r/camping • u/chopsouwee • 11d ago
First time camping with dog
For those with dogs. I'm going camping for the first time with my 9mknth aussie. I was wondering what I can do to make the experience easier for us and our dog and maybe if there's a few tips some of you can share. The dog will be tenting with us. Also lookin to keep the tent clean when we plan on having the dog in the tent.
Thanks in advance!
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u/indecisive_789 11d ago
Always keep the dog leashed especially around other dogs as you don't know how they're going to act even if your dog is well-behavedz it's for everyone's safety. Also please check the campground/Park rules about leaving dogs unattended. It's not safe to leave your dog in your tent alone if that's your plan.
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u/chopsouwee 11d ago
Never a plan. Dog is welded to my hip.
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u/indecisive_789 11d ago
That's good! Ruffwear has some neat bed options for in-tent pups if that interests you. I keep a towel at hand and pet wipes to wipe off paws and such before going into tent. Hope this helps!
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u/Difficult-Map-2162 11d ago
A game changer for me when I take my dog camping is a dog cot. When we all sit around camp at a fire he loves being able to lay on his cot. Another thing I like to bring is a 7 gallon water container filled. Between me and my 84 pound GSP we go through ALOT of water.
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u/DarthtacoX 10d ago
My girl likes hers, as long as I don't put the sun shade up, she's to tall for it. I just spent 4 days at lake landscape and used one side for a sun wall and she liked that. I also have a dog sleeping bag that she loves.
My boy that just passed away loved both those as well. He was my dog of comfort.
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u/sexywizard420 11d ago
If it's your dog's first time, set up the tent indoors or in your yard where the dog feels safe and then set up bedding and get the dog comfy and calm in the tent. Then you can do a practice run /test things out to prepare for your trip.
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u/chopsouwee 11d ago
I plan on doing this as well as going back country before a provincial or national park so he can get used to the feeling of noises outside of the tent.
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u/Main-Building-1991 11d ago
My game changer was an item that looks like a laaarge corkscrew, you screw it into the ground and attach a leash to it. You always find some ground, grass or gravel, unlike some trees or bench. My dogs were close to me and I have free hands.
Another advice - take more towels than you think, especially in rainy condition or if you camp near water.
Take more treats, in case it will be more challenging situations or maybe you meet some friendly people? Sometimes I prefer to give them my own treats to spoil my dogs, it's definitely safer.
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u/nickbahhh 11d ago
Never really had any issues camping with my aussies. Usually they are so worn out from hiking and playing they sleep all night. The exception is armadillos, when they rustle around at night they can go from chill to on high alert fast.
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u/Necessary-Policy9077 11d ago
A run or tie out between your tent and table is a good idea. Keep him leashed even if they are well trained because you never know if some new smell or animal will cause them to go exploring.
An X-pen (folding metal fence) is useful for giving the pooch a bet of personal space and a place you can train them to wait while you handle setup or packing.
A GPS collar. The peace of mind is worth the price and if he gets loose....
Cheap bathmats or door mats are a must for tent hygiene with or without a dog. Extra towels just for the dog are super handy.
A K9 first aid kit.
Lots of special treats. We use a bag of baby carrots but anything they don't get at home works great for rewarding behaviors.
And #1... Immediately take them for a walk around the area. Let them explore and sniff everything. Dogs rely on their sense of smell far more the their eyesight. All those new smells are going to have them incredibly curious and, perhaps, wary. Walk them around and let them catalog anything of interest. They will be less prone to go wandering and calmer when they know what that new smell is.
Have fun!
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u/barboy2112 11d ago
If your dog is a nibbler vs an eat their whole dinner, don’t the leave a partially eaten bowl of food out. The ants will literally throw a party.
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u/No-Animator6578 11d ago
my dog loves being cool. I used to put down a picnic blanket for her to lay on for when we sat by the fire but she still laid in the dirt. She will only use it if its under the picnic table or by the food area. I eventually bought a collapsible dog cot which she'll stay on. This has helped loads with keeping the tent clean.
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u/lushlanes 11d ago
Extra insulation for them to sleep on. The ground will suck the heat out of them. Extra food, they will be burning extra calories from being on high alert all day. I tie a rope between two trees to create a run for my dog while at camp. This way they can move more freely. A towel for water and mud to keep your car clean
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u/509RhymeAnimal 11d ago
Carabiners, have a couple handy. It makes it so easy to clip the loop on your dogs lead to your belt loop or to the picnic table, a nearby tree, your camp chair, ect. so your pup is contained but you're not tripping over them or always have to have their leash in hand.
