Heading off into the wilderness with your best friend can be an exciting prospect. Just you and your dog in your tent, eating tins of baked beans and howling at the moon. But there are a few things you have to think about when camping with dogs. 

Are Dogs Allowed? 

Before your big trip, make sure to look into if the campground allows dogs. Most campsites do allow dogs but make sure to know their rules before making a reservation. A lot of national parks also allow dogs but don’t allow them on the trails in the park so make sure to know before you go. 

Packing 

Most campsites in the UK will ask you to keep your dog on a lead. This can be the most stressful part of the experience for both you and your dog. Make sure you take a very long extendable lead. You can get special camping leads that screw into the ground, these are perfect for small to medium-sized dogs. 

Take an extra-large water bowl and water. You will be very surprised how much water evaporates in the summer when camping. Always make sure you have a large water bowl and make sure it is always accessible for your dog. You can put it in the shade under your car if you have one with you. This will mean it stays safe from spillage. 

Doggy Health 

Before you head out make sure your pup is up to date on their well-check and vaccinations. This is also a good time to make sure their microchip information is current, and their collar tags are up to date. You never know what could happen when you are camping with your dog. It’s also a good idea to bring a copy of your pet’s medical record from your Veterinarian. 

When traveling, you wouldn’t believe the number of critters your dog can get bit by! From ticks to the heartworm carrying mosquitos, make sure to stop by the vet to get your pup vaccinations and the proper flea, tick, and heartworm medication. 

Check their Temperature 

One of the most important things to consider when camping with your pup is temperature. Dogs can easily overheat or become cold. So, depending on where, when, and how you camp, make sure that your dog is in a controlled environment that is comfortable for your pup.  

Make sure the ground is not too hot and doesn’t burn their paw pads. Especially if you will be walking down country roads, where the tarmac can get much too hot. You can buy paw wax to compensate for this if you are worried or dog hiking shoes which are a great product if your dog can cope with wearing them. 

Be Friendly 

Clean up after your dog and be a good neighbor. Make sure your dog is well behaved and all around not a nuisance if you have a camping neighbor. A lot of people enjoy traveling with their dogs, but recently more and more campgrounds have stopped allowing dogs because of problems. Don’t be that numpty! Just be considerate and all will be ok. 

Brush up on training before you take your dog camping. Make sure they come when called and that they don’t bark at strangers. You can do this by sitting on a bench with them on a lead in the park. When they ignore people walking past, give them a treat. If they bark, no treat! 

If you are taking your dog to a big event or for a family camping trip, it might be a good idea to have a trial camp out first just to make sure your dog can cope with the strange environment. Make sure they aren’t terrified of the tent and will come inside otherwise you might be heading home sooner than expected! 

Thanks for listening to these top tips when camping with your dog. Have you been camping with them before? Share your comments and photos with us!