Camping with your dog: comfortable on the campsite

How wonderful: you and your family have arrived at the campsite! Everything is ready, including a spot for the dog. The holiday can begin. For your dog, however, it takes some adjusting, a new environment with all new sounds and smells. We give you tips for camping with your dog, so that they also feel at ease.

The dog is completely part of your family, so it's logical that they go on holiday with you. And that's perfectly fine, most dogs have a great ability to adapt. Before you go on holiday, good preparation is very important. For example, carefully choose a destination and campsite that is suitable for camping with your dog. And you can also prepare your dog in advance with good training. In addition, there are useful products you can take with you. You can read more about this in this article.

Getting used to the campsite

A useful tip for the first few days at the campsite: let him sleep a lot. Provide a pleasant, safe place in the shade where there is little hustle and bustle. This can be a crate, but also a spot in the shade near the camper or caravan. Bring the basket from home, or a blanket your dog likes to lie on. That immediately feels familiar.

What also helps your dog get used to the new environment is to calmly walk several rounds around the campsite with the dog on a leash. Let him sniff everything calmly, so that the smells can become more familiar. Also check if there are dog walking areas nearby, where your dog can immediately meet and play with other dogs.

Food and drink

For you, celebrating a holiday probably also means good food and drinks, for example enjoying local delicacies. For your dog, that's different. Of course, you can occasionally treat your dog to something tasty, for example a sausage from the BBQ. But as daily food, the kibble you use at home is best.

Take a supply of his familiar food with you on holiday. This is because this food may not be available near your holiday destination. Drinking is also important for your dog. Make sure fresh drinking water is available for your dog every day. Not only at your holiday destination, but also on the road.

Sufficient exercise

At many campsites where dogs are allowed, it is mandatory to keep them on a leash. A long leash that you attach to a ground stake is useful for this. For a smaller dog, a tent peg can also work well. With the long leash, the dog has enough room to move, but cannot roam around the campsite. Optionally, you can attach the long leash to a harness instead of a collar, so that your dog's neck is not strained too much.

It's hot!

Dogs are less tolerant of heat than humans. That's good to keep in mind when you go camping with your dog. Anyway, in preparation it is smart to choose a destination that also has pleasant temperatures for your dog. Still, it can get very hot everywhere in the summer. It is important then that you help your dog cool down, for example with these tips:

• Always ensure sufficient drinking water.
• Create a pleasant sleeping place for the dog in the shade. This can be under the trees, but also under the camper or caravan. Or you can bring a small tent, especially for the dog.
• Look for a place nearby where your dog can take a refreshing dip. Does your dog not like that? Perhaps a foot bath is more to their liking. Special dog swimming pools are available.
• Cooling mats and cooling vests are available to help your dog cool down.
• Do not walk the dog at the hottest part of the day. Take longer walks in the morning and evening, when it is cooler.
• If you do go for a walk, be careful with asphalt and sand. That can get extremely hot, very painful for your dog's paw pads.
• And finally: NEVER leave your dog alone in the car. The temperature can rise enormously in a very short time, which is life-threatening for your dog.

Leaving alone?

In general, the advice is not to leave your dog alone at the campsite. It depends on your dog, of course, but even if he never barks, that can be different when camping. It's a strange environment, with different sounds and smells, and as a result, your dog may show unwanted behavior. In addition, it can get quite hot in the camper or caravan, something your dog cannot tolerate well.

If you are with several people, take turns going out, so that someone can stay with the dog. Or take your dog with you. Especially during beautiful walks in nature, he will enjoy it immensely!

Your own camper or caravan

So, camping with your dog is perfectly doable! Still looking for your own camper or caravan? On CampersCaravans.nl you can choose from a wide range of new and second-hand campers and caravans. Or would you rather read more first camping news?