This summer around the world has proven to be one of the hottest to date. The sun is shining and people are finally able to go out and do all of the things that they have been dreaming of doing for the past couple of years. One list of people this applies to is campers. People that regularly go camping treat it more as a lifestyle rather than a hobby, and it is one that they are extremely passionate about. But what happens when they have a pet? Read on to find out what you should consider before taking your dog camping.
Resources
Camping comes in many forms, there is wild camping, glamping and caravanning to name a few. With all of these types of camping, you have to make sure you are well equipped for whatever may arise. This includes packing everything that you need for your furry friend. Some must-haves include a doggy first-aid kit, medication, enough food to last you the whole trip and then some, poo bags, dog toys, towels, leads and the number of the local vet. It is also a smart idea to consider getting pet insurance, as holiday trips such as these can be extremely unpredictable. If you are a pet owner and you are going camping, you should look at getting dog insurance from petsure.
Location
This is one of the most important things you can do before considering taking your dog with you on a camping trip. It’s important to remember that not all campsites are dog friendly and a large part of them will only allow a maximum of 1 dog at a time. Have a look through and analyse if this campsite is the place that you want to go to for you and your pet. You should also look at: How far away is the campsite, will your dog be able to comfortably make that journey? Are the activities surrounding the campsite dog friendly? Do the facilities accommodate both you and your dog? Can you take your dog off the lead to allow them a sense of freedom on their holidays? These are some crucial factors that you must think of before choosing your location.
Prepare your dog
If your dog has never had the experience of going camping before, or if they are still fairly new to the lifestyle, the best thing you can do is get them used to this life before you go. If you have the resources to do so, you should try pitching up your tent in the garden and giving your dog free roam and be able to explore it. If they show interest, you should always reward them with a treat as this will make them understand that this is something you enjoy and want them to enjoy also.
You should also try testing a night out in the tent beforehand and giving them first-hand experience on what it will be like once you’re at the campsite. To make this an enjoyable experience for the dog, you should secure them a comfy washable dog bed within the tent and showcase to them that this is theirs to enjoy. Offering them a toy or a chew toy is also a great way to entice them into enjoying the life of a camper.
Train them
Before heading off to your chosen campsite, you should try brushing up on your training skills with your dog. A lot of campsites are dog friendly, but this usually means that they expect the dog to be well trained and able to comply with rules when instructed. Whilst training you should always reward them with a treat to show that they are doing well.