Your Guide to Camping with Dogs

Camping isn’t just for humans. It’s one of the most dog-friendly trips you can take. Everything is outdoors, so your dog can tag along and explore nature with you.

While most dogs will be thrilled to go camping with their humans, you need to ensure that you’re fully prepared. Pack all your dog’s necessities, take safety precautions, and pay attention to your dog’s behaviours to ensure they’re staying safe and having a good time.

Choosing the Right Campsite

Even though camping is an outdoor trip, not every campsite is suitable for every dog. Keep the following things in mind when choosing your destination.

Dog-friendly Sites

First, make sure the campsite you stay at is dog-friendly. Most campsites allow dogs since everything is outdoor, but it’s still a good idea to double check. Choosing a campsite that happily welcomes dogs will give you and your furry friend the best experience.

Campsite Rules

Even if a campsite is dog-friendly, they may have specific rules and restrictions. Most campsites require dogs to be leashed, and they might not allow dogs in certain areas. Some may restrict certain breeds or dogs displaying unwanted behaviours. Familiarise yourself with all the rules of a campsite before determining if it’s a good fit for you and your dog.

Environment and Amenities

Not all campgrounds look the same. Make sure the space is ideal for your dog’s needs. For example, if you have a dog who loves to run, you’ll likely want to find a campsite that has a large off-leash area for your dog to play. If your dog loves swimming, make sure there’s a dog-friendly swimming area.

Essential Gear for Camping with Dogs

Campgrounds are different than staying at a hotel. They may not have easy access to shops where you can buy pet supplies. So, it’s crucial to pack more than enough stuff for your dog’s camping trip.

Here are some pet supplies you’ll need:

• Leash and Harness - Bring a durable leash and harness that can withstand the outdoor elements. True Charlie’s rope leads and slip leads are great options. Reinforced stitching is beneficial for both, and harnesses should come in adjustable sizes.
• Collar with ID Tags - Even if you walk your dog on a harness, it’s good to have your dog wear a collar with up-to-date ID tags at all times while camping. That way, it’ll be easy for someone to contact you if your dog gets lost.
• Food and Water Supplies - Bring more than enough food and water for the trip. Collapsible bowls are usually the easiest to travel with, making them great for camping trips.
• Dog-Friendly Tent - If you’re staying in a tent instead of a camper, make sure it’s well-ventilated for your dog’s safety. Also, make sure the zippers are secure so your dog can’t squeeze out at night.
• Bedding - Bring a dog bed that’s easy to transport and ideal for the outdoors, such as a waterproof one. Don’t forget extra blankets. Even if it’s warm during the day, it can get chilly at night.
• Medications and Supplements - If your dog has any special medications or supplements they need to take, don’t forget to bring those along.

These are just a few of the many items you’ll likely need to bring. Consider all the needs of you and your dog to determine what else you should pack.

Preparing Your Dog for Camping

Camping can be overwhelming if a dog has never done anything like it before. Here are a few tips for helping your pup prepare.

Training

Before going on an adventure like this with your dog, they should at least know some basic commands. Sit, stay, come, down, and leave it are five great commands to start with. If your dog knows these cues, it’ll be easier for you to get control of them, which is especially important when encountering wildlife and other dogs.

Trial Runs

If your dog gets nervous in new situations, you might not want to go into a weekend-long camping trip with no preparations. Try camping in your backyard for a night to see how your dog acts in the tent. Consider visiting the campground for the day so your dog can get used to its smells. Small steps leading up to a camping trip can help ease your pup’s anxiety.

Health Checks

Never neglect your dog’s health checkups. Make sure they’re up to date on vaccinations and preventatives (heartworm and flea/tick) before your trip. Flea and tick preventatives are especially important in the months leading up to your camping trip since your dog will be exposed to pests more than usual. During your dog’s checkup, mention that you want to take your dog camping to see if you vet has any advice.

Safety Tips While Camping

Your dog’s safety is always a priority, especially in an unfamiliar place like a campground. Follow these tips to keep them as safe as possible.

Leash at all Times

When you’re outdoors with your dog, it can be tempting to let them roam free. Yet, that’s not safe or allowed in most cases. Leash laws still apply at campgrounds, so keep your dog leashed to protect them from wildlife and other people and pets. Since campgrounds are a new environment, even the best-behaved dogs can get spooked and run off.

If there’s a fenced-in area for dogs to run off leash, that’s an exception to this rule.

Avoid Hazards

Poisonous plants, sharp rocks, food scraps, and dangerous animals are all risks you may encounter when camping with dogs. Keeping your dog leashed makes it easier to keep them away from these hazards, but you need to stay alert when walking your dog. Familiarise yourself with dangerous local plants and wildlife so you know what to steer clear of.

Bring a First Aid Kit

Having a pet first aid kit can come in handy. Hopefully, you won’t have to use it, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. The first aid kit should include essentials like antiseptic, bandages, and tweezers. If you’re unsure what to pack and how to use it effectively, talk to your vet about it during the checkup before your camping trip.

Save a Local Vet’s Number

If your camping trip is far from home, look up the nearest vet. Save their number and address in case of an emergency. That way, if you need to seek veterinary care, you won’t have to panic while looking for a local vet.

Keeping Your Dog Entertained

Camping should be fun for your dog, so plan some activities around things your dog loves to do. This could include hiking, swimming, and fetch. You can also bring some durable toys for them to occupy themselves with, such as waterproof ones. 

Most campgrounds don’t allow you to leave dogs unattended, and it’s usually not safe to do so anyway. So, make sure you’re considering your dog in all the activities you plan. If your dog is entertained enough throughout the trip, they’ll have no problem relaxing with you while you sit by the fire or sleep in the tent.

Camp Etiquette with Dogs

Remember, public campgrounds usually have lots of other people staying at them. So, be mindful of your surroundings. If your dog barks frequently when they’re excited or nervous, camping might not be for them since that could disrupt other campers. When they do their business, make sure you always clean up after them. 

By being mindful of those around you, you can create a peaceful trip for you, your dog, and everyone else.

Packing Checklist for Camping with Dogs

Now that you know the types of products to bring and what to expect, it’s time to create a packing checklist if you haven’t already. Below is a quick overview of gear and essentials to bring.

Keep in mind that this packing list is only for dog items, not human items.

Gear

• Leash
• Harness
• Collar
• Collar light
• Poop bags
• Bed
• Blankets
• Food
• Water
• Bowls
• Toys
• Treats
• Towel

Essentials

• Identification tags
• Microchip details
• Vaccination records
• Medications (if needed)
• First aid kit

Use this list as a general packing list for your dog. Feel free to add or remove items based on your pup’s personal needs.

Are You Ready to Go Camping with Dogs?

Camping with dogs is a joyful experience if your pet loves adventure. Since it’s all outside, it’s the perfect trip for spending time with your furry friend. Dogs who love the outdoors will have a blast hiking, exploring, and swimming with you by their side.