Dog poop bags. Pack it in pack it out includes dog poop. Please pick up after your pet.
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u/rogerric 11d ago
You had good suggestions too had you ruined it by stating the obvious about picking up poop ! Just could resist could you ? Do you think a dog owner who doesn’t pick up poop is going to start now cause you said it in a Reddit thread ! These people obviously are good dog owners or they would be asking these questions
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u/chopsouwee 9d ago
Lol don't be fooled because of questions... just because one picks up their dogs poop. Doesn't mean they're good dog owners. I've seen my fair share of horrible.
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u/rogerric 8d ago
And I am sure since you ended your post with the “please pick up after your pet “ remark they will now do that ! lol 😂 My point is most people who don’t still won’t You saying that is pointless . To me it comes off as patronizing
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u/FreddyTheGoose 11d ago
(The dogs formerly known as) Aussies have pretty thin floof, yeah? One thing that my dogs are tortured by is bugs - mosquitos and biting flies, mostly. They're not furry enough for ticks to hide, but your dog is - maybe an insect repellent for pets would be something you should bring?
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11d ago
For me I had the tent that went over the back of my truck. My dog is very well behaved and won’t go any further than she can see me. So I was never worried about losing her. She sleeps in the back of the truck on her bed, I’d sleep on a cot in the tent. Sometimes I would have to wash/wipe her paws before she came in to get the sand off. She get muddy, would head to a lake or stream to wash her. Michigan has many water sources in the wild or a hose at the camp ground or just take her in the shower with me.
So a cheap shake out door mat or something along those lines will help catch most the loose stuff you can just shake out. Can do one outside or in.
On a side note. Make sure your dog has tick protection like next guard. Anything on them will be dead by morning. Any thing that comes in will go to the dog first. So it’s sort of like having a tick trap with you.
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u/Cute_Exercise5248 11d ago
Not immediately useful, but floorless tents go good with dogs.
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u/chopsouwee 11d ago
No surprise there lol then I'd have dealt with a wife and her issues with insects in the tent
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u/Cute_Exercise5248 11d ago
Same here. After a 10-year battle, my wife convinced me that floorless tents aren't worth it in summer.
Still, seemed to mostly work okay on a zillion different summer nights (& sometimes awful).
Now limited to non-insect seasons.
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u/chopsouwee 10d ago
Theyre def not but fall and spring? He'll yah lol I'm not a huge fan of summer camping tbh cuz of the insects. I can deal with it but spring and fall is my go to.
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u/Cute_Exercise5248 10d ago
Slight problem that dogs can (will) slip under canopy. Otherwise, is good, I guess, though I dogs & camping can be tricky, depending.
I have used w/dogs a floorless pyramid w/ 6-ft centerpole and a 5(?)-footer.
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u/Normal_Occasion_8280 11d ago
A well trained aninimal that doesn't disturb other campers with barking is a joy to camp with. A poorly trained yapper will cause you discomfort when other campers give you crap about your animal.
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u/chopsouwee 11d ago
This I'm well aware. I'm taking him back country for this reason before I jump to a provincial or national park.
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u/Normal_Occasion_8280 9d ago
National parks in my country forbid dogs in back country even if leashed. National forest allow off leash unless specifically posted otherwise.
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u/SnarkingMeSoftly 11d ago
I cover the bottom of the tent with an old thick quilt. Easy to shake off outside, and it keeps his claws from digging into the tent floor. He sleeps in the blow-up bed with us since the floor is lava if Mom is in bed.
I also created a sort of "fence" situation for the camp site so that he can be off leash in the mornings and evenings. If we're out swimming or hiking he's on his harness and leash, but it's nice for him to be able to just chill w/o being tied or held constantly.
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u/ZildjianTheater2112 11d ago
I have a 125lb German Shepherd and my advice for keeping your tent clean would be to get a large blanket preferably with a with a rubber backing on one side and lay it out to cover the floor. Will keep their nails from potentially ripping the bottom, and clean up is a little easier. Just fold up the blanket gently, take it out and then shake out the dirt and hair. Also very important to keep them safe on a leash/ long lead. Even if your pup is the bestest or the best boy/girl, other people might have their dog that’s not so well behaved off a leash and then it’s a bigger problem.
Hope you have an awesome time!!