Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

If you’re planning to go camping but can’t imagine staying without your four-legged best friend for so many days, why don’t you take them along? Yes, you read that right. We’re absolutely suggesting you take your dog camping with you. It sure would come with some challenges, but all of it will be totally worthwhile!

Having your furry companion lick your face to wake you up like they do every morning while you’re out and about is like living a dream, so why not live it while you can?

Camping with your dog comes with some challenges, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking them along with you. With the right preparations and safety measures, you can ensure a safe camping trip for yourself and your dog. If the idea of camping with your dog excites you and you can’t wait to hit the roads, give this blog post a read to know how to camp with your dog safely!

Understand Camping-Related Hazards

The first and foremost safety tip for camping safely with your dog is to understand be prepared for all the camping-related hazards that may come your way. Camping is all about living in the wilderness, and it won’t come without its hazards. You may come across venomous animals like coral and rattlesnakes, water moccasins, spiders, etc. Bites from these species can be extremely painful, both for you and your dog. There will also be poisonous plants along the way. To ensure a safe camping experience, you need to be equipped with basic first-aid and also some anti-allergic and poison antidote. In case there is an encounter with any of the poisonous plants, you at least have something with you that will offer relief till you can get medical attention!

Keep a Lookout on What Your Dog Drinks

You should be careful and keep a watch on what your dog drinks. They may stop at a standing water puddle to drink water, and that is something you wouldn’t want them to do. Standing water may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria and insects, and your dog may get a serious infection from it. Therefore, to ensure your dog’s safety during the camping trip, you need to be extra vigilant.

Keep Your Dog Far Away from Camp Fire

When you light a campfire, there are certain strict safety precautions that are a must-follow. However, your dog wouldn’t understand them. Fire can spread rapidly, especially in the woods where there are a lot of fallen leaves and grass around that can catch fire easily. Therefore, one way to safely camp with your dog is to keep your dog far away from the campfire so as to keep them and yourself safe and sound.

Keep Your Dog Under Supervision

Leaving your dog unleashed and unsupervised is highly discouraged. You should keep an eye on your dog at all times. If you leave your dog without a leash, they might run too deep into the woods, making it extremely tough for you to locate them later. They might also knock over the campfire or cooking utensils and create a mess for you, making your camping trip more of a hassle. There are also chances of your dog drowning in the nearby stream or lake if there’s any, or them getting hurt from sharp branches in the woods. So, it’s best if you keep them leashed and in front of your eyes all the while.

Ensure That Your Dog Is Warm at Night

The night time temperatures at most of the campsites are usually considerably lower than the day time temperature. Pack adequate warm blankets for your dog just like you would keep all the necessary gear to keep yourself warm. You certainly wouldn’t your dog to stay cold and keep shivering all night long, only to catch a fever and fall sick the next day. Your dog is your family, and your camping trip can’t be fun if your beloved family member falls sick.

Keep Your Dog’s Energy Levels In Check

One key tip to camp safely with your dog is to ensure that your dog doesn’t get dehydrated and exhausted. Excessive dehydration can be fatal. Camping is all about testing your stamina. Like you, your dog may be overly involved in all the activities you’re doing (hiking, climbing, running, walking, etc.) If the weather is hot during the day, your dog’s chances of getting dehydrated are quite high. And that’s why we suggest you keep a check on your dog’s energy levels. If they look exhausted, you should always stop, take a break, feed your dog some cool water and snacks, and get going after they seem to have caught their breath.

Keep Basic First Aid Handy

Some dogs are hyperactive and don’t seem to fall short of energy. They may run and play around actively. When you’re in the wild, there’s always a chance of getting hurt or scratched. So is the case with your dog. So, it’s best if you keep basic first aid handy so that if your dog hurts itself, you can address their wound right away. Leaving the wounds in the open during camping isn’t advised as it would expose your dog to serious infections and insects.

Pack A Safety Vest for Your Dog

If you plan on going boating or fishing during your camping trip, you need to pack a safety vest for your dog. It’ll provide additional safety to your dog and ensure that there are no unprecedented accidents during the trip.
Camping with your dog can be so much more fun than being on your own. Having your dog with you would feel like you’ve got a companion that you can share your challenges and enjoyment with. If you’re equipped with the right gear and follow all the necessary safety precautions, you and your dog are surely set for a great camping trip!

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.