Tips for Planning a Camping Trip With Your Dog

What could be better than exploring the great outdoors with your loyal, furry friend at your side? You can spend the day hiking along a scenic trail then cuddle up to one another at night. Before you pack your bags and get ready to go, ensure you remain prepared with the best tips for planning a camping trip with your dog. 

You'll want to get prepared before you leave and know what to look out for as the two of you camp; after all, this is a fun, one-of-a-kind bonding experience, and you'll want to ensure your dog remains healthy and happy the entire time!

Before You Go

Before leaving for your trip, create a checklist of all the things you'll need to get done, including:

• Researching a pet-friendly location
• Visiting the vet
• Packing the essentials

Research Your Location

Make sure you look into your location before you pack your bags and leave, as the campsite may ban dogs; however, if this isn't the case, there are likely criteria your dog is expected to meet for the safety and respect of other campers. Look into:

• What good behavior your pet must display
• What the barking tolerance is
• What the leash requirements are

Having this information is important, as one campsite's definition of a well-behaved dog may differ from another's—and while some require a leash, this isn't always the case if your canine comes when called.

Knowing your dog's temperament levels is also vital since you're bound to bump into other pets along the trail and don't want to cause a commotion. Additionally, your canine gets exposed to new people, smells, environments, and more as you adventure together; this may lead to stress or dangerous, aggressive behaviors that campsites ban.

As you look for the perfect camping location, keep in mind that many national parks are pet-friendly, but regulations around when and where our furry friends may travel remain. The best place to find the rules and pet-friendly amenities is by visiting the campground's website or calling directly.

Visit the Vet

Paying a visit to your dog's vet for a health check-up makes sure your furry friend is able-bodied and healthy enough for the trip; for example, a dog suffering from an underlying condition may not have the necessary stamina for a hike. Likewise, a visit to the vet ensures you get:

• Necessary vaccines
• Flea and tick prevention
• Required paperwork

If you haven't microchipped your dog, getting this done at the vet is also a good idea as it decreases the risk of you two losing one another if you get separated—microchips remain registered to the owner.

Pack Your Supplies

Once you find out your canine is in top condition and able to travel, start packing your bags with all the essentials! For example, don't be sparse on disposal bags since you'll have to clean up after your dog. You'll also want to remain prepared for emergencies and everyday situations, so pack:

• A first aid kit
• Food and water
• Dog bowls
• An extra leash
• A harness and collar
• A dog bed or a cozy blanket

Depending on your location and the time of year, you may also need booties and a coat for your dog to protect them from cold temperatures. Moreover, booties made for hiking protect your dogs' paws from injury caused by broken glass, burrs, or other sharp objects on the trail.

Additionally, consider packing your dog's crate or a car harness to keep your pet safe on the drive to the campsite, as either of these prevents your furry friend from suffering severe or fatal injuries in the event of a car accident.

While You're Camping

When the two of you finally reach your destination and start exploring, there are still a few things to watch out for to ensure you have a great time. While camping, make sure to:

• Watch out for wildlife
• Watch for canine distress signs

Watch Out for Wildlife

When you go camping, it’s important to remember you're a visitor in someone else's home, so keep an eye on your dog to protect it from predators and to prevent injury. For this reason, it's highly recommended and typically required that your dog comes when called—a canine that cannot obey could run off and disrupt other campers, or get injured.

Keep your dog secure in its new, temporary surroundings and introduce them with a stroll around, as this will lessen the likelihood of your dog running off to explore where it could run into a wild animal.

Watch for Warning Signs

You and your dog should have good communication. Just like your dog must listen to you, you should know how to read your furry friend—understanding your dog and what typical behaviors look like allows you to notice when something is amiss.

Due to extreme temperatures, your dog could freeze or overheat if you don't take proper precautions, such as packing the ideal gear and tending to your pet. Some of the signs of overheating you should watch out for during a hot summer hike include:

• Excessive panting
• Disorientation
• Dry gums
• Increased saliva
• Weakness
• Diarrhea/Vomiting

You can easily prevent your dog from overheating on the trail by keeping him or her hydrated—as you take a sip of water, offer some to your pet. Consider taking a break in the shade if your dog starts showing signs of tiredness or dehydration, so you can both recharge and get back to exploring safely!

Follow Some Expert Tips

With a few final tips for planning a camping trip with your dog from the experts, you can ensure your camping trip is a blast! Make sure you:

• Have a photo of your dog
• Plan fun activities

Have a Photo

Many recommend taking a photo with your dog because it serves as proof of your claims in the event you get separated. A picture of your four-legged friend also shows other campers what to look for if your canine gets lost.

Have Fun Together

Making sure you plan activities that you and your dog can do together is also especially important if you're traveling with friends or family. You should never leave your dog unattended—not only is it unfair to your pet, but it's also unsafe.

Some of the best activities you can do as a group consist of:

• Swimming
• Fishing and hunting
• Hiking and exploring
• Boating

Once you decide on a few recreational activities, keep the right gear in mind; for example, if you choose to go swimming in the lake with your dog, pack a doggy-life jacket, and if you go hiking, pack a high-quality harness. Julius K9 sells various harnesses, collars, and leashes to ensure dog owners have what they need to confidently control their dogs.

Keep yourself prepared by knowing the rules and expectations of your campsite as you begin planning the perfect camping trip with your four-legged friend for some much-needed bonding time!

Lastly, remember to pack the right gear and plan plenty of fun activities, so your dog remains safely at your side. Shop for top-of-the-line canine harness equipment at Julius K9, where you can find harnesses and collars for all your furry companions—from an athletic sporting dog to a cuddly family pooch!