Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Camping Gear for Canines | If you have a pet dog, you know nothing beats the joy you get from taking your canine out on an adventurous trip. You don’t only have friendly support and a companion, but certain dog breeds are also excellent for protection purposes.

While adventurous trips such as camping and hiking are a great way to make memories with your dog, you need to plan effectively since both of you (you and your dog) are away from home and comfort zone.

While you may be able to withstand problems and a missing item while camping or hiking, your dog might not. Therefore, if you’re looking to avoid troubles while camping with dogs, you’re at the right place.

This article will detail everything you need to pack as dog camping gear.

Dog Camping Gear: The Essentials

A lot can be written about camping with dogs, such as tips you need to follow or how to prepare your canine for camping. But it’s also important to shed light on what to bring on the trip. Although this list may differ among dog parents, here are some essentials that you will need.

First Aid Kit

One of the most important items that you should have on all trips is a first aid kit. Although you can purchase ready-made first aid kits, it’s always a better idea to make one of your own. It should contain bandages, gauze, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, and whatever medicines your dog might be taking. You can also reach out to a vet to include special items your dog relies on or might need during the journey.

Dog Clothes

It may be surprising, but dog camping gear also includes dog clothes. If you’re camping in the summer, you will need a cooling vest to ensure your dog’s temperature is maintained and they are not overheated. You can do this by dipping the vest into the water and making your dog wear it. On the flip side, you should have a fleece jacket or woolen sweaters if you’re camping in the winter season.

Food and Water

You should take your canine’s food and water with you while on a camping trip. Don’t rely on wood fires to heat or cook their food since it is dangerous and time-consuming. Therefore, carry tinned food or even freshly made food if you can store them without it spoiling. Moreover, a collapsible food bowl is a good idea to give food in. Finally, keep some filled water bottles with removable cups so you can provide water in them. If not, a collapsible food bowl works just fine for water too.

Leash

Camping with dogs can be a bit dangerous if you’re not prepared or careful enough. Therefore, make sure to carry long and short non-retractable leashes so you can keep your canine close to you. If you think your dog can be allowed to roam at a distance from you, then you can bring along a long leash. But whatever the size, don’t forget to bring this item on a camping trip.

Camping Bed

If it’s an overnight trip, then your dog will need a comfortable spot to rest and sleep. A camping bed or a portable dog bed is a good option for this purpose. Some weightless camping beds can be easily packed and rolled up if you’re looking for more hassle-free options. You can place camping beds inside a tent, depending on the weather.

Dog Treats / Dispensing Toy

Even though this may not be an essential item for dog camping gear, it can be useful in giving your dog a treat if it acts nicely and follows your command. This is particularly true for long camping trips. You can put the treats in a special treat-dispensing toy, so your canine stays busy for some time during the trip.

ID Tags

You need to be diligent when it comes to your canine’s safety during a camping trip. Therefore, make sure its camping gear includes ID tags and name tags that you can keep in your dog’s backpack or around its collar. These tags can also be reflective, so it is easy to find them at nighttime if there is an unforeseen incident.

Dog Booties

Camping means putting yourself in unsafe situations as there is always the threat of rough and hot surfaces that could be dangerous for you. The same applies to your canine. Their paws are exposed, and therefore they are at a greater risk of damage. Thus, dog booties are a solution to avoid cuts, pricks, and other types of discomfort. However, make sure to cut your dog’s nails before putting on this item.

Protective Eyewear

If you camp at higher altitudes or during hot weather, your dog might feel some eye discomfort due to debris or heat. Like you, they also need protection from harsh winds and harmful UV lights. Therefore, include dog goggles or protective eyewear to protect your canine.
Ziplock Bag / Biodegradable Bags

Even though this is not something your canine needs for its own use, it is an important item to include in camping gear. Make sure to carry these with you on any trip so you can pick and discard your dog’s poop safely. Don’t leave it on the campsite or near any water body since it can be a nuisance for other visitors.

Pro-Tip

You can choose to include some of these items in your dog’s backpack. However, make sure your dog is trained to carry such weight during a camping trip. If you plan to do this, you should take note of your dog’s weight and plan a backpack accordingly. Usually, items like collapsible water/food bowl, leash, ID tags, and even ziplock bags can be easily carried in a dog backpack.

The Bottom Line

Camping with dogs shouldn’t be stressful. In fact, you should look forward to it as an opportunity to bond with your canine. However, make sure you have packed the essentials needed by your dog, so your adventure is fun and worry-free.

by Maria A 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.