Going camping becomes an even bigger adventure when you bring your dog. Rooming in with your furry friend can be a bit of a challenge, but if you like dogs and aren't bothered by some shedding here and there, it can be great fun!

Lots of campsites are dog-friendly, especially when you bring your own tent. For other accomodations like rental tents, holiday homes, mobile homes or log cabins, you will often find some restrictions. Always make sure to notify the staff about your dog coming along and inquire about any regulations and costs. The additional charges may vary from none at all to quite the amount.

Keep this in mind

Going camping with your dog may mean he will be in your company every second of the day. Especially on hot days, you can not leave him in the car, caravan or tent -which you can not even lock properly-. This means a limitation on your freedom, also when shopping or visiting attractions. Are you going camping with a puppy? That calls for extra measures. Puppies and junior dogs are very sensitive to new impressions, and there are plenty to take in during your trip! It's up to you to effectively manage all these experiences, which are pivotal for your dog's future life approach.

Is your dog campingproof?

Always follow the campsite's regulations to ensure a (future) welcome stay. It goes without saying - and is often mandatory- that, while on the camping premises, you keep your dog on a leash and clean up after he defecates. Make sure your dog is 'campingproof', i.e. is able to cope with common campsite situations like for instance people walking by your (his!) tent, even when it's dark, kids playing and cruising their bikes, balls and badminton shuttles flying around... These are all things a dog could instinctively react to by barking or chasing, and you will notice an increase in watchfulness when your dog is in unknown territory.   

Tip!

You can 'park' your dog near your tent by using a special cord and ground stake. Always pay close attention so your dog does not get entangled in the cord! You can find an example of a handy camping set here.

A true camping dog:

  • Doesn't bark for no apparent reason.
  • Doesn't harass other campers.
  • Is always leashed on the campsite.
  • Steers clear of the pool, childrens' playgrounds and sports fields.
  • Urinates and defecates outside the campsite. 

Tip!

A decent flashlight, which is practical to have at campsites anyway, can come to good use when you have to walk your dog in the dark. 

Water and shade 

Always make sure water and shade are available to your dog during your stay at the campsite. You can create shade when necessary by using a parasol or a so-called tarp, a canvas that can be stretched. A beach shelter may prove to be ideal; it not only keeps your dog out of the sun but also blocks the wind. Moreover, it provides a quiet and secluded spot.

Tip!

Not all tap water has a guaranteed drinkability. When you're not sure about the quality, the best thing to do is to give your dog bottled mineral water. 

Watch out: don't lean your dog butt against the canvas when it's raining!

A cosy dripstone cave…

Your tent's space is limited, so your dog will have to move a little closer and be aware of the tent rules: for instance no touching of the airbeds with your hard nails, no leaning your dog butt against the canvas when it's raining, to prevent deflating and leakage. Heat and stress can cause dogs to shed more than average. Be prepared for your tent to change into some sort of dripstone cave, with shedded fur sticking to the canvas and even more on and in your sleeping bag, especially when you have a heavily-coated dog. But hey, it's a holiday, and the fun of being together makes up for a lot!

What's for dinner?

Some dogs can, due to change of menu, travel stress of staying in a different environment, develop digestive issues. If you're not sure whether the product or brand you're feeding is available at your trip location, it can be wise to bring your own supply of food for your dog. Feeding raw meat can be very inconvenient in a tent without any freezing or refrigerating options. In that case, make sure to get your dog used to different food prior to the camping trip. Dried meat snacks and beef skins are wonderful to chew on, but be careful: before you know it you'll have a very interesting collection of flies buzzing around your tent!

Tip!

A stainless steel feeding bowl is not only hygienic but also useful in your camping kitchen, for instance for potato peels or as a small tub. Clean the bowl instantly when your dog has finished its meal. When it's left out in the hot sun for too long, you will have to scrub intensively to get rid of dried-on food remains. 

Nice and relaxed

During a camping holiday there's plenty of time to relax. You'll probably be familiar with that typical sound of complete families playing badminton fanatically on the campsite. It's even more fun to make your dog part of a game. Now's the perfect time to have some quality time together! Here are three fun tips for dog games:

  • Dog dicing. Essentials: a dice. Think of six tricks your dog can do, like sit, shake paws, play dead, pivote, touch your hand with his nose, catch something or bark on cue. Number the tricks one to six and roll the dice: the number of pips correspond to the trick your dog can perform.
  • Search the towel. Essentials: a towel and a treat. In this sleuth game, you place a treat on the ground and cover is with a towel. How long will it take your dog to find it? You can up the ante by folding the towel, completely wrapping up the treat (or toy). 
  • Cynologic scrabble. Essentials: a scrabble game. Is your dog tired, but you have plenty of energy left? How about playing a game of cynologic scrabble: think of and play with words that are exclusively linked to dogs. And if your dog isn't tired yet... Think of words for things he could do. We'll consider 'eating biscuits' and 'cuddle' to be correct!

Routine…

During a holiday, everything is at least a tad bit different. The accomodation, surroundings, food, climate, language... That goes not only for us, but also for your dog. To make sure your dog feels comfortable quickly, it is important to follow a fixed routine. A private spot to lay down, familiar toys and set times for walks and feeding  can help the dog feel at ease. It doesn't have to be the exact same schedule you use at home, as long as you follow a certain regularity so everyday life stays predictable for your dog. 

…and relaxation

Besides routine, resting is essential. Dogs are often awake and active during a big part of the day, especially during a camping trip when they spend lots of time outdoors, where there's so much to see, guard and do. Give them the time and space to rest and relax.

This article was written by Judith Lissenberg, who has years of experience with taking her dogs camping in France, and who has written a book about it called "Living like a dog in France - Holidaying with quadruped' .

Annerike from the CareTeam

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