As you gear up for camping season, visions emerge of scenic vistas, crackling campfires, and precious bonding time with loved ones. For over 60 million dog-owning households, those loved ones now include four-legged members too!
Camping ranks among the most popular activities to enjoy with dogs. And why not when combining two great pastimes? Enjoying outdoors and snuggles from your faithful pup makes any camping trip doubly fun.
How to Camp with Dogs?
Yet questions loom around ensuring comfortable, safe travels for pets away from the perks of home. What extra supplies will they need? How to keep them from wandering astray? What about bears?! Relax – we’ve got you covered on how to go camping with dogs so the whole “pack” enjoys the experience.
Preparing Pups for Play & Adventure Outdoors
To unleash carefree fun for the whole family, a bit of planning and preparation goes a long way. We’ll detail critical considerations around health protocols, training basics, choosing dog-friendly destinations, and gear must-haves so you can relax knowing you’ve covered all the doggy details.
Vet Visit & Health Essentials
No surprise that consulting your veterinarian tops the pre-trip checklist. Make sure routine wellness visits and vaccines stay current prior to travel, especially rabies and rattlesnake prevention if relevant for your region. Address any lingering injuries or medical issues now…chasing critters on uneven terrain won’t help sore joints or stitched wounds!
If your outing lasts more than a quick weekend, consider packing extras of your dog’s prescription meds in case losing some. Also inform your vet of general travel dates/locations in case of emergency needs on the road.
Training Refreshers
Even obedience-trained pups benefit from refresher sessions on impulse control, verbal commands, and social skills when entering exciting new environments. Review basics:
- Coming when called or whistled
- “Leave it” self-restraint around food or wildlife
- Proper leash walking etiquette
- Getting along with strange people and pets
Practice in settings with distractions similar to your campground ahead of time. And don’t forget rewarding great behavior with over-the-top verbal praise and special treats!
Choosing Dog-Friendly Destinations
When selecting camping destinations, prioritize pet-friendly options for less hassle and maximum enjoyment. Recreation.gov lets you filter campground searches on sites allowing pets. Focus initial outings at established locations offering convenient amenities:
- Open areas for playtime and potty walks
- Trees for shade breaks
- Potable water for hydrating
- Waste bags and stations As skills improve, venture into more primitive dispersed camping on public lands also allowing dogs if you prepare adequately for self-sufficient stays.
Must-Have Gear for Camping Canines
Whatever the camping destination, packing certain essentials keeps dogs protected and at peak play:
- Familiar bedding + toys
- Non-tip bowls for food + water
- Backup leash and collar/harness
- First aid kit for dog emergencies
- Medications, treatment supplies
- Protection gear: boots, jackets, cooling mats
- Dog cleanup bags
- Vermin-proof food storage bins
- Crate (if acclimated for secured confinement)
The old adage “an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure” holds true literally when carrying all your own gear in the backcountry. So choose multipurpose equipment like collapsible bowls doing double duty as food storage containers.
Planning Adventures to Remember
Once essentials check out, it’s time for the best part – discovering epic outdoor adventures with your BFF fur baby! Let’s unpack tips for hitting the road smoothly, tracking their location, and picking pet-friendly activities for maximum fun.
Road Trip Ready For travels near or far, prepping dogs for life on the road prevents headaches enroute:
- Get them comfortable riding in crates secured safely in your vehicle
- Pack a bag just for them – food, meds, cleanup supplies
- Refill water; plan regular potty/exercise breaks
- Bring their own toys and blankets for the ride
- Celebrate good car behavior aka no whining/drooling!
Arriving on Site
Before popping the tent or cracking open the first cold one, focus fully on helping pups acclimate:
- Take them on an introductory tour around your site/loop
- Show designated areas for potties, play, food
- Unpack their gear so everything remains easily accessible
High Tech Tracking Options
Especially for off-leash environs, keep dogs discoverable if they roam out of sight via tracking tools like:
- Bluetooth enabled collars sync with smartphones up to 400 yards away
- Cellular GPS collars provide real-time locations virtually unlimited distances through free apps. No carrying receivers required.
