Episode #171 Camping with Your Dog

Welcome you guys to the Puppy Training Podcast . I'm your host , amy Jensen , and today we are diving into the exciting world of taking your dog camping . Whether it's in an RV or in a tent , this can be a super fun adventure . Now I received this topic from a listener and thought that's a great idea .

Let's do it , and I would love to know what you want to know about . So feel free to send me topics that you want to hear on this podcast in the future , and I will do my best to weave them into the schedule .

You guys , I love being outside , I love camping , I love being outdoors , I love being in the mountains , and being able to camp with our dogs is an added bonus . So , whether you are a seasoned camper or maybe a first timer , bringing your dog along does add some extra layer of fun , but also some responsibility .

So let's unpack everything you need to know to ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience for you and your dog . First things first . Let's talk about what to bring Now . Of course , you'll need the essentials like food , water , bedding , but don't forget about these dog specific items .

So , dog gear we want to make sure that you have a leash , a harness and the collar with ID tags . It's really important that your dog has a form of ID . Even if they're microchipped , I like to have a dog , just a dog tag on them , so that it's really quick and easy for someone to reach me or identify who they are . Also , bring poop bags .

We leave no trace , right , we know that . Consider packing a long line or a tie out for outdoor activity . So I like to bring my dog's leash , which is a 10 foot leash . That's a good leash length for go sniff walks , which I like to use when I'm hiking . And then I also bring a longer line , so maybe a 20 or 30 foot line .

I can use this again as a tie out when I'm in camp or I can use it out on a trail . So if you have an RV , or even if you brought a tent but an RV would be easier because you have space to pack it .

A portable fence is a good option to provide your dog with a space of their own to move about freely , but they have some containment there , right , so you're giving them their own little yard outside of the RV space . Now you can also pick up a section of turf or an outdoor rug that will help keep their paws clean when they're in that outdoor space .

So , if you have room for it , pack a little portable pen . Now , food and treats make sure you pack enough food for the duration of your trip . Plus , I like to bring a few extra servings just in case plans change when you're camping . Sometimes weather happens or unexpected things occur and we have to change our plans .

So make sure that you plan ahead and bring a couple extra meals for your dog just in case something like that comes up . Don't forget their favorite food rewards that we want to be able to use for positive reinforcement when you're in the campground or out on the trail . You'll also need to bring water and bowls for them .

Staying hydrated is really important for both you and your dog when out and about , so bring plenty of water and collapsible bowls for easy access . I like the collapsible bowls with a carabiner attached that just clip really easily to my pack and then I always carry a water filter so that I can , you know , have adequate hydration .

As I'm out and about Now bedding , make sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep and it could be that you brought their bed from home or a portable dog bed . I also recommend , if your dog is crate trained , bringing their crate along . This can be a great resource as it is familiar to your dog .

It's an area of comfort for them and it provides that extra layer of management if needed . As far as toys and entertainment go , keep your dog entertained during downtime with some of their favorite things from home . You know these might be favorite toys or interactive games . I suggest bringing a food puzzle toy for their meals .

Instead of putting their dog food in a bowl , put it in a puzzle toy that they have to work on a little bit to get their food out . That will be some good mental enrichment for them . Also , I bring a good fetch toy and a tug toy for playtime .

As far as health and safety essentials , don't leave home without your dog's medical records , medications if they are on them . I like to bring a dog specific first aid kit and then flea and tick spray . So I like the Wonderside spray . I find it is a good topical solution to keep those bugs away .

I also bring my Fido Pro Air Lift in case I need to pack my dog out due to an injury . This is just a simple harness that easily slips under and around your dog so that you can carry them on your back .

It's a much more comfortable way to pack out your dog rather than having to carry them in your arms , especially if you have a big dog like me Baxter's 50 pounds and to just kind of hold him in my arms and pack him out would be kind of a difficult task . So just in case of emergency , that Fido Pro Air Lift is a great product .

I will put a link to that in the show notes in case you're interested . I think a raincoat is always a good idea for your dog . That Baxter , again , is a doodle and has long hair and when it rains he gets soaked to the bone . So I like to have some protection for him if we were to run across some crazy weather . I also bring dog shoes and socks .

I like the ones by Ruffwear Because I have a doodle again . The socks hold his fur away and then they easily slip into the boot and the boot straps nicely around his paws and they don't come off . So we found great success with the Ruffwear boots . And then , as far as a rain jacket goes , we have a wilder dog jacket and we really like it .

Let's talk about setting your dog up for success . This is something I say a lot here at Baxter and Bella . Always try to set your dog up for success if possible , and here are a few tips to ensure that you have a smoother camping experience . First is pre-trip training .

Make sure that you practice or brush up on your basic skills , such as sit , stay , touch and come , making sure that your dog will listen to those things and that they can perform those tasks before you hit the road . This will come in handy during many outdoor adventures .

