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Camping is one of my favorite activities to do with my dog. There’s nothing like getting out in nature with your family, friends and your dog! In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take their pets with them while camping. Taking your dog camping with the family can be a lot of fun. There are numerous things to consider while camping with dogs. Below we will discuss some of the most important tips for camping with a dog.
Tips For Camping With A Dog
1. Make Sure that Your Dog Can’t Get Lost
It’s one thing if your dog gets lost in your neighborhood. It’s another when you’re at a rest stop, nine hundred miles from home. Either train your dog to come when called or make absolutely sure that they’re on a leash at all times. Keep a tracking device such as the Tractive GPS tracker for pets. With a GPS tracker, you can quickly locate your dog and get him back. I do a lot of hiking and camping with my dog and he doesn’t go out without his Tractive GPS tracker attached to his collar. He has a solid recall but I don’t take any chances.
2. Get All of their Vaccinations Up to Date
If your dog gets into an altercation with another animal (or a person), the central issue will become their rabies vaccinations. When you stay at a campground that has a demanding pet policy, you’ll need to verify your dog’s vaccination records. If you cross into Canada (or go from Canada into the US), you’ll have to confirm that your dogs have had their shots. You get the idea. I keep all of my dog’s information in my Dog Management Planner binder. When I need his proof of vaccinations or I need to see his vet records quickly, I know just where to find them. It’s also convenient for keeping track of your dog’s activities, training and planning for your camping trip on the convenient planner pages.
3. Make Your Dogs Easy to Identify
If your dog does get lost (unfortunately, it happens all the time), the ability to easily identify him will become critical. For permanent identification purposes, consider tattoos or microchips. At a minimum, make sure your dog wears a pet ID tag that shows his name, your current phone number, and the date of their last rabies vaccination. Any of these items will help to identify your dog if he gets lost.
Click on the images below to check out pet ID options on Amazon.
4. Clean Up After Your Dog
The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior. If you pick up after your dog, you’ll be helping dog owners everywhere. People who don’t clean up after their dog can ruin things for everyone. It won’t take long for a campground to refuse dogs if the campers are not cleaning up after their dog. This is just good dog owner etiquette no matter where you are!
Click on the images below to check out doggy poop bags and poop bag holders on Amazon.
5. Learn How to Provide First Aid to Your Dog
If a medical crisis occurs while at home, you drive to your local veterinarian. But if you’re heading down a dark highway in a strange town, it will seem like a bad dream. Although there are ways to get help while on the road, it always takes more time. In the meantime, your ability to provide competent first aid could save your dog’s life. Create your own doggy first aid kit that you take with you when you go camping, hiking or even on a day trip with your dog. Our Dog FIrst Aid Kit Essentials Ebook will help you know exactly what should be in your dog First Aid kit for camping or hiking.
6. Involve Your Dog in Everything You Do
If you really want your dogs to have a good time, include them in your activities. Take them with you on long walks. Buy a cheap plastic wading pool and let them play in the water. Throw a ball. Cook them up a hamburger. If you do stuff like that, they’ll do cartwheels the next time you decide to take them camping. Dogs are part of our family, so why not treat them like it when you go camping.
7. Call the Campgrounds Before You Go
Even if a park claims they’re pet friendly, always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dogs. We’ve arrived at parks (with our two golden retriever dogs) after a long day on the road only to discover that pet friendly meant dogs weighing under 20 pounds. Pet friendly can mean different things to different people so don’t just assume that your medium or large breed dogs will be welcome at the campground.
8. Plan Ahead for the Unexpected
Have a plan (for your dogs) in case of a flat tire, a serious accident, or a fire in your RV. Start with a few extra leashes, a pet carrier, and an extra fire extinguisher. Then have a fire drill to identify potential problems. Being prepared can make a big difference in an emergency!
9. Learn About Your Camping Environment
Each country country has a vast assortment of dangerous wildlife, treacherous plants, unpredictable weather conditions, and demanding environmental challenges. If you don’t know what your’e doing, you might inadvertently be putting yourself and your dog in danger. Know what dangers are in the area that you will be travelling to and always err on the side of caution.
10. Recognize and Respect the Views of Others
While some of us can’t imagine traveling without dogs, others can’t image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after them, you wont give others much to grumble about. Be respectful and always remember that not everyone loves dogs as much as we do. Some people even have a fear of dogs. Being respectful and keeping your dog under control will help keep the campground open to dog guests!
Camping is a great family activity. Happy Camping!
