The perfect guide to camping with your dog

Did you know that in Quebec, there are 875 dog-friendly campgrounds? Of course, there are some basic rules to respect like picking up its poop, making sure that it doesn’t bark too much and keeping it on a leash. But apart from these, before you go camping with your pooch, there are other things should think about.

Should I bring my dog or not?

This may seem basic, but the pros and cons need to be considered. First, if your dog is not particularly social at home and barks a lot, then this behavior isn’t going to magically change while camping. Also, remember that most campgrounds don't let you leave your dog alone in your tent or camper. Your furry pal won’t have access to the swimming pool or beach either. What’s more, some campsites may charge additional fees or limit the size of dog allowed. And here’s one last thing to think about. If you like to go sightseeing, eat in restaurants or go to the cinema, maybe it’s best for your dog to stay at home.

Make sure you have up-to-date vaccinations

When camping, your dog is more likely to come face to face with a skunk, or get bitten by a tick or a mosquito. That’s why its extra important for it to be vaccinated against leptospirosis and the various diseases caused by ticks. Also, as he will be in contact with new doggy friends, the kennel cough vaccine is highly recommended. And, obviously, it will need all the basic vaccines and the rabies jab. It would be super-frustrating to have your vacation ruined because you have to go to the vet for an emergency visit because your pet has not been vaccinated properly.

Leave some space in the car

If you're the kind of person who packs your car like you’re playing Tetris, time to change your habits. Your dog needs space to lie down and turn around. For safety’s sake, your dog should be wearing its harness and be attached to a seat so that it won’t be thrown about in the event of an accident. You should also be careful to pack your luggage so that it does not move around. This will greatly help with avoiding injuries to your pet.

Bring everything you will need

Going camping already requires quite a bit of organization, and gets even more complex when you add a dog to the mix. Here’s a list of things to remember.

• A personalized pet tag with your phone number on it.
• Regular or interactive meals because eating well is essential.
• A long leash for tying your dog up outside on your pitch. And don’t forget to bring a lot of patience for untangling it from under the picnic table or around trees!
• A flotation belt if you want to go on a water expedition with your dog.
• A cushion to sleep on if you have room.
• Food: calculate the necessary portions before you leave and bring only what you need.
• Bags to collect your dog’s poop. Ideally compostable in order to be as green as possible.
• Chew toys to stop your dog from chewing on wood all day long, because this is bad for teeth. And don’t forget, swallowing pieces of wood can be very dangerous.
• Towels for drying off after swimming.
• Treats for the simple pleasure of seeing your furry pal happy! Because after all, it's also your dog’s family vacation!

Schedule stops

Like you, your dog needs to stretch its legs and go to the bathroom. So, plan pee stops (and bring poop bags). If it is super-stressed in the car, you can give it calming products. Remember, common sense prevails. If your dog wants to ‘go’, it’ll probably let you know (in dog language of course 😊). Also, it might not be a bad idea to install a reusable mat to limit any damage should your pooch lose control during the journey.

Check on any activities you can do with your furry friend

As we know, a dog that’s had an active day is a dog that sleeps at night and doesn’t disturb your campsite neighbours. On the Dogtrotter site, you can access a list of things to do with your dog. If you choose to take it into the mountains or on the water, make sure you bring the right equipment.

To sum up, going camping with your dog doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to be well informed and well equipped. And really, it's worth it. You’ll have heaps of fun hiking or by the fire in the evening with your furry buddy. The Petstory team wishes you a dogtastic vacation!

Source: https://www.campingquebec.com/fr/pratique-du-camping/campeur-avec-animal