First camping trip with the dog

CA POPPY wrote:
When we got our RV, I too was worried that my multi-trips to the potty (thanks, ol' thimble bladder!) would cause the pups to think it was morning. As others predicted, that turned out to be a non-issue. The dogs caught on to the routine immediately and were just thrilled to be with us, no matter where we were going. The only thing I would caution is to never exit the RV early mornings without first doing a check for wildlife. They can smell your dogs and there have been reports of a pooch being snatched away from the owner, even if on leash.

Wildlife check is always in order. There could be those "kittens" with the white stripe down their back. Happened once this summer to a camper. The "kitty" was nosing around directly below the steps, first thing in the morning. Cooler heads prevailed and no one got sprayed.

When we got our RV, I too was worried that my multi-trips to the potty (thanks, ol' thimble bladder!) would cause the pups to think it was morning. As others predicted, that turned out to be a non-issue. The dogs caught on to the routine immediately and were just thrilled to be with us, no matter where we were going. The only thing I would caution is to never exit the RV early mornings without first doing a check for wildlife. They can smell your dogs and there have been reports of a pooch being snatched away from the owner, even if on leash.

Our dogs love to go camping with us. They run from gate to gate whinging while we pack up, afraid that we will drive off without them.

At home they sleep in a crate, so they expect to sleep in a crate when we camp. The camping crate is a soft one and folds up small to fit in the basement when we don't need it.

Don't worry, after one or two camping trips your poodle will have you trained.

Just do as you're directed and there will be no problems. :)

I have occasionally used the glow stick style necklaces when camping. (On the kids too) That way sitting around after dark the dogs are easily located. They are usually at the 99cent store 3 to a pack. Don't forget the dog tag and microchip. Have fun.

What is a dog's definition of heaven?

With my people 24/7, lots of new areas to sniff, and lots of walks.

I would say camping pretty well fits that description.

Chances are your dog will love camping. Most do.

We do take our two dogs with us on camping trips...always have, always will.

They love it, the new smells, the charred weenies that have fallen off the stick while being roasted, the other dogs in the campground, etc.

They are leashed outside of the camper during the day, where we are, unless it's really hot. At night, we carry portable crates that they sleep in to keep them out of the way of midnight wanderings of DH and I and our two girls. In the morning, we fold up the crates and they are stored beside the bed in the bedroom. They are only in the way if I decide to take a nap!

They loved their crates and when we got home after using the crates, the little one would whimper when it was bedtime, so she now has a home crate to sleep in. Our bigger dog kept trying to get in the little one's crate, so we had to purchase her a home crate, too.

KarenS144 wrote:
We have 2 boxers that go with us. If they aren't in their beds, they are in ours so we don't have to worry about stumbling over them. We just hope we still have a spot on the bed if we get up!

Well, if you leave the bed it is fair game for the dog!

Dog rule # 340(a).

As soon as I wake up and move a little my Chocolate Lab is right in my face telling me he wants to go out. I never have to worry about stumbling over him. I just dislike having to go outside at 2 or 3 in the morning. Even our little Shih Tzu stays out of the way in his little cubbyhole so as to not get stepped on at night.

RVcircus wrote:
We're finally taking our new to us, 3 year old poodle, camping this weekend. She's a great dog so I'm not expecting any problems, but adding a 7th body in the trailer will make middle of the night bathroom trips interesting.

With 3 Collies floor space is at a premium. I would never take a trip without them though. I have become very proficient at the Collie obstacle course.