(Picture via The Wilderness Society on Flickr, taken by Jessica Corrigan)
"Do you want to go camping?" The Mr. asked as I was looking through the issue of San Francisco magazine article 2,217 Miles of Amazing that we got in our goody bags from Petchitecture last weekend. "Yes! Let's plan a trip with the dogs!" I replied and mentally I started to make a list of all the things that we would need. How exactly do you take 4 dogs camping with you? Well, I did some research this week and here are the top essentials and items to have with you or stashed in your car:
Camping Essentials:
- Collar, name tag, rabies tag, and please have your dog microchipped. Be prepared in case of your dog runs away or you are in a car accident and your dogs get loose.
- Flea, tick, and heartworm medication applied prior to your camping trip.
- Make sure your dog is up to date on DHLPP vaccinations also. New surroundings means new diseases that your dog may not have been previously exposed to at home.
- First aid kit. Even if you are out for a day hike be prepared with WagN's Skinny Mayday First Aid Kit.
- Water and a collapsible bowl. Temperatures can vary, especially in the bay area, so load up your backpack with plenty of water for you and your dog.
If you are going on a longer weekend adventure or a day hike then this gear will be helpful also!
Camping gear:
- Jackets & Backpacks: Be prepared for any weather with these jackets from Teckelklub. I've found that these jackets are perfect for dachshunds. Long enough to cover the back and flexible enough in the front that it moves with their chests. If you are heading out during hunting season consider using a safety vest to make sure your dog isn't mistaken for another animal in the woods. Backpacks like this and this make it easier to haul small things for your dog in and out of the woods.
- Life Vests: Outward Hound has a wide range of sizes to keep your dogs safe and buoyant in the water.
- Booties: Asphalt and pavement can heat up in the summer, and rocks can rip up pads pretty quickly so bring a pair of booties for those paws.
- Tents & Kennels: Give your dog his/her own tent when you are done for the day and want to sit by the fire and kick back. I've had my eye on this soft crate for over a year and I think I'll have to give it a try on our next weekend trip.
- Tips & Tricks: A while back I started a Pinterest page, Traveling With The Dogs, to pin tips and ideas to pack light and make your camping trip easier.
Remember that your dog should be in fairly good shape if you'll be hiking for long periods of time, and please realize the signs of heatstroke and hypothermia which can happen very quickly on warm/hot days or prolonged periods outside in the cold and rain.
Get out and have some fun this summer! You both will benefit from fresh air and natural surroundings!
We're teaming up with Elizabeth from My Life In Blog Years for this week's Bark and Bites so jump over and see what she has planned for camping tips this summer!
