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CAMPING WITH DOGS -
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
In the United States alone, more than 30 million people take their pets camping with them every year. However, when we started riding motorhomes with our dogs, we didn't find much literature on the subject. Of course, there were occasional articles in magazines that reminded us to use pet identification tags, bring lots of water and take their favorite toy. But in terms of providing real support or information on financial results, there was nothing concrete. As it was something that seemed really necessary to us, we decided to write this article.
Although there are many questions to consider when camping with dogs, these are among the most important.
1. Make sure your dog can't be lost
It's one thing if your dog is freeing up in your neighbourhood. It's another when you're at a rest stop, nine hundred miles from home. Train your dog to come when he is called or make sure he is on a leash at all times.
2. Get all their vaccines up to date
If your dog gets into an altercation with another animal (or person), the central issue will be rabies. If you are staying in a campground that has a strict pet policy, you will need to check your dog's vaccination record. If you enter Canada, you will need to confirm that your dogs have received their vaccinations. You understand the idea.
3. Make your dogs easy to identify
If your dog gets lost (unfortunately, this happens all the time), the ability to easily identify him will become critical. For permanent identification purposes, consider tattoos or computer chips. At a minimum, make sure they are labelled with their name, your current phone number and the date of their last rabies vaccination.
4. Clean up after your dog
The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, bite or behaviour. If you pick up after your dog, you will help dog owners everywhere.
5. Learn how to give your dog first aid
If a medical crisis occurs at home, you go to your local veterinarian. But if you go down a dark highway in an unknown city, you will feel like you are having a nightmare. Although there are ways to get help on the road, it is always taking longer. In the meantime, your ability to provide competent first aid could save your dog's life.
6. Involve your dog in everything you do
If you really want your dogs to have fun, include them in your activities. Take them with you for long walks. Buy a cheap plastic wading pool and let them play in the water. Throw a ball. Cook them in a hamburger. If you do this kind of thing, they'll do the wheel the next time you decide to take them camping.
7. Call the campgrounds before you leave
Even if a park claims they are pet-friendly, always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dogs. We arrived in the parks (with our two German Shepherds) after a long day on the road to discover that "friendly" meant dogs weighing less than 20 pounds.
8. Plan ahead for the unexpected
Have a plan (for your dogs) in case of a flat tire, serious accident or fire in your RV. Start with a few extra leashes, a pet carrier and an extra fire extinguisher. Then, conduct a fire drill to identify potential problems.
9. Find out more about your camping environment
The United States is a vast country with a vast assortment of dangerous wildlife species, dangerous plants, unpredictable weather conditions and challenging environmental challenges. If you don't know what you're doing, you could inadvertently put yourself and your dog at risk.
10. Recognize and respect the views of others
While some of us cannot imagine travelling without dogs, others cannot imagine travelling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after him, you won't give others much reason to complain.
Beware of letting dogs play in ponds or lakes with visible algae. Blue agae will kill your dog if ingested. Most common during summer.
Also, ingesting salt water can also be fatal.
If we are pointing out dangers, don't allow your dog to eat raw salmon anywhere along the Pacific coast. Be very aware of salmon carcasses and scraps. Salmon poisoning is a swift unpleasant death.
If we are pointing out dangers, don't allow your dog to eat raw salmon anywhere along the Pacific coast. Be very aware of salmon carcasses and scraps. Salmon poisoning is a swift unpleasant death.
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