Would like to try tent camping in some of the state parks with my two dogs... anyone have any tips they can share from past experience?

I'm planning on having the dogs in the tent with my bf and I. Should I err on the side of caution and bring/set up their crates inside the tent? or do you think that's overkill? I have to admit it would add dramatically to the size of the tent needed, lol.

Some immediate thoughts/concerns are: other campers around, barking, camping courtesy- like do I have to worry about what my dog pees on as long as it's not some other person's campsite or historic monument? Obviously there are rules about cleaning up solids. For that matter, any ideas on how to prevent the dogs from peeing on my tent??

Also, are "trolleys" or tie outs a good idea for short term control when I just need my hands free but am closeby? pros/cons?

We will do a backyard trial before going anywhere, just looking for ideas.

Thanks all!

The biggest camping problem we have encountered is raccoons. They will literally come INTO your tent if you aren't paying attention. I don't think I'd go all the way to hauling the crates, but I think I would maybe put the dogs on a tie stake inside the tent when I go to sleep. I can make a very vivid mind-movie about being awakened by a couple of raccoons, followed by a couple of dogs running across my face on the way to animal armageddon at 4 a.m.! Generally speaking, we have found other people's dogs to be much more of a problem than our own. Not so much out and about in the park, but around the camping areas. Just keep alert.

Where are ya'll planning on going? There in Texas?

Also remember the threat of snakes is pretty high - I always check into local vet clinics, find out who does emergencies and keep a number handy just in case.

ok- so this is kind of embarrassing, but apparently I posted a similar question a few years ago and had forgotten. Should have used the search function before posting, lol.

Becky, we're looking at a couple of state parks in Texas, probably in the fall when it's cool enough to tolerate having two large fuzzy heaters lying next to you

Good idea on finding a local vet just in case! Thanks much.

I would bring crates as a precaution- even if you store them outside your tent, I like to use them while camping for those moments I can't be "right there" to watch them (getting water, using restroom, etc) Unfortunately, state park campgrounds seem to be a permissive place for parents to allow their kids to run crazy and unsupervised which can lead to unwanted interactions if you leave them on a tie-out. My suggestion would be to do a couple dry runs. Pack a picnic and stay at the campground space for the day with the dogs and see how they do. Treat the tent as your house. Do you allow them to pee on your house? Other than that, peeing is pretty well accepted as long as it isn't on tires, bikes or other people's sleeping area. Dogs with uncontrollable barking are generally not loved at campgrounds, but a woof here and there doesn't seem to bother many.

wife and i did this recently. we did not bother bringing his crate (especially since it would have taken up 1/2 the tent...) but our boy is relatively quiet and calm and we correctly assumed he would lie down and sleep at night. i think it probably depends on the dog.

another thing to remember is that, if your trip is going to be anything like ours, your dog will probably be too tired to make much trouble by the time you bed down for the night. we were hiking 8 miles a day uphill and downhill over rough terrain. our working GSD, who usually has energy to last all day, was a lazy useless lump by the time we got done. in fact he was so tired that as soon as we got back to our campsite he went and begged to be let into the tent to conk out for the night while we stayed up to cook and relax.

We go camping in an RV all the time in state parks with our dogs. It's not in tents but almost the same thing. You can use a tie out at your campsite to put the dogs on while you're busy cooking, etc. Or take the crates, but I just used tie outs. Be sure your dogs don't bark excessively or at every passerby.

San Antonio! I'm jealous. You live close to so many good Texas State Parks.

