Camping with your dog can be a great experience for both the dog and the dog owner. The family gets to stay together, there are no extra expenses for a kennel and most dogs love the great outdoors! If a dog is well socialized and precautions are taken, most of the time, camping can be a positive experience.
As a campground owner, we accept that most families consider their four-legged friends to be family members and like to bring them along for the weekend. We also have to protect the interests of the other campers who may or may not be animal lovers or pet owners.
Here are a few tips for the new camper who wants to bring their canine companion with them while they camp.
1. Bring along all the supplies necessary to feed, water and bed your pet properly outside. You may not want to bring along that expense pet bed that lays in your house. Purchase a bed with some waterproof material and make it just for the camping experience. Pack their regular food so there aren’t any digestive problems and find a water container that can’t be easily spilled.
2. Most, if not all campgrounds will have a leash regulation, so be sure your dog is on the leash or confined by a cage or exercise pen at your campsite at all times. When walking your dog in common areas, it is usually expected that you will clean up after your animal. Be a good neighbor. No one wants to step in dog feces and carry it into their tent or camper.
3. Bring along proof of up-to-date vaccinations and vet visits. Many hassles will be reduced if you are able to promptly produce these records if your dog should happen to bite another camper. Even if your dog has NEVER bitten before, be aware that you have now exposed your pet to a brand new situation with brand new scents and activity. Don’t assume that your dog will respond in a manner that is normal to your home or neighborhood when he is camping with you. Some animals will suddenly suffer from separation anxiety or become overly protective of their family.
4. If possible, expose your dog to camping on a non-holiday weekend. There will be less noise and activity and it will give you a chance to work with your dog and see how he reacts to the environment. The July 4th weekend is extremely taxing on dogs, as many of them do not like loud noises such as fireworks. If you know that your dog is skittish around loud noises, check with the campground management as to where and when those activities may take place so you can plan your strategy.
5. Never leave your dog unattended while camping. Dogs need human supervision at all times and should never be left alone at a campsite. It is not the responsiblity of the campground managers to watch out for your pet. Many campgrounds have a policy about barking dogs and the dog may be removed from the campground before you return if you have left it unattended for too long of a time.
Many families have successfully oriented their dogs to camping and share that experience with them regularly. If you need additional information about camping with your dog, consult your veterinarian, local dog trainers or other pet owners that you know camp with their dogs.
