Best Camping Tips Part 3: Camping with Dogs
“The journey of life is sweeter when traveled with a dog.”
Dogs make difficult times in life a little easier to handle. My dogs are my buddies, my pals, my besties and my babies. There is nothing better than having your best friend along for the outdoor ride, and dogs love to get dirty so doing that with you is their best – day – ever!
I’ve always wanted to be that couple with the perfect, adorable, well-behaved dog whether on a hike, camping next to other dogs or sitting at a brewery. For the last 15 years, that really hasn’t been my life. My pups aren’t the easiest dogs to just pick up and go anywhere. But, they picked us for a reason and I’ll always love them for it.
We got our first dog, Burrito when he was 11 weeks old. He’s a toy fox terrier/poodle mix and is a little snuggle buddy. He always loved being wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito, hence the name. Burrito is generally easy because he’s so little, weighing in at a whopping 11 pounds. But we learned early on that he didn’t necessarily love playing with other dogs. He’s more of a people dog that a dog dog. We think it started from an incident when he was attacked by a bigger dog at a dog park. The owner apologized by saying “sorry, our dog likes to go after rabbits and he probably thought your dog was one.” Ever since he could care less to play with any other dog. Regardless, Burrito is fairly easy to take around because we can simply pick him up and carry him if he becomes unruly.
When we moved to Colorado, we decided to adopt a second dog. Welcome Porter, a Pitbull/lab mix. Porter was pretty squirrely at first, but what puppy isn’t, right? As he got older, we realized he too wasn’t a dog dog but unlike Burrito he was big, strong and wild. So we went through all kinds of training. We did at home training, group training, socialization training, and went to doggie day care. Nothing really seemed to work with this one and he managed to get himself kicked out of a doggy day care because he was “aggressive” and chewed a hole in the wall of a kennel. Poor guy! It’s clear he’s a very anxious dog. He goes berserk at delivery trucks, anyone walking by or any other animal. He’s even so terrified of thunderstorms that he shakes terribly and won’t leave our side. So, we do our best to help calm his nerves but camping with Porter requires strategic planning. If he sees another dog or animal, he stands at attention, hair straight up and won’t listen to us.
If you’re one of those folks with the sweet, well behaved dog, I tip my hat to you. But if you’re like us and have a dog(s) who requires extra attention, then here is my go-to list for what to bring and how to plan for any event outdoors.
First be sure your campsite allows dogs. When choosing a site (if you’re booking ahead), make sure they allow dogs. If you have an ornery dog, try picking a spot that has some distance between other campers. I found this site called Bring Fido that details hotel and camping sites that are dog friendly. It provides reviews and pet policy information.
Check-in with your vet. Be sure your dog’s shots are up to date, especially when spending time outdoors. Are they taking their flea and tick or heartworm medicine? Ask your vet what your pet needs before your camping trip.
Make sure your dog has their collar or microchip. Your dog is in new territory so if you get separated, it is very important to have some form of identification on your dog if someone else finds them.
Do your research. Be sure to know what risks you’ll have for your pooch. From bears, to mountain lions, to dangerous waters that could make your dog sick. Be sure to know what threats could be around your little bestie.
Pack your calming treats. I’ve tried a few types of calming treats but these Quiet Moments Calming Treats by NaturVet seem to work really well with our dogs.
Bring water for your dog. Creeks and streams can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and like us, dogs are vulnerable to water-borne illnesses. So be sure to bring extra H2O for your dog for camping and hiking.
Plan for cold weather. If you have jackets or dog boots for your buddy, bring them. Also be sure to bring extra blankets for sleeping to make sure they stay warm. Especially for your smaller pals.
Are you leaving your campsite? If you’re near a town you want to explore, be sure to know where you can bring your dog. Don’t leave your buddy left alone at your site. Plan ahead for where you’re going and what you can do.
Don’t forget all your dog gear. That includes: water bowl, food, food bowl, treats, dog bones, doodie bags, towels, toys, and a pet first aid kit.
If you need one, bring your back up vibration collar. We unfortunately had to invest in a vibrating training collar for Porter as he can get very intense and scary when he sees something he doesn’t like. The good news is that the vibration collar really helps him calm down and redirect his focus. We bring this with us when camping and only use as needed.
Don’t forget your leashes. Yes, it’s great to keep your best bud off leash but remember, not all dogs are perfectly well behaved, and it doesn’t always indicate a reflection of the owner. Some dogs require a little extra love and having your dog off leash can be a huge challenge for your neighbor and their dog. A leash is your pet’s “lifeline” and will protect them and you from unwelcome traffic and prevent your dog from chasing squirrels, deer and other wildlife.
Finally, once you get to your site it’s always a good idea to get your dog acclimated. Take them for a walk in the area. Let them get used to the surroundings and smells. This is usually my role while the hubby gets the site set up.
Happy camping friends. Peace & Love
Nikki
What are your tips for camping with dogs? I’d love to hear your recommendations and camping stories!