Not so much, it turned out. Unless you're going to pitch a tent in the middle of nowhere you're going to have nearly as many restrictions imposed upon your freedom-loving canine as you might have back home. We learned this pretty quickly after pitching our tent for the night and getting a visit from a flashlight-wielding ranger who sent Dee Dee into a fit of territorial barking.
It turned out our dog had been paying a visit to the campsite next to ours when we'd had our backs turned. Although the site was empty (as was most of the entire camp grounds) Dee Dee, we learned, was to be confined to his own campsite and not allowed to wander into other sites or onto the road that joined them all. Fair enough. Not everybody should have to endure our snoopy pooch prowling through their campsite and scaring the bejesus out of them in the process.
After all, when camping aren't we all just a little nervous about the prospect of encountering a wild animal sniffing at our tents while we're tucked inside, a couple of meal-time sausages?
But the ranger's words were an excellent reminder that although it may seem like you're free of civilization's restrictions, you're not off the hook when camping with your dog.
In fact, you might have to be more aware than ever of the canine code of conduct. So, before embarking upon a journey to the campsite this summer, consider the following points to make sure that your campsite neighbours don't rue your arrival.
- To prevent your dog from wandering, bring a long tether so as to tie him up on your campsite. When going for walks, make sure he's on a leash to avoid the wrath of the park ranger who might ticket you otherwise, and also to prevent run-ins with wild life and other dogs. As well, there are ticks, burrs and other parasites your dog might pick up in the wild when running around off-leash.
- Clean up after your dog. Just because there aren't any sidewalks doesn't mean you should allow your dog a free-for-all when it comes time to do his business. Bring the usual plastic baggies and be prepared to scoop.
- Ensure your dog's vaccinations are up to date just in case there is an unexpected run-in with a wild animal.
- Make sure you can control your dog. There will be many more reasons to chase after small animals while camping, and you won't want your dog running off into the forest and getting lost.
- Bring along your dog's usual items - water bowl, toys, even doggy bed, if it can fit inside your tent. The more at home your dog feels, the better she'll adapt to the new and exciting environment.
- When traveling in the car, ensure the windows are down several inches or the air conditioning is on to ensure your dog's comfort. Bear in mind that carsickness is common among dogs, and if you see any signs of drooling or agitated behaviour, pull over and give your dog a break from road travel. It helps if the dog has a good view of the road while in the car. Avoid sticking your dog behind a pile of camping gear and obstructing their view.
