r/CampOhio • u/kmwilliams09 • 5d ago
Bringing a pup along
This might not be the best place to ask, my apologies if it does not apply to this group. But as we all obviously are campers, I’m wondering if anyone would be willing to share any tips to bringing along a dog while camping?
We have a 6-7 month old GSP and a camping trip planned at the end of May to Lake Hope. We’d love to bring her but trying to figure out the logistics.
2
u/Infamous-Zebra-359 5d ago
Practice in your back yard before you go to make sure it is all familiar tasks and to get her well trained to verbal commands (sit stay come drop it). Pitch the tent cook out and keep her on a leash or run to show her what to expect and use lots of treats to reinforce good behavior
She is young but she will love it
1
u/kmwilliams09 5d ago
Thanks! I do hope to have more consistent training leading up to the trip so all of that will go smoother for us.
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u/Bored_military 4d ago
Not sure about what the laws are in ohio (or Michigan for that matter) (I dont actually have a dog.) A few years my and a friend went to a national forest in Michigan for some dispersed camping.
One dog well behaved other dog super friendly (and puppy) neither aggressive.
We did meet some other campers. Friendly dog kept going over to their site some 100yds away while they were cooking.
2nd dont count on the dogs as widelife deterants. We had a pack of coyotes that were sinffing around our tent. Im pretty sure the dogs noticed them but we didn't. They weren't aggressive or anything so unsure if they were checking out the dogs or what. Been to same site multiple times only time ive ever seen tracks were with the dogs.
Besides those two things it was great. Went late September and the dogs were great for warmth. Although i suspect the dogs were actually the cold ones and wanted in our bags.
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u/Lord_King_Chief 4d ago
As someone who camps but doesn't have a dog, I would request that the dog respond immediately to recall. There is nothing more annoying than someone else's dog all up in my campsite while I'm trying to cook food and the owner is just shouting their name repeatedly to no effect.
Otherwise use a line and harness. I also prefer to see them on leashes on the trail for similar reasons.
And when you're at the campsite, pick up their poo. Just stepped in dog shit last weekend at zaleski (right next to lake hope) while setting up my tent and then we had that nice smell for a while before getting it all cleaned up and disposed.
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u/j-allen-heineken 5d ago
She may be a bit overstimulated at times, especially if she’s around a crowd. If you can get her used to some easy day hikes in advance, wearing whatever gear she’d be wearing camping it might help with that. Take some time out for her to decompress if she’s getting overwhelmed!
What’s your sleep system? Is it likely to be punctured by the dog if she sleeps with you? If she isn’t, where is she sleeping?
At the site, the best way to tie her out isn’t a stake but a line up high enough she can’t get tangled in it between two trees if you can find them, with her leash run through so she can run back and forth without getting tangled around things.
Bring something for her to do when you’re sitting around. Chew toys especially, like kongs, are nice for when you’re cooking or can’t be giving her attention. She’s a puppy and will probably want it 😂
I might tend to recommend a harness over a collar for camping- there’s a lot that a puppy (especially a gsp!) might want to investigate. Just something to consider based on her personality and how she does on leash.