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Many of us like to get away for one or two weeks in the summer, and camp in a state or national park. For those of us with dogs, this can create a dilemma. What do we do with Fido?
There are three choices. One, you can have Fido boarded while you are away. You can leave your pet with a friend or relative. Or thirdly, you can take your dog with you. Which is best for you and your dog?
Boarding houses are usually well run. Many of the people in this business are there because they like animals. But, to be on the safe side, you should have dealt with this house before or known someone who has. A good animal boarding house will exercise your dog. Your dog should get attention. It should be clean and keep your dog from being exposed to diseased animals. If you chose your place carefully, you'll be relaxed on your vacation knowing that Fido is safe and happy on his vacation.
Family and friends are great -- if they and your dog get along. If you have a friend who is also a dog owner, perhaps you can work out an arrangement to "doggysit" for each other. But make sure that they know your dog, that they have the time to take care of your pet. Remember that your pet is going to be upset that you are gone. If your pet's temporary caretaker is gone too long, your pet may develop poor toilet habits or start chewing things.
So, why not take the dog with you? If you and your dog are ready for it, this can be the best experience of all. My dog, Pepper, has seen more of Michigan than most of its residents. Pepper has been on many car camping trips, a couple canoe journeys, as well as backpacking and several extended day hikes.
Before you take the dog, ask yourself some questions. Does your dog bark a lot? Is it high strung? If you are camping in a fairly crowded park, as many are on holidays, you may have neighboring campers only 20 or 30 feet away. It's their vacation too. If your dog is not well-mannered, it is best to leave it behind.
Will you be doing things that require you to leave the dog behind? Many people have different ideas on how to camp. Do you plan on going into town for meals and spending the evening at the local watering hole? Perhaps you want to take a boat cruise or a train ride. You probably cannot take your dog there.
Make sure your dog is allowed where you're going. For instance, dogs are not allowed in the backpacking country of Pictured Rocks National Park. I believe this is true for the National Parks in general. Avoid the tragedy of traveling with your pet for hundreds of miles and finding out you can't stay where you planned.
Many dogs can stay in the car for an hour or so without incident. If you do, be sure that the car isn't too hot. Direct sunlight can heat the interior of car to over 120 degrees. Don't leave your dog back at the campsite. A barking dog tied to a picnic table for hours is sure to invite a lynching party for its owners and deservedly so. Pepper stays in the car if we go into town, normally a rare occurrence when we camp. We make sure the windows are partially lowered. The car is parked in the shade if possible, a sun shield is placed in the windshield.
Is there enough room for your pet? With today's smaller cars, taking the dog may pose yet another problem. Pepper is a large dog, a mixed breed Bouvier/German Shepherd/Labrador/??? weighing in at eighty pounds. She requires most of the back seat of our Escort. Toss a cooler in the back seat with Pepper, add camping gear in the back and the car gets pretty crowded. One of our most unforgettable moments occurred when Pepper, crowded by my wife who was getting something out of the cooler, crawled into the front seat. Two adults and a large dog in the front seat of an Escort is an interesting packaging problem, to say the least. Getting Pepper turned around and back where she belonged rivaled the best slap-stick comedy I've ever seen.
So, before deciding to take your dog on vacation, make sure everything can fit! You may be surprised how fast you car or truck fills up. A practice load of your vehicle in advance is probably a good idea if you haven't used it previously for camping.
Have you ever traveled with your dog? The beginning of a 10-hour trip to the desolate netherlands is a bad place to find out that Fido gets car sick.
When sleeping in a tent, you'll be in close confines with your pet. If Fido is loaded with fleas, they'll be visiting your sleeping bag. A good idea is to give your dog a flea bath before you go, and then give him one when you get back. Your dog should have its shots, and be protected against rabies and heartworm. If you're not sure, check with your veterinarian before you go.
And let's not forget flying insects. While the dog's fur will protect it against mosquitoes, black flies are a different story. You can spray your dog with insect repellent as long as you keep it out of Fido's face. The ears are a particularly vulnerable spot. To apply it there, spray it on your hands and rub it on your dog's ears. Some people use a bandanna to help keep the flies away.
Plan on keeping Fido under control. Other people may not enjoy your dog as much as you do. Depending on how well trained your dog is, this may or may not mean keeping it tied up all the time. Courtesy for your fellow vacationers when mean a more enjoyable trip for all concerned. And don't forget to pack the dog's food, dog dishes and a leash. And toss in a blanket for Fido's bed. If you and your dog are ready, you'll have a wonderful trip!
If you have comments or questions, please reply via e-mail. Thanks. Tony Wesley tony@tonywesley.com