Tent Camping with your dog

Do you like camping as much as I do? Being able to get off the grid and being in nature and able to explore hiking trails?
Have you ever thought about taking your dog with you???? Not sure how to go about the camping part with your dog, if you don’t have a 5th wheel? I got some ideas for you!

When deciding to go tent camping with your dog, of course, first make sure that dogs are actually allowed at the campground and on the trails. Nothing dampens the fun more than if you constantly have to leave your dog behind at the campsite because dogs are not allowed on the trails. 
Sleeping in close proximity with your dog requires a bit of training. Make sure that your dog is able to stay in a certain area inside the tent without trampling all over you all night long. Place-stay is an excellent application for that! Get a tent that is at least for 2-3 people so both of you have enough space.
Have a tie out close to your campsite for your dog. In the morning, when making breakfast or going to the bathroom, you will need a safe and secure way to keep your dog in one area. Ensure your dog is okay with being left alone for a few minutes. A great way to prepare for that are place-stay or down-stay exercises where you are out of sight. 
Take PLENTY of water for both of you! Actually take more water with you for your dog than you would for yourself. 
Make sure your dog’s nails are trimmed. It would be a huge bummer if your dog punctures your sleeping pad or even  the tent fabric with his/her nails.
I also recommend having a paw towel for your dog to wipe down the paws before coming into the tent, but that’s just me wanting a clean space to sleep in. 
HAIR!!! Be prepared for your dog’s fur floating around your tent. Not just for that one camping trip but for years to come, dog fur always finds ways to attach itself to everything. 
Have a little pharmacy kit for your dog with you. From things like Benadryl to treat allergic reactions, hydrogen peroxide for ingesting the wrong things to bismuth subsalicylate for diarrhea and, of course, a copy of your dog’s vaccination records. 
Be aware of your surroundings. Depending on the size of your dog, your dog may be looked at as prey by wildlife. Keep your dog protected and have a plan for these encounters, like scaring off the wildlife. 
Be courteous at the campground, and don’t let your dog bark for an extended period of time nor take care of business in inappropriate areas (I’ve witnessed people letting their dog pee on a faucet that was meant for nonpotable water). 
Another option would be to have your dog sleep in a crate, depending on your dog’s size. Very small dogs can probably sleep inside the tent in a crate. Bigger dogs could sleep in a crate if it’s inside your vehicle or in the bed of your truck. If you have a pickup truck and are considering leaving your dog in a crate in the truck bed overnight, make sure your dog has appropriate shelter from mosquitos by putting some netting over the crate.
As always, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I am always open to new ideas to make the time with your dog the best one your dog ever had!

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