For some pet owners, camping with their family means piling Lucky into the vehicle along with the kids, the cooler and the camping equipment. The experience can be an incredibly enjoyable one for you, your pet and your camping neighbors, if just a few tips are followed . . .
Keep Molly on a leash at all times, even on your campsite. Most campgrounds have leash rules for your pet's safety as well as the safety of other pets and campers. From the minute he bounds out of the car, Jake will be inundated with new and unusual sights, smells and sounds. Even the best trained pet might be inclined to ignore your command of "stay", if the camper next to you has a cute little boy with a ball. Or what if the site behind you has a cat? Or that man walking over there has a juicy hamburger in his hand?
Keep your leash under six feet in length when walking the campground. Lucy is probably the most adorable, fun loving, gentle puppy anyone has ever seen, but some campers are afraid of dogs no matter their size. Especially campers of the small variety. Other pet owners might not appreciate Sam interacting with their pet and and his concentration on commands. A short leash assures other pedestrians, and other pet owners, that you have control over your pet.
Don't leave Rocky alone on the campsite if he's going to bark. Left outside, chained to a tree, Spike will see every squirrel, kid on a bike and camper passing by. Not to mention he might get hopelessly tangled. He'll tip over his water bowl, He'll be miserable, Your neighbors will be miserable. Most pets do better if left inside the camper with some music on low or a fan running. If your pet uses a kennel at home, bring it along. A favorite blanket? Bring that too.
Most dogs can be trained not to bark, if you take them camping from the time they're small. Still, there are some who have a hard time accomplishing this. If your pet is one of these, and you have some "no pets allowed" day trips on your must-see list, don't despair. Ask the campground in advance for the name of a good doggie day care in their area. Or perhaps even the name of a teenager who dog sits. Mugsy will be much happier, and so will the napping neighbor the next site over.
Don't let Bandit swim in the beach area. My yellow lab loves to swim. She would fetch a stick out of a lake from dawn to dusk if I had the energy to keep up with her. Many campgrounds have a "no dogs on the beach" policy, and for good reason. Public beaches have a health code that must be maintained at all times. They can be shut down if it's compromised. Loose pets tend to go to the bathroom whenever they please. This is a very, very bad combination. You wouldn't want Buster to be the cause of closing a beach a 100 degree day in the middle of July, would you?
Do ask the campground office if there's a place for Casey to take a swim. In one of the campgrounds we stay, there's a small area out of sight of the beach where our dog can jump in and out without being distracted by the kids who are playing Marco Polo. She can shake to her heart's content without everyone within a one hundred foot radius ducking for cover. I keep a very long leash on her so I maintain control at all times (she's apt to forget the stick she's bringing back in favor of a bird flying by). Giving your pet exercise is an excellent way to tire them out so they're calmer back on the site. But if the campground says no swimming at any time, please honor their request and find an alternate way to give Daisy the exercise she needs.
Make sure your entire family is on board to pick up after Buddy does his duty. Taking a pet camping means their schedule is going to change. You can't rely on the knowledge that Sparky always does his duty at 9am and 6pm. Everyone in the family must be prepared when they take him for a walk . . . including your children (I've found children are embarrassed by this chore and are most apt to pretend they don't see it) Our dog isn't walked without one of us having tucked a plastic shopping bag in our back pocket (baggies work well too). After Rusty does his duty, you put your hand in the bag to pick it up, turn the bag inside out, tie it and drop it in the nearest garbage bin.
So go ahead and take Spike along for the trip! He'll be thrilled to experience new scenery, smells and sights. Just be sure to pack the essentials and be prepared to spend some time training if it's your first time out. With these tips in hand, you'll have many happy years camping together as a family.
