Taking Your Puppy on Their First Camping Trip

After hiking back and forth through a multitude of sticker bushes and trudging through bogs of mud on the trail to unload our gear from the car I looked down and was amazed at what I saw. My normally rambunctious 11-week-old puppy wasn't whining or chewing up everything in sight - he was fast asleep.

If you're like me, the first couple weeks of having a puppy are alittle alarming. Like a newborn baby, you're afraid they might get hurt out in the great big world. You may also think taking a puppy camping would be more work than it's worth but you never know, your puppy just may surprise you. Digging in the dirt, chasing fallen pine cones and sniffing out new animals will tire your pup out faster than you thought possible.

Here are some tips on what to bring to make your pup's camping experience a positive one:

• A long leash or tie-out - the wilderness isn't the best place to test whether they come when they're called.
• A water dish & plenty of water - you want your puppy's thirst to be quenched by fresh water versus puddles and lakes as much as possible - they can get Giardia too!
• A sturdy chew toy or treat - to keep them busy during down time, like around the campfire.
• Their crate or a bed to sleep in - If it gets cold at night you want your dog to have a warm surface to sleep on. If they are used to sleeping in a crate bring it along - they'll feel right at home. (I recommend having them sleep where you're sleeping and not out in the open to protect them from bears, cougars, other dogs, etc.)
• Flea, Tick & Mosquito Protection - If your pup isn't already on a prevention method from these pests consider doing so before your trip. An itchy puppy is a sad sight plus they can carry dangerous diseases.
• A shovel or waste bags - be a courteous camper and clean up after your pup.