On The Road
Many States in the United States have laws which make it illegal to travel with a child who is not properly restrained by a car seat or seat belt. A few include dogs and cats as well. More should do so.
For the safety of you, your family and your pet, as well as other motorist, secure
your dog(s). Your options are many. You can use a crate, a travel harness, safety seats,
travel barriers, which keep your dog in the back seat or the back of a station wagon or SUV, and there are even booster seats for toy breeds. These are available at any pet store, or pet company on the Internet or by mail order catalogues. With a little ingenuity you can even develop your own system. I developed one which worked well for our shelties and our small Labrador/terrier mix.
As our dogs have always done better with a harness or halter than a collar, it was easy to put an “O” ring on the belly side of the harness, then
slip a nylon mesh collar through the “O’ ring and fasten the collar shut. Once the dog was settled on the seat, the seat belt was fastened through the closed collar. Our dogs had freedom to sit, lie or stand, but were held from falling or being tossed by sudden stops or swerves.
If you are going to be on the road for hours, plan to give your dog a break by stopping at a rest stop every couple hours. This allows your dog to stretch and exercise their legs and provides an often needed “potty” break.
Most dogs will vomit if fed right before traveling. If you feed your dog in the morning and you plan to “hit the road” in the morning, either feed your dog at least one hour before your departure time, or wait and feed your dog after you stop for the day.
Although it has been said hundreds of times, don’t leave your dog in a car in hot weather there are those who do not heed this advice. The State of California makes it a law. With this fact crucial to your dog’s health, you may have to make alterations in your travel plans. Similarly, you may want to find out if your dog would be permitted in all the areas you might want to hike or fish. Some National parks and forests have certain areas restricted from dogs. You need to find this information out, before leaving on your trip.
Obey The Rules
Generally, campground rules pertaining to dogs, are few and simple; but vitally important to obey. Many don’t seem to realize such rules are for the safety of the dog, as well as other campers. The rules I have found most often are:
- Keep your dog on a leash or tie-out chain at all times
- Keep your dog from incessant barking between 10 PM and 6 AM
These rules are written and usually enforced for a number of excellent reasons.
In wilderness areas in the United States and Canada there can be bears, cougars, bobcats,
wolverines, coyotes, wolves, and poisonous snakes. All can spell a dangerous, if not fatal situation for a dog, if encountered by a dog who is left to run free. Even raccoons, skunks, and deer can inflict serious injury if startled or cornered.
Another health hazard for your dog is allowing your pet to sniff around the burrow holes of small rodents, like the squirrel, chipmunk and marmot. These furry creatures often have fleas, which carry bubonic plague. Not only is bubonic plague a serious illness for humans, it is also a serious illness for dogs.
If you care for your dog, you will obey these rules, which are designed to make your camping experience with your dog an enjoyable one.
Your Dog’s Reaction To Camping
If your dog has never been on a camping excursion, it is wise to observe how he/she reacts to certain aspects of the experience.
Campfires which many people enjoy, are not necessarily enjoyed by dogs. Our two Shelties disliked the fire and hid under the picnic table. Some dogs are very allergic to the smoke from campfires. Just be attentive to your dog’s reaction.
Fishing may prove comical, or deadly. Dogs who will bound into a lake or river after the fish is hooked can find themselves in water over their heads. A rushing river can prove too strong for the best of swimmers. Likewise, taking your dog in a boat for a day of fishing sounds like a lot of fun. Just make sure the dog as well as all those in the boat have safety vests on, in case the boat capsizes or leaks.
Summary
The most important lessons in canine camping is to prepare for the experience, keep your dog safe while traveling to the destination, obey all campground rules, and be alert to your dog’s reaction to the experience, especially if this is a first time outing of this nature for your pet. Following these simple guidelines will make your trip fun and enjoyable for you and your best friend.
