How to Have a Nice Camping Trip with Your Dog

If your dog loves spending time outdoors, then they’d probably love camping! Their enthusiasm, never mind their fun company, can make a camping trip much more pleasant. To ensure your dream camping trip doesn’t turn into a nightmare, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are some handy tips on How to Have a Nice Camping Trip with Your Dog!

How to Have a Nice Camping Trip with Your Dog

1. Prepare

Before you go on your trip, you should spend some time getting your dog ready.

Make sure they have all their vaccinations and are up-to-date on their monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.

Practice with your dog to prepare them for any strenuous or new activities you may plan to do on your trip, like hiking or swimming.

Also brush up on important commands like “leave it,” “drop it,” and “stay.”

And if your dog isn’t microchipped already, now would be a good time to do so, registering the chip to your cell phone.

2. Bring the Right Supplies

If you’re hoping to have a nice camping trip with your dog, there are a number of items you need to bring.

First of all, it never hurts to bring a copy of your dog’s vaccinations.

You should also bring your dog his own food and water bowl, kibble, bottled water, bed, leash, long tie-out, crate/carrier, and toys.

Those toys should include quiet time chew toys, and more active toys, like a Frisbee, tennis balls, and water toys.

You should also make sure to bring along a pet first aid kit, including a pair of tweezers (for ticks).

3. Watch the Fire

Most dogs know not to get too close to the fire. However, many dogs don’t realize just how furry they are!

A Golden Retriever won’t think anything of standing close to an open flame and wagging that big fluffy tail!

So make sure to put your dog’s tie-out in a place where they can’t get near a fire.

4. Use a Crate

That crate you brought isn’t just for emergency situations. Any time that you need to leave your dog alone, you should use the crate.

Leaving a dog locked in a car or tent or tied to a tree while you go off elsewhere isn’t safe.

Instead, put your dog in their crate or within a portable exercise pen whenever you have to step away.

5. Avoid Wild Animals

You may want to see just how good your retriever is at chasing birds, or what your terrier would do if faced with a real rabbit.

But while your dog may have a good time and the scene could be entertaining, if you want to have a nice camping trip with your dog, avoid sending them after wild animals.

First of all, your dog may actually catch something, and that something could be endangered or off-limits, getting you in trouble.

Also, wild animals, even small ones, may hurt your dog. And then there’s always the danger your dog will run off after an animal and get lost!