A HAPPY DOG IS A HIKING DOG

zammitch
Sep 21, 2016
2 min read

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong." -W. R. Purche.

Today I'm going to dive into the wet nosed world of adventuring with your pup (as well as throw in some heartfelt quotes). As you may already know, my dog Harley is a constant accessory on most of my explorations. There's no motivation like that a dog can give: making you want to try harder, hike further and hunt for every wonderful nook and cranny this world has to offer. When deciding whether to bring your furry friend and what to pack him, consider this:

Is it dog-friendly? Many campsites say that they're dog friendly, but make sure that the surrounding areas are as well. Even if the tent site is open to dogs, most of the surrounding trails have limited or no dog acess. Some places say that their trails are not open to dogs because most people will just let their beasts loose to wreak havoc, but its always a good idea to call ahead of time. Some parks will be lenient if you have a well behaved pup and if you keep them on leash and under control.

Doggie Packing List

Kibbles-the most important thing to bring when doggie camping is enough dog food (unless you don't mind sharing your $4 power bars). Measure and pack all meals, along with one or two extra just in case, in a large, waterproof bag like a Ziplock. Pro tip-if your dog is as food driven as one of mine, remember to keep that food out of reach-like in a hard cooler with the lid on tight. “Hounds follow those who feed them.” -Otto von Bismarck

Bed/Crate-if your dog gets car sick or just can't sit still at night, bringing a crate will save you lots of paper towels and sleep. Pad it down with a bed or just throw a heap of clean towels in to make it nice and snug. This is also helpful if your dog has any separation issues and therefore can't be left at camp when you go out (although you should try and bring them whenever possible, that's why they're there).

Leash/Bags-this goes without saying, but the most considerate items you can bring when companioned by your furry friend are a leash and bags. Not only is it against the law to leave that beautiful little shit on the side of the trails, its rude to the native ecosystem and anyone else looking to enjoy it. Keeping a leash on your dog while out and about is a rule of thumb for most, but keeping them leashed while at camp is important to, especially during night when predators may be lurking around.