Summer is a fantastic time to go camping, and it’s also a great time to spend some time with your dog outdoors; so why not combine the two? Well, it’s not quite that simple; after all, just owning and looking after a dog involves quite a bit of responsibility on your part; taking them out into the wild and expecting your dog to behave appropriately on a camping trip without the right training, preparation, and expectations, can be a real recipe for disaster. To avoid these kinds of problems, it’s a good idea to take all the necessary steps before taking your dog on a camping trip; as much as you and he or she may enjoy the experience, there will be problems that will inevitably come up that you’d rather avoid…

Pre-Camp Prep

First, you’ll want to see to your dog’s health; this is the sort of thing you will be doing anyway, so it is not quite so inconvenient as some other pre-camping preparations for your dog. Check their vaccinations to ensure that your pet has all their rabies shots, as well as that their prescriptions, medications, vitamins, and even training treats are all stocked up and ready to go; you’ll want to bring those. Some camp grounds even require certain vaccinations for pets to be present, so you’ll want to find out if there are any such additional requirements that you will have to meet first.

You’ll want to pack all of those pills and treats, but your dog will need more than that once they get to the campground. Your dog has his or her own particular comforts that he or she enjoys, and you should try to bring them along. A dog bed, a kennel, a leash, food and water bowls, favorite toys, and more can all make your dog’s camping experience fun and interesting for them; providing an element of the familiar can help keep their excitement and nervousness under control too!

Leashes & Attention

One fear that many people have when bringing their dog out camping with them is that the natural wildlife that surrounds the camp could easily do harm to their dog . After all, as a human you can tell when you shouldn’t mess with something or venture forth, and anyway, many species are just plain afraid of you. Dogs, however, often have neither of these benefits, and animals can do real harm to the. As such, remember to bring stakes and a leash, and never leave your dog unattended. So long as your dog is leashed at all times and you haven’t left him alone and vulnerable, all should be well!