Camping with Dogs?

[labdogs42]

We have a pop up camper and three dogs (2 labs, 1 Beagle). We took the labs camping with us once and I swear they hated it. They are not used to being tied up, so they spent most of their time wrapping themselves around trees on their tie outs. They are used to being in their crates in my van (we go to a lot of dog shows), so they often ended up begging to get back in there. They also didn't want to be in the camper, they kept scratching the door to go out! So, it was kind of a bust since they ended up spending much of their time in the van! They did get to go for some nice walks, etc., but I'm not sure it was worth the effort. We want to get the beagle puppy more acclimated to camping (he's only 9 months old). Should we get him used to a tie-out? Maybe try an ex-pen or two? How do you contain your large and/pr small dogs when camping? Do you ever leave them in the camper alone (with A/C on, of course), do you use a crate? I'd love to take all three dogs camping and have them enjoy it, so any tips are appreciated!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

At the Fort, you can't leave a dog unattended in a popup.

 

[labdogs42]

At the Fort, you can't leave a dog unattended in a popup.

Good to know, but, wouldn't drag them all the way to Florida. I meant just general camping. Like, home in PA.

 

[terri01p]

 

[ntsammy5]

Both the dogs love to camp. One will steal your chair! We have to bring a chair for her

 

[ftwildernessguy]

My dog loves camping. He's a good traveller, too, so he is content to sit in the backseat of the truck and look out the window on the trip to Florida. He was crate trained as a puppy, and still looks at his crate as his hideout at home, so when we camp we take it along and he stays in that if we have to leave him briefly. When we go for the whole day, he goes to Day Care. I had a Yorkie we could leave loose in the trailer and she would just lay on a bunk and look out the window. My beagle, however, would tear the place apart if he heard a squirrel outside.

 

[motherwild]

We traveled with two dog one loved to travel the other would rather not. One we crated the other was left loose in the camper. They both loved the dog park.

 

[ntsammy5]

My beagle, however, would tear the place apart if he heard a squirrel outside.

Sounds like Clark Griswold!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

It may be possible to get your pups used to the camper over time. If you keep taking them, they could catch on that it's fun to hang out with you there. Are the crates too large/are there too many people to do a step-down program -- starting with the crates in the camper (on one of the beds, maybe, if there's no room on the floor?), then crates in the outdoor areas, then no crates while camping?

Other than that, you can try the parenting approach -- totally run them ragged all day hiking, playing, swimming, and then they'll be too zonked by the time they go into the camper to do anything but sleep!

My previous dogs littleangel:) went camping constantly, but that was tent camping. Our current dog didn't start camper camping until she was about 5 or so, and she thought it was a little odd and first but after we did it a couple times she settled right in.

Good luck! Hope you find something that works for everyone.