Simple basics that will allow you to communicate with your dog and manage their behavior when you come across other people or animals is really important . Number two is RV or tent familiarization . Make sure to introduce your dog to the RV or tent you'll be staying in before your trip .

Let them explore the space and get comfortable with the new surroundings and smells . Even try spending a night in the RV or tent while at home as a trial run and see how your dog does , and then you'll know what needs to be worked on . Number three routine maintenance .

Stick to your dog's regular feeding and walking schedule when you're camping as much as possible . This helps maintain a sense of normalcy . Number four is safe containment . When inside an RV , make sure to secure your dog with a harness or crate to prevent accidents while driving . We want to be safe when we're traveling .

Also , never leave your dog unattended , especially during extreme weather conditions . Number five is outdoor etiquette . We want to respect the campground rules and leash regulations , so make sure you check your campground before you go and understand the rules that apply . Always , as I mentioned , clean up after your dog and dispose of waste properly .

Good thing you remember those poop bags , right ? Number six mindful socialization . Be mindful of your dog's behavior around other campers and wildlife . We want to keep them under control and avoid off-leash areas unless it's designated and safe .

While camping with your dog can be a rewarding experience , there are a few things to be aware of to ensure their safety and well-being . So number one , it would be weather conditions . We want to keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly .

Extreme temperatures can be dangerous for dogs , so take precautions to keep them comfortable and , if needed , we can leave them home . Number two wildlife encounters . We want to be aware of potential wildlife encounters , such as snakes , bears or insects . Know what is local to your area and what you need to be aware of .

There will be differences depending on where you live geographically . You know anything from mountain goats to bears , to coyotes to snakes , to you name it . So just make sure you know where you're going and what the risks are . What to be aware of . Also , we want to keep our dog on leash and supervise them at all times .

Dogs running off leash can run into trouble when they encounter wildlife and that can spark an attack , which we don't want . Number three is terrain challenges . Watch out for rough terrain , sharp objects and toxic plants that could harm your dog's paws or pose a health risk if ingested .

When you return from hiking or exploring , I always recommend checking your dog's co-impose thoroughly for fox tails , ticks , birds or other issues that might creep up . Number four is noise and distractions . Camping grounds can be noisy and crowded depending on where you're going , so this might overwhelm your dog and that's good to know beforehand .

Know your dog's sensitivities before taking them with you . Decide is this something they will enjoy or not ? Making arrangements for them to stay home might be more appropriate in certain circumstances , and that's okay . We can also help you hear it backstrimbella . Desensitize your dogs to sounds before you go , so reach out to us if you need help with that .

Note that this does take time and effort , so plan accordingly . Number five is health concerns . We want to keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke , dehydration or exhaustion in your dog . Don't make them walk or hike further than they are used to .

So make sure , if you are going on longer adventures , that your dog is healthy , that you've checked with your veterinarian and that they've been cleared for this exercise and that you've warmed them up to it . You've conditioned them to do what you're planning to do . Make sure that you work up to that .

Also , it's a good idea to know the nearest vet clinic or emergency services in case you do run into an emergency . Now , despite the challenges , camping with your dog can be an unforgettable experience for both of you . Here's how to make the most of your time together . First , explore . Dogs love to explore , they love to sniff , they like to search things out .

So take advantage of the great outdoors by going on hikes , playing in rivers , scenic walks with your dog . Definitely , let them sniff and explore to their heart's content . This is not a time to have them on a strict hill . Walk right . They want to explore just as much as you do , so let them .

Next , bonding time this is a great opportunity to strengthen your bond with your dog through these shared experiences and the quality time that you're spending together . Don't forget to capture memories of your adventures with your dog through photos and videos . These moments will be cherished for years to come and are fun to go back and revisit .

Next , to celebrate achievements , acknowledge and reward your dog's good behavior and accomplishments during the trip . Positive reinforcement goes a long way in building their trust and confidence . Make sure that you set them up for success , like we mentioned previously , and if they don't know a lot of things , that's okay . We can teach them .

We need to show them how we want them to behave . So always be thinking what do I want my dog to do in this

scenario ? Right , there's going to be lots of different scenarios when you're camping , so pick a specific one . Think what do I want this to look like and then show your dog how to behave in that circumstance and reward them for doing so . Finally , reflect and relax .

Do take time to unwind and enjoy the tranquility of being in nature and having your dog by your side . These are the best moments , right Moments of peace and serenity together , so don't overlook that and try to enjoy it All right . That wraps up our episode on camping with your dog today . Remember plan ahead , stay safe and , most importantly , have a good time .

Until next time , happy trails and happy training . If you have a question about anything you heard on this podcast or any other puppy training question , visit my site BaxterAndBellacom to contact me .