Comments on: Adventures with Fido: How to Camp with Your Dog

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:13:31 +0000

Good advice. I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback that loves to run and chase squirels.

By: Blair

Blair — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:21:10 +0000

My German Shepherd loves the forest – what dog doesn’t? – and, similarly, camping in it. I find that she can comfortably carry 10-15 pounds without any problem at all, which pretty much takes care of a lot of our food or water. (She’s a pretty athletic dog, though.) Second the recommendation for Ruffwear backpacks. I’ve never put my dog on leash while on a long (multi-day) hike… but then, she never strays too far ahead/behind me.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:39:11 +0000

This is a good article with lots of good advice. I camp with my Italian Greyhound, and he absolutely loves running amok all day, only to crash in the sleeping bag with me. I also ride trails, and I see a lot of people with dogs that haven’t ever seen a horse. If your area has a lot of horsemen and women, do both parties a favor and make sure that your dog knows what a horse is, and won’t go running up to a very powerful, very fast prey animal. A horse can spook easily, and a fast moving dog, especially coming out of brush or around a corner, is just the thing to do it. Riders, bystanders, and animals can all be very injured if this happens.

By: J and M

J and M — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 20:49:39 +0000

Reading the article and looking at the pictures, i wouldn’t agree on bringing a young puppy out on trails for extended time, especially on rugged trails and also supporting saddle bags. This could be terribly bad for their joints in the long run and very bad for their back, since they are still growing and most dogs aren’t fully grown until age 2. It’s best to wait at the very least until the puppy is about a year old where their bones have almost completely grown. I have to agree with the Basset Hound statement, this will also go for Dachshunds as they are prone to back problems, and jumping and running could really injure their backs and i’ve seen Bassets and Dachshunds early back issues at a young age for having a lot of physical activity.

All in all i really enjoyed this article, i hike and camp with my 50lbs Lab, yes she is small, and she really enjoys all the hiking and swimming she gets out of it, we both do, and it really gets us into shape too. I have to be careful when we hike because my Lab is RAW fed so i have to go out double prepared and extra careful! But i’ve never had an incident where a wild animal (besides raccoons) coming to lick up left overs, so i guess we’re really lucky! Thanks again for the fun and educative article :)

By: W

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:32:08 +0000

I use the RuffWear Palisades pack with my golden retriever and it works very well. Wolves are actually one of my biggest concerns when backpacking with my dog in remote areas of ID and MT so it is essential that my dog is under control and doesn’t wander. We rarely run other people, but have encountered wolves along the trail. I read several articles that suggested attaching a bell to the dog’s pack or collar which is said to give the dog a human sound.

By: K

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:28:25 +0000

Great article with really useful tips. I’m taking my dogs on their first road trip and am wondering if you can offer any tips on how to keep them as comfortable as possible. Beyond the obvious like not leaving them in a hot car, what are things I should look out for? I’m nervous about converting a car ride into a road trip and what this transition takes.

By: Mike M

Mike M — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:09:27 +0000

Be especially careful camping with your dog in the evening. Sitting around the fire and him/her lying near you is great, but they can see SO much farther into the darkness you’re not aware of the raccoon or some other critter they’re ready to take off after and surprise the be-jezees out of you as well. Don’t ask how I know this. My German Shepherds go camping regularly with me, and it is always a great experience. Excellent article, thanks.

By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 02:38:46 +0000

My 10 month old Boxer Elbow ( my 22 month old daughter named him last Christmas) loves camping here in western Washington. He is a real trooper, he will play with my daughter all day and then go on hikes with me in the afternoon. He has so much energy that all the kids at the campsite love when he comes along. We use a Ruff Wear Singletrak Hydration Dog Pack and he will bring all of his own food and water for the day… well sometimes on longer outings he will use some water out of my camelbak. He is crate trained and when we all turn in after a long day he will sleep in the back in the Jeep where we have a couple of fleece blankets laid out for him and a collapsible bowl of water.

By: M Johnson

M Johnson — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:40:29 +0000

Our family loves climbing fourteeners (14,000 ft. Peaks) here in Colorado. We always take our dog (Australian shepherd), and she has never gotten hurt or even become tired out on one of these strenuous hikes. For those looking for a great hike where your dog can come along, fourteeners are a great option.

By: Frederick

Frederick — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:45:36 +0000

Do not give your dog ibuprofen. It is toxic to them. As well as a couple of other human pain killers. Check with your vet first!