Camping With Dogs

Dog friendly Campsites

The first thing you need to organise is somewhere to stay, as surprisingly not all campsites are dog friendly. So with that in mind, we took a look at some of the best dog friendly campsites on Cool Camping, including scenic places to walk, animals to see and places to visit.

Of course, everyone has their own preference, so it’s worth checking out some of the other camping spots to see what takes your fancy. Glamping is another great option in order to save time unpacking, as well as making sure you get a decent night’s sleep.

Once you’ve found a dog friendly location, it’s time to see what facilities they provide for dogs, as well as things for them to do and places nearby where they can accompany you.

Check if they have any areas for your dog to exercise or play off their lead, as well as some suitable dog walking trails nearby. If you’re looking to eat out or head to the pub you will need to see if the local restaurants are dog friendly or have outdoor seating areas to accommodate you and your furry friend.

It’s also worth taking into consideration how far you will have to travel to get to the campsite as your dog may be anxious and need plenty of breaks when traveling a long distance.

Essentials For Camping With Dogs

Before you head out on your adventure it's important to make sure you're bringing everything your dog will need. Here's a quick list of all the essentials:

Poo Bags
Waterproof Dog Bowl
Dog First Aid Kit
Travel Towels
Dog Tether
Food & Water
Toys
Blankets
Dog Bed
Collar/lead
Treats
LED Collar or light so your dog is clearly visible in low light

Doggy essentials aside, you can refer to our handy camping checklist for a complete guide on what to bring on your camping trip, from tents and sleeping equipment all the way to camping furniture and games.

Traveling With Your Dog

Your dog may be a little bit anxious when travelling by car, so it's worth making sure your dog has everything it needs to stay as comfortable as possible, the most important thing to remember is that your dog is legally required to be suitably restrained, as per rule 57 of the highway code. If you're planning on traveling for a considerable distance and your dog is not used to traveling by car, we suggest you start taking them out as soon as possible on small journeys so they can get used to the motion and surroundings of being in a car.

When heading out on your adventure we recommend planning to stop somewhere along the way so your dog can get some exercise, have a toilet break, rehydrate and even have a snack.

Arriving On Site

Time to get your tent set up. Now is a good time to feed your dog (or let them play with something like a Kong) in order to keep them occupied for the time it takes you to set up your tent. It's good practice to have a go at assembling your tent at home before heading out to a campsite, so that you can quickly pitch your tent in the event of any rain. Plus, spending an evening camping in your own garden is a great way to get your dog used to the environment, on top of your own practice.

If you are going to be camping in the rain, make sure you put protection down from those muddy paws straight away in order to prevent water and dirt finding it's way into your tent, also make use of your travel towel to dry off your dog as much as possible before letting them inside.

Entertaining Your Dog

As mentioned earlier it's worth seeing what dog-friendly facilities are available at your chosen campsite, whether they have a lead-free area, dog-friendly beaches or even dog agility courses you need to be sure that your dog will be entertained. Given that you're free to explore a whole new area, your dog will love to join you on your adventures. However with that in mind, you don't want to overdo it.

It's also worth bringing your dog's favourite toys for them to play with during downtime.

Keeping Your Dog Safe

Safety is the most important thing and keeping your dog safe is no different, we have listed the important factors you should consider to ensure your dog's safety

Tether

Using a tether will stop your dog from being able to run away and can be great for securing your dog on certain occasions such as when your cooking a BBQ.

Id Tag

Make sure this is up to date encase the worst-case scenario should happen.

Zip Up Your Tent

At night time your tent must be secure so your dog can't escape.

Check For Nearby Emergency Vets

Be aware of who and where the local vet is, we also recommend keeping hold of their number in case of emergency. It's also worth bringing a first aid kit just in case.

We hope you found our guide on camping with dogs useful. Check out the camping section of our blog for even more helpful camping guides. Otherwise, if you're off on a camping trip with your pooch, we hope you have a wonderful time!