet, making it easier for them to get lost, a microchip can help keep them safe.
• Schedule an appointment with your groomer. A freshly groomed dog can better keep their temperature regulated outdoors. Additionally, it’s important to have their nails trimmed to prevent them getting snagged on anything. 
• Research for emergencies. You should find where the nearest emergency animal hospital will be and keep the address and phone number handy. The last thing that you want to do is start searching for numbers in case something happens.

Pack well

Camping with dogs means packing differently than you may be used to. When packing for a camping trip with your dog, be sure to include the following items on your list:

• Dog food and bowl—it’s best to pack extra food
• Treats—bring lots of treats to reward your dog for listening (don’t worry all the exercise will burn the extra calories)
• Water (if your camping location doesn’t have water, be sure to pack extra for your dog) and bowl
• Dog waste bags
• Dog first aid kit
• Medication, if needed
• Tether and stake
• Leashes—it’s good idea to bring a variety of leashes in different lengths
• Extra collars and/or harnesses—just in case your regular one breaks (make sure your phone number is on them)
• Extra towels
• Vet/vaccination records
• A recent photo of your dog
• A flea comb and tick removal tool—even if your dog is taking protection, it’s still a good idea to do a thorough check daily
• Life jacket—you may want to consider this if you are bringing your dog on the water for the first time
• Crate—If you have to leave your dog unattended, you may need to crate them
• Dog bed and/or blanket

Bring lots of toys

Be sure to bring plenty of your dog’s favorite toys with you on your camping trip. This will help keep your dog from getting bored, as simply being outdoors will likely not keep them stimulated. And you probably want to leave those fluffy or fuzzy toys at home and stick with something waterproof and easily cleanable. 

Avoid leaving you dog unattended

When camping, it is important to never leave your dog unattended. This is not your dog’s normal home, it is unfamiliar territory and you simply don’t know how your dog may react to it. He or she may be the most well-behaved dog ever, but when they are scared or confused, you may find yourself experiencing unfamiliar behavior or dogs running off. (Or that strange critter is just too tempting not to chase.) Making sure to stay with your dog at all times will help prevent these situations from happening. 

It’s also advisable to bring leashes of different lengths. If you are in a crowded area (or depending on the local rules), you may only be able to use a standard 4–6′ leash. But if you are more secluded, you could have a very long leash that will give your dog more freedom to explore. You can also allow your dog to drag the leash to give him/her a sense of freedom but it’s easily grabbable in case they start exploring too much. Ideally, you have been working on your recalls with your dog and this will be a great chance to practice (remember to bring those treats).  

Do a trial run before heading on a long camping trip with your dog

Before heading out to your camping trip, take your dog on a trial run first. You can do this by going on a longer walk, heading to the forest for a day, or simply staying outside all day and seeing how your dog reacts. Additionally, working on socialization (with dogs and people) is a plus. Many campgrounds get busy, so you want to be sure that your dog isn’t nervous around unfamiliar people and animals. 

Keep a routine even when camping with your dog

Even though you are having this camping adventure, try and keep your routine as closely matched to your life at home as possible. For instance, if your dog sleeps in a kennel, be sure to bring your kennel. If your dog sleeps next to your bed at home, be sure and bring a dog bed for him to place in the tent with you. This will help your dog to be more comfortable and will prevent confusion and feelings of overwhelm in your dog. Try to also feed your dog at the same times as at home. Your dog may be hungrier than usual with all the exercise, so keep that in mind when packing food. 

Be sure that your campsite has shade 

If you are camping during the summer, your dog overheating is a real concern. To prevent this, it is important to be sure that there is a shaded spot for your dog to cool down while camping. 

Camping with your dog will be a great experience. Your dog will get a chance to explore new sights, sounds, and smells. So, let them enjoy everything while you enjoy too. And take lots of pictures!!