Camping is one of the most fun activities you and the Family can do together. It’s a great feeling getting away from the hassles of modern life for a relaxing weekend, at one with nature with your loved ones. If, like me, when you think of your family, you think of your pet too, then you might want to consider bringing them along for the wild adventure! Our dog loves the freedom, the fresh air, and the new experiences. Your furry friend can benefit from going on a Camping trip but you will need to consider some steps to ensure your dog stays safe and you all have a good time.
- Ensure Your Dog Is Properly Trained
The possibility of overstimulation is increased exponentially in a camping environment. The birds to chase. The crisp, fresh air. The different smells! All of it leads to your dog being more likely to run wild. Make sure your dog is trained to obey commands. Losing your dog is the one guarantee to ruin your camping trip and having your dog misbehaving could easily cause trouble for you with other campers.
If you’re feeling brave, or silly, and want to take a puppy camping, then make sure you are ready to spend most of your time training them, otherwise it could be a very long trip!
- Keep Your Dog’s Vaccinations Up To Date
This should be something you should do regularly regardless of a planned camping trip, but make sure you have this ticked off a while before your trip incase of last minute bad reactions. Here’s a few other things you should consider to ensure your dog is in tip-top condition before a fun adventure!
- Make sure your dog is microchipped
- Check your pet insurance is up to date
- Obtain your dog’s veterinary records
- Get your dog a check up to ensure they’re fit to travel
- Get the number of your veterinary in case of emergency
- Find out the nearest vet to your campsite
- Administer preventative flea and tick treatments
- Check leads and collars for damage
- Pack a first aid kit (LINK: http://notquitewild.com/outdoor-gear/whats-in-a-first-aid-kit/) for your furry friend!
Vaccinations are not only important for the health of your dog, but also important for the health of other dogs that may be at the camp site.
- Keep Your Dog’s Feet Safe
Camping often involves going for long walks. Something your dog will enjoy almost as much as you. The ground however isn’t always safe. While hazards such as glass and cut up aluminium cans will be encountered far less often in the wild, other hazards like sharp sticks, sharp rocks or hot ground, will be far more plentiful. You can stick to areas, or designated paths, which have been cleared and don’t have such hazardous ground when you take your dog for a walk. Alternatively, you could always purchase some foot protectors to ensure that your dog will be safe wherever you decide to walk!
- Choose An Appropriate Tent
While the day time will most likely be full of fun and frivolities for you and your four legged friend, the night time won’t be quite as easy. You might well have plans for the night, but there will come a time when you need to sleep. Unless you’ve brought a camper van with you, you’ll be sleeping in a Tent. You’ll need to find the best family tent (LINK: http://notquitewild.com/camping/best-family-tent-reviews/) for yourself, your family, and of course, your dog!
It’s not just the size of your tent you need to think about though. You need to make sure that the the material won’t rip as your dog walks around. If your dog is well trained you can limit how durable your tent will need to be, but it is inevitable that there will be some damage, so a highly durable tent is a must. You may also want to choose a tent with an outside awning for shade during the day, as your dog will definitely be napping after running around in the sun!
- Choose A Camp Site With Other Dogs
If it’s possible try to camp at a site that welcomes dogs. Some campsites require you to have your dog on a lead at all times, but this may not be so fun for you or your dog. Ideally, you want your dog to roam free and have fun, so dog-friendly campsites may be a better option!
The social aspect of the camping isn’t just important for humans. It is exactly the same for your dog. Give your dog the opportunity to make new friends, whether that’s other animals, or other people. Your dog needs to have fun as well!
The Final Word
Taking your family camping, including your dog, can be a relaxing activity as long as you plan carefully, and take things into consideration. Your dog will have so much fun exploring a new environment, with new sounds, and smells, and they can also be a great comfort when you’re traveling away from home. The main thing to remember when you’re taking your dog camping is to keep both you and your pet safe, and of course, to have fun!
About The Author
Heather Adams is a keen camper, hiker and writer for Not Quite Wild (LINK: http://notquitewild.com/) a resource blog for those who may not always get the opportunity to get into the wild everyday but who are wild adventurers at heart! She loves taking her family camping, and could not imagine not inviting her furry family members along for the trip!
This post first appeared on Pampered Dog Blog - Information For Pampered Dogs, please read the originial post: here