We used to tie our dogs out but now we use the little metal fences you can buy at petco or petsmart. We bought more each time we went camping and now we have enough for making an area for our dogs to run in (with us, we sit there too in our chairs) along one side of the trailer. We do our best to keep our dogs quiet. One thing we do is to hang towels or a tarp on the side of the fence near the road so that as people walk by our dogs aren't as likely to bark. It works. Our dogs love camping. We take their crates and they sleep in them at night in the trailer. In a tent maybe you could have a smaller tent with their crates in them next to you or something, or they could sleep with you in your tent. I wouldn't leave them outside, depending on how remote you camp.
We've had very good experiences camping with our dogs. We walk them after every meal and they love traveling. Sharon

I haven't been camping in a tent in a few decades, but I have lots of experience camping with dogs in an RV. State parks are very busy and popular with families with kids, so even though it's bad manners, expect that some kids (and adults) will walk (or run) through your campsite. For this reason, always make sure your dogs are closely supervised and either attached to you with a leash, on a tie-out, or a x-pen, if that's your preference.

If we are sitting outside our trailer with the dogs, I will often tie each of them with a long line to something secure like the trailer steps or a heavy picnic table, making sure the line is not long enough that the dog can get to the road or adjacent sites. BTW, it's considered bad manners to tie them to trees, since the tree could be damaged by a line rubbing back and forth against the bark.

But, by all means, anytime you are out with the dogs, be proactive and try to ward off trouble in the form of people who will approach, either to cut through your campsite or to pet the nice doggy.

And of course, in order to ensure that dogs will always be welcome at the places you stay, always pick up poop and never let your dogs bark more than a woof or two.

As far as where to go potty, I usually prefer to try to get my dog to go in my own campsite, say behind the trailer, where I can easily clean up and dispose of it, but if you're out for a walk and they gotta' go, that's okay. Just try to get them off to the side of the trail or away from other people's sites.

By all means, get them used to the tent before you go. Also, make sure the dogs have ID on their collars. In fact, as an extra precaution, my dogs always wear two collars, each with ID, when we travel, and anytime they are outside of my vehicle or trailer, they are on leash.

eta: Just wanted to clarify regarding the tying out. I would never, ever leave the dog tied out, unattended, not even to walk to the bathroom, not for a second! And the length of the tie-out will depend on the size of your campsite, but should not be so long that you can't grab it quickly and rein the dog in if necessary.

Edited by Cheri Grissom (09/06/2012 07:48 PM)
Edit reason: eta

I think what you need to do depends on where you are going & your dog.

I went camping for a week with 3 well trained dogs in the Gila wilderness. The whole trip was done off leash once we were away from the ranger station. The dogs had their own backpacks & carried their food. We were miles from anyone or anything. The only people we saw while at the camp were 2 park rangers & their Rhodesian Ridgeback (also off leash). The dogs were zero trouble and they were exhausted every day. They wanted to sleep in the tent but there wasn't room for 2 people & 3 large dogs so they slept lying on the tent where sides meets the floor! That cut down on interior space for sure. The dogs would try to sneak into the tent any time they saw a chance. This was the only time these dogs ever spent the night outside while I had them so of course they thought they should be in the tent. The only problem related to the dogs was fishing a dog wearing a backpack out of the river. This was by far the best vacation the dogs ever had!

As far as preparation for the trip, there really wasn't any. The dogs were used to walking off leash but staying with me. Lots of people asked about the dogs running away but that was never an issue. All of the dogs were extremely bonded to me, very obedient & I don't think it ever crossed their minds. I spent a lot of time with the dogs walking off leash in the country so being off leash in the wilderness was no big deal to them.

Definitely the dog needs ID on his collar. Mine were microchipped as well. For my trip we took dog first aid supplies & food they were used to eating. We tried to give them treated water as we stayed by a river but the dogs just hopped in & drank from the river. Fortunately none were ill.

We graduated to a camper quite some time ago but have done a lot of tent camping with dogs in the past. Much like Linda, very rarely a government run campsite. We'd just grab a flat spot in the wilderness and pitch in for the fun times.

A few years back (well quite a few) we did just have a small, two man tent and more often than not, at least two large dogs with us.

We've also always had a truck. We simple nestled the dog tired dogs in the truck when we headed for bed.

These days, heading out in the camper, we still hit the unbeaten paths where the only neighbors we have to worry about are the wildlife. Dogs now get to sleep in the camper with us though. It’s cozy.

Almost like one big crate. Just enough room for us all to turn around.