Advice on taking a dog camping

[Yorkshire lass]

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I've got a 10 month old Elkhound who is fit, healthy and very boisterous. He's reasonably well-behaved for his age but often will not recall when he's playing with other dogs or generally having fun. My partner wants to take him camping for a few days in the Lakes. I'm a bit concerned because: (1) He really feels the heat because of his thick coat and I know there is no shade on the campsite (2) The campsite is unfenced and a road runs beside our pitch (3) There will be horses and dogs on the campsite and he wants to play with horses whenever he sees them (this involves barking and leaping around like an overexcited puppy - which he still is I suppose). I'd rather wait until he's a bit older, but my partner keeps saying "Oh, he'll be OK". Unfortunately, he's never taken him for a walk so he really doesn't know what the dog is capable of in the way of causing mayhem.

We have a large tent, a secure puppy pen, a 10m biothane tracking lead and a ground tether.

Any advice would be most welcome!

 

[TTT]

1....keep it in a crate.

2....keep it on a lead.

3....do not let it 'play' with horses.

Enjoy your camping trip.

 

[Yorkshire lass]

Thanks TTT. The main problem is going to be keeping him cool whether he's in a crate, or tethered, or on a lead. Because he's got a thick double coat he really feels the heat. The temp is going to be 19-21F next week and it'll be worse inside the tent. I can cover the pen with a wet towel, put his coolpad inside, and get a crate fan if I can find one which works off a car battery but I don't know if that's enough. I may just take him up for one day and night on the coolest day and see how he gets on.

 

[TTT]

Look at getting him a 'cooler coat'that you soak with water and put on him. A company called Ruffwear make them. They do the job well. Also, you can get reflective covers for crates - they look like tinfoil. Camping is a good holiday for dogs. have fun.

 

[lurcherman]

Lead him up and yhe dog stays safe.

 

[hanneroon]

it'll probably be a good chance to practise getting him used to horses being around, you might be able to aproach a rider and see if they would let you practise walking him calmly past them. Fingers crossed for some cold weather for you

 

[AbiMay]

First of all make sure you secure your tent pegs down properly, I've had my beagle escape under a tent and run into another one before. When we go camping we keep ours on a tether and put a windbreaker up to provide some shade, and all campsites will have the water points we often turn them on and let Harvey run under them to cool down. As for other dogs being there I've never had a problem with dogs socialising on a camp site, all dog owners seem to encourage it and expect it. So just make sure your dog is fully hydrated, has a secure place to sleep and play, keep him away from the road and make sure he will stay in the tent. Enjoy your trip

 

[honeybabylove]

hi I use a spray bottle to damp my dog down her back to keep her cool. always make sure your dogs on lead where theres horses and other larger animals.

 

[Poochbypost]

id put him on a tie out stake