- Safety pendant updates current coordinates installed on existing collar
Pick Fun Puppy Pastimes
The best part of camping with your dog means picking activities you both love. Fill their days with play and adventure via:
- Hiking forest trails like the pro hounds you travel with
- Chasing Frisbees across wide open meadows
- Splashing in the lake or ocean together
- Snuggling by the campfire after tuckered out
- Wandering quaint nearby mountain towns for pup cups and pats
Follow their lead exploring surroundings unfamiliar to you both. Rediscover simple joys of sticks, smells, and chasing squirrels together!
Pitching a Peaceful Dog-Friendly Camp
Amidst all the playtime fun, don’t forget practical pointers to maintain home comforts for happy healthy pups overnight:
Securing Your Site Ensure your basecamp stays secure from wildlife raids or pets wandering off:
- Place gear/supplies safely inside hard-sided vehicles overnight
- Use tie downs/stakes/biners to secure tent openings
- Attach ID tags to camp chairs, cots, other loose items
- Secure food + treats in dog-proof lidded bins overnight
Designating Dog Zones
Clearly defining canine zones prevents messy accidents/conflicts:
- Pick an area downhill from tents for potty visits
- Designate dog run paths intersecting with neighbors
- Provide dedicated tie downs/runs when left briefly alone
- Crate pets during human meal times
Maintaining Routines
Help anxious pets feel comforted sticking close to home routines:
- On trips under 2 weeks, keep feeding same amounts/times
- Encourage daytime naps while parents break too
- End days together with familiar toys + bedtime blankets
Contingencies for Managing Camp Emergencies
From unexpected storms to injuries miles from the trailhead, emergency scenarios challenge even seasoned outdoor veterans. Going prepared equips any dog owner to handle common risks confidently.
Stock a Doggy First Aid Kit
Having basic medical supplies onhand provides peace of mind to manage injuries until reaching a vet:
- Antiseptic wash + gauze pads
- Medical tape + tweezers
- Antibiotic/anti-itch ointment
- Sterile eye/ear wash
- Mild hydrocortisone cream
- Benadryl tablets
- Rectal thermometer
Create an Emergency Plan Together
Hope for the best while prepping for the worst by making an emergency action plan:
- Know precise campsite/trail coordinates
- Carry trailhead maps everywhere
- Input emergency contacts/vets address in phones
- Share itinerary + return times with family/friends
What to Do if Lost
Implement search and rescue basics if separated:
- Most lost dogs stay within 3 miles of last seen
- Immediately check 30 yards radius calling their name
- Have others whistle/shake treats driving dog toward your voice
- Cross-grid area using scent articles containing your smell
- Notify camp hosts; organize expanded search party
- Call/text registered microchips
FAQs on Hitting the Trail with Pets
What limitations apply for backcountry camping?
Some federal wilderness areas restrict dogs and certain national parks like Yosemite ban them on trails. Yellowstone only allows dogs in one frontcountry campground area. Know regulations beforehand.
Do dog bags requiring carrying waste out?
Yes! Practice Leave No Trace ethics packing out all dog waste bags whenever camping without provided trash services.
What food storage protocol applies?
Store all human/dog food and scented items in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved bear-resistant container away from tents overnight and when not present.
Can dogs ride in kayaks and pack rafts?
Yes, with proper lifejackets and securing their claws from puncturing inflatables! Practice boarding while still on land first. Consider a trail excursion before committing to an all-day trip.
How much food should I pack?
The excitement and exercise from extended outdoor adventure boosts doggy appetites above couch potato levels! Bring at least 1.5 times their normal ration and monitor if needing increased portions.
When to Leave Dogs Home?
As much as they love constant companionship, some trips pose threats too risky for dogs or require complete owner focus. Certain high alpine scrambles, extensive ropes/exposure require your full attention without worrying about them. And especially hot weather may exceed safe heat thresholds for dog participation depending on breed.
Discover New Horizons Together with Confidence
Unforgettable journeys start with a single step…followed by four paws stepping in sync along the path less traveled. We hope these tips help you and your loyal trail buddies train up for adventure-filled camping trips ahead. Let us know if other questions pop up as you prepare to make magical memories together under the stars!