Exploring nature with your dog is a relaxing and rewarding experience for you and your furry partner. Before you go out, remember the recommendations approved by these experts.
Do: know the rules
You have to familiarize yourself with the rules of the camp where you are staying. Although most public lands allow dogs, some parks, such as Yosemite and Yellowstone Park, are very clear about where dogs may be. Even if you plan to enter remote areas on foot or by ATV, you must follow the rules of public land. The State Forestry Administration has introduced some basic rules that apply to the entire forest land under its supervision:
- Keep aggressive or noisy dogs at home. If your dog disturbs or threatens others, you and your dog will be invited to leave.
- Keep your dog with you at all times. Don't leash the dog in your campground or car. 24 states have laws that make it illegal to leave a dog in a car on a hot day.
- In developed areas such as roads, public buildings, and picnic areas, leash dogs no more than 6 feet long.
- Clean up the poop of the dog. Dog mess and noise are the two most common complaints.
Do: pack your dog a smart backpack
Bringing your dog to camp is not just a leash and enough food for the weekend. Fortunately, the dog needs very few things. Most of the things you need can fit into a light travel backpack and it can carry it on its own. The following are recommendations from the National Forest Service Administration.
- Collapsible water and food bowl
- Foldable space blanket for treating shock or cold Short boots or toddler socks to protect a sore or injured paw
- A lot of plastic bags need to be cleaned
- Vaccination and rabies certificate
- A needle-nose pliers and tweezers for removing stickers and ticks
- Dog grooming equipment
- Toys give her something to do.
- Unscented toys are best to prevent attracting unwelcome wild animals.
In addition to the basic equipment of the backpack, make sure that you have a comfortable place for your dog to sleep at night, plenty of fresh water, a suitcase, fence or other means to control or control your dog's safety in the camp. Bear believes that dog food is a delicious treat, so it is stored with other food in bear-resistant containers instead of in the dog's backpack. Feed the dog far away from the tent. After the dog has eaten, put the food and bowl away to avoid attracting skunks and bears.
Do: Prep your dog
Determine if your dog needs training or conditioning before your camping trip. If you sit by the creek and hook in the water, make sure your dog knows how to stay quietly beside you. When planning the daytime schedule, make sure your dog is in good physical condition. Carry out aerobic training together every morning a few months in advance to help your dog exercise its paws and increase endurance. Teach your dog the basic commands such as sit down, stay, come down and come over. Well-trained dogs are unlikely to cause upset in the campground. When a stranger or animal appears in her sight, the "quiet" command comes in handy if she feels she needs to remind you. "Leave it" is another convenient command used by the camp. From not eating what you find on the ground, to staying away from skunks or snakes, these commands are worth learning for your dog.
Don't let him go wild
Although campsites have strict dog leash laws, some trails and forests allow dogs not to be leashed on the trails. Even a well-trained dog can get excited in a new situation, and many things can go wrong quickly. If your dog is easily excited when he meets a cat or squirrel, then she is not suitable to be in the forest without a leash. Skunks, snakes, cliffs, cars, predators, and potentially aggressive dogs are some of the hazards that your dog may encounter when loosening the leash.
Don't let him drink the water
Although water is one of the heaviest things on your camping trip, you still have to bring a lot of water for your dog. When she saw the first pond or puddle, keeping her hydrated was the easiest way to keep her from quenching her thirst. Stagnant water bodies and rivers, streams, and lakes may contain parasites, which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, skin lesions, or lethargy after a few weeks. Wash your dog clean after swimming. If you find your dog is sick, tell the veterinarian if you have been in contact with water recently.