Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Before moving on to the essentials that you need to carry with you, making sure that your hiking trail or campground is pet-friendly is the first and foremost step of the process. You don’t want your dog to have minimal access or get stuck in a confined space where it cannot enjoy to the fullest. A lot of family campgrounds have strict rules regarding pet animals. Therefore, it is important to collect all information regarding the camp location. Additionally, you can search for pet-friendly camping spots on the Internet with ease.

Collar and ID Tags

As a dog owner, your first priority should be keeping your pet dog safe and sound at all times. You need to make sure that when you take your dog outdoors, it doesn’t get lost. This is especially important if you are going far away from home. This is where the collar and ID tags come in. Make sure that the collar and tag of your dog have all the updated information so that you can easily find your pet friend if it wanders away from your site. In addition to making your pup wear a quality collar and ID tags, it is also essential to get your dog microchipped in order to have an extra layer of protection added in case of any unanticipated accidents, allowing the dog to find its way home when required.

Water

Before you finalize your camping trip, make sure to inquire about the amenities that will be available at your campsite. Ask if there will be water available on the campground and the exact location of the dispensers so that every time you or your pet needs a drink, you can easily get it. It is best to always pack ample clean, drinking water with you so that you and your companion can fully enjoy the outdoors. If you are planning to go on a camping trip in the summers, it might be best to take an icebox with you that you can fill up with ice and have access to cold water at all times.

Delicious Dog Treats

Long-lasting dog treats such as bully sticks or a ham bone can prove to be quite a fun pass time for your pup if they have nothing else to do during the trip. A yummy treat can also help you prepare your dog and get them used to the campsite before the actual fun starts.

Warm Essentials

If you believe the weather to be chilly at your campsite, make sure to pack your bags with essentials that offer sufficient warmth. Remember, you aren’t the only one who can get cold. Therefore, take the necessary precautions to keep your dog as comfortable and cozy as possible, especially if your pet is short-haired. Things such as warm blankets, dog sleeping bags, or even a comfy spot inside your adult sleeping bag can be great. You can also keep a dog jacket with you on the safe side to keep your sweet pet from shivering.

Dog Tent

While many dog owners believe that a dog tent is only something that looks good in pictures and is far from practical, this cannot be further from the truth. A dog tent can prove to be a comfort zone for your dog during the day. They can use it to rest if they are exhausted with all the fun during the day or even for a shady retreat from the scorching sun in summers. The same tent can keep your pup warm in the evenings and during the night when the temperature tends to drop down a few degrees.

Poop Bags

Every responsible dog parent is required to carry poop bags and make sure that they dispose of their pet’s waste in a proper manner to prevent unnecessary transmission of harmful diseases. It is best to use biodegradable bags for this purpose so that they don’t harm the landfill.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit equipped with all the necessary and basic medical supplies is a must. Every dog owner needs to carry supplies that they can use to handle simple dog injuries in case of any emergency at the campsite. Here is a list of medical essentials that you need to put in your first aid kit:

Cold and heat packs
Antibiotic ointment
Styptic powder
Benadryl
Medical tape
Cotton swabs
Gauze
Tweezers
Hydrogen Peroxide
Oral syringe
Eyedropper
Gloves
Non-stick pads
Vet wrap

Bottom Line

We hope that with all the aforementioned information, you can now optimize your dog camping checklist. When taking your four-legged friend camping, it is extremely important that you remain prepared for all of its basic needs along with any unanticipated emergencies.

Happy Camping!

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.