If you are planning to go camping, there are some essential items you should take with you such as a backpacking tent, food supply, sources of light, a source of electric power and your sleeping gear. All these are non-living items, have you ever thought of bringing a living companion to your camping spree apart from another human being?
Your canine companion would be your best camping buddy. Have you ever considered hammock camping with a dog? You may now be wondering if it is really necessary to put up with your dog during your camping spree, but just think of the undisrupted company and the undivided attention it will offer you.
4 Reasons Why You Need to Bring Your Dog for Camping
1. Elimination of boarding expenses
Being a parent of a dog means that you are always striving to give it the same care as that you give your children. The thought of leaving your dog alone or under another person’s care for some hours, leave alone some days is disheartening.
It could be a burden to someone, whether he or she is family or a close friend, you cannot also be certain about the quality of care that will be given to your hairy companion. The worst case could be leaving your dog all alone in the house.
It may run short of water or food supply in case your day of return is delayed. To avoid all these situations which will separate you from your doggie and leave you restless, taking your dog with you during your hammock camping is even a greater idea. You two can enjoy each other’s company and still enjoy the camping spree.
2. Companionship
At times, we need time away from our family and friends. This is not because we hate them but because creating some distance makes the family and friendship bond stronger. Having your dog accompany you on your camping spree is a great idea since it will keep you from feeling lonely.
Also, if you are going on a camping spree with your children, taking your dog with you will help them settle down and prevent them from getting homesick. Hiking with your dog tagging along will certainly make your day as it will be your loyal companion.
3. Training the dog
Camping out in the wild with your dog creates a great opportunity for you to train it on certain behaviors such as not running or barking at the small animals which will be plenty in your camping site. By the time you get back home, your dog will have reduced the rate of barking.
Having your dog stick with you throughout your camping period is also an indicator that your dog is loyal. The camping site provides a vast area where it can run to but the fact that it remains loyal shows that there is quite a strong bond of love between you and your canine companion.
4. For security purposes
The main purpose why we keep dogs is because they act as our “bodyguards” in most cases. Never at any one time will your canine companion watch you get humiliated or harassed. It will always seek to protect you from anyone who intends to hurt you.
Whenever you go camping, there are very many dangers which lurk out there considering the fact that most of the time you go camping in a new area. There could be animals which could invade your campsite as they look for food and, there could be some people out there who could be seeking to cause trouble.
Having your dog with you gives you a sense of security as it will guard you as well as your possessions. Getting lost in the woods is also a nightmare, if your dog is well trained, it can help you get back to your campsite especially by detecting your path by the sense of smell.
8 Tips to Help You Have The Smooth Hammock Camping with a Dog
Source: Youtube
If you want to have a smooth camping spree with your canine friend by your side, there are some tips that you must learn and practice. These tips will make sure that everything flows smoothly and as planned. Discussed below are some of those essential tips:
1/ Practice at home before you set out for hammock camping
For you to be in a position to determine whether adventuring with a dog will work out, you need to practice it at home before you hit the trail. This also gives you an opportunity to see how your canine companion will react in new surroundings and to unfamiliar sounds.
It will also help you to determine how you will be sleeping comfortably if you want to be sleeping with your canine friend in your hammock.
2/ Be prepared
Going on a camping spree means that you must carry the necessities you need while you are away from home. The same way you would strive to get the necessities to ensure your comfort while camping, you should also get the basic necessities for your dog’s survival such as the poop bags, food, water bowls and a first aid kit.
Always take care of your canine companion in the best way possible. You can also get some accessories which will enhance your comfort and that of your pup. For instance, a puppy coat and sleeping bag are important especially if you are going camping in an extremely cold place.
For warmer weather, a dog cooling bandana is ideal. Also, if you and your dog can barely fit in your hammock, having a dog tent will help to create a suitable place for your dog to sleep safe, warm and cozy.
3/ Light up
Have an efficient source of light that will enable you to see your dog at night. You can simply attach a lighting tab on your canine companion’s collar to have enough light which will enable you to see it. This will save you from the inconveniences of looking for your dog in the night with no success.
4/ Get your pup groomed before you hit the trail
Grooming your pup makes them feel good, and you can comfortably cuddle up with them. Before you go hammock camping, ensure that your dog’s nails have been perfectly trimmed as well as its coat.
Trimming the nails will aid in preventing the hammock from being ruined in case the dog’s sharp nails come in contact with the hammock material. Trimming the coat makes it easier for you to find and remove the ticks your dog may have acquired while in the wild.
5/ Keep your dog close
There have been instances where dogs stray off from their owners and never come back. Probably it’s due to the new found freedom and a wide area to run to. If this happened to your canine friend, your camping spree would be ruined there and then.
To prevent such cases from happening, you need to keep your dog close by having their leash around your hand as you sleep in your hammock. In case it tries to get away, you can easily be alert.
An even better idea is to have a long leash for it which you will tie on the hammock’s ridgeline or to the nearest tree. This way, you can never be worried about getting up the next morning only to find your dog gone.
6/ Check out if dogs are allowed
If you intend to go to a specific campsite, probably where other people go camping too, you need to inquire if dogs are allowed in that particular campsite. You can check online from their websites, or you can inquire from the local rangers.
It would be extremely terrible to reach the campsite only to find out that you have to go all the way back home to make arrangements on how your dog will stay safe for the days you will be away from home. In the long run, it might end up being a failed camping spree.
7/ Carry with you some extra towels and blankets
It is always advisable that you have some extra blankets or towels when camping. These will help you a great deal if you find out that your camping site is extremely cold. Also, if by bad luck your pup’s bed gets smelly, you can use the towels or blankets to remedy the situation.
8/ Get a suitable campsite
Getting a perfect campsite if you intend that your pup will be sleeping with you in your hammock is a very wise idea. This will aid in easing the process of your canine companion entering and exiting the hammock.
The best location for you to hang your hammock should be extremely flat. A sloppy area will make it very difficult for your pup to access and exit the hammock. A flat area also minimizes the likelihood of a pool of water in case there are rains.
If your dog sleeps on the ground and yet you choose a sloppy area, you risk having a drenched dog the next morning. Hang your hammock in a way that it is close to the ground. Make sure that you hang it on a strong and steady tree to gain proper support to the additional weight of your pup.
Conclusion
Hammock camping with a dog is perfectly in order. You should not worry about making a mess out of it. If you follow the tips I have listed, you will undisputedly have a successful camping expedition with your canine companion as you get tons and tons of bonding.
Leave a comment on the article and let us know if you have had a successful camping expedition with your pup. If you liked the article, do not forget to give it a thumbs up. Feel free to make inquiries if you need clarification on any issue of importance.