Dogs love an adventure, camping is a fantastic way for your dog to get out and about exploring new places. For owners, it makes for a holiday where you don’t have to leave your pooch behind! When planning to take your dog on a camping trip, it's important to ensure you prepare your dog for your travels.

In this blog, we explore some of the key things to look out for when camping with dogs.

Dog Friendly Campsites and Areas

When planning your holiday, searching for a dog-friendly campsite should be your first plan of action. Looking to spoil your pup? Certain campsites cater more towards dogs, with wide open spaces, dog agility courses, and other dog-orientated activities on site.

Not only is it important to check for dog friendly campsites, but to check that any surrounding areas you plan on visiting are dog friendly. Certain places may have restrictions or guidelines regarding pets.

Campsites.co.uk have a full list of dog friendly campsites across the UK, and with over 2,750 listed sites, there’s plenty to choose from!

Sleeping Arrangements

Make sure your dog has a warm place to sleep to keep them safe during the night. When camping with your pet, it's important to put some thought into sleeping arrangements. But don’t worry, there are plenty options available to you:

• In your bed - If you’d like to cuddle up with your dog on your camping trips, this is certainly an option! It is important to ensure that there is enough space for you and your dog, and that weather conditions are taken on board. For warmer weather, your dog may want to sleep separately.
• Give them their own bed - If you or your dog wish to sleep separately, setting up their own bed in the tent may be the solution. If your tent is large enough, you could give your dog their own bed. For smaller options, you could even look at purchasing a portable dog bed or sleeping bag.
• In a crate - Depending on your dog and their preferences , a crate may be the most applicable option available to you. For dogs that are crate trained at home, a crate can be a safe option for your dog to sleep in for the night.

Keeping Dogs Safe and Secure on Site

Ensuring your dog’s safety is the top priority, especially while visiting new places. It's important to keep your dog with you at all times. You shouldn't leave them unsupervised for long periods of time, and that they're secured if you must.

It’s a legal requirement and very important for your dog to have an up-to-date, durable tag that displays all their necessary information for their travels. Our wide range of premium tags feature unlimited engraving, meaning that if your wording fits, we’ll do it - view our range. For your dog’s collar, you could use a GPS collar tracker, to ensure you can always locate your dog, for that peace of mind.

Livestock and Other Animals

Nature is often unpredictable. For those woodland walks, you may be sharing your adventure with other animals, you should ensure your dog is secure for these encounters. When you’re in a rural area with livestock nearby, it is important that you have control of your dog, keeping them on a lead around other animals. The way that you act can mirror your dog’s behaviour, when around livestock, it is important to remain calm. You could also give your dog a treat to keep them relaxed and at ease with the situation.

When walking your dog, you’re likely to cross paths with other dog-walkers. As an owner, you play a part in making sure that the encounter remains calm. You should establish commands with your dog, to ensure that they return to you when asked. It's important to always be aware of other dogs, as their behaviour may not be within your means of control. If you recognise signs of aggression, we advise you to calmly leave the situation.

What to Bring

So what should your pup’s survival kit actually look like? It is crucial to ensure that you bring your dog’s essentials along with you while camping. See below the essential gear to take camping with dogs:

• Dog food and treats
• Water to share with your dog
• A portable food and water bowl
• A first aid kit with any usual medication for your dog
• A harness / lead
• Cleaning supplies for your dog - eg wipes or dry shampoo
• A sufficient amount of dog waste bags
• A place to sleep

Alongside the essential supplies to take for your dog’s health and safety, it's also important to take the things that your dog loves. You could take their favourite chew toy, or a ball to play with, ensuring a memorable holiday for all!

Conclusion

With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get out and about with your pooch! It's important that you consider the aforementioned when taking your dog camping with you. It will not only ensure your dog’s safety, but ensure that you both enjoy your trip, stress free!

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that every dog in a highway or public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it. Ensure their safety in your travels with our bespoke deeply engraved dog tags, crafted with the finest materials, in a wide variety of styles.

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