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How to Train Your Dog for a Camping Trip

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Brandon

I really like camping with dogs, I have a couple of them and tend to bring them along with the family 🙂

Because staying at home with your dog can get really boring, with the only times your dog gets to go out is for a quick walk around the block when you finally get the motivation to do so.

This means of living for your dog is not good and it isn’t healthy, especially physically. Your dog really needs to get some regular exercise in, and what better way to do that in the great outdoors where you can both experience it and love every moment of it?

But there’s a lot of things to take into consideration before you take your dog camping. I will write down everything you need to know, so you, your dog, and everyone else can stay safe and enjoy every moment in peace and quiet.

camping-with-dog

Is Your Dog Is A Good Camping Candidate?

First and foremost, we have to find out if your dog is a good choice for camping out in the wild. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Is your dogs behavior good?
  • Is he calm and easy going?
  • Is he accustomed to the outdoor world and public spaces?
  • Does your dog get excited easily?
  • Will your dog bark when on a leash?
  • Does he make a lot of noise without a leash as well?

If your answer for the first 3 is yes and the last 3 are no then your dog will make a great candidate to go camping with.

If not, you have a lot of work to do. My tips below will help get your dog ready for the camping journey ahead so you can all (along with everyone around you) enjoy the great outdoors in peace and tranquility with as little disturbances as possible.

 

#1 Training

Basic commands is a must before you even want to consider taking your dog for a camping trip, and especially when you want to take it for an explore in the wilderness.

Here are my favorite ones that I suggest you teach your dog as well:

  • Whoa – Stop in your tracks
  • Come – Come here
  • Down – Don’t move until I say otherwise
  • Okay – As you were, we’re good
  • Leave it – Drop it or don’t even try whatever you were going to do

exploring-nature-with-dog

#2 Barking

If your dogs a barker then don’t even bother taking it onto a public campsite altogether.

Even in the wilderness, sound travels further over water and if your dog is barking non stop, the people trying to get some shuteye on the other side of the lake can hear it very clearly and it’s annoying.

Teach your dog not to bark before even considering going camping with him/her.

 

#3 Get The Dog Use To A Car

Since a lot of the times you and your dog will be driving on extended road trips to get to your destination, you should first take your dog on small trips first to help him/her get accustomed with it.

Even short trips like going to the gas station will be good enough.

 

#4 Get Him/Her Fit

The outdoor world is a great place, and it’s huge, meaning you’ll most likely be taking your dog on long walks or runs when out camping.

Get your dog fit so you won’t have any problems with him getting tired later on.

I would also suggest you take him through forests or wooded areas so he/she can get use to the sites, smells and sounds.

dog-on-harness-hiking

#5 Get Your Dog Familiar With Other Dogs And Humans

This will actually help with the barking problem if your dog has one. But getting your dog use to other people and especially other dogs will make everything so much easier when you are all at the campsite.

 

#6 Familiarize Your Dog With Tents

I would suggest you do a couple of backyard camp outs first so your dog can get familiarized with tents and what they are there for, especially if your dog will be sleeping in one.

This is pretty much vital if you want to get your dog to sleep in the tent, he/she has to know what it’s there for in the first place.

You can sit in it for an hour or 2 a day and read a book while your dog runs in and out.

However I would prefer you and the dog sleep in it to ensure your dog will get accustomed with sleeping in it too. Just make sure the tent is strong enough in the first place.

Here’s My Guide On Tent Buying – What To Look For

 

#7 Keep Him/Her On A Leash While Exploring

I don’t care how trained your dog is, this is for everyone’s safety, you AND your dogs. This will stop your dog from running after wildlife and stop him from getting injured.

Especially if he falls down a cliff or something similar. A harness is my recommendation for  a leash, forget the collar ones, where a lot of the times dogs will learn to get out of them.

 

Conclusion

I really hope you will take these tips seriously, because camping with a dog is a difficult process to master.

But when you eventually attain this level of expertise,  you can literally go anywhere and  have no worries since you know your dog like the back of your hand.

Don’t be the family who takes their untrained dog on a camping trip, which leads to them having to constantly put their dog on a leash at the campsite because he won’t stop running around and disturbing people, this will also result in your dog barking nonstop and upsetting many camp goers.

Please do it the right way 🙂 and we can all have a great trip!

Leave a comment below, did you have any bad experiences with other dogs in a public campsite?

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