It’s official: camping season is here and it’s time to explore the great outdoors by camping with your puppy! Getting out in nature is a wonderful way to bond with your furry family member – whether you choose to tent camp in the middle of nowhere or cruise across the countryside in an RV, taking your puppy with you can add to the joys of your adventure!
Preparing and Planning for Camping
When planning a trip with your canine companion there are a few things to keep in mind to make the experience a successful one. We would highly encourage you to check out our plant guide as well as our for guide on vaccinations with flea and tick prevention. Both provide very useful information when headed for the great outdoors with a puppy who naturally tries to cure their curiosity by following their nose!
Being knowledgeable about what vaccinations are best for your area or the places you plan to visit, are a great conversation to have with your veterinarian. This will insure your new best buddy’s camping life starts out on the right foot.
With puppies being so curious and their energy levels jumping and dropping abruptly, it is best to bring the tools of training with you. A dog should not go off leash no matter how well trained and if possible, a crate should be brought too. Most campsites welcome pets but do require them to always be on-leash or a tie line. The crate is useful for giving your tuckered out pup a place they are familiar with to rest and recover from all the fun. If the crate can’t be brought, their bed should be. Not only is this a good idea for familiarity, but also so they have a designated spot to rest and sleep.
Camping Pack List
If you plan on taking hikes – keep in mind that just like a young child your puppy may start with all sorts of enthusiasm, but quickly tire. If you don’t want to be holding your pup for half of the walk, make sure to bring a backpack. There are backpacks designed for carrying dogs, but bringing an empty pack can work just as well. If you’re bringing water for yourself, don’t forget to bring some for your furry friend too! This waterbottle is our top pick for pups on the go. Though it’s common to think a dog can just drink from ponds or streams along the trail it’s better to not tempt fate, especially if your puppy has not finished all required vaccinations.
Regardless they can still get sick from bacteria in the water causing an upset stomach. This would be hard to deal with in a confined space. Since it’s not recommended (and oftentimes prohibited) to have your dog sleep outside with the heightened risk of wildlife encounters – all the more reason to make a stomachache less of a possibility! Which leads to our next tip: don’t feed them too much human food.
Can I Feed My Puppy Human Food?
It is common for fellow campers to pass by and offer your cute puppy their leftovers as a treat. You may even be tempted to do the same. However, overindulging in this way can again lead to tummy troubles. Bring plenty of their regular food in a bear safe container along with their preferred treats. A bone to chew during mealtimes or when everyone is just taking it easy around the fire is also a great idea.
With people passing by this can bring excitement, anxiety and stress. Having a plan to curb behaviors, like excessive barking or pulling on their leash will make for a more relaxing vacation for everyone. Continuing the training you’ve started in a new environment will only help reinforce the behaviors you hope to cultivate in your pup. Remember that your dog will feed off of your energy, so keeping calm, using familiar commands, and disciplining as the behavior requires just like you would at home helps builds consistency for your littlest pack member.
Keeping Your Campsite Clean
Remember: what goes in must come out. Unfortunately, being on vacation does not mean being on break from cleanup duty. Make sure you bring plenty of poop bags and have them on hand when exploring the campsite or surrounding areas.
It’s a kindness to you and your fellow campers to clean up after your pup and dispose of these bags properly. If you are still in the early potty-training stages, your pup may have a hard time recognizing that the tent or camper is not the place to relieve themselves. Make sure to maintain whatever training you have started at home. If you’re using bells to help them indicate when they need to go or have them on a schedule, bring the bells and keep the schedule.
It is also wise to bring plenty of options to clean up possible accidents. Packing a set towels designated to keep your pup clean after a day of hiking, biking, or boating is a must! Make it a habit to check paws and fur before heading into bed each night to ensure they have not picked up any ticks or burrs in their fur. Having plenty of towels, wipes and a doggy first aid kit on hand can help in a wide range of situations when camping with your newest little pack member.
By following these simple recommendations you are sure to have a fun and relaxing adventure while staying safe! If you still have yet to find your little camping buddy, take a look at out availible litters or talk to our perferred puppy trainer, Kimberly for advice on which pup would fit your lifestyle best!
