I went camping with my dog for the very first time this summer. We had a blast. I wasn’t sure what to expect before we went out. My dog gets spooked pretty easily and I wasn’t sure how he would react out in the wilderness. He did a fantastic job. I can’t wait to go camping again. Here are five things I learned the first time I went camping with Louie.

1. Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date

   It goes without saying that your dog should always be up-to-date with its vaccines. This is even more important when you are taking your dog out in the woods. Before you take your pup on a camping trip, give your vet a call to see if your dog is covered and if any additional vaccines or medications are required. Even though your dog may be covered for ticks, it’s still a good idea to include a tick-removal kit in your first aid kit to remove any ticks that may latch onto you or your dog.

2. Have a trial Run

   A few weeks before our camping trip, I set up the tent indoors to let Louie get used to sleeping in it. He was apprehensive at first but after a few days, he started napping in there all by himself. I took a few naps in the tent with him to test whether he would be fine with the tent closed. While on our camping trip, Louie would walk into the tent when he wanted to rest. It was great. I think the training helped.

3. Bring Plenty of Water

   It’s important for you and your dog to stay hydrated. Bring plenty of clean water for you and your pup to drink. I packed a 5-gallon water jug for a two-day trip and it was plenty for us to drink. I brought a few extra water bottles to carry water whenever we left the campsite.

4. Watch the heat

   The weather can be unpredictable. During the summer, the temperature can rise quickly especially on cloudless days and full sun. The sun can make the ground extremely hot. Our shoes protect our feet from the scorching heat, but our dog’s paws are exposed and may burn if they walk on the hot sand, dirt, rocks, or tarmac for too long. Use your hand to touch the ground. If it is hot to touch, it may be too hot for your dog to walk. Wait for it to cool down before embarking on a long walk. Also, try to stay in the shade if possible to avoid overheating. If your campsite doesn’t have tree cover, try taking cover in your tent.

5. Plan Your trip

   Planning ahead will make your trip go a lot smoother. Here are some things to do before your big trip.

   • Look up the weather report so you can pack the appropriate equipment.

   • Share your itinerary with a friend or a family member.

   • Take a picture of your dog in case he goes missing.

   • Look up the location and contact information for emergency veterinarians nearby your campsite.

   • Bring along outdoor safe toys for your dog to play with.

   • If you are going to a remote place, consider getting a satellite phone in case of emergencies.