Camping with Dog

[chasineyes]

Does anyone have an tips or advice on camping with a dog for the first time? I think we will feel too guilty leaving her home.

We have pop up.

[upnorth]

I would be a little leery of leaving her alone in a popup at least at first.

Bring a tie out chain.

Bring a leash.

Get some those handy dandy little plastic mitt/bags for picking up [PoorWordUsage] in campground.

Every dog we have had enjoyed camping. Seems most like being in the outdoors with their owners.

[Powerstroke]

If your dog is kennel trained bring their kennel. It gives them that sense of security and a piece of home. It also shows them where "their" place is.

If your dog doesn't use a kennel, how about a dog bed? If they don't have that, make one. get a blanket, dog bed, something and teach them. It helps when you bring them to a new place and they aren't sure where to lay down etc.

upnorth also had some great ideas. Check with your camping locations about their dog rules.

[Redlantern]

Not sure what kind of dog owner you are but I'll assume you have a decent head on your shoulders and have some common courtesy. One problem I've encountered is dog owners who leave a dog tied up while they are away. The dog starts howling, barking, moaning and generally carrying on. Making a pretty miserable experience for everyone but the dog owner (until they come back). Other dog owners seem to think that everyone loves dogs and don't mind their dogs running up to strangers and jumping up on them with muddy paws. Or the dogowner that let's them run loose, since this is the way God made them, and let's the dog dump and wizz on other peoples belongings. They also seem to like to grab any food that might be left out. Now before you say I'm some cat loving, dog hating dickhead, I'll let you know that I used to have twelve sled dogs and camped with them any chance I had in the winter. I love dogs but not all people do.

Make sure you have shelter from the sun for your dog, plenty of water available for it, if the bugs are bad, you might need to put some flysoff on it's ears, a tie out like someone already mentioned and a toy to keep it occupied (helps with the noise issue).

[deerminator]

If $$$ isn't a concern, consider leaving them at a reputable kennel. I'm not saying one of those spa-like places but just an ordinary kennel with nice runs and people that enjoy taking care of dogs. I love my dogs as much as the next guy but when it comes to camping or vacation they get to go on their own adventure so we get to relax! Bottom line, I wouldn't feel guilty about it. Good luck!

[reinhard1]

the last two dogs we had [for almost 15 years] we took camping with us and they stayed in our tent and they went with us in our boat every time. we never left them unattended. they knew not to get on our big air mattress and had a spot of their own in the tent. we went through great days, cold, and yes wet days. we now have another dog [Lucy, a 9 month old choc lab] and she will be going with us every time as well. if a place doesn't allow pets, well we go were they do or camp in rustic places. cant wait to get her out in my boat, and she will be with me every time i go. good luck.

[xedge2002]

We always bring both of our dogs camping with us. We put their travel kennels in a corner of the camper and that is where they sleep at night. During the day usually stake them outside with us or take them with us where ever we go. If we do have to leave them at the camper they go in their kennel so they don't bug other people with barking and whining. They love camping just as much as we do and it is a lot of fun having them with. Just like one of the other posters said make sure they stay around your site so they aren't running around bugging other people.

[BLACKJACK]

As redlantern said earlier, don't leave your BARKING dog unattended, even if its in your popup. We had that happen to us last year, campers in the next site would go off somewhere, leaving Barky in their camper. I ended up leaving them a nasty note taped to their camper door - I wanted them to realize that their dog was barking when they left and that not everyone apprecitated it.

That being said, we take our two labs camping with us, their home is two travel kennels in the back of our truck, thats where they spend the night, when we go walking, they go with us, on leash, we take poooop sacks with, when we're hanging around the campfire, they sit with us. This year, we have a pup, she'll problably end up on a chain just to make sure she's not rushing out to 'greet' people. They're part of the camping experience, not going to leave them cooped up in a kennel at home.

[Big Dave2]

We bring 2 dogs with us on every camping trip and all of the above advise is right on. The only thing I could possibly add is that we make sure to bring our Brittny's e-collar and she wears it most of the time during the day when she is not in her kennel. She can be a little wild but just having the e-collar on calms her down greatly.