There are so many amazing things that you can do on your camping trip. The fun starts with the road trip and set up a campsite, then, there are many fun activities near water, as well as numerous late-night activities like stargazing and roasting marshmallows by the campfire. While this experience may be much more unique for those who decide to bring their beloved pet along, this can also make things a tad more complex. With that in mind and without further ado, here are several fun tips to help you make camping with your dog a lot easier.
Check if the park allows dog visitors
If you intend to go to a national park, what you should do first is check if they allow dogs, to begin with. Have no fear, the vast majority of them do, nonetheless, the last thing you want to encounter is being turned back after several hours of driving due to the fact that you’ve failed to check. Now, even if your target destination is off-limits, there are many alternatives for you to consider.
Pack a lot of water and food
Keep in mind that due to the amount of activity that you’ll face while camping, both you and your dog will get thirsty and hungry much quicker. This is why you need to properly supply yourself for the journey. Now when it comes to the container and the type of snacks, it’s for the best that you pack something compact and caloric. This will help you with the packing quite a bit. Bring an easily portable bowl or even a collapsible bowl so that you can serve them properly. In other words, you need to make a list and order these dog supplies online. You should also do this on time so that they can arrive before you actually embark on the journey.
Bring some fun activities
Even though it’s all new and exciting, you should try to make an effort to ensure that your beloved pet doesn’t get bored in the process. The best way to do so is to ensure that you have a lot of fun activities already planned out. Bring their favourite ball, a Frisbee and some other dog toys. Sure, you don’t have to spend the entire camping trip playing with these toys but it’s definitely handy to have them around during your breaks from fishing, hiking and exploring the area.
Keep them leashed
Keep in mind that the place you will be camping at is a completely new and unpredictable environment. This is why the behaviour of your dog might be unpredictable, as well, and this has nothing to do with how well-behaved or trained your dog is. Also, remember that this is not distrust that you’re showing towards your dog, it’s simply an example of a healthy mindset where safety comes first.
Protect their paws
Keep in mind that your beloved pet might have a problem with too hot, too cold or too snowy terrain. One way of handling this issue is purchasing a quality set of dog boots. While there are some dogs who need them out of convenience, there are a lot of dogs out there with medical issues which require them to wear these boots. Keep in mind that what your dog will be facing are rocky trails and sharp inclines that may hurt them, regardless of the fact that your dog is meant to walk without these boots. Also, bear in mind that a lot of dogs grow up in urban environments, which is why their paws aren’t really accustomed to this kind of rough terrain.
Bring a bigger tent
On this journey, bringing a dog means bringing one more person in the group. Previously, we’ve discussed that this means that you’ll have to bring more water and snacks, however, this also means that you need to get a bigger tent. In order to ensure the success of this trip, you need to make sure that you’re as comfy as possible and having a dog-friendly tent can surely help you out in this regard.
In the end, camping with your dog may be a challenging experience but it’s also incredibly rewarding and unique. After all, it is something that makes both you and your dog happy. At the end of the day, this is all that really matters – that you feel like your effort is rewarded. By handling this the right way, you’ll have no problem with achieving this. So, take your time to plan it all out and then diligently tend to the execution of your plans.