Camping With Your Best Friend

Pets in Campgrounds

It's expensive to board a pet these days.  They're part of our family so why not just take them with us?  It's a good plan, but be sure to do your homework.  Some public lands are on protected watersheds and cannot allow pets.  

Most campgrounds require dogs and cats be on a 6-foot leash (with you on the other end) even if they are superior with voice commands.  This is for your pet's safety.  Some people, who have aggressive dogs, will justify letting their dogs run if others are off-leash.  You have a better chance of getting your dog out of harms way if you have a leash to pull without putting yourself at risk.

Developed campgrounds get too much pet traffic to handle burying all their waste.  So, prepare to pick up your pet-poop and dispose of it properly.  Our pets live so close to us that they actually pick up human diseases.  They catch colds and who knows what else.  Fortunately, medicines and vaccines have been developed for our pets.  But the same treatment is impossible for wildlife.  Disease is spread to other animals through their feces.  So, to keep wildlife safe, please pick up after your pet.  Besides, no one likes to track poo into their tent.  This is a good use for recycled baggies.

Happy-Happy-Happy, campers are NOT if they have to listen to a dog barking constantly.  If your puppy barks when she's happy (or not), camping in a developed campground is not for her.  Most campers enjoy the quieter sounds of wildlife.

Here are some great ways to turn your dog into your best camping companion:  How to Take Your Dog Camping, by Wes Siler