Any time spent with your dog is time well spent, and camping is no different!
Taking your dog camping can seem overwhelming or more hassle than it’s worth, but with a few tips, tricks and products you will want to take your pooch each and every time.
Taking a dog somewhere new is wonderful enrichment for them as it stimulates their brain, thanks to all the wonderful smells and sights they get to enjoy. The more enrichment your dog gets, the better bond between you both, which tends to affect your communication over time. A happy dog is usually a better-behaved dog too, so the benefits are numerous.
When camping in paralysis tick areas, it’s a good idea to carry Tick Remover for peace of mind and ensure all your pets are up to date on their flea/tick treatment. Both are more likely to occur in the wild as they are carried by native wildlife. Tweezers also work, however it is much harder and you can risk leaving parts of the tick behind. It doesn’t hurt to give your pets a quick once-over each night, feeling for any imperfections in the skin. Not only could this save you an expensive vet bill, your dog sees it as a massage!
In Australia snakes are pretty common, and unfortunately, not all pooches know to keep away. Always make sure to bring a First Aid Kit and a Snake Bite Kit with you, just in case. You can treat snake bites for pets the same way you do with humans, taking care not to cut off blood circulation. If your pet is bitten by a snake, please contact the nearest vet for advice.
We also recommend bringing a wide-toothed comb or pet brush. You might not feel the need to pamper a dirty pet, but if your camping area contains the odd prickle bush or cactus, you will thank us later! (Imagine having to remove a cactus from a dog’s belly with your bare hands, it’s less than ideal!)
Handy must-have for camping with your dog
Water is an item that you should always have access to in case of an emergency, both for you and your pet. Heat stroke is a very real, very scary health condition which can be caused by inadequate water supply in all seasons. Help keep your dog safe by ensuring you always have heaps of clean water spare. We have a great range of pet products at Didgeridoonas, from dog coats to the Dog-Walker’s Carry All.
A camping favourite is our compact water/food bowl, the Doggies Waterhole, made from waterproof materials and foldable for easy travel purposes. Normal dog bowls are pretty bulky, so this is perfect for camping or hiking as it is designed to be lightweight and compact. The Didgeridoonas Doggies Water Hole is big enough for your dog to drink from, and small enough to fit in your pocket for those long walks. Whilst there are dog specific water bottles on the market, most tend to leak, or don’t compact down well, so we’ve found that a separate bowl is easier.
Whether you have a big or small dog, invest in an extra long lead! It’s worth it to see them running around on your adventures, without the stress of running away. You can pick 5,10 and even 30 meter long lines cheap from eBay. They do take a bit of practice and two hands to use, but it doesn’t take long to get used to it. The fun you have with your dog will be worth the time.
You can never have enough dog towels in your house, especially with water and mud loving dogs. This need is even more true when camping! There’s nothing worse than having your muddy dog climb up and dirty the floors of your camper!
Where to go camping with your dog:
Most state national park websites have a search feature allowing you to filter out the parks which allow dogs. The hard work is done for you here, so check out below to see which parks allow dogs. Be sure to double-check each location before your visit though, as camping with dogs is only recently becoming more popular.
Don’t forget, more than 70% of Big4 Holiday Parks are pet friendly and are a great option for the entire family. Featuring fenced dog yards, pet-friendly cabins and campsites plus tonnes to do for the kids, they are a great addition to any trip away.
Parks which allow camping with dogs according to state:
Queensland:
· Gordon Country (SEQ)
· Goomburra Valley Camping (SEQ)
· Fordsdale Farmstay (SEQ)
· SS Dorrigo Campground – Rainbow beach
· Noosa Caravan Park (SEQ)
· Coolum Beach Caravan Park (SEQ)
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Foxbar Falls Camping Stanthorpe (SQ)
South Australia:
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Coodlie Park
· Karoonda Cabin and Caravan Park
· Browns Beach Campground
New South Wales:
· Riverwood Downs Holiday Park
· Turon Gates Mountain Retreat
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Bobs Bend Campground Burraburoon
· Nymboida Camping and Canoeing
Australian Capital Territory:
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Blue Range Recreational Area
· Kowan Forest
· Woods Reserve
Victoria:
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Marengo Holiday Park (Great Ocean Road)
· Smythesdale Gardens
· Wild Valley Gippsland Accommodation
· Yanakie Caravan Park
Tasmania:
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Arthur River Cabin Park
· Burnie Ocean View Holiday Park
· Strahan Beach Tourist Park
Western Australia:
· Big4 Caravan Parks (Multiple locations)
· Jurien Bay Tourist Park
· Geraldton Caravan Park
· Onslow Ocean View Caravan Park
· Riverview Tourist Park
Northern Territory:
· Big4 Caravan Parks(Multiple locations)
· Bitter Springs Cabins and Camping
· Heritage Caravan Park Alice Springs
The list above is by no means an exhaustive list, and these are just a few suggestions to get you started. Websites such as Pupsy.com.au have fantastic databases full to the brim of suggestions all over Australia.
Some last-minute tips:
Don’t leave your pet unattended in a tent, especially if you haven’t done training and practice at home to prepare them. Any confined space, or new place takes practice to adjust to, so be sure to reward your pet with cuddles and treats along the way so they learn that camping is a fun thing!
Start small. Do practice trips with your pet before you head out on a big adventure so they have time to adjust to all the smells, sounds and experiences involved in camping.
Take them for walks around your campsite. It’s great enrichment for them and helps show them it’s a safe place to be.
Bring fun things! Always pack some new toys or a bone in case you have to leave your dog behind one day. Giving them a fun activity to do while you are away can make a stressful time for them less daunting. Peanut butter jars with leftover peanut butter make great puzzles. Make sure that the peanut butter you use doesn’t have xylitol in the ingredients as it’s dangerous to dogs. If your dog is great at puzzles, or has had plenty of practice, you can even give them the jar with the lid on for extra difficulty. You can also use old water bottles or milk bottles laying around which can be filled with the dogs’ kibble for a fun activity.
